Nationwide recall expands to 3.6 million grill brushes after consumers swallowed metal bristles

Labor Day is just around the corner, a day when Americans will be firing up the BBQ grills for the last time this summer. But if you’re one of them, you’ll want to be aware of a substantial active recall for over 3.6 million metal-wire-bristle grill brushes.

The company behind the recall is warning consumers not to use the brushes over fears that the metal bristles can dislodge and become embedded in food. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s happened?

Back in July, the household goods giant Conair announced a recall of over 1.7 million Cuisinart grill brushes, which are designed to scrub barbecue grill grates free of grease and baked-on food residue. However, Conair found that the wire bristles could break off and get stuck in food cooked on the grill.

Now, Conair has announced an expansion of that recall, adding a number of additional brush models to the list.

In the new recall announcement posted on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website yesterday, Conair said that more than 1.9 million additional brushes were now included in the recall.

“Small metal wire bristles can detach from the brushes and stick to the grill or food, posing an ingestion hazard and risk of serious internal injuries that could require surgery,” the recall notice states.

Has anyone been harmed by the recalled brushes?

Unfortunately, yes. Conair says it is aware of at least 54 incidents in which the wire bristles detached from the brushes.

The recall notice states that in three of those incidents, individuals reported swallowing the bristles and subsequently sought medical care to remove them from their throat or digestive tract. 

Where were the recalled brushes sold?

According to the recall notice, the recalled brushes were sold widely online and in retail stores for nearly 17 years, from June 2009 through March 2026.

The brushes were sold through retailers including:

• Amazon
• Burlington
• Cuisinart.com
• Ross
• TJ Maxx
• Walmart
  

What brushes are included in the recall?

More than 20 brush models are included in the recall. The brushes have the following model numbers:

• CCB-100
• CCB-4125
• CCB-5014
• CCB-6450
• CCB-8012
• CCB-4114
• CCB-W2
• CSBS-777
• 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
• FBH-51

Additionally, the latest recall notice states: “Some of the recalled brushes were also sold as part of the Premium Grill 10 Piece set (CGS-2010), 13 Piece Wooden Handle Grill Tool Set (CGS-W13), 14 Piece Deluxe Stainless Steel Grill Set (CGS-5014), and 20 Piece Deluxe Grill Set (CGS-5020).”

Images of the recalled brushes can be found on the two recall notices here and here.

What should I do if I have the recalled brushes?

If you have any of the recalled brushes, you should stop using them immediately. Contact Conair for a full refund or Cuisinart.com credit. 

Conair says consumers should dispose of the recalled brushes. You can find out more details about the recalls here and here.