It's a more common problem than you think. I've seen this on my local news several times.
Anyone have links to alternatives?
I've switched to a wooden scraper that can be purchased at Amazon or a local dollar store. They definitely do not get the grill as clean. Some better alternatives are well over $20.
I'd personally like to see the bristle brushes gone and replaced with a safer products.
https://youtu.be/ynAKRBcSJQE
Here is what I was talking about. I do have issues with getting between the grill bars as clean, I've used the corner of the plank for that.