When you think of barbecue accidents, you probably think of fire. Even if it’s contained and nobody gets hurt, seeing a single flame get out of hand for a second is worrisome. But it turns out, it’s actually a popular tool — not fire — that’s now sending people to the emergency room, and when you realize what it is, you might get shivers.
Wire-bristled barbecue brushes are commonly used for cleaning grills. Since a properly maintained and cleaned grill will ensure a better flavor (and less chance of a flare-up), it makes sense for people to have one on hand. But this tool might actually cause way more harm than good, as multiple people have accidentally swallowed a loose bristle.
Here’s how. The bristles can come loose and get stuck on the grill during a cleaning. Since they’re hard to see, they can end up getting stuck to burgers and hot dogs. During a study, the University of Missouri School of Medicine actually reported that over 1,600 incidents like this have occurred between 2002 and 2014. If this news makes you want to toss your own brush, you’re not alone.
Even if you choose to keep it (since hey, you and that brush have been through so many wonderful summers together), it makes sense to check the bristles and make sure it’s in good shape. Always keep your brush indoors, since leaving it outside will cause it to deteriorate much faster.
It’s also important to know that there are a bunch of alternatives that are much safer. Consider buying a barbecue scraper instead — it doesn’t leave anything behind. If you want to use a cool hack, onions can also help clean a grill with little incident.
While nothing beats barbecued food, just remember that the most important part is safety. Aside from replacing your brush, make sure you place your barbecue a safe distance away from your house and try not to overload your grill. Sure, it’s important to get food out to your guests quickly, but the best food takes time.
If you’re looking to trade in your barbecue brush for a grill scraper, the Grill Hog Cedar BBQ Grill Scraper has almost five stars and costs only $19.99 on Amazon Prime.
