Safer alternatives to wire grill brushes, according to experts

Grilling season is in full swing, but before you fire up those grills, check your grill brushes. Weber and Nexgrill recently recalled millions of their metal wire-bristle grill brushes after several reports of consumers sustaining serious injuries. The metal wire-bristles can break off, get into food and cause serious ingestion injuries if swallowed, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Wire grill brushes have long been popular; even Good Housekeeping has tested and recommended some in the past. “We always kind of had a disclaimer to always make sure your brush is in good shape,” said Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances Lab Director. “But at this point, it’s just not worth it because I even found a bristle once on my grill.” Papantoniou and the team at Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances Lab have tested over 30 grill brushes over the past few years and compiled a list of their favorite recommendations. She talked to us about the team’s favorite wire-bristle-free options. Best overall: OXO Good Grips Hot Clean Grill Brush”This material is used a lot on cast iron pans because it really gets a good scrub,” Papantoniou said. “Now it’s attached to this really long handle and then there’s a scraper here also. So you can scrape everything off but especially the stubborn bits.” She demonstrated how to use the brush, quickly scraping off any remaining residue and char. Best with Sponge Head: Grill Rescue Steam Cleaning Grill Brush Papantoniou demonstrated how to use the steam cleaning grill brush, quickly cleaning off residue with one extra ingredient: water.”You’re actually dipping in water and using it on a hot grill,” Papantoniou said. “So that’s of course going to help loosen all the grime and really get a good cleaning.” Papantoniou also noted the sponge head is replaceable.Best value: Proud Grill Company Q-Swiper BBQ Grill Cleaner SetGood Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances Lab has recommended the Proud Grill Company Q-Swiper BBQ Grill Cleaner Set as the best value for a wire-bristle-free tool. Instead of bristles, this product uses disposable cleaning wipes to help degrease your grill.Best coiled head design: Kona Safe/Clean Grill Brush The Kona Safe/Clean Grill Brush was recommended as the best coiled head design, according to Good Housekeeping’s Kitchen Appliances Lab. The brush is made of stainless steel, is bristle-free, and contains three rows of coils that scrub grates and get around corners. Need more ideas? Check out Good Housekeeping’s full list of wire-bristle-free grill brushes here. Tips to tackle cleaning your grill Papantoniou said the overall top safety tip for grilling this summer is keeping your grill clean. “The flames can catch on to all that residue and that’s what catches fire, so that can be a problem,” she said. “So keep it clean and you won’t have to deal with a fire extinguisher or fire blanket, but also keep those handy just in case.” In addition to using a grill brush to scrape off excess bits on the grill grates, Papantoniou recommends using a microfiber cloth to wipe down oil on the outside. She also recommends cleaning out the grease traps regularly to avoid attracting unwanted pests. Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.comSubscribe to our twice-weekly consumer newsletter for in-depth explanations and practical guidance.

Source link