Millions of Grill Brushes Recalled After Reports of Metal Bristles Causing Serious Injuries

A significant safety recall has been issued for over 1.7 million Cuisinart grill brushes, after reports emerged that metal bristles could detach during use, posing a serious risk of internal injuries to consumers. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the urgent recall following incidents where three individuals required medical attention after ingesting these sharp wires.

The affected products include approximately 1,719,995 Cuisinart metal wire bristle grill brushes that were sold between June 2009 and March 2026. Retailers such as Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Ross, in addition to online platforms like Amazon and the Cuisinart website, were among the outlets where these products were made available.

According to the CPSC, there is a significant danger associated with these grill brushes, as “small metal wire bristles can detach from the brushes and stick to the grill or food, posing an ingestion hazard.” This alarming detail underscores the potential for serious internal injuries, which could necessitate surgical intervention.

Conair, the importer responsible for Cuisinart’s grill brushes, has acknowledged at least 54 incidents and reviews related to the detachment of bristles. Reports indicate that among these, three consumers have experienced severe consequences, having swallowed the metal bristles and requiring medical procedures to remove them.

The recall targets specific models of grill brushes, which are characterised by their metal wire bristles and come with different handle materials, including black plastic, stainless steel, or wood. Notable models include CCB-100, CCB-4125, CCB-5014, CCB-6450, CCB-8012, CCB-4114, CCB-W2, and CSBS-777. Some of these brushes were sold as part of grill tool sets.

In light of the dangers associated with the recalled products, consumers are advised to cease usage immediately. Cuisinart has instructed customers to contact Conair to obtain either a full refund or store credit towards future purchases on their website. Importantly, consumers do not need to provide a receipt to claim their refund; however, they will need to submit photographs of the recalled brush and adhere to the company’s recall process as outlined on the Cuisinart website.

This recall is particularly notable as it follows two earlier high-profile grill brush recalls this year, which collectively impacted more than 13 million products. In March, Nexgrill issued a recall for approximately 10.2 million of its brushes, citing similar risks of bristle detachment and the potential for ingestion that could lead to serious injuries. Reports indicated that Nexgrill was aware of at least 68 incidents of detached bristles, including five cases where individuals had to seek medical treatment after swallowing the sharp metal pieces.

Before that, Weber had also recalled around 3.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes in response to at least 38 reports of bristle detachment, with four instances requiring medical attention after consumers ingested the wires. In both cases, customers were instructed to stop using the affected products and request replacements for safer nylon grill brushes.

The string of recalls this year highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of grill cleaning products, particularly those using metal wire bristles. The CPSC has consistently urged consumers to remain vigilant and to monitor for safety notices related to these commonly used items in outdoor cooking.

As safety authorities continue to examine the broader implications of such recalls, grill brush manufacturers, including Cuisinart, are urged to improve product design and safety measures to protect consumers from potentially severe injuries. For now, current owners of these grill brushes are advised to take immediate action and participate in the recall process to ensure their safety and well-being.