There’s nothing tastier than a rich, sticky-sweet glaze on barbecued meat that you’ve cooked on the grill at home. On the flip side, there’s nothing worse than trying to scrape that same saucy glaze off of your grill at the end of the day, but it’s an essential part of grill care and maintenance that shouldn’t be skipped.
Anything that’s left on the grill at the end of a barbecue, from bits of meat to sauces and seasonings, will affect the taste of what you next cook. If you have a vegetarian among you, this is even more important, as otherwise, they could end up taking a bite of their veggie bean burger and getting a mouthful of residual steak flavor.
Luckily, there are a number of grilling accessories that make the cleaning-up process a whole lot easier. Grill brushes are perfect for scraping and cleaning your grill, but with so many different options to choose from, how do you know which type will get the job done the best? That’s what we’re here to help with.
We’ve reviewed five of the best grill brushes currently available for you to compare, and compiled a list of useful factors to consider in our handy buyer’s guide.
In a hurry? You can’t brush off the impressive quality of our top pick!
Best Grill Brushes At A Glance:
5 Best Grill Brush In 2023
1. Grill Art Grill Brush and Scraper
Next up, we bought another brush and scraper duo, but this time a Grill Art bristle-free brush.
The lack of bristles means you won’t have to worry about stray bristles in your guests’ food, and it still does an effective job of cleaning your grill. The wide head covers a sizable area so you can get more done with less effort.
It’s flexible enough to get in between the grates for thorough cleaning and is able to reach all sides of the grate, even the hard-to-reach parts!
In terms of the design, the triple helix is more rigid than some cheaper options so it’ll last longer. It’s also backed by a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]No bristles so you don’t have to worry about getting them stuck between your teeth
The wide head is able to clean a larger surface area for faster cleaning
Easily fits between the grates to reach all areas of the grill
Sturdy triple helix design for added durability
Backed by a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee
[/i2pros][i2cons]Slightly more expensive option
Might require a little more elbow grease than a bristle grill brush
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
2. McoMce Grill Brush and Scraper
This budget brush gets the job done for a cheap price. It even features a useful scraper at one end to effectively remove tougher bits of grime.
The galvanized steel twisted bristles are strong and won’t shed even with frequent use, efficiently working to clean your grill. It can scrape down larger areas thanks to the size of the head and thick bristles, which makes it lighter work for you. It is made of plastic, but the 18-inch handle is long enough to be kept well away from the grill.
Its ergonomic design ensures that it’s comfortable in your hand and provides maximum grip to reduce the chance of slipping.
Made of the good-quality materials, it’s also rust-resistant so you can keep your grill clean and your food fresh for years to come. To clean this handy cleaning tool, rinse in warm soapy water or pop it in the dishwasher.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Multifunctional tool with an added scraper
Manufactured using good-quality, durable materials
Bristles are designed to stay on the brush
Ergonomic 18-inch handle
Dishwasher safe for added convenience
[/i2pros][i2cons]Elongated design means more strokes to clean the grill[/i2cons][/i2pc]
3. Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush
If you’re looking for something that’s more effective but less effort to use, you might want to consider this Kona grill brush.
You can achieve easy 360° cleaning thanks to the unique brush head with its 3-in-1 design, as this allows you to reach all areas of your grill. The bristles are strong and do an excellent job of removing grease and dirt, although some customers report a few falling out during the first use.
The best way to avoid this is to use the brush as directed, which includes cleaning the grill while it’s still hot and dipping the brush in water every so often to steam off any residual food.
It features an ergonomically designed 18-inch handle which is 275% stronger than before with an impressive grip, so you’ll have better control when you’re scrubbing tough stains on your grill.
Despite its sturdy construction, the brush is lightweight in your hand and feels comfortable to hold. It’s also versatile as it can be used to clean all types of grills:
So whatever grill you have at home, the Kona grill brush is a great choice.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Unique brush head design with 360° cleaning
3-in-1 brush design
Long, strong handle that offers good grip
Can be used on any grill
[/i2pros][i2cons]Some reports of bristles falling out
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
4. Weber 6494 3-Sided Grill Brush
The most affordable option we’ve included on our list is the Weber 6494 grill brush.
It’s 3-sided for easy and efficient cleaning. You’ll never miss a spot, as the wider head is great for cleaning more of the grill’s surface in fewer strokes, with the shorter sides making it possible to fit around the edges to dislodge any debris.
It’s manufactured using stainless steel and the thick bristles are heavy-duty enough to withstand frequent use. As well as being practical, the handle is ergonomically designed to provide better control for tougher cleaning jobs and feels comfortable in your hand.
However, it’s a bit on the short side compared to other grill brushes we’ve looked at, so you’ll need to be careful as it’s recommended that you preheat the grill for fifteen minutes so it’s warm when you clean it.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Best budget option
Ergonomic design for more control
Thick, durable bristles
Manufactured using stainless steel
Wide brush head for cleaning large areas
[/i2pros][i2cons]The handle is quite short [/i2cons][/i2pc]
5. BBQ-Aid Grill Brush and Scraper
Lastly, we took a look at the BBQ-Aid grill brush and scrape, a versatile tool that can be used on all types of grills.
The premium design includes a high-quality wooden handle that is comfortable and makes it easy to use. It’s made from acacia wood that’s as beautiful as it is durable and it’s an ideal length at 15 inches.
It’s what’s inside that counts, but the BBQ-Aid grill brush doesn’t let you down as the stainless steel core offers maximum strength to the structure of the brush. Even with frequent exposure to high heat and intense conditions, it’s sure to last you a long time.
The extra-large head brush makes for effortless cleaning and is capable of easily removing bits of meat or grease that have burnt onto your grill, but you can also utilize the scraper for extra tough spots.
The stainless steel bristles are resistant to rust, although when they do begin to wear you can simply replace the head of the brush. One of the best grilling tools money can buy!
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Durable stainless steel core encased in sturdy, attractive acacia wood
Long handle makes it easier to use
Highly effective cleaning with an added scraper
Large, replaceable brush head
Rust-resistant
[/i2pros][i2cons]Some customers report that bristles do occasionally fall out which means more time spent checking your grill[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Best Grill Brush Buying Guide
Any seasoned griller knows how important it is to have clean grates to cook on. It affects the flavor, which we’ve already mentioned, but did you also know that every time you use your grill, any bits you missed last time are harder and tougher to remove?
Do your future self a favor and clean up after every grilling session. Taking the following factors into consideration will point you in the right direction of a grill brush that will make this a whole lot easier.
Bristles vs. Non-Bristled
The first thing to decide is whether or not you want a grill brush with bristles. They’re great for getting the job done, but recently it’s become clear that they’re not the safest choice.
If you are using a bristle brush, make sure that none of these fall out on the grill while you’re cleaning. Not only would it be embarrassing if one of your guests pulled one out of their burger, but the bristles can actually be harmful if ingested.
Only opt for a bristle grill brush if it’s high-quality, as this means the bristles are less likely to come loose.
Always inspect your grill before you fire her up to see if there are any stray bristles lying around and remove them.
Some brushes feature brightly colored bristles which makes it much easier to spot them if they have come loose, so this is something to consider if you prefer a bristled brush.
Durability
Consider the materials used for both the bristles (if using a bristle grill brush) and the handles. Bristles can be made using steel or synthetic materials such as nylon.
Grill brushes that have a handle made from plastic tend to be cheaper, but there’s also a risk of them melting if they’re held too close to the hot part of the grill which makes them a less durable option.
Wooden or metal is a better choice for this reason, and they tend to have a more sturdy structure. These are great for tougher cleaning jobs when you may need to really put your back into it, as you don’t want your brush to snap or break with excessive force!
A good indication of how durable a grill brush is likely to be is whether or not it’s heat-resistant. If it states in the product description that it’s not suitable for use on a hot surface, it’s likely that the bristles are glued instead of secured structurally.
Handle Length
For the same reason, you should avoid plastic grill brushes, you should also choose a grill brush that has a long handle as it’s safer to use over heat.
Anything less than 6 inches is too small – sorry!
The longer the handle, the bigger the distance between your hand and the hot surface, which reduces the chance of burning yourself while you cook. It’ll also make it easier to control the brush for vigorous scraping.
Head Shape
The two main types of grill brushes will have either a square or rectangular shaped head. They’re quite similar in terms of effectiveness and they both have several sections of bristles, but depending on the quality, some will have more bristles than others.
Pipe cleaners are another option that can do a good job of cleaning your grill thanks to bristles that point in every direction. Their circular shape easily slips between the grates as you clean and can really get into the nooks and crannies of your grill.
It’s also worth noting that some brushes are designed with heads that can be easily removed and replaced. This is a more sustainable and eco-friendly option because it means you don’t have to throw away the whole grill brush just because the bristles have started to wear out.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you clean your grill?
Cleaning on a full stomach might not be the first thing you think of doing after polishing off the last burger, but the best time to clean your grill is when the grates are cooling, but still slightly warm. You should clean the grill after every use to prevent a build-up of burnt bits.
Should you use other cleaning products?
Using additional products can help have your grill looking shiny and new again.
If you’re not sure which type of cleaner would be good to use, check out our article on the best grill cleaners where we review five of the best options currently available.
