Whether you plan to use a basting brush for pastries or grilling, the key is to find one that can hold a good amount of liquids for easy spreading. But because of the many options available, you may wonder how are they different and what needs to be considered when buying a basting brush. That's why we've researched some of the best basting brushes out there to help you make an easier decision!
Take a look at our top pick on the list, M Kitchen World's Pastry Brush. It's highly heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe, can hold a sufficient amount of liquids, and comes in a set of two different sizes. Want to know more? Check out our other highly recommended products on the top 10 list! And don't forget to check our buying guide reviewed by a chef to know what needs to be considered before you decide to buy one.
Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef that 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! https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-quast-59769011/
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.
Size, shape, the material it is made from, and length all play a part in finding the best basting brush for you. Check out the tips and suggestions below to help guide you in making your decision.
One- to one-and-a-half-inch brushes are the most versatile width and are ideal for brushing a small surface area like bread, pastries, and candies. On the other hand, two- to four-inch brushes can hold more liquid and can perfectly spread across a large surface area, making them suitable for barbecue, steaks, turkey, fish, and pizza.
When it comes to shape, we recommend flat brushes, because they can spread quickly and evenly over a surface. That's why they're the most popular brush type used in both cooking and baking.
If you're looking for a brush for more detailed tasks or precise strokes, consider round or angled head brushes. Round brushes are ideal for fine pastry work and plate decoration, while angled head brushes can easily get into corners of pans or small areas.
Natural boar bristles are ideal for fine basting tasks. They're soft and flexible, so they work well for basting thin liquids like melted butter, oils, or vinegar-based marinades. However, they're not heat-resistant and can absorb odors. Since they're hand-wash only, they require more effort in cleaning compared to synthetic brushes.
Teflon bristles are highly heat-resistant, and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, they work well for greasing hot pans. Since they don't hold liquid well, they're not a good choice for delicate pastries. However, they make a great cheaper alternative to natural boar bristles.
Silicone bristles are ideal for basting thick sauces like barbecue sauce and ketchup over meat, fish, and poultry. However, they can also be used for spreading butter and egg wash. Plus, they're dishwasher-safe, odor-resistant, long-lasting, and can withstand high temperatures.
Nylon bristles are strong, easy to clean, and are unlikely to fall out. Like silicone bristles, they're ideal for tougher jobs and great for spreading thick sauces.
A wooden handle is comfortable to hold; however, it generally requires hand washing. A plastic handle is lightweight and easy to clean but tends to be slippery, especially when wet or oily. If you choose a plastic handle, it's a good idea to consider one that features an ergonomic design for easy grip.
Both silicone and stainless steel are durable, dishwasher-safe, and can withstand high temperatures. Silicone provides an excellent grip since it's non-slip. When it comes to stainless steel, make sure to choose one with rust-resistance.
The length of the handle is also important because it has an impact on your work performance. A six-inch brush is a great length for general pastry work (like croissants). However, if you're doing more detailed work on pastries, consider anything shorter than six inches for better control.
If you plan to use brushes for grilling, consider ones with a long handle to keep your hands away from the heat. We recommend you consider at least a seven-inch brush or longer.
For easy cleaning, consider basting brushes with a removable head or ones that are dishwasher-safe. If storage is your main concern, look for ones that come with a hook or hole on the end for space-saving storage or ones with a storage bag to keep the basting brush clean and easy to carry.
If you want to use a brush for different roles, it's a good idea to consider a set of two or more brushes to avoid cross-flavoring and odor. Don't forget to consider ones that come with a warranty, too!
This product one large and one small silicone brush. They can resist heat, odors, and stains. They feature an ergonomic, anti-slip handle design and a built-in bristle grid that can hold a hefty amount of liquid. They're dishwasher-safe, too!
A few reviewers wished the handle was longer for grilling. But overall, many people were satisfied with these brushes, saying they're durable, easy to clean, and can spread both thin and thick liquids well. They also liked the silicone bristles that don't fall out on food.
This tapered head brush is made from silicone and can withstand high temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It features multiple layers of bristles with gaps in the center to hold a good amount of liquid. It's available in small or large.
Some said it bastes unevenly, especially for thinner liquids like egg wash, but many reviewers appreciated the angled head, saying it helps to keep the bristles off the counter and can get into difficult to reach areas. They also said it's well-made and easy to clean. Overall, they said it's a great pastry and grill brush.
This set consists of an eight-inch and 12-inch stainless steel brush with heads that can be removed for easy cleaning. The heads feature a double ring, making them stick solidly to the handle. And the heads are heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some reviewers complained about rust on the handle and flimsy bristles. But overall, many reviewers said these brushes are easy to use. They said the short brush works perfectly for pastries and the long one makes a great grill brush. Some also appreciated the hanging hook and extra silicone brush heads.
This eco-friendly brush features a natural oil finish bamboo handle. The bristles are made from boar hair, making it a perfect basting brush choice for pastries. Additionally, it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Some reviewers noted that the bristles fall out onto the food; however, others said it's a nice soft brush that works well in applying butter, oils, and sauces. A few people said it doesn't waste as much as silicone brushes and is cleaner to use.
This product contains four basting brushes that vary in color, making them ideal for multiple purposes to prevent cross-contamination. They're made from silicone and come with a storage bag. Additionally, they're easy to clean and heat-resistant to 450 Fahrenheit.
Many reviewers noted that they're good quality, durable, and work great. Plus, they're heat-resistant and can hold sauce well, making them a good grill brush. They also like how they're one piece, so there are no gaps for water or bacteria to get in.
This brush features a unique bulb design at the end of the silicone bristles to hold liquids better. It's also highly heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and offers a money-back guarantee. Additionally, the brush head can be removed for easy cleaning.
A few reviewers noted that the handle is short and the bristles bend easily, which makes it hard to coat evenly. But overall, many said it's lightweight and durable, feels comfortable in the hand, and they like the cute color. Plus, it's also stain- and odor-resistant!
This versatile 9.75-inch plastic brush can be used on pastries and safe to use on griddles. It can also be used to clean coffee grinders and spice mills. The handle features a hook that can be hung on the lip of your sauce pot, so glaze or melted butter drips back down and none is wasted.
A few reviewers said the bristles started falling out after a few uses, but most said it only sheds a bit initially. However, others said the bristles are soft and clean up easily. They also said it works well on pastries, especially applying egg wash and butter.
This product has a mop-like design that can quickly soak up sauce, even thinner ones like vinegar. The 18-inch handle helps to keep your hands away from the heat, making it ideal for grilling.
It's also easy to clean because the head can be removed to wash in a dishwasher or washing machine. Additionally, it comes with two extra mop heads and a money-back guarantee.
A few reviewers complained about the odd smell of the mop heads. But overall, many people said the brush is well-made and easy to use. They say clean-up is simple but to make sure it's totally dry before you store it.
This simple brush has thick nylon bristles that can hold and retain a higher volume of liquids. It features an ergonomic comfort grip handle and hanging hole. Additionally, it comes in various sizes ranging from one and a half to four inches, which can suit different basting tasks.
Reviewers said it can be tough to clean, but it works well for spreading melted butter, sauce, egg, and oil. They also liked the bristles because they're soft and perfectly suited to delicate foods like dough.
This handy brush has a one-inch round head, making it ideal for detailed glazing tasks. It features an acacia wood handle with a teal end that's durable and comfortable to hold. It comes with a 25-year warranty, too.
Some reviewers noted that it's hand wash only and the bristles fall out easily. However, others said the bristles are soft, work great, and are easy to clean. A few people said it's easy to hold, a good weight, and makes a great gift.
Check out our other suggestions on useful kitchen essentials that require very little maintenance.
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.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches