Ahead, pitmasters, grilling experts, and chefs explain what wire grill brushes are and whether or not they are safe to use.

So, use a non-metal wire brush instead. Not only will cleaning your grill help prevent food buildup, it’ll also reduce the ...

This week, a woman in Connecticut needed emergency surgery to remove a wire barbecue brush bristle from her ... The bristles had perforated the small intestines of two patients and the stomach ...

When you're done, toss it in the dishwasher or washing machine to get it ready for the next round of cleaning ... and this is much safer to use than the wire brush," a shopper said.

Getting rid of your wire grill brush is "really just a small change we can make to avoid this risk completely," she adds. Caroline Kee is a health reporter at TODAY based in New York City.