The Hidden Danger of Wire Brush Use When Grilling on the Deck

Wire brushes are often used for cleaning grill grates just before cooking. While effective, this poses a safety risk from wire bristles that sometimes detach from the brush and stick to the grate. The bristle may then get into food cooking on the grate. Over the past several years, a number of people have been hospitalized because they accidentally ingested a wire bristle in their food. These bristles can puncture the throat, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Removal often requires surgery.

Compared to the number of people using wire brushes, the number of incidents of bristle ingestion are relatively small. Nevertheless, it’s a risk that no one wants to expose themselves or their family to.

There are two ways you can approach the problem: safely using the right wire brushes, or using an alternative. While using an alternative to wire brushes is safest, those who choose to continue with wire brushes should only use those that are intended for use on a grill grate. Use common sense when evaluating these brushes. If the handles are made from materials that obviously cannot withstand exposure to heat, don’t buy them. Always toss out worn brushes and look for bent bristles. Regularly replace brushes even if they look OK because their anchoring to the brush handle can weaken over time.

While a number of wire brush alternatives have come out on the market, there are two simple methods of grill grate cleaning that use common household items. One of these entails the use of a balled up sheet of aluminum foil that is held with a pair of suitable tongs. The grate is cleaned while hot just like when using a wire brush. Make sure the tongs will tolerate high temperatures.

The second method is to use the cut side of an onion cut in half. Hold the onion with a long two-pronged fork and use it to scrub the grate while hot. The steaming moisture from the onion and its enzymes act together to break down and clean old food from the grate. An additional benefit of using this method is the wonderful aroma you get while cleaning.

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