WASHINGTON — In a major expansion of a nationwide consumer alert, Conair LLC announced on August 27, 2026, that it is expanding its recall of Cuisinart metal wire bristle grill brushes. The action adds approximately 1.9 million units across 13 new model numbers to the nearly 1.7 million units recalled in July 2026, bringing the total recalled volume to over 3.6 million brushes.
Crucially, the expanded recall establishes a blanket ban on all Cuisinart-brand wire-bristle grill brushes sold prior to 2020, even if no specific model number is printed on the tool.
Severe Ingestion Risks and Reported Injuries
The recall stems from a serious design flaw: small metal wire bristles can detach from the brush head during cleaning and remain on grill grates. When food is subsequently cooked on the grate, the sharp metal strands can adhere invisibly to meat or vegetables.
If swallowed, loose bristles can puncture or slice through tissue in the mouth, throat, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. In severe cases, ingested bristles cause internal blockages or organ perforations that require urgent surgical removal.
Conair has documented at least 54 reports of bristles detaching from its brushes. While no new injuries have been reported since July 2026, at least three consumers have required medical intervention to surgically extract swallowed bristles from their digestive tracts or throats.
Scope of the Recalled Products
The updated recall covers all Cuisinart metal wire-bristle brushes—sold individually or bundled inside multi-piece barbecue tool sets—purchased nationwide between June 2009 and March 2026 for $8 to $20.
- Previously Recalled Models (July 2, 2026): CCB-100, CCB-4125, CCB-5014, CCB-6450, CCB-8012, CCB-4114, CCB-W2, and CSBS-777.
- Newly Added Models (August 27, 2026): CGWM-024, CGWM-059, FCB-501, CGS-W18, CCB-134, CGWM-061, CB-395, CCB-3001, CGWM-077, CGWM-058, CCB-012/021, CGWM-060, and FBH-51.
- Pre-2020 Units & Tool Sets: All Cuisinart-branded wire bristle brushes sold before 2020, including those included in tool sets such as CGS-2010, CGS-W13, CGS-5014, and CGS-5020.
The products were widely distributed through retailers including Walmart, Burlington, TJ Maxx, Ross, Amazon, and Cuisinart.com. The word “Cuisinart” is stamped on the handle of most affected models.
An Industry-Wide Safety Reckoning
The CPSC’s aggressive push against Cuisinart reflects a broader regulatory crackdown on traditional wire-bristle grill tools.
Earlier in 2026, federal safety officials issued massive recalls for similar wire-bristle products across major manufacturers. Weber-Stephen Products LLC recalled approximately 3.2 million wire brushes in February 2026 following four injury reports, while Nexgrill recalled over 10.2 million units in March 2026 following 68 detachment incidents and five medical interventions. Combined, federal regulators have removed over 17 million wire-bristle grill cleaning devices from the U.S. market in 2026 alone.
Safety experts and consumer advocates strongly advise home cooks to retire traditional wire brushes entirely and adopt safer alternatives, such as nylon scrubbers, bristle-free stainless steel coils, wooden scrapers, or pumice grill stones.
Consumer Action and Remedy Instructions
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to stop using all recalled Cuisinart metal wire bristle brushes immediately and dispose of them.
Conair is providing full cash refunds or store credits valid at Cuisinart.com for the full purchase price plus an additional 20% bonus value. Proof of purchase receipts are not required to participate in the remedy.
To register for a refund, consumers can:
- Visit recallrtr.com/grillbrushes to upload photographic proof of the brush marked with a provided destruction code.
- Call Conair toll-free at 888-520-1304 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET).
- Visit cuisinart.com and select “Product Recalls” at the bottom of the page.
