Last updated: October 15, 2026
A few years ago I built a small side project, Grill Brush Danger, to warn people about a hazard most of us never think about: the wire grill brush.
The problem
Wire brushes shed bristles. Those thin metal pieces can stick to the grill grate, transfer to your food, and get swallowed. Once swallowed they can lodge in the mouth, throat, or further down, causing serious pain and sometimes surgery. Egad!
What the research says
A 2016 study in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery from the University of Missouri estimated about 1,700 emergency room visits in the US from wire grill brush bristles between 2002 and 2014. The most common injury sites were the mouth, throat, and tonsils. The authors noted the real number is likely higher, because it doesn’t count urgent care visits.
How to grill more safely
- Switch brushes. Use a bristle-free scraper, a coil-style brush, or a nylon brush on a cool grill.
- Try foil. A crumpled ball of aluminum foil held with tongs cleans a hot grate surprisingly well.
- If you keep a wire brush, inspect it before every use and throw it out if any bristles are loose.
- Check the grate for stray bristles before you put food on it.
- Check your food, especially burgers and anything with sauce, where a bristle can hide.
If you think you swallowed one
Pain when swallowing or a feeling that something is stuck after a cookout is worth taking seriously. See a doctor or go to the ER, and mention that you recently ate grilled food. Small metal bristles can be hard to find, so that detail helps.
About the project
I built grillbrushdanger.com in a day with Bootstrap, and it’s still up. Visit it before you fire up the grill this summer.
FAQ
Are wire grill brushes dangerous?
They can be. Bristles can break off, stick to the grate, and end up in food. A study estimated about 1,700 US ER visits from them between 2002 and 2014.
What is a safe alternative to a wire grill brush?
A bristle-free scraper, a coil brush, a nylon brush on a cool grill, or a crumpled ball of foil held with tongs.