June 30, 2025, 2:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
A grill is a great thing in itself–but unfortunately, it needs to be cleaned after use. Often, a wire brush is used for this purpose. However, a U.S. study shows that this is not a good idea, as it can even pose a risk of injury.
Cleaning your grill with a wire brush after barbecuing could land you in the hospital. What sounds exaggerated has already happened frequently, according to U.S. researchers. Tiny, barely visible metal bristles can end up in food and get stuck in the throat. A study by researchers at the University of Missouri warned years ago about the injury risks from broken metal bristles. According to estimates, more than 1,000 people in the U.S. have needed medical treatment because of this.
Underestimated Danger When Grilling
Barbecue evenings can end with an unexpected hospital visit—at least if you use wire brushes to clean the grill grate. A study by Tiffany Baugh and her colleagues at the University of Missouri highlights that these brushes pose a significant risk. When scrubbing, individual bristles can break off, get caught in the grate, and later transfer unnoticed to the grilled food.
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More Than 1,500 Known Cases
According to the research team’s estimates, at least 1,500 people in the U.S. were treated in emergency rooms between 2002 and 2014 after suffering mouth or throat injuries from such wire pieces. The sharp metal parts can get into the grilled food and cause significant injuries to unsuspecting barbecue enthusiasts. The scientists emphasize that this number only includes documented cases.
Actual Numbers Likely Much Higher
The data used comes from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), which records injuries from everyday items in selected emergency rooms. Cases treated by general practitioners or not medically treated at all are not included. The research group suspects that most incidents are not recorded. Therefore, the actual number could be far higher than the officially documented 1,500 cases.
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Advice from a Researcher
In 2017, David Chang, a professor of otolaryngology and a study contributor, reminded the public in a publication of the consequences a wire brush can cause when cleaning the grill. “Although injuries from these grill brushes occur year-round, they are more frequent in the summer months,” Chang explains. To minimize the risk of injury, he advises caution when using wire brushes. Recommended measures include:
- Check the grill brush for loose bristles before each use and dispose of it if damaged.
- Carefully inspect the grate before grilling or use alternative cleaning methods such as nylon brushes or crumpled aluminum foil.
- Thoroughly examine the grilled food before eating to detect any adhering bristles.
“A single overlooked bristle can lodge in various body regions—such as the throat, tonsils, or neck area,” Chang explains. “If the bristle passes through these areas without getting stuck, it can lodge further down, for example, in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.” The greatest concern is that the bristle could pierce the intestinal wall. It could then “migrate out of the intestine and cause further internal damage.”
I Will No Longer Use Wire Brushes
“Even though the documented injuries seem relatively rare, the analysis by U.S. researchers shows that these are not isolated cases. I also enjoy grilling regularly, but I will no longer use a wire brush to clean my grill.”