Image of the recalled Weber Model Number 6463 Grill Brush. (Photo courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Weber has recalled 3.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes over an ingestion hazard that may cause severe internal injuries.
In a Thursday recall notice, Consumer Product Safety Commission officials noted that the small metal wire bristles can detach from the brushes, stick to the grill or food, posing ingestion risk and potential internal injuries that might require surgery.
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According to the CPSC, Weber is aware of roughly 38 reports and reviews where small bristles detached from the grill brushes, including four reports of people who swallowed metal bristles and needed medical treatment to "remove the bristles from their digestive tract or throat."
Which metal wire bristle grill brushes are recalled?
Why you should care:
The recall involves Weber’s Metal Wire Bristle Grill Brushes with plastic or wood handles measuring between 12 and 21 inches long. A list of the model numbers for the recall can be found here.
Image of the Recalled Weber Model Number 6277 Grill Brush. (Photo courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says these grill brushes were sold online and in stores at Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Target, and online at Amazon and Weber.com between 2011 through 2026 in the price range of $10 and $17. Officials added that the products have also been found on resale sites, like eBay.com.
If I have a metal wire bristle grill brush, what should I do with it?
What you can do:
Consumers with these grill brushes are urged to immediately stop using them and call Weber for a cold cleaning nylon bristle grill brush replacement. The Consumer Product Safety Commission added that owners of these products will be asked to throw away the recalled grill brushes.
CPSC statement on Weber grill brush recall
What they're saying:
In a statement provided to FOX Television Stations on Thursday, Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman addressed this latest recall:
"Today’s recall of more than 3.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes addresses a serious ingestion hazard caused by a dangerous design flaw that allows small wire bristles to detach from the brush and be swallowed without detection. There have been reports of four consumers who swallowed metal bristles and sought medical treatment to remove them from their digestive tracts or throats."
"Consumers should not wait until grilling season arrives to take action on this recall. CPSC strongly urges consumers to act now, stop using and discard grill brushes with metal wire bristles, and switch to non-wire alternatives. Before grilling, inspect the grill surface for any detached bristles and examine food closely. Consumers should report any incidents at SaferProducts.gov."
"CPSC appreciates its cooperative relationship with Weber, which agreed voluntarily to recall these defective brushes and do right by its customers. At the same time, the Commission is reviewing this product category more broadly. Manufacturers of similar products have a choice: work proactively with CPSC to address known hazards or face continued enforcement scrutiny. The Commission will use its authorities as appropriate to ensure hazardous products are removed from the marketplace."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, and a CPSC statement. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.