If you’re still using a wire brush to scrub your grill, one emergency room doctor says you might want to rethink that—unless you like spending your summer barbecue season in a hospital gown.
Dr. Joe Whittington (@drjoe_md) recently posted a TikTok responding to another creator’s “ER doctor tip” for cleaning a grill: stick an onion on a fork and scrub the grates.
ER Doctor Explains Why Your Grill Brush Could Send You To The ER
He explains that the danger comes from tiny bristles breaking off wire brushes. “And they can get stuck in your throat like this,” he says, as an MRI image flashes on screen.
Dr. Joe warns that the problem can travel farther. “Sometimes they can even make it down to your bowel like this,” he adds, showing another MRI.
He cites a published study to back up the warning. He says, “As a matter of fact this study showed 17 people in which this has happened to.”
Then he pivots to safer cleaning options. “So instead of a grill brush with metal bristles, use a coil brush, a grill stone, or like this guy, an onion,” he explains.
Finally, he throws in one more grilling tip. “Using a potato will make your grill nonstick,” he concludes.
Yes, This Can Actually Happen
According to Consumer Reports, small metal bristles from stainless steel or brass grill brushes can break off during cleaning and stick to your grill’s surface.
If they end up on your food, you might accidentally swallow one. Between 2002 and 2014, an estimated 1,700 Americans went to the ER after ingesting a wire bristle, with about one in four needing to be admitted.
If you want to avoid the risk entirely, there are safer ways to clean your grill. Consumer Reports testing found that the Earthstone GrillStone outperformed traditional brushes.
You could also use a crumpled ball of aluminum foil on a warm grate.
And yes, a halved potato can indeed help create a nonstick surface, thanks to its starch coating.
Commenters Weigh In
In the comments under Dr. Joe’s video, some were baffled that wire brushes are still sold at all.
“I don’t understand why they still sell these kind of brushes,” one person wrote.
Others admitted they’d never even heard of them. “I’m Mexican! I just always thought that’s how you clean the grills!! Never knew there was a brush lol!”
For some, the onion trick was a game-changer. “Who knew an onion could save you a trip to the ER? Next grilling session, I’m definitely using this hack!” one viewer said.
Another added, “I mean, every Mexican watching like Bro, this is not big news.”
BroBible has reached out to Dr. Joe via email.