Weber recalls 3.2 million wire bristle grill brushes

[Michael_in_TX]

To the absolute and abject shock of everyone reading this, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Weber-Stephen Products has recalled several models of wire bristle grill brushes: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/We...gestion-Hazard

While there are several models, they seem to be two basic types (with subtypes having a short or long handle):







Weber will replace the brushes with a nylon bristle version.

[Purc]

Finally! Those things are dangerous regardless of the brand.

[Donw]

Your now or future gastroenterologist will thank you for replacing any wire bristle grill cleaning brushes with any brush not containing bristles of any type. And, you’ll thank yourself too for preventing a possible painful and expensive medical experience
A wadded up ball of aluminum foil works well.

[dpearce]

Bout time. I still see bristle brushes in the stores around here, and it's been how many years since they recommended never to use them on your grills? Love my GrillArt (the one reviewed and recommended on the free side).

On a side note, I still have the wooden one pictured above. I'll cut off the bristles end and use the rest of the handle for something!

<I never throw wood away. yes it's a problem I have>

[jayjordan]

Reminder to self...get those bristle brushes out and throw them away!

[Michael_in_TX]

A wadded up ball of aluminum foil works well.

I'll even go so far as to say it works perfectly! A good scrub with a ball of aluminum foil (which you can probably source from the piece you were using to cover or line that sheet tray you used during the cook) while the grill is still warm/hot and an occasional scrub down with Dawn and stainless steel wool is all I have ever found I need on my stainless (i.e. non-porcelain covered) grates.

[SheilaAnn]

Not sayin’….. just sayin’……

[Ace]

Turns out that I have two of the recalled brushes. A 12" Model 6494 and a 21" Model 6493. I started the process of the recall by filling out the forms, which turns out that you have to do a separate recall for each item that you want to claim. Filled out both claims and received two emails with instructions of more things that needed to be accomplished. Weber is using a third party to process the claims (Truepic Vision). They provide you a QR code to download an App. I tried it on my phone and it did not work. Was able to download it on an Ipad, however there was no information on how to proceed with the recall. This will not work on a computer. This has been extremely frustrating as I've wasted a couple hours trying to make it work. The total cost of two replacement brushes seems to be around $25.00, so I've decided to abandon the recall situation, throw away the defective brushes and just buy new ones. Hope you guys have better luck than I did.

[jlazar]

Ace Using nylon on a hot grate??

[Ace]

jlazar "Using nylon on a hot grate"??

No sir... The replacements, that I believe they will be using, are listed saying
"Clean cool grates with the Cold Cleaning Brush". 👍

[briano52]

I tried two different models of nylon brushes on cold grates. They did not work very well. They were a little better when the grates were soaking in a hot water sink. I happen to have a large outdoor sink that has hot water. Without that, the nylon brushes are useless in my experience.

I still use metal bristle brushes but I minimize the risk by rinsing the grates, strong hot water spray. Also helps to keep you grates clean by regular washing. Less chance of a bristle sticking to a clean grate

[LegoMySearwood]

I was going to attempt this when I got home but they’re charging to replace them?

[Ace]

Yes... What P J said. 👍

[LegoMySearwood]

I ended up going through the process. It worked for me. I’m awaiting their response.

[Ace]

LegoMySearwood
Good job! Glad you were able to make it work. 👍

[Mosca]

The ones with the completely coiled wires work better, IMO.

[Mosca]

Huh. I’ve been okay with these, I’ll have to do some further checking. It doesn’t look like anything could come loose. The ones that are like steel scrubbies, yeah. But this thing is solid.

[smokenoob]

over time I had some of the coils break off. Granted, they are curved and not as sharp, but still ‘foreign material”!

[dpearce]

I've had the coiled GrillArt brush since last spring. It was a little pricey, but it's been great. No complaints. I will try that balled up aluminum trick though.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I am all choked up over it.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

smokenoob I hope not!

[smokenoob]

if ya get my meaning, if ya get my drift……

[Duanessmokedmeats]

smokenoob I get your drift. That is why I said, "I hope not!"
Get my drift?

[jtw]

so, looks like it's time to move on to this?
Grill Rescue Grate Cleaning Brush Review And Rating - Meathead's AmazingRibs.com
i never loved how the coiled ones felt, but if enough of you guys insist then maybe i would revisit it.... what else is out there?

[Mosca]

LegoMySearwood that takes me to my orders.

[DrJimmy2112]

I really like the grill rescue. I use a silicone brush to get rid of the rough stuff than the grill rescue makes the grates look almost new.

[briano52]

I find that the Rescue Grate brush doesn't clean a really dirty grate with stuck on grit. It is OK for a final clean after I brush the tough stuff off with a bristle brush.

[Panhead John]

I’m proof that the bristles can come loose on the grill and eventually lodge in your mouth or esophagus. About 7 or 8 years ago I was grilling something on the kettle, probably a steak…. and while eating I felt a sharp stick to the rear of the roof of my mouth. I was totally confused as to what it could be. I tried to feel what it was with my fingers, and while I could feel it, I couldn’t pull it out. I started to panic a little and went to the bathroom mirror to see what it was. It was in such a position I couldn’t see it at all. I tried for a few more minutes to pull it out but couldn’t get a grip on whatever it was. After a little more panic set in I went to a neighbor’s house and told him what happened. He was able to pull it out with a pair of tweezers. As we looked at it I went SOB! That’s a metal bristle from my BBQ wire brush! I’m just darn lucky I didn’t swallow it! It could have possibly gone further down my throat and I probably wouldn’t have known anything until some serious complications set in.

[dpearce]

Dayam! Glad you were able to get it before it traveled! Sounds like your neighbor is a nice guy! Mine would've just looked at me and ran away...

[Panhead John]

dpearce Mine tried to run away but he tripped and I caught up to him.

[Carolyn]

My brother had something happen with one of those wire brushes like that. He was the one who told me those wires break off in the grill.

[captainlee]

I just threw mine out, so much easier, lesson learned. Been involved with other recalls, class actions and you go through all the nonsense of filling out forms. Two years later you get a settlement check for $4.95. The lawyer made 6.1 million.

[Draznnl]

The law firm may have been paid a lot more than you individually, but how many total $4.95 individual payments were there. What was the total settlement amount, $30 million perhap? How many hours did the lawyers work to earn that 20% fee? What about the secretaries, paralegals, law clerks, and others who were all paid out of that fee. It’s easy to bash lawyers for their fees. It gets harder when you actually stop and think.

[briano52]

The wire brush danger has been known for many years but not widely reported. About 10 years ago, when I first came across a reference to wire bristles being a danger on cooking grates, I was skeptical and did some research. I came across some medical literature that cited real cases of the wire bristles being swallowed and ending in stomachs and intestines. The danger is real.

I then went on a journey to try various other styles of brushes to clean grill grates. I tried nylon bristles, round coils, plain scrapers and sponges covered in a heavy-duty material that was said to steam off grime from the grill grate. What I found was that none of the non-metal bristle brushes can clean a grill grate like a high-quality bristle brush does.

So, I am a dedicated cleaner of grill grates, and I hate seeing crud on a dirty grate where I am putting my food. What to do? I decided to keep using wire bristles. But I have a routine that is designed to minimize the risk of a wayward bristle ending up in my gut.

Here is what I do. I clean my grates before and after every single cook. The most important cleaning is the one done after taking the meat off the grill and before eating. When the grill is still hot, it is much easier to get it spotlessly clean. When I am done with the brush cleaning, I wipe the grate with a damp rag. I then carefully inspect for a loose bristle sticking on the grate. A good inspection requires enough light to see small objects. If it is already dark, I use my patio lights and a very strong flashlight.

Then, when I am getting ready for the next cook, I do the whole cleaning process all over again. I do this as a failsafe method. Also, it is important to know that if you do this repeat cleaning as described, the grates clean up very quickly. This may sound like a time-consuming process, but it is not. I can do a very thorough cleaning in 2 minutes. When the grates are maintained in a squeaky-clean condition, it is easy to see any foreign objects that could be sticking to the grates.

Now I will readily admit that my cleaning method is not infallible. But I think it reduces the risk to a level that I can accept. I have been grilling since I was a child in my parents' back yard. My first Weber Kettle was in 1978. I have not swallowed a wire bristle yet and I am trying to keep it that way.

I have a feeling that wire bristles may end up being withdrawn from the market. And that is probably a good thing as I doubt the casual griller is going to adopt my method of grate cleaning. I should mention that I force my grate cleaning regimen on others. When I get invited to a barbeque at a friend's house, I bring along my best grill brush and a scraper. I volunteer to give the grill a "courtesy cleaning". I don't bring up the bristle danger. No need to scare anybody unless they ask. I just do a good cleaning after the grill gets hot.

I think I am going to stock up on my favorite grill brushes before they aren't available any longer.

[Michael_in_TX]

... I was skeptical and did some research. I came across some medical literature that cited real cases of the wire bristles being swallowed and ending in stomachs and intestines. The danger is real.

That is kind of what puzzles me. These brushes are made very cheaply and it would seem to me that even the most sturdiest of them would start shedding bristles given enough time.

Weber and others surely have to have known this is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I wonder if the CPSC decided enough was enough and forced them to act. (I have a window AC unit that was subject to a recall and some reports suggest that the manufacturer didn't want to act....which is somewhat understandable....the moment a recall is issued it is a federal crime to knowingly sell the recalled items. That is a financial hit. But that is why the CPSC exists.)

[briano52]

Reports of bristles getting into food are not new. When I researched this years ago, I found medical journal articles about wire bristle injuries. But how often does it happen? I have no idea. I can tell you that there are many products that pose a danger but until the injuries and legal claims reach a certain critical mass, the makers will not pull a money-making product. Famously, Ford calculated the cost of paying for exploding gas tank injuries was cheaper than changing the design in Pintos.

[Michael_in_TX]

briano52 I remember learning about the Ford Pinto thing many years ago. It was part of a philosophy lecture entitled, "What is the value of a human life?"