Are you hoping to fire up the grill but are dreading cleaning it when you're done? Maybe your old grill brush doesn't get the job done anymore and you need something new. Or, you may be looking for a grill brush that can handle high heat or won't damage porcelain or ceramic grates. Whatever your reason for needing a new grill brush, it's important to choose the right one.
We researched the best grill brushes available and chose the Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush as our favorite. It's suitable for all grill types, can clean in-between your grate, and has a long, textured handle that is easy to grip. We've also picked our 10 best grill brushes and have a buying guide to help you make your own choice.
Quick List - Top Grill Brushes
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
If debris and burnt bits of food are stuck to the grates of the grill, there is a danger that they can transfer onto whatever food you plan to cook in the future, reducing the quality of taste. If yesterday's pork fat covers the salmon you're planning to cook today, it won't remotely taste good.
A clean grill makes sure your food tastes just like it should. It leaves more satisfactory grill marks, making your food look as good as it tastes. It releases the food more easily, making it easier to flip patties and serve them quicker.
Charred flakes of food can also have carcinogens. The brush will remove them from the grill grates; although you should still clean them out from the bottom of your grill. Finally, a regularly cleaned and seasoned grill can also prevent rusting and corrosion of the grates, lengthening the lifespan of the hardware.
Below we have a list of things to keep in mind when deciding to buy a grill brush regarding bristles, comfortability, storage options, and more.
When it comes to picking the best brush for your grill, the first thing you should take into account is what material your grill is made from. Although there are some brushes that are suitable for many different types of grills, the most effective and safe cleaning will come from one that works for your grill. If you pick the wrong one, you run the risk of damaging your grate.
For instance, cast iron grills get very hot when they cook, and it is best to clean them while they are still quite hot. This means you'll need a brush that can handle the high temperatures without damaging the enamel that covers the grates.
Often, the easiest way to clean cast iron grates is by scraping away the larger debris first, before scrubbing at the grill with a brush. For the sake of safety and convenience, we would suggest looking for brushes that have an attached scraper and can handle the heat. Stainless steel is a good choice, but make sure the bristles aren't too sharp; if they are, they can scratch the enamel. Brass bristles are another option as these are naturally softer.
Stainless steel grates are best served by brushes with firm bristles and give you the widest variety of suitable bristle material options. As well as nylon brushes, ones with stainless steel bristles will also do the job on stainless steel grills. If you do choose a stainless steel brush, you can opt for one that uses coils. These may not get in between the grill grates as easily as bristles, but they are less likely to scratch the grill.
For porcelain grills, we would recommend brushes with nylon or brass bristles. The softer ends of these bristles are less likely to scratch the grates while still getting them clean. Brass bristles can be used while the grill is still hot, but nylon should only be used when the grate has cooled down.
A fair amount of elbow grease and a strong up and down motion parallel to the grates is needed to effectively clean the grill surface. For that reason, it's important to make sure you can easily grip the handle of the brush. For many, a thicker handle may be easier to grip and you can look for non-slip, silicone handles that are ergonomically shaped to make this easier.
It's ideal to have something which is lightweight, yet sturdy, so you are not afraid to apply pressure when needed. Wood is a popular choice as it is generally comfortable to hold. If you opt for a plastic handle, make sure it is heat-resistant so it won't melt if leave it too close to the grill.
If you're going to heat the grill up to loosen up the stuck food scraps, make sure the grip of the brush that you're planning to buy doesn't transfer heat. Otherwise, it might end up giving you a nasty burn. You should also look for a brush that is wider so you can scrub a large surface area of the grill at one time.
Grill brushes are often combined with other tools to make an easier and more effective cleaning experience. Tools like scrapers or scrubbing pads are incorporated into the head or handle of the brush. These help you to get rid of any stubborn pieces of food that are still adhering to the surface of the grate before or after using the brush.
You can also check out alternatives to grill brushes, like brushes that use wire coils instead of bristles. The coils drag along the grate and scrape pieces of food away, so there is no danger of losing a steel bristle.
You want to be able to keep the grill brush out of sight when not in use but still easily accessible when needed. A good grill brush should come with a loop or a hole at the end of the handle so it can be safely hung on a hook next to your other cleaning or grilling tools.
If you're considering a brush made from metal or wood, make sure you don't leave it outside when not in use, though. Rain can easily make a metal brush rust or damage a wooden handle if it hasn't been waterproofed.
Also, if you are buying a metal grill brush, make sure the bristles or coils are rustproof. In case you don't fire up the grill for a couple of weeks, you want the brush to still be ready for use when you are in the mood for some barbecue. Make sure you clean your grill brush as instructed by the manufacturer and keep it stored in a dry place.
If you do opt for a brush with bristles, keep a watchful eye for any loose bristles. If one comes loose and gets into someone's food, this could be very dangerous. Some brushes have very large bristles or even bright red ones to make it easier to see if they do shed.
The reviews should give you an idea of how secure the bristles are and how likely the brush is to shed. We would advise avoiding any that have common shedding complaints. Remember, a grill brush is not going to last you a lifetime and should be regularly replaced, depending on how often you use your grill. Even the best brush will eventually begin to fall apart.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush | ![]() | Best All-Purpose Brush | |
2 | Grillart Grill Brush and Scraper|BR-8115 | ![]() | Best for Cast Iron Grills | |
3 | Grillaholics Essentials Grill Brush Palmyra | ![]() | Best for Porcelain and Ceramic | |
4 | Weber Barbecue Grill Brush and Scraper | ![]() | Best 3-Sided Brush for Versatile Cleaning | |
5 | Cuisinart Cross Action Grill Cleaning Brush|CCB-134 | ![]() | Best for an Ergonomic Handle | |
6 | Grill Rescue Bristle Free BBQ Grill Brush | ![]() | Best Brush for High Heats | |
7 | Char-Broil Nylon Bristle Grill Brush|8666894 | ![]() | Best Nylon Brush | |
8 | Grillaholics Bristle Free Grill Brush | ![]() | Best Brush With Coils | |
9 | Grilljoy Wood Grill Cleaning Brush | ![]() | Best for a Long Handle | |
10 | Weber Bristle Free Grill Brush | ![]() | Best for Hard-to-Reach Areas |
Pros:
Cons:
The triple rows of bristles that go in different directions mean that you can cover a large surface area and get into all the places that are difficult to reach. This brush is safe for all grill types, such as porcelain, infrared, and char-broil. The handle is quite rigid and is long enough to be gripped by both hands, which is helpful when removing sticky stuff clinging to the grate.
Overall, reviews for the brush are very positive. There were a few complaints of the brush not performing as well after a few months of use, but most reviewers had only praise. Reviewers felt that this brush performed equally well on cold grills as well as warmed ones. They said that the density of the bristles made sure that each scrubbing motion gave the grate a thorough clean.
Pros:
Cons:
The handle on this grill brush is designed to be flexible enough to withstand pressure for the times you need to use some extra force. At the same time, it is easy on the hands, allowing you to grip it firmly when you are attacking persistent bits of food and grease. The scraper can dislodge larger pieces of food and the brush itself can handle high temperatures.
Some buyers felt that bristles did not adequately reach down the sides of the rungs of the grates. Overall though, users appreciated the density of bristles and said they did not bend or get out of shape after cleaning. Several owners of cast iron grills gave this brush good reviews and said it could also be used to season the grill.
Pros:
Cons:
If you have a porcelain or ceramic grill, this brush is a good option. Its brass bristles won't scratch your grill but will act to clean any grease or food residue. It has a long 18-inch handle and the brush head is set at an angle to give you more leverage as you clean. The brush can also be used on hot grills.
According to several reviewers, this brush can wear out quickly and begin shedding bristles after only a few uses. However, most agree that it is very effective at cleaning and doesn't scratch or damage their grates. They liked the long handle and confirm that it can be used on hot grills to great effect.
Pros:
Cons:
This three-sided grill brush from Weber has a seven-inch wide head to make short work of cleaning your grill. The stainless steel brushes not only cover these seven inches, but they also go around the corner and up the sides, making it easier to clean edges and other hard-to-reach places.
Some reviewers found that the handle was too short on this brush, especially when cleaning a hot grill. However, they also found that the shorter handle made it more durable and less prone to bending or breaking than many others. They liked that the brush was sturdy and cleaned their grill effectively.
Pros:
Cons:
This brush from Cuisinart has an ergonomically designed handle made from silicone, which makes it comfortable to grip and lessens the strain on your hands. The brush head is made from stainless steel and has a scraper to remove larger debris. The comfortable handle makes it easier to angle the brush so that the stainless steel bristles can reach every part of the grill.
There are some comments from reviewers that the handle did not stand up to intense pressure and could bend or snap. However, this wasn't the experience of every reviewer and many praised this brush for how comfortable it was to hold and use. They say it cleaned their grill well and was easy to use.
Pros:
Cons:
This grill brush has a cleaning pad covered in ultra-tough Kevlar, a material commonly used in bulletproof vests and firefighter uniforms. It can withstand high temperatures, making this an ideal brush for cleaning hot grills. It has no bristles or coils so there is no chance of food contamination.
Some reviewers found this brush wasn't able to reach between the grates like bristles could, and was too smooth to remove all of the grease. However, many liked that it uses steam to clean the grill and can be used on hot grills. They praised the brush for not having bristles and being easy to use. They also confirmed it doesn't scratch the grates.
Pros:
Cons:
This brush is perfect for use on porcelain, infrared, and cast iron grills that get damaged when cleaned with steel bristles or coils. The nylon bristles of this brush are designed to remove the residue that is coating the rungs of the grill plate while leaving it completely scratch-free. The bristles are colored red, so if any do shed they can be easily spotted.
Some reviewers made the mistake of using this brush on a hot grill and reported that the bristles melted. However, those that used it on a cold grill said they could satisfactorily clean their grills as the bristles were stiff enough to remove the residue of grease. They found that the curve of the brush gave a comfortable angle to hold the brush while scrubbing.
Pros:
Cons:
If you are concerned with bristles finding their way into your food, this is an excellent choice. The wire coils of the brush provide the amount of friction needed to remove all the stubborn grease and food bits that are clinging to your grill. The coils hug the grate rung and slough off the residue, without scratching the grate. For larger bits, you can use the attached scraper.
Some reviewers felt that this brush needed more elbow grease than a regular bristle brush. However, users remarked on the satisfactory cleaning with or without water and the sturdiness of the handle. The scraper at the end was highly appreciated by the users to cut through the more obnoxious residue.
Pros:
Cons:
This grilling brush set comes with two brush heads that screw into the handle. One of the two brush heads includes a scraper and they both have bristles made from stainless steel. The plastic handle is over 20 inches long, making it the longest on the list, and has a couple of textured finger grips to aid your grip.
A few reviewers reported that the handle on this brush wasn't sturdy enough and that it could be tricky to screw in the different brush heads. However, many other reviewers loved that this kit included two heads and a storage bag. They said that it was effective with several different grates and that the brush heads themselves were very sturdy.
Pros:
Cons:
If you're looking for a brush to get underneath your grate and into tight corners, this brush from Weber is a hood choice. The long, thin design of the brush coupled with the angle of the head means that you can get it into places some other brushes can't reach. It can be used to clean your grill as well as your flavorizer bars and burner tubes.
Reviewers who purchased this brush felt that it wasn't effective for cleaning the overall grill because of its smaller brush head. However, they report that it did a good job of getting into small spaces. They especially praised it for getting between the grates and say it is effective even when the grill is cold.
Check out our other lists to find the best companions for your grill to make barbecues a whole lot easier and more fun!
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
No. 1: Kona|360 Clean Grill Brush
No. 2: Grillart|Grill Brush and Scraper|BR-8115
No. 3: Grillaholics|Essentials Grill Brush Palmyra
No. 4: Weber|Barbecue Grill Brush and Scraper
No. 5: Cuisinart|Cross Action Grill Cleaning Brush|CCB-134
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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