Boston-area grillers have a new reason to double-check their tools before firing up the barbecue. Federal safety officials have announced a recall of roughly 1.72 million Cuisinart metal wire-bristle grill brushes after reports that tiny steel bristles can detach, stick to grates, and end up in food, in some cases landing people in the doctor’s office.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Conair’s recall covers about 1,719,995 units (recall number 26-601). The agency says small metal bristles can break off and stick to grills or food. Conair has received at least 54 reports of bristles coming off the brushes, including three incidents in which consumers swallowed bristles and sought medical treatment. No one signs up for an unplanned side of steel with their burger.
The recall affects several Cuisinart models, including CCB-100, CCB-4125, CCB-5014, CCB-6450, CCB-8012, CCB-4114, CCB-W2, and CSBS-777, and some brushes that were sold as part of multi-piece grill sets. As reported by Boston 25 News, the brushes were sold at Burlington, TJ Maxx, and Ross stores, and online at Amazon and Cuisinart from June 2009 through March 2026 for between $8 and $20.
Part of a wider crackdown
This recall is the latest in a run of wire-bristle grill brush pullbacks this year, following other large recalls in 2026 that together affected millions of brushes. In a statement, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it expects manufacturers to “act promptly when safety hazards come to light” as the agency ramps up enforcement on hazardous wire grill brushes.
What to do if you have one
If your grill brush looks like one of the recalled models, stop using it and check any recently cooked food for stray wires. Conair is offering a full refund or a credit for use at Cuisinart.com. Owners can call Conair at 888-520-1304 or start a claim via Cuisinart for instructions and to register.
If you suspect you or a family member may have swallowed a bristle, or you notice sharp throat or abdominal pain, seek immediate medical attention and tell clinicians about the possibility of metal ingestion.
With holiday cookouts and backyard barbecues in full swing, safety officials suggest swapping wire-bristle brushes for nylon options or bristle-free scrapers, and giving grill grates an extra careful wipedown before you cook. Regulators and doctors warn that those tiny wires are easy to miss on food, and that a bristle-free cleaner or thorough cleaning routine is the safest bet.
