WASHINGTON, D.C. — Millions of Cuisinart grill brushes are being recalled after reports that tiny metal wire bristles can break away from the cleaning tools and become stuck in grilled food.
Conair, the importer of the products, announced an expanded recall on August 27, covering approximately 1,905,805 additional Cuisinart metal wire bristle grill brushes.
That comes on top of roughly 1,719,995 brushes recalled in July, bringing the total number of affected products to 3,625,800.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the problem creates an ingestion hazard because loose metal bristles can detach from the brush and stick to a grill or food.
Loose Bristles Could Cause Serious Injuries
According to the CPSC, the small metal wires can become difficult to notice once they separate from the brush.
If swallowed, the bristles can potentially become lodged in the digestive tract or throat and cause serious internal injuries that may require surgery.
Conair has received at least 54 reports and reviews involving bristles detaching from the affected brushes.
Among those reports were three consumers who swallowed metal bristles and required medical treatment to have them removed from their digestive tract or throat.
The recall affects brushes with black plastic, stainless steel and wood handles, including several different Cuisinart models.
Which Cuisinart Grill Brushes Are Recalled?
The expanded recall includes model numbers such as CGWM-024, CGWM-059, FCB-501, CGS-W18, CCB-134, CGWM-061, CB-395, CCB-3001, CGWM-077, CGWM-058, CCB-012/021, CGWM-060 and FBH-51.
Affected products include the Cuisinart Dual Grip Grill Brush, 18-inch Bamboo Cleaning Grill Brush, Comfort Grill Cleaning Brush and 16-inch Wire Detailing Grill Brush, among others.
The original July recall covered additional models, including CCB-100, CCB-4125, CCB-5014, CCB-6450, CCB-8012, CCB-4114, CCB-W2 and CSBS-777.
The CPSC has also warned that all Cuisinart wire bristle grill brushes are included in the recall, including additional brushes sold before 2020 that may not be among the specifically listed model numbers.
Brushes Sold Across Major Retailers
The recalled products were sold between June 2009 and March 2026, giving the recall a particularly broad reach.
Consumers may have purchased the brushes at retailers including Walmart, Burlington, TJ Maxx and Ross, as well as online through Amazon and Cuisinart’s website.
Some of the recalled brushes were also included in Cuisinart grill sets.
The CPSC says consumers should stop using the affected brushes immediately and discard them as directed.
Teen’s Surgery Highlights Potential Danger
The recall comes amid growing awareness of the dangers associated with metal grill brush bristles.
Earlier this summer, a Minnesota teenager, Noah Walden, reportedly swallowed a metal bristle that became lodged in his intestine after a barbecue. The brand of brush involved in that incident was not identified.
According to his mother, Noah eventually required emergency medical treatment after experiencing worsening abdominal pain.
Doctors found the bristle in the wall of his intestine, and he underwent bowel resection surgery that removed about three inches of his bowel.
His mother later warned people to throw away metal grill brushes and avoid purchasing them.
Other Grill Brush Recalls Have Also Been Issued
Cuisinart is not the only company to face problems involving wire bristle grill brushes.
Earlier this year, Nexgrill recalled about 10.2 million brushes after reports of detached bristles, including cases involving consumers who swallowed them and required medical attention.
Weber also recalled approximately 3.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes in February after receiving reports of bristles detaching.
The latest Cuisinart recall therefore adds millions more potentially dangerous products to a growing list of recalled grill-cleaning tools.
Consumers Can Seek a Refund
Cuisinart says consumers who believe they have an affected brush should discontinue use immediately and follow the recall registration process.
Consumers can submit photographic proof of the brush as part of the remedy process and may be eligible for a full refund or credit toward purchases at Cuisinart.com.
With millions of brushes affected and reports of serious injuries already documented, consumers are encouraged to check their grilling equipment before using it again.
Do you use a wire-bristle grill brush? Have you ever found loose bristles on your grill or food? Share your experience in the comments.
