This Silent Danger Is Lurking Near Many Minnesota Grills

We are at the peak of grilling season across the US, and Minnesota is no exception. While the grill puts in overtime this holiday weekend, there is a silent danger lurking nearby that you might not be thinking about. If you use this item, you should be extra careful.

If You Regularly Clean Your Grill, You Should Be Careful With This

I don't think my parents growing up really thought twice about cleaning off the grill grates. I remember maybe once or twice my dad would 'clean' the grill grates off, and when he did, he used his trusty grill brush, you know the one, with wire bristles on it.

I guess I should be lucky nothing happened after he cleaned off the grates, as one Minnesota child recently ended up in the Emergency Room after he ingested a wire bristle that came off the brush and got stuck to the food he later ate.

Using those types of brushes can be dangerous, but how else are you supposed to clean off your cooking surface?

Other Types Of Grill Grate Cleaning Devices

So, if you shouldn't be using your old friend, Rusty the brush, what should you use? Well, I found some options that won't leave behind dangerous wire bristles.

• A Grill Stone - It is made from pumice and conforms to the shape of your grill grates as you clean.
• Wooden Grill Scraper - These solid hardwood paddles develop grooves that perfectly match your grill grates over time.
• Nylon Bristle Brush - These brushes use heavy-duty nylon instead of steel.
• Stainless Steel Grill Scraper - These are flat metal tools with cutouts sized for different grate styles.

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Other options for keeping your cooking surface clean are to use aluminum foil balled up and using grilling tongs to scrub the grates with the aluminum foil, or simply cut a large onion in half and rub the cut side over hot grates with a grilling fork.

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