Best Grill Brush
– “Barbs!”. I was in the kitchen making dinner when I heard my husband calling for me from the living room in his “I-just-discovered-something-important” voice.
Before I even got the chance to respond, there he was, storming into the kitchen, with a laptop in his hand and a worried expression on his face:
– “Honey, we’re going to have to buy a new grill brush!”
Long story short, he just read about the dangers of using wire grill brushes and decided it’s time for us to replace our wire-bristled brush – a relatively new one if I might add – with a safer alternative.
So, if you’re in the process of looking for a new one, as well, feel free to join in on our search for the favorite grill brush on the market.
Further Reading: How to Choose a Smoker Grill Combo?
How Do You Know It’s Time To Buy A New Grill Brush?
That is, until your partner finds out that wire-bristle brushes are actually unsafe and insists you acquire a new one. I believe that we were vigilant about maintaining all of the grill brushes we previously possessed, such that we were never in risk of eating a stray bristle that was left on the grill after cleaning.
However, I suppose you can never be certain, can you?
We usually followed a few easy methods to assess the health of our grill brush, and I believe you’ll find them useful:
Look Over Your Brush – All you have to do is look over your brush. It’s time to replace it with a new one if, simply by glancing at it, you notice oil buildup, the bristles appear worn down and blocked with dirt, or the handle appears to be damaged in any way.
Pay Attention To The Condition Of The Bristles – Now it’s time to focus on the bristles and the state they’re in, so pick up your brush and take a closer look. Can you see any signs of decay? And by decay, I mean rust or splitting of the bristles.
Put Your Brush To The Test – My husband used this method to check the condition of our grill brushes: He’d take a pair of small pliers (I once did this with a pair of old tweezers, though) and gently tug on a couple of bristles. If none of them came out or moved around while still attached to the brush – like they’re going to fall out any minute now, he would give the brush the green light and proceed to clean the grill.
In case you’re looking for the most recommended charcoal grill, I have some suggestions.
How To Choose The Best Grill Brush
John and I came up with a list of a few essential things to consider when you’re looking to buy a new grill brush, so, without further ado, here they are:
1. Material
Stainless Steel – This one has to be the most popular material used for making grill brushes. At one point, my husband even remarked on how pretty much every model is made from stainless steel. These are pretty much indestructible; well, unless bristles start falling out, that is.
Brass – These types of brushes are a common alternative to the stainless steel ones, and while they’re known for being softer, they come with a considerable disadvantage – brass grill brushes are prone to rust.
Wood – Yes, you read that right: wood. And let me just say it’s not as crazy as it sounds; it’s not a brush, per se, but it does an excellent job of cleaning your grill, nonetheless. I’ve included one wooden grill brush in our top five choices, so stick around to learn more about it.
2. Quality And Durability
John was always really meticulous about keeping our grill brush in top shape. Even the slightest signs of deterioration were enough for him to buy a new one.
I guess he was always worried about the bristles – even before he knew how dangerous they are.
That being said, you want to get a grill brush that is well made and feels sturdy, as well as durable. That’s particularly important if you insist on sticking with bristled brushes:
You want to choose one that won’t fall apart after five uses. It’s not even about the money, it’s about your own – and your family’s – safety.
3. Ease Of Use
One may argue that a grill brush is a pretty straightforward grilling accessory and that it isn’t much you could say about how easy it is to use it.
While I do agree with you on that, I’m not the one scrubbing the grill before and after using it – my husband does all the dirty work around the barbecue – so I don’t think I’m the one to have a say on the matter.
However, I did watch him on numerous occasions, and let me tell you something:
There’s nothing easy about scraping all the char and grime build-up off of the grill.
And while I understand that cleaning a grill does require putting in some elbow grease, some things can make your job a lot easier.
One of the essential, user-friendly features my husband and I paid attention to – and so should you – is the length of the handle. In my opinion – well, John’s, actually – longer handles are usually better.
Most Recommended Grill Brushes On The Market – Reviews 2022
After careful consideration, we’ve narrowed our choice to the following grill brushes:
Bristle Free Barbecue Grill Brush – Three-In-One Grill Brush
Now, let’s take it up a notch:
Efficiency-wise, this bristle-free grill brush by Geson undoubtedly takes the cake.
The design resembles the one I previously talked about; standard T-shape, but here’s what truly sets it apart:
There’s isn’t one or two, but three brush heads, so it pretty much works as a three-in-one product, making the cleaning process a lot faster, not to mention easier.
The 18-inch handle only adds to the effectiveness; being able to hold it with both hands means a lot when you’re trying to remove all the build-up from the grates. No one likes to spend too much time scrubbing the grill, right?
I know I certainly don’t want to look at my husband’s struggle with it, which is why this brush made it on this list in the first place.
Both John and I looked for potential flaws, but, to be honest, we couldn’t find any. Of course, if you own one and you’ve seen some issues that I failed to mention, feel free to leave a comment – I’ll be happy to update my review.
Pros
- Safe for various types of grills (porcelain, ceramic, gas, etc.)
- Triple-brush design for a more efficient cleaning
- The handle is around 18 inches long.
- You can use both hands for more control.
- The brush itself is easy to clean after use.
- Risk-free purchase with a 10-year guarantee included
Cons
- To be honest, none so far.
BBQ-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush and Scraper
The design of this particular brush pretty much resembles the standard T-shape design, but with a little twist – two, to be exact.
First off, here a tightly woven, stainless steel spring wire replaces dangerous bristles. And before you start worrying about the brush being too harsh on your grill, let me just say something:
Using it on porcelain or ceramic grills is entirely safe.
And if it’s safe enough for these types of grills, it’s safe for pretty much anything else you have in your backyard. So, no need to worry about scratches.
But there’s another twist to it:
Instead of just one, you get two brush heads; at 6.7 inches in width, they’re made to cover a broad surface of your grill in one sweep.
Now, there are some disadvantages to be mentioned, which are most relevant if you’re used to bristle brushes. Because it consists of spring wire, there might be some issues with getting the brush to clean between the grates properly.
But if you’re looking to retire your bristle brush, this, I think, is a pretty good way to replace it.
Pros
- The brush is safe to use on ceramic and porcelain grills
- The 18-inch long handle will protect your hands from the heat
- The 6.7-inches wide, double-brush head makes cleaning a lot faster
- It feels lightweight and sturdy at the same time
- The manufacturer offers a 1-year refund policy
Cons
- It doesn’t get between the grates very well
- It takes a bit more time to clean the grill
Bristle Free 18″ BBQ Grill Brush – Get Up Close And Personal With Your Grill
I don’t know about you, but this grill brush reminds me of the one my mom used to scrub our bathroom. Those old-school brushes that required you to get on your knees – does it ring any bells?
What sets it apart from the others on this list is the shortness of the handle. If you decide to go with this one, you’ll have to get in there – up close and personal with your grill, if you will.
Speaking of the handle, it’s oversized in a way that allows more accessible, and most importantly, comfortable handling. The fact that the pad is broad will provide plenty of protection from direct contact with the hot grill – but wear the gloves, nonetheless.
While I don’t do the grilling, I usually do all the washing up afterward, so the fact that this non-woven nylon brush is dishwasher safe means the world to me.
Now, let’s talk about the disadvantages:
If you don’t already own one, you’ll have to invest in a pair of grilling gloves as a means of protection. Other than that, I – well, we – don’t see what else could bother you.
Pros
- The brush is extremely affordable.
- Bristle-free non-woven nylon/polyester fibers design
- Oversized handle for easy handling
- The entire grill brush is dishwasher safe.
- The seller offers a lifetime guarantee.
Cons
- You’ll have to use gloves for heat protection.
- It requires you to put in some serious effort.
BBQ grill grate cleaner Grill brush Scrapers Grid Scrub – Innovative Approach To Grill Cleaning
If you’re looking for a new grill brush, and you’re ready to replace bristles with a much safer version – stainless steel coils – this grill brush offers a somewhat innovative but expensive way to do it.
Now, what do I mean by innovative?
Instead of being placed horizontally, the brushes are vertically oriented; notice how I said “brushes” – there are three brush heads on one, 10-inch long handle. The entire brush is about 18 inches long, giving you plenty of control and keeping you safe from the grill’s heat at the same time.
Because you have three angled brushes working for you, you’ll probably be able to do the job fast, especially when you compare it to standard models. The manufacturer promises five times faster cleanup, but I’m not entirely convinced, and here’s why:
What John and I didn’t like is the level of efficiency.
While this is, by all means, a good brush, it needs some serious elbow grease to be turned into a great one. Also, my husband suggested that a scraper located on the backside of the brush would be a nice addition and would drastically improve its performance when it comes to cleaning some more persistent build-up.
Pros
- Suitable for gas, porcelain, charcoal, infrared grills, etc.
- It doesn’t damage the grill’s surface
- The brush is 18 inches long (the handle is 10 inches long)
- The brush head consists of three 360-degree rotator brushes.
- It feels very well made and durable.
Cons
- It’s hard to clean between the grates.
- It’s a bit pricey
Wood Grill Scraper (20″ Shovel) – Perfect BBQ Accessory for Cleaning Any Grill
Okay, I promised you a detailed explanation of why wooden grill brushes – or scrapers, to be exact – are such an excellent choice, so let’s get down to business.
My husband is a bit traditional and likes to stick to tried and approved grilling tools. However, even he thought this approach to grill cleaning is interesting. What you get is a product that looks more like a paddle than a grill scraper; the heat, and a bit of pressure from your side, will form grooves on it.
That way, you’ll have a grill brush that’s a perfect fit for your grill…
The entire thing is 20 inches long, meaning you’ll be completely safe from the grill’s heat while you’re working on making it squeaky clean. But I imagine it takes some time to get used to navigating it across the grill.
If we put the price aside, the only real issue is the fact that it doesn’t work well on grills with crossbars. We don’t have one, which is why we’ve given this barbecue scraper some serious thought, but if you do, one of the previously mentioned four brushes may be a better fit for you.
Pros
- It’s made from red oak and beech hardwoods.
- The brush is 20 inches long.
- The handle allows for a comfortable grip.
- It provides a custom fit for your grates.
- It’s more efficient than standard brushes.
Cons
- It’s not suitable for barbecues with crossbars.
- The grooves take some time to form properly.
The Best Grill Brush: Final Thoughts
Okay, I think it’s time to announce the winner of the round-up and our personal favorite.
We invested quite some time into this decision, and we finally came to an agreement that the perfect grill brush is the Bristle Free Barbecue Grill Brush – 100% Rust Resistant Stainless Steel BBQ Grill Cleaner.
It’s affordable, it’s suitable for our grill, and it does a pretty good job at keeping our grill clean, and, most importantly, safe.
Now that we’ve successfully solved the issue of using the wrong grill brush, we can move on to the actual grilling. I think we’re in the mood for some ribs, with some potato salad on the side. 🙂
How about you? Leave the comments below.
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