Try searching "wooden grill scrapers" on Amazon for example. Or if you don't like Amazon there are some other sites that sell those. I got mine from Canada, made from cedar and in addition to scraping the grill adds a tiny bit of cedar aroma.
The article put the bar on the floor. HN picked it up an inch.
Everyone here is suggesting different things to scrub with that will leave less offensive debris behind. Few are suggesting washing away that debris. You should be able to clean your grill with pretty much whatever you want as long as you wash it properly afterward.
Edit: It appears someone did suggest washing.
Another article on the CBC from last summer has a good list of alternatives that I found helpful: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bbq-cleaning-alternatives-bris...
Seriously!.
Taking the word out to the public is his paramount duty and he did just the same.
Fire the editor.
Alternatives I've seen in this thread are a ball of wadded up aluminum foil, a wooden scraper, abrasive pads, and stiff plastic bristles (EDIT: and an onion). This proves once again that the HN comments section is often better than the article itself.