You could use the flat style, which would be better than just the reg wire but man that would be a pain and no more safe than using copper or stainless.

I dont know why anyone uses a torch to clean there copper mesh. I simply soak in acetone for a couple minutes swishing it around and then leave to dry. My copper mesh in my gvg looks as golden as the day i first made it. I also do the same when i clean my gvg, soak the mesh in acetone.

I think people should stop worrying about it, copper is not going to produce any harmful chemicals when being heated at the low temps that we do in the gvg. Its barely enough to discolor it which is a natural process of metal and safe. Its when it gets near the molten state that it produces a gas.