Best Overall
Grillart Grill Brush And Scraper
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Our team has assembled five of the top grill brushes of 2024 to make it a little easier for you to decide. The top pick, from Grill Art, stands out for its durability and effective cleaning at all angles.
The thrill of cooking on a grill makes for an unforgettable experience. But, after you’re done, you can end up with messy grates that look impossible to clean. That’s where grill brushes come in. They make cleaning dirty grill grates so much easier. There are numerous grill brushes on the market today, and choosing a good one could be difficult.
Buyer’s Guide To Finding a Great Grill Brush
Grill brushes are an effective way to clean grill grates and get them back to their original shiny condition. There are multiple types of brushes out there, but with a guide along the way, choosing the best one becomes just as easy as finding a brush for your normal household chores. To help you make the right choice so you can have shiny grills this season, we’ve created this in-depth buying guide. It includes everything to know about grill brushes, from what to look for to how to clean them properly.
Features To Look for When Purchasing a Grill Brush
When it comes to buying the right grill brush for your BBQ grill, there are a few critical factors that you must be aware of so you can get the best:
Handle length
Grill grates are easier to clean when they are hot, so a handle long enough to keep you and your hands at a safe distance from the grill is a good choice. Avoid a handle shorter than 12 inches. Other than that, anything over 16 inches would be fine.
Material of grill brush's head
Avoid brushes with metal heads at all costs. Try to look for stainless steel brushes because they’re a safe choice.
Scraper
Unless you intend to buy a scraper separately, you should look for grill brushes that come with a scraper integrated into their construction.
Types of Grill Brushes
Metal brush
If you use your BBQ grill every weekend (or even more frequently than that), then a metal brush would be a good choice for you. Metal brushes can be used multiple times and over and over again for years and they still won’t wear out. Even better, they don’t have any harmful chemicals on them, so you don't have to worry about getting chemicals on your food. With clean grill grates, free of chemicals, your food will not only be safe to consume but its taste won’t change either.
Wire bristle brush
If you use your grill every couple of months and you don’t want to be exposed to the chemicals in some types of grill brushes, then a wire bristled brush, also known as a stainless-steel brush, would be a good fit for you. They are thicker, pricier, and more durable than rubber brushes. The only issue is that they might get stuck on food, but if you know how to handle these brushes, then you are good.
Rubber brush
If you use your BBQ grill once every couple of weeks, then a rubber brush is the perfect option. Rubber brushes are inexpensive, flexible, and easy on the hands. The only downside is that they are not quite as resistant to heat, so they may not last as long as other brushes.
How to Properly Clean Your Grill Brush
The easiest way to do so is by using dish soap. Even though things like hand sanitizer and peanut butter might look quite fun, these materials are not good cleaning solutions and can damage your brush’s bristles or cause them to fall off. There are a few things you can do to make the cleaning process easier:
Remove the build-up from the grates before cleaning
You can make it easier for your brush to clean the grates (and for you to clean the brush afterward) if you remove the grime beforehand. You can do that by cleaning the buildup from grates with a mixture of salt, vinegar, and baking soda in hot water.
Use the proper drying method
Do not hang a damp grill brush after you have just cleaned it. This will cause the remaining water to drip down into its handle, building up mildew and mold in the handle that can be quite stubborn to get out. The best way to dry a grill brush is by laying it flat on a drying rack to prevent any kind of water or moisture from reaching the handle and sticking inside of it, and, consequently, causing any future damage issues.
Store it properly
Also, keep in mind that you need to let the grill brush dry completely before you put it away somewhere safe. If the brush is not totally dry, it will attract fungus and bacteria.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Grillart Grill Brush And Scraper
- Best For Beginners: Cuisinart Ccb-5014 Grill Brush And Scraper
- Most Versatile: Char-Broil Nylon Bristle Grill Brush
- Best Design: Bbq-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush And Scraper
- Best Functionality: Outset Qb47 Grill Brush
Reviews
Best for Beginners
Cuisinart Ccb-5014 Grill Brush And Scraper
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Most Versatile
Char-Broil Nylon Bristle Grill Brush
| Pros | Cons |
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Best Design
Bbq-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush And Scraper
| Pros | Cons |
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Best Functionality
Outset Qb47 Grill Brush
| Pros | Cons |
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FAQs
Is it okay to use a wire brush to clean a grill?
Keeping your grill clean is extremely important because you cook the food you eat on it. However, wire grill brushes can sometimes be more dangerous than helpful. Substandard wire brushes can leave their bristles behind, which can end up in your food and cause serious health issues.
What kind of grill brush is safe to use?
A good (and safe to use) grill brush is made with food-grade brass or stainless steel. It has a hard head made from food-grade metal or plastic to keep the bristles tightly in place.
Why is it not safe to use grill brushes?
Doctors have warned about the hazards of using wire bristle brushes because the bristles can break off, stick to the grill grate, and end up in the food you're cooking and subsequently eating. Those bristles can cause major damage to the stomach or intestines.
What can be used as an alternative to a BBQ brush?
Instead of using a grill brush for whatever reasons you have, you can use a ball of aluminum foil. Just scrunch some aluminum foil into a ball and hold it with tongs to clean the grill.
When should you replace your grill brush and get a new one?
Every season! Yes, you need to replace your grill brushes and buy new ones every season or more often than that if you use your grill frequently. However, before each use, make sure to check for any loose bristles or other potential hazards.