I switched to using a wooden grill scraper a couple of years ago for the same reason. They cost about the same price and there are plenty of options. This is a Cuisinart version for $15 on Amazon. They seem to work better if you preheat the grate pretty hot before cleaning.

Occasionally I will use the steel bristle brush for really stubborn bits, and then wipe the grate down afterwards with a paper town and water or oil.