How many people have died from grill brushes?

Wire grill brush bristles can be accidentally ingested, causing internal injuries, a perforated gastrointestinal tract or death. An estimated 1,700 Americans ingested wire bristles in grilled food and went to the emergency room between 2002-14, according to Consumer Reports.

Why you shouldn’t use a grill brush?

Doctors warn that using wire bristle brushes could be hazardous to your health. The risk: The brush’s wire bristles can break off, remain on the grill grate and end up in the food you’re cooking. Then, once you eat it, they could potentially lodge in your stomach or intestines and cause major damage.

What happens if you swallow a bristle from a grill brush?

Wire bristles from grill brushes can snap off, land on the grate and find their way into grilled meats, public health experts warn. If ingested, these bristles can tear up a person’s throat and digestive tract, causing potentially life-threatening injuries.

How often should you replace a grill brush?

You should replace your grill brushes at least every season or more often for frequent grillers. Before each use, check your brush for damage such as loose bristles. If loose bristles are found, immediately discard and replace the brush.

What kind of grill brush is safe?

Without the danger of shedding metal wires, however, a nylon brush may be just what the grill needs. Nylon is a safer material for a grill brush and won’t damage the metal grates, but the softer material also means that it will take a bit more effort to get the grill clean.

Are metal grill brushes bad?

Did you know that a simple grilling tool is the cause of many dangerous injuries? Metal bristles from grill brushes can easily become dislodged and get stuck on a grill. From there, they find their way into food that has been cooked on the grill.

What is the safest grill brush to use?

The 5 Best Bristle-Free Grill Brushes on Amazon

• Kona Stainless Steel Grill Brush. Photo courtesy of Amazon.
• Grill Grate Grid Scrub. Photo courtesy of Amazon.
• FEROS Wooden Grill Scraper. Photo courtesy of Amazon.
• Qually United Bristle Free BBQ Grill Brush. Photo courtesy of Amazon.

What is the safest grill brush?

Using nylon brushes is a safer option than metal brushes, but the bristles also fall off. They also only work best when used with porcelain grills. Grill Rescue’s Brush and Scraper is the safest, and steam cleaning is an effective way to remove bacteria.

What type of grill brush is safe?

The safest bet is to avoid grill brushes with metal bristles altogether. And while there are nylon bristle alternatives out there, at really hot temperatures, the nylon bristles will melt.

How often should you replace your BBQ?

On average, Americans will throw their grill out after only three years. However, we assure you that they should last much longer than that! In reality, most gas grills last between 5 to 15 years before needing to be replaced. This depends on the level of care the owner takes in maintaining their grill.

What can I use instead of a metal grill brush?

If you don’t have a grill brush on hand, one of the best alternatives that works in a pinch is a ball of aluminum foil. When you’re done cooking your last burger, simply crumple up aluminum foil into a ball that’s large enough to easily hold with a pair of tongs.

What can I use instead of a wire grill brush?

Here are some of your grill cleaning suggestions

1. Grill cleaning blocks.
2. Nylon bristle brush.
3. Welding wire brush.
4. Pumice stones.
5. Stainless steel pot scrubber.
6. Modified cedar shingle.
7. Stick barbecue parts in a self-cleaning oven.
8. Spray water on a hot grill and clean with steam.

How are people getting hurt from grill brushes?

According to the study, injuries from grill brushes have been reported most often to the mouth and throat. But in rare instances, people have sustained stomach and intestinal injuries after swallowing a bristle that’s hidden in food.

Are there any injuries from swallowing Grill bristles?

The CDC is urging emergency rooms around the country to be on the lookout for internal injuries that may be caused by accidental ingestion of wire grill-cleaning brush bristles.

Is it safe to use metal grill brush?

In fact, metal bristles have been found lodged in people’s throats, stomachs, and intestines. Some bristles even have to be surgically removed. Regular replacement of grill cleaning brushes is the first step to preventing these types of injuries.

When did the first grill cleaning brush accident happen?

In the July 6 issue of its journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC describes six cases that occurred at a Providence, R.I., hospital which occurred between March 2011 and June 2012.