When Destin from the renowned YouTube channel Smarter Every Day announced that he and JJ George had set out to make a better grill scrubber AND that they were going to manufacture it all in the USA I knew it was gonna be one heck of an experiment. I also knew if anyone could AND WOULD pull it off it would be Destin. Either way I was immediately invested in the story, which, if you haven’t seen it yet, is right here. You’ll want to give it a quick view in order for the rest of this article to make sense. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Ok, seen it? Great… onward. Now while Destin has been sharing details of the Smarter Scrubber journey on his secondary channel and email list for some time now, I remember seeing the seeds of this idea blossoming in his head years ago. As it so happens, Destin and I worked together briefly on the 3D printed face shields project originally designed by Prusa over five years ago during Covid times. I vividly remember a few conversations with Destin about how frustrated he was at how dependent we’ve become on China and other countries for our manufacturing here in the US. Worse than just losing those jobs though was how blindsided the US was when we didn’t end up having the critical PPE needed by our first responders and healthcare workers when it mattered most. Luckily, the 3D Printing / maker community was able to come together in a big way to fill that gap back then but clearly more needed to be done. It was quite obvious even after we had wrapped on the face shield project this wasn’t even close to the last we’d hear from Destin on the matter.
One of my key takeaways from the whole experience, and something that’s been highly formative in my life and business ethos since, was how useful the 3D printer has become as a tool in industry. To the layperson it's still often considered just a tool for prototyping or toymaking but to those who know we have seen it blossom from a fun little robotics project to a full blown workhorse of fabrication. One of my favorite uses as of late is utilizing 3D printing to extend the utility of existing products and build actual ecosystems and fun community projects around popular products to enhance their utility beyond its original intent. This is often something that every small business wishes it had more time to do but often cannot (and arguably should not) since it needs to focus on doing one thing and doing it well: cranking out the core product. Luckily, as an outsider I am not subject to these risks and restrictions so every now and then I get excited to take a little time on a fun product like this one and contemplate “how can 3D printing make this better?” So, for the SmarterScrubber I came up with SIX such things, some of which I think are practical, and others just fun. I share the fruits of this thought experiment with all to have for free on Printables here in the hopes that others find some enhanced utility and maybe a laugh or two, but moreso to help shine a light on a cause that I too am passionate about in what little way I can. Destin and JJ George have shown that made in the USA may be hard, it may be more expensive, but it IS possible and I for one am quite thankful we have role models like this to help remind us of this and re-pave the way!
Onto the fun stuff! As for the inevitable question of “BuT wHY?” that’s sure to burst forth in the comments section of these internets, if the above isn’t reason enough for you here’s SIX more reasons why this product in particular felt right for a little 3DP enhancement:
1. As I watch my parents (and myself) age and observe how some of the ordinary tools we use in our daily lives become more cumbersome, specifically when it comes to grip and applying force to things, I can see a lot of opportunity for making product more accessible to the demographics that may need help here. With SmarterScrubber, while I appreciate the care that was taken in making that rounded stamped handle as safe and easy to grab, I saw some opportunity to lend a little more assist here and so the soft “Katana Handle” was born. Made of the awesome newly released Prusament TPU 95A, it’s WAY nicer to grab hold of, I also enabled fuzzy skin when I sliced it in Prusaslicer to enhance the texture and grip even further. Lastly I wanted a big fat Katana style hilt at the top of it so your hand has something to brace against when you’re really “Gettin’ Western” with your scrubbin!
2. I’ve been a longtime fan of cast iron and it's well known in the cast iron cookery world that chainmail is the go to cleaning appurtenance for such things. The downside? Gripping those actual blankets of chain mail kinda suck to scrub with when they get wet. When I saw the Smarter Scrubber’s “standalone” mode for this that’s honestly what sold me on buying. While its great, after using it to scrub cast iron for a few weeks I realized again, the ergonomics in this configuration left a little bit to be desired. So I came up with an updated “Forward Grip” for it that fits in the hand better. I tried flexible and rigid versions of it, ultimately I think it comes down to personal preference. I prefer the rigid myself. Fairly simple design and thanks to Destin's EXCELLENT choice of using the ever amazing ¼-20” thread profile (more on this in just a bit) I was very easily able to heat set one of my handy dandy CNC Kitchen Threaded inserts into the model for quick and easy install and removal. ALSO really nice to have installed in full grill brush mode so you can use the scrubber two handed and really get after it!
3. Back scratcher mode. Kinda silly, but kinda not. Maybe it’s just me but when I’m outside grilling and sweaty in the summertime I ALWAYS get an itchy back. Solution? Quick print that installs right on top of the scrubber and uses the existing fastener knob. A little scrub, a little scratch. Perfect.
4. All the itchy back above made me realize I need a shower and, lets face it, we could all probably stand to clean our backs better. Thankfully Smarter Scrubber is stainless and won't rust in the shower. Works with any loofah and a basic ¼-20” hex bolt found at your local hardware store. Nice.
5. Sometimes that sharp blade scraper on the end can really be at risk of bitin’ ya. Anyone who’s tried shower scrubber mode above can probably attest to this…😬 Why not print a quick cover for it. Rigid or flexible versions available for whatever material you have / prefer.
6. Ok, hands down the best “hidden feature” of the Smarter Scrubber is that ¼-20” screw. “WHY” you ask? Because, as anyone that's ever handled camera gear will attest, that is the standard “Tripod Mount” threading. Meaning, a whole SLEW of accessories can potentially work with it. Yes, you can literally mount your Camera on the end of the Smarter Scrubber, but also think: Light for night grill cleaning out in the dark, making it a selfie stick, a jib pole for low shots, even attach a mic to it and do some grill cleaning ASMR. The possibilities are endless! I just printed a few different size “threading plates” that can act as spacers / adapters / tensioners for various equipment as well as fasteners for using your own longer bolts or tripod accessories. There’s lots more that can be done here but I thought this was a good start.
Kudos again to Destin and team at JJ George for making such a fun product here in the good ol USA. If you're interested in making any of these accessories for yourself again get them free here. Better yet, see what fun ideas you have to make the Smarter Scrubber even Smarter-ER and share yours as well! Happy Printing!
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