Best Overall
M Kitchen World Basting Brush
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Although they’re a small addition to your kitchen, basting brushes can greatly influence your cooking skills and results. There are, however, quite a few things to consider to get a durable and efficient brush for the job. These considerations include the handle length, brush material, bristle design, brush size, and more. But to help you with that, we’ve put together a review of our favorite basting brushes and a buying guide that’ll walk you through the do’s and don’ts when shopping for a basting or pastry brush. After testing several brushes, we can safely say that the M Kitchen World Basting Brush is our favorite on this list, with the others following closely behind.
Basting Brush: A Buying Guide
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you buy the perfect basting kitchen tool.
Basting Brush vs. Pastry Brush
We’ve all been confused here, but there isn’t a big difference between a basting brush and a pastry brush. Let’s take a deeper look at these differences:
Basting brushes
A basting brush is designed for poultry, meat, and vegetables to glaze them and keep them juicy when being grilled or roasted. Heat during barbecues, grills, or roasts can dry out the meat and you need to keep them moisturized with a basting brush. Bristles on a basting brush are sturdy and durable. They’re mostly made out of silicone which offers impressive heat resistance.
Pastry brushes
Pastry brushes are typically only used for baked goods and pastries. Simply put, pastry brushes are ideal for sweets while basting brushes work best for savory food items. Basting and pastry brushes have the same purpose but the distinction of sweet and savory is the simplest way to keep the flavors from mingling. Bristles on a pastry brush are comparatively more delicate than on a basting brush. They are also less resistant to direct heat compared to basting brushes and grill brushes.
Factors To Keep In Mind While Shopping for Basting Brushes
Here are a few important considerations:
Cleaning
Get yourself a basting brush that is easy to clean. Look for a material that doesn’t retain color and smell. You can also get a brush that is safe for dishwashers. Apart from that, the design should be simple and the head of the brush should be removable for easy cleanups.
Bristle type
A basting brush’s usefulness depends largely on the type of bristles it has. Soft bristles in a basting brush will glide smoothly and lightly across delicate surfaces like those of pastries. On the other hand, rigid bristles are more durable and resistant and are perfect for tougher tasks. Moreover, tightly packed bristles can hold more volume of liquid in them while loose bristles would hold less liquid but are easier to clean. Bristles made out of boar hair tend to have the softest texture and are ideal for absorbing oils and spreading a thin layer over delicate bases.
Bristle material
The performance of a basting brush is also influenced by the material it’s made from. Nylon basting brushes are strong and ideal for tough jobs. They can retain large amounts of liquid for longer times and can spread thick liquids on large areas. They are at minimal risk of losing bristles. Silicone basting brushes are flexible and super easy to use. They have high heat resistance and can perfectly spread out thick sauces over a large surface area. They are also easier to clean, unlike natural bristle-basting brushes. Teflon basting brushes have somewhat delicate bristles, like boar hair. They can be used at 500 degrees Fahrenheit temperature at max. This material is ideal for spreading out thin sauces, oil, and marinades. Boar bristle brushes are soft and oil-absorbing. They can hold a lot of liquid and are also great for spreading liquids with a thin consistency.
Handle material
There are mainly two kinds of handles you will find on basting brushes: plastic and wood. Stainless steel is another option but as it can get hot with prolonged heat exposure, it might not be ideal for grills. Choose a handle with a sturdy and confident grip that saves your hand from heat and food. Plastic handles are easier to clean and long-lasting. They can withstand tough tasks. On the other hand, wooden handles offer a sturdier grip and a more convenient to hold.
Uses of a Basting Brush
A basting brush is used for:
- applying egg wash to both your sweet and savory food.
- brushing melted butter on doughs, pastries, etc.
- sealing up the edges of food items like dumplings, piecrusts, ravioli, and empanadas.
- greasing grill pans and crevices or creases of intricate molds.
- securing decorations with a brush of icing, syrup, or wash.
- glazing up cakes and sweeping off crumbs from cake layers.
- basting meat, glazing ham, coating steaks, etc.
- adjust seasoning on steaks and roasts.
How to Clean a Basting Brush
Here are a few simple steps to properly clean a basting brush:
- Cleaning time and technique may differ depending on the material of the bristles. But a universal way of doing so is to put it under running water to remove food residue and build-up.
- If there is stubborn food on the bristles, you can simply soak the brush in warm water and a few drops of dish soap for a few minutes.
- Silicone basting brushes can be washed in the dishwasher as well.
- Natural-bristle basting brushes have fine bristles and are more delicate. You need to clean them right after you use them. Rub dish soap onto the bristles and rinse it under running water until the water is clear. Then gently pull apart the bristles and see if there’s any food residue between them.
- To sterilize a natural-bristle brush before storing it, soak the bristles in a mixture of a capful of bleach and two cups of water. Rinse it under a stream of water afterward.
- Clean nylon bristle basting brushes in the same way you would clean a natural bristle basting brush.
- Make sure you dab the brush onto a clean towel or tissue paper to completely dry it out before storing it.
- Store the brush in a space where all its bristles can retain their shape.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: M Kitchen World Basting Brush
- Most Ergonomic: Oxo Silicone Basting And Pastry Brush
- Minimalist Design: Rwm Basting Brush
- Best Value: Hearted Choice Silicone Basting Brush
- Most Colorful: Hotec Silicone Meat Basting Brush
Reviews
Most Ergonomic
Oxo Silicone Basting And Pastry Brush
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Minimalist Design
Rwm Basting Brush
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Best Value
Hearted Choice Silicone Basting Brush
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Most Colorful
Hotec Silicone Meat Basting Brush
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FAQs
What is a basting brush made of?
Basting brushes are mostly made with silicone bristles and steel or plastic handles.
Can I use a silicone one-piece basting brush for grilling?
Yes, these brushes can handle up to 446-degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. They’re dishwasher safe as well and can easily be used on the grill.
How do you take oil off of a basting brush?
Soak the brush in a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap and then clean/scrub it under water. They can also be washed in a dishwasher.
What should I pick? A silicone basting brush or a nylon basting brush?
Silicone basting brushes perform better than nylon due to their high heat, odor, and stain resistance.