Best Grill Brushes to Clean Up After Your Barbecue

Grills are fun to use and they can be a great way to bond with friends and family over food. But like most appliances, they can get dirty and are difficult to clean over time, especially if you leave food residue to build up. This can make it difficult to use the grill in the future unless you constantly maintain it.

That’s where grill brushes come in. Grill brushes are designed to help get rid of food and debris that may have stuck onto the grill grates while you were cooking. But are they as useful as people think, and are they even safe? Read on to find out how to get the best grill brush for your home, as well as some important questions answered.

What is a grill brush?

A grill brush is a tool used to help remove debris and food from grill grates. Grills can build up food and debris on their grates over time after constant use, and a strong grill brush can help remove these substances with ease.

Why do you need a grill brush?

Grill brushes may not seem like a must-have for every grill owner, but they’re handier than you think. Here are some reasons for purchasing one:

They remove food and debris

Burnt food is a lot more difficult to remove than you think. Once it sticks to the grill grate, you will find it to be quite challenging to get rid of. Grill brushes are designed to easily remove the food with a little bit of force, saving you the effort and frustration of removing the food through other methods.

They are better at cleaning than other tools

You may be tempted to use rags or other brushes instead of a dedicated grill brush. After all, those tools also help with removing debris and food in some capacity. However, both rags and general-use brushes don’t have the toughness of a real grill brush, which is exactly what you need if you want to get rid of the food on your grill grates and leave them nice and clean.

Grill brushes have the advantage of having some sort of stainless steel bristles. These allow them to be tough and effectively remove burnt-on food with little effort, while softer materials will take much longer to remove the residues. Also, the stainless steel holds up well with higher temperatures, so you don’t have to wait too long for the grill to cool down to clean up like you would with a rag or basic cleaning brush.

What are some things to consider when buying a grill brush?

Here are some of the most important things to take note of when buying a grill brush:

Size

Grills come in all shapes and sizes, and the same can be said for grill brushes, too. If you have a small grill that can only cook a couple of meat slices at a time, then you’ll probably be fine with a small brush. However, if you have a larger grill meant for parties and events, then a large grill brush will give you more coverage and even save you time while cleaning.

The key to picking the right size for your grill is to simply pick the largest brush available if you can. The only real downside to large brushes is that they can be harder to store and you can’t dig into the corners and edges of your grill, but even that’s eventually possible with larger brushes, given enough time. Bigger is better, and you’ll save yourself some time by getting a larger brush.

Type

Grill brushes are made with different materials. They can be classified based on their material and design. Grill brushes can be made out of nylon or stainless steel and can either be designed with bristles or coils.

When it comes to material, stainless steel is generally the better of the two. Nylon is durable plastic, sure, but the problem is that it cannot handle hot temperatures very well. If you’re scrubbing the grill grate while it’s still warm, the nylon fibers can deform and even fall off. That’s the last thing you’d want. On the other hand, stainless steel can handle hot temperatures, making it better for brushing right after your grill session.

Design-wise, you’ll want to go for coil brushes if you can. Grill brushes that have bristles are dangerous, whether they’re nylon or stainless steel. This is because the bristles can end up falling onto the grill, and when you cook your meat, the bristles may even end up on your food. This can cause health concerns and is generally not advised. Coils do a great job of wrapping around the grill grates to clean them from all sides, leaving your grill looking like new.

What is the price range for grill brushes?

Grill brushes are quite affordable, even those made out of high-quality stainless steel. A good nylon brush will cost you less than $10, and some coil stainless steel brushes come in at around this price. If you’re looking for something durable and high-quality, or something fairly large, it’ll cost you as much as $50, but it’s worth the price if it prevents any bristles from ending up on your food. Those more expensive brushes will last you many summer cookouts, and it's unlikely you'd have to buy a new one each year.

How do we choose the best grill brushes?

We choose our grill brushes based on their price, type, and customer reviews. By researching loads of products, comparing their designs and materials, looking into the brand’s reviews and reputation, and compiling information from customer reviews, we can create a comprehensive list of the best grill brushes of the year.

FAQ

Q: Are grill brushes safe?
A: For the most part yes, however many grill brushes are deemed unsafe as the bristles on the brushes can come off and end up on food, which can pose a health risk. We recommend you choose a brush with a coiled design, as there are no bristles that could come off.

Q: What can I use instead of a grill brush?
A: Alternatives to grill brushes include wooden scrapers, pumice stone, and even tinfoil. You can even use grill mats or griddles to keep food off the grates, keeping them clean.

Q: Do I need a grill brush?
A: If you have a tool that you can use to remove debris and food from your grill grate, then you technically don’t need a grill brush. However, if you don’t, then getting one will help keep your grill clean. And, as we've mentioned above in our buyer's guide, grill brushes are stronger, more durable, and more efficient than other tools.