Walmart is recalling about 4.48 million Expert Grill wire brushes because loose metal bristles can end up in food and be swallowed.
Story Highlights
- The recall covers 4,477,655 Expert Grill metal wire bristle brushes, sold alone and in grill tool sets.
- They were sold at Walmart stores and Walmart.com from January 2021 through August 2026 for $1 to $28.
- Small wire bristles can break off, stick to the grill or food, and cause serious internal injuries that may need surgery.
- No injuries have been reported. Stop using the brush and contact Walmart for a full refund or store credit.
What Is Being Recalled and Why
The brushes are being pulled because small metal wire bristles can come loose while you clean the grill, then cling to the grate or to the food cooked on it, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said when it announced the recall on Thursday, October 1. The CPSC is the federal agency that oversees the safety of household products. It calls this an ingestion hazard, which means a danger from swallowing something. A swallowed bristle can cause internal injuries that may require surgery.
The brushes have black plastic or stainless-steel handles, and some have a metal scraper attached. They were made in China and imported by Walmart. No incidents or injuries have been reported.
Check Your Brush: The Recalled Models
The model number is on the package or on a sticker or tag on the brush. These five models are part of the recall:
- EX5607031616002: 16-inch Steel Fiber Scrub Brush and Scraper (sold January 2025 to August 2026)
- EX5607031616003: Handheld Steel Fiber Scrub Brush, Ergonomic Handle (January 2025 to August 2026)
- XG1310700206: 21-inch 3-head Grill Brush, Stainless Steel Bristles, Soft-Grip Handle (January 2022 to August 2026)
- XG1136178597003: Long Handle Grill Brush with Scraper, 17.7 inches (January 2021 to August 2026)
- XG1410700124: 10-Piece Stainless Steel Grill Tools Set (December 2023 to August 2026)
Exactly What to Do
Stop using the brush right away. Contact Walmart for a full refund or a credit you can use at any Walmart store or on Walmart.com. You can return the brush to a Walmart store or throw it away.
Walmart’s recall line is 800-925-6278, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. You can also go to walmart.com/help, corporate.walmart.com/recalls, or click “Product Recalls” at the bottom of Walmart.com.
Before your next cookout, wipe the grate with a damp paper towel to catch any stray wires a brush may have left behind. If you think someone swallowed a bristle, call a doctor right away.
Why It Matters at Home
A grill brush is one of those tools that hangs by the grill for years and never gets a second look. With more than 4 million of these in homes, a quick check of the model number takes a minute and could spare your family a trip to the emergency room. Switching to a bristle-free scraper is a simple way to keep the next family dinner safe.
Sources:
cpsc.gov, corporate.walmart.com, wbtv.com, abc27.com, wsbtv.com