Whether you’re a complete beginner when it comes to grilling or a seasoned pitmaster, we’re sure you take pride in the ingredient you use for grilling out.
Have you ever picked the optimum cut of steak, added your favorite marinade and grilled it to medium-rare perfection only to find something tastes off?
If so, it might be dirty grill grates to blame. There’s no need for that with so many great grill brushes at your disposal. These things don’t cost much and they’re worth their weight in gold.
While all the best grill brushes are pretty simple in term of design and execution, there are still a few pointers worth bearing in mind on the buying trail.
- Type of grill brush: By far the most common choice among grillers is the classic grill brush. This style of brush typically comes with a lengthy handle. At the end of the handle is a square or rectangular cleaning head. The flat part of the head contains bristles. These are made from nylon, metal, or stainless steel. A more modern style of traditional grill brush uses just one piece of metal wire that forms a helix spiral for efficient cleanup. A scraper resembles a flat paddle scraper rather than a brush. The handles of this type of grill brush are usually shorter. Scrapers 3are made of stone, ceramic, wood, or metal. Some scrapers have a single flat edge, while others are notched, allowing you to work more easily between the grates. A grill brick is a block you rub on your grill grates so you can scour away the grease and accumulated food debris. Grill bricks are normally made from pumice stone. This is a natural stone with extremely good abrasive properties. That said, you won’t scuff away the non-stick coating on your grill, so you have no cause for concern there. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to the right type of grill brush for you, but now you are aware of your various options. With that decided, it’s time to think about the handle
- Length of handle: Grill brushes with long handles will keep your hands well clear of the hot grill grates. As well as ensuring the handle is long enough, you also need to consider whether it’s ergonomic and comfortable to use. Some handles allow you to grab hold with both hands, perfect for aggressive deep cleans
- Hooks: If storage space in your kitchen is at a premium, look for a grill brush with a hanging hook so you have one less thing in the cupboard or drawer. Having your grill brush within easy reach and in plain sight should also encourage you to use it more often. Not only will you avoid tainted food, but you’ll also minimize flareups and have less to clean each time if you adhere to cleaning your grill little and often
- Integrated scraper: If you decide against a scraper, look for a brush that contains one of these tools baked in. With these models, you’ll have a brush on one side and a scraper on the reverse. This allows you to first work your way over your grill grates using the brush, and then you can finish up using the scraper to remove any lingering food splatter
- Durability and lifespan: Most grill brushes are not likely to last for years. Let’s face it, these things are pretty cheap, and you don’t want to be cleaning up your grill using old and dirty gear anyway. Stainless steel grill brushes offer you the most robust build quality married to the
lengthiest lifespan. Nylon brushes won’t rust, but they are prone to melting if they get too hot. Wood can suck in moisture, rotting, swelling, or cracking the brush over time.
OK, if you keep these simple pointers in mind, you should have no problem navigating our shortlist of the best 12 grill brushes up for grabs and determine if any make the right fit for your grill grates.
The 12 Best Grill Brushes
1. Our #1 Pick: GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 12.6oz
- Dimensions: 18 x 3 x 4 inches
Our overall favorite in today’s collection of the best grill brushes comes from GRILLART, a specialist in this market segment. What do you get for your money, then?
Effectively, you’re getting a 3-in-1 tool here. The triple-headed brush cleans large grills efficiently and briskly. You also get an integrated scraper, so you can scuff away any lingering residue and food splatter.
The lengthy 18-inch handle is also thick enough for you to grab hold of with confidence.
The bristles are made from stainless steel. Unlike many of the brushes on our shortlist, these tend to stay firmly in place, even after sustained use.
While the scraper is a welcome extra, its design leaves something to be desired. Several disgruntled users complain about being unable to clean right to the back of the grill thanks to the scraper getting in the way.
Ideal for use on all types of grill, this is one of the most effective grill brushes out there, and you’re buying into great brand heritage, too.
Things We Like
- Lengthy handle
- Won’t rust or melt
- Dense stainless steel bristles
Things We Dislike
- Scraper stops you cleaning back of grill
2. Weber 3-Sided Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 7oz
- Dimensions: 12 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
Weber produces a deep bench of grills in all shapes and sizes, and they also manufacture a broad range of accessories like this nifty 3-sided grill brush. How does it shape up, then?
If you have a larger grill, you’ll appreciate this extra-wide brush. Spend less time cleaning up and more relaxing with your guests.
Despite the width, the brush is highly maneuverable, allowing you to work your way into all the nooks and crannies of your grill.
The sides of the brush are shorter and designed to help you scrub away between the grill grates. You should easily dislodge any food that gets caught on when you’re grilling out.
The simple ergonomic handle lets you get plenty of leverage when you’re blitzing your grill grates, and it won’t leave your hands sore or blistered either.
One of the regrettable downsides of grill brushes with bristles is the way these shed over time. The Weber is one of several models on our shortlist with a pretty poor reputation in this regard.
Overall, you’re getting an excellent grill brush, even if you might need to replace it sooner than you hoped for.
Things We Like
- Wide brush head
- Easily angles into tight spots
- Thick and durable bristles
Things We Dislike
- Starts shedding bristles over time
3. Kona Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 12oz
- Dimensions: 18 x 4 x 10 inches
Next up in our search for the best grill brushes comes a mean black example from Kona. How does it stack up?
With a trio of brushes rolled into one here, speed of cleaning is uppermost, making this brush a smart choice if you’re always crunched for time.
The brush is suitable for use on any grill type, from porcelain and ceramic through to infrared grills, making this a super-flexible choice.
As with all the best grill brushes, you get a lengthy handle to keep your fingers away from the heat, and this is stiff and stable so you get plenty of purchase when you’re scrubbing your grill grates.
Loaded with dense and hard-wired stainless steel bristles, this is a heavyweight and durable grill brush that should give you plenty of faithful service, while leaving your grill grates spotless.
While user reviews for this brush are almost universally positive, we found some scattered blowback about customer care.
Things We Like
- Hard-wired stainless steel bristles
- Lightweight yet durable
- 5-year limited warranty
Things We Dislike
- Customer service issues reported
4. BBQ Aid Store Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel and wood
- Weight: 15.2oz
- Dimensions: 3 x 2 x 13 inches
Next in line comes this grill brush from BBQ Aid Store, regrettably another model on our shortlist with reported shedding issues. We draw your attention to this throughout so you can buy with your eyes wide open and without any nasty surprises.
In all other respects, this is a hard-hitting grill brush well worth a second glance.
The understated wooden handle is long enough to keep your fingers well clear of hot grill grates, and you’ll find it super-simple to maneuver this ergonomic brush when you’re cleaning.
The manufacturer recommends this brush for use with all types of grills, so you’ll have no niggling concerns, even if you have an infrared grill or a ceramic grill on the patio at home.
The back of this brush serves as a ruthlessly efficient scraper, ensuring no stubborn food residue gets in the way of cleanup.
Things We Like
- Ergonomic wooden handle
- Ideal for all grill types
- Keeps your hands clear of hot grill
Things We Dislike
- Reported bristle shedding
5. GRILLART Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Metal and wire
- Weight: 13.7oz
- Dimensions: 17 x 8 x 5 inches
Another entry from the inimitable GRILLART next with this metal and wire grill brush well worth popping on your shortlist.
As with all products from this stable, you get impressive build quality and performance.
The three brush heads get more work done in less time, perfect if you have a larger grill on the deck to clean up. These heads are rounded to deliver all-round cleaning power.
The extra-long 18-inch handle keeps your fingers well clear of the business end of your grill, without compromising your ability to clean it so it looks immaculate.
The stainless steel bristles are designed to stay in place, even after heavy and sustained use. This is something we certainly can’t say for all grill brushes.
The scraper is rotatable, so no stubborn food debris can evade this thing.
Aside from some reported complaints about the bristles prematurely wearing down, almost all user reviews of this grill brush sing its praises.
Things We Like
- Rotatable scraper
- Triple heads for quick cleanup
- Lengthy 18-inch handle
Things We Dislike
- Bristles wear down quite quickly
6. GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper
Features
- Material: Metal
- Weight: 15.8oz
- Dimensions: 17.9 x 6.1 x 3.8 inches
Next up we have yet another grill brush from GRILLART, a brand with a stranglehold on this vertical. When you give this bristle-free cleaning tool a shot, though, you’ll soon see why these brushes fly off the shelves the world over.
Unlike nylon bristles on grill brushes that are prone to melting, or stainless steel bristles that shed easily, the design of the brush head eliminates the need for bristles.
While this is promoted as a safer alternative to stainless steel bristles shedding, we found several reports from users about this brush breaking over time and exposing dangerously sharp parts. Do your due diligence here.
Ideal for use on all grill types, this brush is a versatile addition to any kitchen.
If you’re still unsure, the lifetime money-back guarantee removes any niggles from purchase. Treat yourself and you’ll find cleaning up after your next grill-out gets much, much easier.
Things We Like
- Bristle-free grill cleaner
- Works on all grill types
- Money-back lifetime guarantee
Things We Dislike
- Sharp pieces exposed over time
7. Grilljoy Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 18 x 3 x 1 inches
Grilljoy serves up a simple but efficient grill brush that’s worth your time exploring.
The pair of brushes ensure you won’t be scrubbing your grates for hours, and you’ll get a very lightweight and maneuverable brush perfect for getting more done in much less time.
The handle is long enough to keep your fingers from the heat, but not so long as to become unwieldly.
As an added kicker, this brush comes with a pair of extra brush heads, giving you outstanding value for money and a grill brush that’s remarkable effective for something so simple in design and execution.
Although this grill brush is recommended for all types of grills, several users with gas grills claim it didn’t go a great job of cleaning up.
Despite the keen pricing, you’ll get a carry bag in addition to those extra brush heads, making this perhaps the best budget grill brush out there.
Things We Like
- Pair of brush heads
- Cleans very quickly
- Long and reinforced handle
Things We Dislike
- Not the best fit for gas grills
8. Grillaholics Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Brass
- Weight: 16oz
- Dimensions: 16.9 x 3.6 x 3.4 inches
Grillaholics is one of the best-known brands in this vertical, and their grill brushes come with a unique selling point: they’re made of brass.
As you’ll see from some of the stainless steel brushes we review today, this material is undeniably effective, but it can also be prone to shedding. This is something Grillaholics sidestep with the brass build. Does it work, though?
Absolutely! You’ll get a wooden handle that’s a pleasure to grip while also offering you great maneuverability.
The bristles may be soft, but they’ll slice through the food residue on your grill grates with exceptional efficiency.
A few users have complained about these bristles falling out after extended use, but these gripes are in the minority with the vast bulk of users claiming the precise opposite.
For one of the best grill brushes that doesn’t rely on stainless steel, place your trust in Grillaholics. Backed by a risk-free warranty, if you are not entirely happy with this brush you can take advantage of the Grillaholics Promise to make things right.
Things We Like
- No wire bristles
- Rugged and built to last
- Highly efficient cleaning
Things We Dislike
- Bristles tend to fall out
9. Kona Safe Clean Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 12oz
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 4 x 10 inches
As we near the end of our quest for the best grill brush, we have another model from Kona in the form of the bristle-free beauty.
With no sharp edges and no concerns about bristles shedding as you clean your grill grates, this brush nevertheless delivers a deep clean with minimum physical effort required.
The brush head is designed to carve neatly through all type of food waste on all varieties of grill grate, making this one of the most versatile options on our shortlist.
The handle is long enough to safeguard your hands from the heat.
This manufacturer suggests splashing on some water as you’re cleaning your grill grate, but that’s a matter of personal preference, with some disgruntled users complaining about following this suggestion with poor results.
For a great alternative to grill brushes with bristles, this Kona makes the perfect addition to your grill supplies.
Things We Like
- Bristle-free cleaning
- 3-in-1 functionality
- Lengthy ergonomic handle
Things We Dislike
- Cleaning with water cools down grill
10. Grill Daddy Steam Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Dimensions: 20 x 7.5 x 6 inches
Grill Daddy delivers a grill brush on steroids here. You’ll not only clean your grill grates within an inch of their life but you’ll also ensure they are sterilized, too.
Looking at a glance like hair clippers, this ingenious device allows you to harness the power of steam to clean your grill grates naturally and without any potential harmful chemicals in the mix.
Using this thing couldn’t be easier, even if it looks initially intimidating. Pre-heat your grill and top the Grill Daddy up with water. Switch the water valve to on and then start blitzing your grill grates without any physical exertion. The brush will release water as it goes, meaning cleanup is near-effortless.
The stainless steel bristles are set in a replaceable brush head, so you don’t need to concern yourself with shedding or lifespan issues.
Aside from a handful of niggles about quality control issues, this is one of the most innovative grill brushes out there, and it’s well worth a place on your shortlist.
Things We Like
- Sterilizes and cleans grill
- All-natural steam cleaning
- Dishwasher-friendly
Things We Dislike
- Quality control issues flagged
11. Merry Bird Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Stainless steel
- Weight: 3.2oz
- Dimensions: 7.04 x 6.33 x 2.91 inches
Next up comes a grill brush from Merry Bird containing a square scrubbing pad that will help you to scour even larger grills without eating up the whole afternoon.
As you’ll have seen, many stainless steel bristled grill brushes start shedding those bristles, but this model won’t give you any such problems.
Not only does this brush work wonderfully for cleaning all types of grills, but you’ll also find it comes into its own for cleaning pans and skillets.
Once you’re done cleaning your grill grates and cookware, this brush is safe to pop in the dishwasher so you won’t end up scouring your grates with a dirty brush.
While we found one or two gripes from users suggesting this brush didn’t deliver the most comprehensive cleanup, the vast majority of user reviews are positive, so you can buy with complete confidence.
Things We Like
- Bristle-free cleanup
- Reusable brush
- Dishwasher-safe
Things We Dislike
- Not the most thorough clean
12. Grillaholics Grill Brush
Features
- Material: Brass
- Weight: 12.8oz
- Dimensions: 18 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
To round out our showcase of the best grill brushes, we have yet another example from the Grillaholics stable.
This brush continues their winning tradition of using brass in place of stainless steel. You eliminate the issue of the bristles shedding, but you don’t sacrifice cleaning power to achieve this.
While you may first be reluctant to try a brush that makes use of different materials to most of the opposition, once you try using this grill brush, you’ll see why it has so many fans all over the world.
The handle is extra-long at 18 inches, providing maximum maneuverability, and at the same time keeping your hands and fingers safe from harm.
Aside from some reported issues with porcelain-coated grill grates, this is a versatile and highly efficient brass grill brush well worth your time and money.
Things We Like
- Long 18-inch handle
- Innovative brass build
- Cleans quicker than regular brushes
Things We Dislike
- Not great with porcelain-coated racks
FAQs
1) What are the key benefits of a grill brush?
If you’re wondering why you should bother investing in a dedicated grill brush rather than grabbing a scouring pad from the kitchen cupboard, consider the following benefits of using one. Firstly, if you keep your grill grates spotless, you’ll ensure they last longer. You’ll keep corrosion and deterioration at bay, and prevent residue from eating into the coating and leaving the metal beneath exposed to the elements. When food debris and grease remains on your grill grates, you’ll end up with this starting to go rancid. Both the smell and the taste of this will work its way into your food, ruining all the hard work you put into rustling up a rare rib eye. Scrupulously clean grates also mean you’ll experience far fewer flare-ups when you’re grilling, and you won’t need to invest in an infra-red grill to achieve this.
2) What is the best grill brush I could buy?
This is subjective. Overall, look for one that’s solidly put-together, ideal made of stainless steel. Bristles should be firmly anchored to the brush head to keep shedding to a minimum. Throughout out reviews today, we draw your attention to any brushes that let themselves down in this regard. The handle should be long enough that your hands are clear of the grill grates. When it comes to the style that best suits, check out buying guide above.
3) Are grill brushes potentially dangerous?
One of the issue with some grill brushes is the way the stainless steel bristles work loose. When bristles shed, these pieces of metal can stay on the grill grate, and ultimately end up on your food. If swallowed, this could lead to internal injuries. To avoid this, opt for one of the bristle-free brushes on our shortlist.
4) Are any grill brushes safe, then?
Yes. The safest type of all is a bristle-free brush. Scrapers, blocks, and single pieces of wire all work well when it comes to keeping safety uppermost.
Conclusion
Choosing the best grill brush doesn’t need to give you a headache, and once you have the right tools for the job, you’ll notice your life gets much easier post-grill out.
As long as you’re clear on the different types of grill brush, and you choose one with a long enough handle, you should find your cleanup gets easier and you eliminate tainted food and flareups, too.
Take a moment to bookmark Hempen Hill BBQ before you go and be sure to pop back soon. We have a very busy content calendar and we’re continuing with our expansion, so don’t miss out!