Whether you use your grill multiple times a week or once a year, it’s important to clean it after every use to extend the life of your barbecue. Not only will it provide you with a clean-looking and hygienic cooking surface, but it’ll also help you make sure the food you prepare won’t get contaminated by bacteria or other kinds of impurities.
Because of this, using the right brush to clean your grill is a top priority to protect the health of those enjoying the food as well as the grill itself.
In this article, we reviewed aspects of each brush such as main features, price for value, and customers’ reviews to provide you with a list of the 7 best grill brushes available. Ultimately, we hope this review of them will help you find exactly what you need to make your grill look brand new after each and every barbecue.
Here’s a list of the grill brushes you’ll find in the article:
The Best Grill Brushes
- Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush – Top Choice
- Grillaholics Grill Brush – Best Bristle-Free Pick
- Grillinator 18″ BBQ Grill Brush – Premium Pick
- Grillart Grill Brush – Best Value
- Alpha Grillers 18″ Grill Brush – Best Broad Grill Brush
- POLIGO Grill Brush – Most Ergonomic
- Heat Boss Grill Brush – Best Brush for All Grates
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Key Features ANd Specifications
- 3-in-1 design
- 360 degrees cleaning mechanism
- Hard-wired bristles
- Suited for all grills
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Dimensions: 18 x 4 x 10 inches
First of all, Kona is a grill tool brand that appears on our “Best Grill Tools” lists. That’s for one reason: They produce high quality products. They may not be as widely known as Weber or Cuisinart, but they’re a brand worth trusting.
A grill brush is hardly something to get excited over, but this 18-inch brush has a unique design that makes it like owning three brushes in one! That’s pretty exciting, right? Each stroke of this grill brush is equivalent to three strokes of a conventional grill brush. It allows for a 360° clean, not just the top surface. Furthermore, this grill brush can be used to clean all and remove burnt residue from a variety of grills, from porcelain to infrared.
The Kona Grill Brush is 60% more rigid than a conventional brush, as well. It’s not flimsy and will not bend. The bristles are hard-wired and were made using stainless steel to increase the cleaning effects, as well as make the item more durable. For best results, you should repeatedly dip the brush in water while cleaning the hot grill as a way to steam clean. This will keep your grill looking shiny and new.
Now because the Kona brush is intended to help you steam clean your grill, the handle on this grill brush is 18-inches long for ease of use. It allows you to use both hands with minimal effort. It also keeps our hands from getting burned by keeping them further from the heat. Shorter grill brushes take way too much effort and longer brushes can be quite cumbersome. Moreover, the handle is even weather resistant and lightweight, despite being so sturdy.
Finally, one of the best things about the Kona 360 Grill Brush is the price. This brush is quite affordable, though it isn’t the cheapest on our list. However, the brush comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty, so you can try it risk free.
Pros
- Durable and resistant
- Easy to use
- Doesn’t bend easily
Cons
Might lose some bristles over time
Key Features ANd Specifications
- 360-degree coils
- 3-in-1 design
- Bristle-free
- Weight: 10.9 ounces
- Dimensions: 17 x 7.2 x 2.5 inches
The Grillaholics 360- Degree Grill Brush is made using stainless steel for its 360-degree coils and its scraper. This product features a 3-in-1 coiled brush that allows you to clean three times faster due to the fact you’ll be able to reach a broader area with each stroke.
The thing that sets this grill brush apart is the fact that it’s bristle-free. A common occurrence with bristled grill brushes is that they can shed bristles, which can be unsafe. The design of the Grillaholics brush eliminates that issue. However, this also means you’ll need to put in some additional elbow grease in order to clean your grill.
On the other hand, a benefit to this brush is the 18-inch length which provides the perfect balance of leverage and distance from the heat. This brush is fit to clean all types of grills, including charcoal, electric and gas. Even though the handle is made from plastic, the item has proved to be resistant and hard to bend, meaning it’ll last a long time.
Like the previous grill brush on our list, this one is best used wet to help you steam clean your grill. Additionally, it’s similarly priced, making it quite affordable. Finally, this brush is backed by the Grillaholics Promise, which means you can purchase with confidence knowing that you’ll get a product you love or Grillaholics will make it right for you.
Pros
- Great price
- Durable
- Hard to bend
- Suited for all grills
Cons
- Might need to scrub hard to clean the grill properly
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Dual direction bristles
- Perpendicular bristles design
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 4 x 3 inches
The Grillinator Grill Brush is 18-inches long and perfect for cleaning charcoal, pellet, infrared and gas grills. It also has dual direction bristles to make it easier for the user to reach and scratch the entire surface of the grill. Long and short bristles are arranged in a perpendicular design, a feature that allows you to clean between the grates without damaging the grill or grill grates. This patented design allows you to clean your grill 50% faster.
The steel handle is unbreakable and 14-inches long, long enough that you can seamlessly clean your barbecue without worrying about being burned. The built tough steel bristles are designed for the task at hand so you don’t need to worry about them snapping off. Once you switch to the Grillinator, cheap plastic grill brushes will be a thing of the past.
Another benefit to this particular grill brush is the ability to replace just the brush head. This prevents you from having to buy a whole new grill brush every time your old brush wears out. With the Grillinator, the replaceable brush heads are super simple to change using regular screams. While the Grillinator Grill Brush is one of the most expensive on our list, the replacement grill brush heads can be quite a bit cheaper than having to replace the whole grill brush.
Furthermore, your Grillinator Grill Brush comes with a lifetime guarantee. If at any time you’re not completely satisfied with your grill brush, for any reason, they will replace it or give you a full refund.
Pros
- Suited for most kinds of grills
- Sturdy and durable
- Steel handle
- Heads can be replaced
Cons
- Bristles might fall of in time
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Sharp scraper
- Extra bristles
- Lateral bristles
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 3.95 x 2.95 inches
The Grillart Grill Brush is made of stainless steel and has an extra sharp scraper you can use to scrape away the dirt from gas or charcoal grilling grates. This product features three times more bristles than traditional brushes, a detail that will allow you to quickly clean large areas.
Moreover, the bristles are also positioned on the sides of the brush, meaning that the user will have no trouble cleaning the full grilling area. Additionally, these bristles are sharp and strong and have enough lateral flex to clean effectively.
The handle is soft, yet durable with a stainless steel ring for hanging. Plus, this grill brush is rust resistant since it’s made from high quality stainless steel.
The price of this grill brush is certainly affordable. However, customers have reported bristles falling out of the brush from time to time. Conversely, it’s always safest to wipe down your grill with a clean, wet cloth once you’ve finished scrubbing to help remove any leftover debris.
Finally, at any rate, this Grillart offers a satisfaction guarantee. If you have any questions or issues, they will help and make it right for you.
Read more: Best grilling gloves
Pros
- Good price
- Suited for all grills
- Durable
Cons
- Bristles might fall out after prolonged use
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Broader scrubbing area
- Higher number of bristles
- Ergonomic design
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 2.95 x 3.54 inches
The Alpha Grillers Brush is 18-inches long and features a heavy-duty design that allows the user to clean a greasy grill in just a few minutes. This item can be used on all types of grates, from porcelain to cast iron, and it won’t damage or scratch your grill even with extra elbow grease.
Compared to traditional grill brushes, this product features a broader scrubbing area that includes a higher number of rust resistant stainless steel bristles. Plus, the bristles on this grill brush are extra thick for a more thorough cleaning.
While the handle of this grill brush isn’t made entirely of stainless steel, it is still sturdy, long and ergonomically designed. This allows you to scrub for longer periods of time without hurting your hands. Additionally, the handle is long enough for you to hold with both hands in case you need to get better leverage.
The price is great and the item is durable. However, after repeated use some bristles might start to fall off. Conversely, this grill brush is backed by Alpha Griller’s 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, so if you do have that issue, they’ll help remedy the problem for you.
Read more: Best grill spatulas
Pros
- Great price
- Heavy duty design
- Sturdy handle
- Suited for all grills
Cons
- Some bristles might fall off in time
Key Features ANd Specifications
- 360-degree bristles
- Grill scraper
- Ergonomic handle
- Weight: 9.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 17 x 3.95 x 2.76 inches
The Poligo Grill Brush is 18-inches long and is a high-quality item that includes 360-degree steel bristles and a grill scraper. Its ergonomic construction is designed to help you clean all types of grates with as little effort as possible. The bristles face all directions, meaning it’ll be easy to reach even the most hidden greasy spots on the grill and the scraper helps you get rid of the hardest dirt.
The deluxe handle of the grill cleaning brush is comfortable and soothing and offers greater leverage and control while cleaning dirty grates. It also comes with a strong ring for hanging up the barbecue brush.
Although this brush is made using high-quality materials, you might still notice some bristles coming off after extensive use. However, the price of this item is very affordable as this is one of the cheapest items on our list.
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Pros
- Easy to use
- Sturdy and durable
- High quality materials
- Steel ring for hanging
Cons
- The bristles might come off after extensive use
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Stainless steel scraper
- 3 sets of bristles
- Rust-free
- Weight: 12.5 ounces
- Dimensions: 18 x 3 x 4 inches
The last item featured on our list is the Heat Boss 18-inch long grill brush. This product includes a stainless-steel scraper, made for scrubbing hardened grease off of the grates, and three sets of bristles that allow you to cover a large scrubbing area.
The bristles are tightly bound, rust-resistant, and stainless steel. Plus, they’re angled to get deep in the grooves and clean between grates give your grill a solid and thorough cleaning with minimal effort.
The Heat Boss Grill Brush features a comfortable ergonomic handle that’s 18-inches long to protect your hands from heat and provide you with steady leverage while removing food residue and stubborn char from grates. It comes with a well-built hook for hanging up the barbecue brush when not in use.
This heavy-duty, rust-resistant brush is suited for all types of grill grates. Moreover, the ergonomic handle is long and sturdy, therefore you won’t need to worry about accidentally bending it while diligently scrubbing.
While this product is quite affordable, some customers have mentioned issues with some bristles coming out over time. However, the product has a lifetime warranty should you have any troubles.
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Pros
- Great price
- Ergonomic design
- Durable
- Sturdy handle
Cons
- Bristles can come off after some time
Things to Consider Before Buying a Grill Brush
While grill brush shopping might not be the most exciting task, owning a grill brush is a necessity. Your grill brush is the key to helping you keep your grill looking like new. However, finding the perfect grill brush can be a challenge. There are a variety of options and features to consider. For example, you’ll need to decide whether you want a brush with bristles or to go bristle-free. Plus, some grill brushes also have a scraper for added convenience. To help streamline the decision process, we’ve created a detailed buying guide of things to consider before purchasing your grill brush.
Bristle Design:
Bristled grill brushes can be very effective for cleaning. In fact, brushes with a high number of bristles allow you to clean the grates faster and reach those hard to clean areas. Additionally, the denser the bristles, the easier it’ll be to get rid of charred bits and grease.
However, there are a lot of reports about bristle brushes shedding bristles during the cleaning process. These stray wires have been found in the cooked food and could result in injuries if accidentally eaten.
If this doesn’t sound appealing, you have two issues that can help rectify the situation. Your first option would be to opt for a bristle free brush, like the Grillaholics brush on our list. The second option would be to invest in a high quality bristled grill brush and make sure you’re taking proper care when using it.
Brush Style and Head Shape:
Grill brushes with a square or rectangular head usually have rows of bristles arranged in a grid. This style tends to be one of the easier types to keep clean. However, if the density of the bristles is lacking, it may require a good amount of elbow grease to effectively clean the grill.
A grill brush with a head that has bristles that resemble a pipe cleaner can be more effective. For one, the bristles go in every direction and they have a better bristle density. Plus, with this type, you can get between the grates when cleaning and even underneath them for a very thorough cleaning. These brushes are usually described as 360-degree grill brushes.
Then, somewhere between these two types are brushes that resemble the Grillinator brush on this list. This type of brush has a rectangular head, but has dual directional bristles in a perpendicular design. It’s more thorough than a grill brush with the traditional design, but is just as easy to use because you can get great leverage with these types of brushes.
The next thing to consider is if your grill brush head has an integrated scraper. Although bristles can help you clean most of the grease, to get rid of the hardest gunk, you should opt for a grill brush with a metal scraper. Another benefit to a brush with a scraper is that it can help increase the longevity of your brush because the scraper can help cut down the workload on the bristles.
Handle:
No matter the length or material of the handle to your grill brush, the thing that matters most is that it’s sturdy. In order to give your grill a solid scrubbing, you’ll be applying quite a bit of force. If your handle isn’t sturdy enough, it will bend while you’re scrubbing.
Your grill brush handle can be made with plastic, wood or stainless steel usually. Plastic will usually have a little bit of give and flexibility to help make scrubbing more comfortable for you. Thick wooden handles can allow you to get an excellent grip. Finally, stainless steel is an option, but not always a great one. For one, it can be slippery. For two, they can absorb heat. This means, you’ll want to make sure that your stainless steel grill brush has some type of grill to protect your hands from the heat and from slipping.
Speaking of protecting your hands from the heat, the length of your grill brush is important too. For small to average grills, you can get away with using a grill brush with a 12-inch handle. Typically, this length also allows you to be able to scrub one handed. For larger grills, you’ll absolutely want a grill brush that is at least 18-inches. While this means you’ll likely have to use two hands to scrub, it will also help make sure your hands are far enough away from the heat source and any steam that will arise from the cleaning.
However, don’t let this make you think, “the longer, the better”. Unless you have an incredibly large grill, you really don’t need a handle longer than 18-inches. Though, they do make grill brushes that are 22-24-inches long for those large grills. However, just know these longer lengths can make your grill brush quite cumbersome.
Materials:
Typically, the most effective grill brush bristles are made with food-grade stainless steel, as you can probably tell from the grill brushes on our list. However, this material isn’t your only option. Brass bristles can be a good option for those worried that the stainless steel is too abrasive. Brass is softer than stainless steel, but still strong enough to give you a thorough scrubbing.
On the other hand, metal bristles aren’t your only option either. You can opt for a brush with synthetic bristles like nylon. However, since these synthetic materials are significantly softer than metal, you’re going to have to scrub your butt off to get the same level of cleanliness as you’d get with metal bristles. Same goes for if you choose a grill brush with natural plant fiber bristles as opposed to synthetic.
However, there is a pro to these synthetic bristles. They can be made to be brightly colored so you’ll see if your brush begins shedding bristles, a benefit you will not find with metal bristles.
Conversely, there is another con when it comes to synthetic bristles. Typically, you can’t use this kind of grill brush until your grill is cooled. This can be a problem for two reasons. One, it means it will take longer until your grill is cleaned. Two, having to cool your grill first means it’ll be challenging to get the same level of cleanliness as you’d get from using a brush with metal bristles. Usually, when you use a brush with metal bristles, it’s recommended that the grill still be quite warm and that you dip the brush into water as you’re scrubbing because the steam can help you get a better and easier clean.
Yet, it’s been brought up numerous times that grill brushes with metal bristles can be quite dangerous if they shed their bristles. So maybe, the extra elbow grease required for synthetic bristled brushes is a worthy trade off for the added safety, in your eyes.
Bristle Brush Care Tips
- First, you must invest in a high quality grill brush. One that is more likely to stand up to wear and tear than a cheapie you found at the discount store.
- Second, always inspect your grill brush before use and throw it out if it appears unsafe.
- Third, after using your bristle brush on the grill, be sure to wipe the grill surface with a wet cloth to remove any bristles and remaining grease that could be left behind.
- Finally, no matter what kind of grill brush you opt for, you must pay attention to the wear and tear and replace it when necessary.
Final Thoughts
At Grill Cook Bake, it’s our mission to help you grill better. To do so, a great grill brush is a must. Not only does it keep that grill sparkling, but it also helps ensure your food comes out tasty every time.
A little charred flavor can be nice, but no one likes old bitter blackened bits on their juicy burger or in their grilled vegetables.
A high-quality grill brush, especially one with an integrated scrapper is just the ticket to get rid of those left over charred bits. Plus, you’ll be able to scrub off any leftover grease making your grilling experience all around safer for you, your food and your guests.
Let’s not confuse the enjoyment we get from relaxing bonfires with the terror that comes from impromptu grease fires!
While grill brushes can come in all shapes and sizes, we tend to prefer grill brushes that have either stainless steel bristles or metal coils (if you’re going bristle free). These types of brushes can give you a heck of a clean with the least amount of effort since you can use them while your grill is still hot and with water to create steam.
In general, your handle material and length doesn’t matter as much as the grill brush head. You just want to consider whether the brush you’re looking at looks comfortable and sturdy because you will be putting a lot of force behind it, regardless. A key point to remember here is that too short of a handle is risky because you could get burned, but too long of a handle can make the tool very cumbersome.
Finally, no matter what type of grill brush you choose, remember to follow any care instructions provided. Not properly caring for your grill brush can cause numerous problems. For instance, it could start shedding metal bristles or it could rust.
While grill brushes aren’t the most exciting of grill tools, they are essential and valuable tools that should be in every grill masters arsenal. If you invest in a good one and care for it properly, your new grill brush will serve you well and for a long time.
WHY TRUST GRILL COOK BAKE?
Grill Cook Bake was created by amateur chefs and food lovers to help people cook better. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, having the right tools, equipment, and gear can be the difference between a good meal or a bad meal.
Our goal at Grill Cook Bake is to provide you with comprehensive and unbiased reviews and information so that you can make informed buying decisions. Our team has decades of combined experience in the cooking field. This knowledge includes a deep understanding of both brands and individual products.
This article was updated by Jacki Chaplain, a freelance writer and product reviewer for Grill Cook Bake. Jacki Chaplain is a seasoned food writer and blogger. She received masterful culinary training under an esteemed Johnson and Wales graduate. Today, she’s combined her divine love of all things food and artful way with words into a full-time career as a freelance writer for various foodie websites.
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