Wire brushes - When will people stop using them

SciAggie

These work well and actually last a long time. 

etherdome

What is that ? Pumice?

SciAggie

etherdome said:

What is that ? Pumice?

Yes, or something similar. 

HeavyG

Pumice type cleaners are great (especially on griddles) but you really need to give a grate or griddle a good wipe down afterwards.

DoubleEgger

The grid gripper is the best cleaner imo. 

SandyHookEgger

SciAggie said:

These work well and actually last a long time. 

I use these then wipe the grill down or a wooden paddle. Don't trust wire anymore after seeing what can happen.

EggNorth

Great ideas to cleaning the grill, thanks everyone for the suggestions.   

milesofsmiles

grill gripper is ok for scraping crusty stuff.

Tony_T

I use Scotch Brite Grill pads.

Foghorn

epcotisbest said:

I think to answer the original question, people will stop using them when they stop selling them and their old ones wear out. 

The "wearing out' part is a big part of the problem.  At least in this study, every bristle ingestion injury was from a brush that was more than 2 years old.

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sesc/tas/2016/00000082/00000005/art00015

Biggreenpharmacist

I scrape off the big stuff with my ash tool. 

Shiff

I use and like the Billy Bar:  http://www.billybar.com/

CanDid

Shiff said:

I use and like the Billy Bar:  http://www.billybar.com/

You use this on a mini egg? If I had to use this on my XL, I might get around to grilling.... tomorrow!  

Shiff

I have a large BGE.  It only takes a few minutes to clean the grill when it is hot.

theyolksonyou

Y'all all need a Labrador 

GrillSgt

Just bought 4 of these. 2 for the SILs and 2 for me. 

blasting

I used to use foil.  Now I use my Smokeware ash tool when simple heat needs an assist.  I don't sweat it much.

SamIAm2

blasting said:

I used to use foil.  Now I use my Smokeware ash tool when simple heat needs an assist.  I don't sweat it much.

Yep, got one and use it for the MMX grates. Won't work on my high-que luxury stainless cooking grid for the large. The notch is too small. .
Soak that one in lye for about a day. That stuff will eat any protein.  

dstearn

GrillSgt said:

Just bought 4 of these. 2 for the SILs and 2 for me. 

I just ordered one as well.

Legume

@GrillSgt @dstearn that's the brush I've used for years (probably on my 6th one by now.  It does wear down as you use it, so flip it and use both sides.  I've never SEEN it lose bristles, but I assume it does and try to use it with that in mind.  I never just brush and then load up the grill.  Most of the time I will brush before I put the grate in.  For times when the grate is already in the egg and hot, I make sure I move it, shake it, smack it hard with the ash tool or something and give it a good look after I brush it.  I also only brush the grate if there's something nasty looking there, so that's maybe 20% of the time (or nearly 100% of the time following a fish cook).

GrillSgt

Sold as bristle free:
https://www.thegrommet.com/brushtech-double-helix-grill-brush-21in

Legume

Ah, that is different with the coils.  I had not seen those, it does look just like a grill brush I've used for years.  Looks like a good idea, helpful to hear back how it holds up.

GrillSgt

It will definitely get a workout from me. Yes it looks like the brush I have been using for years.

nolaegghead

JFC, folks.  We get eating wires can kill you.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't use wire brushes to clean your grill.  It means you need to make sure you clean up any wire left over.  I've research long and hard and you can brush off any visible and invisible wire remnants using a variety of methods, like brushing the grate with a non-wire brush (chip brush). 

Knowing about the risk is good.  You can deal with it safely from there.

Legume

Well, really, the government should just outlaw wire brushes.  It would be easier.

GrillSgt

nolaegghead said:

JFC, folks.  We get eating wires can kill you.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't use wire brushes to clean your grill.  It means you need to make sure you clean up any wire left over.  I've research long and hard and you can brush off any visible and invisible wire remnants using a variety of methods, like brushing the grate with a non-wire brush (chip brush). 

Knowing about the risk is good.  You can deal with it safely from there.

I don't disagree at all, that's where I have been for years since we first heard about the issue. But lately I've been asking myself why take a chance. Especially my SILs and their funky ass grills. 

nolaegghead

GrillSgt said:

nolaegghead said:

JFC, folks.  We get eating wires can kill you.  That doesn't mean you shouldn't use wire brushes to clean your grill.  It means you need to make sure you clean up any wire left over.  I've research long and hard and you can brush off any visible and invisible wire remnants using a variety of methods, like brushing the grate with a non-wire brush (chip brush). 

Knowing about the risk is good.  You can deal with it safely from there.

I don't disagree at all, that's where I have been for years since we first heard about the issue. But lately I've been asking myself why take a chance. Especially my SILs and their funky ass grills. 

I think that's prudent.  Even if it's just a mitigation of anxiety.

Like I said, I did have a wire flip out of the grill in to the griddle, and it ended up in food.  That would never happen if I didn't use a wire brush.

mEGG_My_Day

Thanks for posting.

I didn't know this was an issue.  I've been using wire brushes for decades without a problem - but it looks like time to rethink.

DoubleEgger

Legume said:

Well, really, the government should just outlaw wire brushes.  It would be easier.

They'd prefer to tax the crap out of them. 

CanDid

DoubleEgger said:

Legume said:

Well, really, the government should just outlaw wire brushes.  It would be easier.

They'd prefer to tax the crap out of them. 

In the current lawsuit atmosphere we live in, I'm surprised somebody hasn't sued one of the wire brush companies. Spill a cup of hot coffee.... I'm just sayin'.