Does your grill brush look like this? If so, you could be putting your family and friends in danger.
Doctors across the globe are urging consumers around the globe to discard their grill brushes or risk a painful injury that can require surgery.
As the brush ageds, the wire bristles begin to bend and break away. These tiny metal slivers, often black with oily residue, stick to the grill and can become trapped in the food.
In 2016 a young boy made headlines after surgery was required to remove a single 1.5 cm bristle from his throat that had been stuck to his hamburger. A University of Missouri School of Medicine later revealed that more than 1,700 of these injuries have been reported since 2002 in the United States alone.
Fortunately there are many safer alternatives to the standard wire-bristle brush. A bristle-free brush, like the one pictured below, is made from a single piece of wire that’s coiled upon itself multiple times. There are no sharp edges or slivers of metal that can become embedded in your food. Brushes like these can be found at your local grocery stores or on Amazon for around $15 – $20.
For those who insist on using a wire bristle brush, Weber Grills suggests taking the following precautions,
- Inspect your grill brush for wear. If the bristles are worn down or clogged up with grease, throw it away and replace it.
- If your grill brush head is split or warped, the bristles can come loose. Throw it away and replace it.
- If your grill brush looks OK, you should perform a simple safety check: Take a pair of pliers and grab a bristle and pull using moderate pressure. If the bristle pulls loose, replace your brush.
- Choose a brush with a long handle to keep hands and arms away from the grill.
- A good quality brush has stainless-steel brushes that feel strongly anchored in the grill head or handle.
Watch the video below to learn more.