best grill cleaning brush for cast iron grates

When you think about grilling, you probably picture tending the fire and dishing up delicious food for admiring friends and family; you hardly ever think about the cleanup afterwards. By no means is cleaning the grill the most glamorous aspect of cooking; it is messy, hot, and unpleasant. But regular cleaning keeps your grill in good health. It extends the lifespan of your grill, keeps the heat flowing, and aids in preventing food from sticking. Additionally, it enhances flavor and reduces the risk of contracting a foodborne illness. The grill brush is the ideal equipment for this job.

Despite their apparent simplicity, not all grill brushes are created equal. We engaged the aid of two grilling professionals to assist us through the numerous design and material options available on the market. The chefs and owners of COOP and Jeds in Detroit, Maxcel Hardy, and Ernest in San Francisco, Brandon Rice, also a chef, offered their opinions on what makes grill brushes unique. We chose the Grill Art Grill Brush and Scraper as the Best Overall Grill Brush after combining their suggestions with our knowledge. Continue reading to discover the finest grill brush for you and to learn why.

Our Favorites

• Grill Art’s grill brush and scraper is the best overall.
• Best Grillaholics Pro Brass Grill Brush for Porcelain or Ceramic Grates
• Grillaholics Pro Palmyra Grill Brush is the best for cast iron griddle.
• Best Grill Brush for Stainless Steel Grates: Char-Broil Safer 360
• Weber 21-Inch Three-Sided Grill Brush is the best deal.
• The best bristle-free grill brush is Kona Safe/Clean.
• Grill Rescue Grill Brush with Scraper, best non-metal

 

Grill Art’s grill brush and scraper is the best overall.

Positives: The cleaning process is sped up by the triple heads, and the adjustable scraper blades make it simpler to remove stubborn residues.

Cons: The scraper head can get in the way when detailing your grill’s edges, and using too much pressure on the brush will cause the handle to bend somewhat.

There were some strong competitors in the race for Best Overall. After assessing the advantages and disadvantages of several brushes, the Kona 360° Clean and the Grill Art Grill Brush and Scraper were the two finalists in the test. Both include three cleaning heads, an 18-inch handle to keep your hands out of the heat, and 360-degree cleaning capabilities. After giving it some thought, we concluded that the Grill Art Grill Brush and Scraper was the finest.

The Grill Art also includes two scraper blades for deposits that are difficult to remove in addition to the previously listed functions. The other blade has notches in different forms to meet the contours of practically any grill grate. One is a wider, flat-headed scraper with grooves at the edges for removing grease and burnt-on pieces. A non-slip grip and a loop allow the robust 18-inch stainless steel handle to be hung when not in use. The brush’s life and effectiveness are increased thanks to the woven wire construction, which also reduces bristle loss.

3 x 4 x 18 inches in size

stainless steel with plastic as materials

Best Grillaholics Pro Brass Grill Brush for Porcelain or Ceramic Grates

Advantages: Two-handed cleaning is made possible by the elongated handle and the five rows of brass bristles that speed up cleaning.

Cons: The bristles can bend under strong pressure because they are softer than stainless steel. Due to the nature of this brush, cleaning it may take longer.

 

Consult the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before cleaning ceramic or porcelain-coated grates to avoid destroying them and invalidating your warranty. In general, you want a brush softer than stainless steel to clean these more delicate surfaces. However, nylon cannot be used to clean a hot barbecue. Except where prohibited by manufacturer, brass is our preferred material for this assignment. Brass is a softer metal than stainless steel, so cleaning your grill’s hot surface will be less likely to harm the coating.

For this job, we went with the Grillaholics Pro Brass. The bristles on the brush are arranged in five vertical rows, making it possible to quickly clean the grates. Additionally, it includes a lot of bristles on the edges to help you reach the most challenging areas of the grill. Contrary to conventional designs, this brush’s hardwood handle spans the majority of its length, enabling optional two-handed cleaning. Because the brass bristles are softer, applying a little more pressure might be necessary, but it is a minor price to pay to maintain the grill’s grates.

4 x 3 x 18 inch dimensions

wood, stainless steel, and brass

Grillaholics Pro Palmyra Grill Brush is the best for cast iron griddle.

Advantages: Compared to other palmyra brushes, this one’s 360-degree design makes cleaning details and edges easier and won’t take the seasoning from your cast iron grill.

Cons: Since palmyra bristles are softer than metal ones, cleaning your grill will take more time and effort. If you use the brush close to an open flame, the bristles will catch fire.

Cast iron does take a little more maintenance, but try not to get too worked up about it. Basically, you don’t want to remove the seasoning you applied to your cast iron grill grates. Metal brushes will therefore be too firm for the task, while nylon brushes will be too soft. Because palmyra is both hard enough to clean and supple enough to hold your seasoning, we advise using one. Simply brush any food or grease that has clung to your hot grill without using any flames and natural bristles that have been soaked in hot water.

The majority of palmyra brushes have the same square shape, which works well for cleaning the flat, central portion of your grates. However, it falls short when it comes to cleaning the grates’ edges and small crevices. For this reason, we suggest the Grillaholics Pro Palmyra Grill Brush. It meets the demand for edge and detail cleaning without the use of metal and has the same 360-degree head shape and edge bristles as many of the brushes discussed here. Additionally, it has an extended wooden grip that enables two-handed cleaning, and any bristles that fall off can burn your palm.

3 x 4 x 18 inches in size

wood, palm fronds, and stainless steel

 

Best Grill Brush for Stainless Steel Grates: Char-Broil Safer 360

Pros: It has outstanding durability for the price and grit-infused nylon bristles prevent stainless steel from being scratched.

Cons: Nylon bristles shouldn’t be used on hot grills. Additionally, the pricing is a little expensive for a nylon brush.

Grates made of stainless steel are simple to clean, but they need special care. The stainless steel bristle-type brushes might not be the greatest option because most of the bristles will miss the grates because they are thin and easily scratched. Their brittle nature can erode the finish, making food stick and rust to form. We advise utilizing a nylon or brass brush for this task. We advise choosing the Char-Broil Safer 360 Grill Brush when comparing these alternatives.

The brush works well for cleaning stainless steel grates without scratching since it has nylon bristles filled with grit. Before the bristles break or fall out, the brush is designed to withstand roughly 15,000 strokes. The danger of accidently eating any stray particles that fall or break off the brush and linger on the grill is reduced thanks to the red bristles’ assistance in making them visible. The angular shape makes it possible to detail difficult-to-reach areas as well as clean the grill’s broad streaks. The bristles’ primary flaw is that they are neither heat-resistant nor appropriate for use on a hot grill. However, cleaning is not a problem if you let the grill burn off after cooking and then use the Safer 360 Grill Brush with some hot, soapy water on the cooled grill.

1 x 7 x 18 inches are the size.

stainless steel and nylon as materials

Weber 21-Inch Three-Sided Grill Brush is the best deal.

Advantages: The extra-long handle protects your hands from the heat, and the triangle shape makes cleaning tighter spots simple.

Cons: The bristles last less time than those of the other brushes we’ve evaluated here, and the longer handle may flex under excessive pressure.

Are you trying to find the dollar-spent ratio’s best benefit? The Weber may have a straightforward appearance, but it possesses every feature Rice and Hardy value in a brush. For detail cleaning, they prefer a small head, which the triangular form allows for. The brush’s corner bristles make it easier to clean details in tight spots and between grates. They both prefer a metal handle since it is more durable and won’t melt or catch on fire in high-heat use, which are risks that wood or plastic provide. The stainless steel handle with non-slip grip also meets these requirements.

The Weber triumphs in our Best Value category because to the wide-angle side of the brush head that makes it possible to clean wider portions of the grate, the corner bristles for precision cleaning, the longer handle for avoiding heat, and the comparatively low price.

1 x 7 x 21 inches are the size.

stainless steel with plastic as materials

The best bristle-free grill brush is Kona Safe/Clean.

Advantages: Most grills can be covered by the broad head in just four to five passes, and the handle length allows for two-handed cleaning.

Cons: The head is a tad blocky, which renders it useless for detail work and inconfined places.

There is legitimate anxiety about metal bristles sticking to your meals. Care must be taken to check brushes for stray bristles or those that may have fallen into the grill. For those who want a bristle-free solution, we recommend the Kona Safe/Clean Bristle-Free Grill Brush. To reduce the number of strokes required to cover your grill, it has three rows of vertically stacked metal coils. It also has the 360-degree design that many of the brushes discussed here have, making it simple to clean in small spaces. For two-handed cleaning while shielding your hands from the heat, the handle has a longer grip. All grill kinds, including coated, infrared, stainless steel, and cast iron, are also secure.

Size: 4 by 10 by 18 inches

stainless steel with plastic as materials

Grill Rescue Grill Brush with Scraper, best non-metal

The cleaning pads are dishwasher-safe, and the handle doesn’t require much force to use.

Cons: The blocky head makes cleaning inconspicuous areas or small details challenging. Cleaning the back edge of the grill is further complicated by the scraper’s positioning.

We looked at several non-metal scrapers made of materials including wood, nylon, and palmyra before settling on this brush from Grill Rescue. This steam-cleaning brush is made of heat-resistant synthetic aramid fibers, requiring less human labor from you. Additionally, you can remove tough deposits first with the help of a scraper mounted to its head.

Simply soaking the head with water and wiping it on the hot grill is sufficient; the handle design lends itself well to the no-force concept. It’s one of the more expensive alternatives we’ve looked at, but the handle and cleaning heads are both sturdy, and you can buy extra cleaning heads with fresh scraper blades if you ever need them.

Size: 6 by 1 by 15 inches

Stainless steel, plastic, and aramid

Conclusion

The option depends on the brush’s construction given the range of brush materials and patterns available. The Grill Rescue Grill Brush with Scraper delivers outstanding cleaning power with the assurance of a non-bristle head while the Grill Art Grill Brush and Scraper offers the stiffness and cleaning power of stainless steel.

Factors to Think About

Manufacturer’s Recommendation for Grills

Detailed cleaning instructions will be included with your grill. Check those directions before buying a grill brush because failing to do so could nullify your warranty on the grates.

brush handle

The standard grill brush has had a square head for many years with dimensions of around 4 inches on each side. To put it mildly, this form is ineffective for cleaning all the angles of a grill. It works well for cleaning vast parts of the top of the grates. Both Hardy and Rice advise using a small-headed brush to clean the grill grates’ entire angled surface. In order to reach between the grates and other challenging areas, several of the brushes we’ve reviewed here have a large head with angular portions. With this setup, you can work in great detail without having to use a little brush to clean the top surface. Then, decide whether nylon, stainless steel, brass, or natural fiber is the ideal material for you.

 

Handle

The handle should be long enough to protect your hands from the heat while also being flexible when you apply pressure. Depending on the design, the sweet spot for this tends to be between 15 and 20 inches. Choose non-melting and non-flammable materials. Despite your best efforts, there will come a time when you’ll put your brush down on the grill and turn your focus elsewhere.

 

in the study

We did extensive research on the subject, spoke to two professionals to find out what they believed made a great grill brush, and then searching the market for the finest options based on their recommendations. We evaluated the leading candidates using a range of standards, including the ones mentioned above.

 

Pro Panel Q&A

What is the most effective way to clean a grill?

A: While some cooks choose to leave food residue on their grills until it is time to use them again, this practice shortens the lifespan of the grill grates and increases the risk of food-borne illnesses. After using your grill to cook, we advise cleaning it.

After cooking, don’t attempt to immediately clean the grill for general cleaning. The grill will be covered in stuck-on food or sauce, and the cleanup effort will be greater than necessary. Leave it to burn, instead. After cooking, keep the fire hot for a while to allow the stuck-on food to harden. The debris can then be removed using a dry brush or a brush that has been dipped in water to create steam when it makes contact with the grill. If using a gas grill, clean the grates and diffusers on both sides and surfaces, then massage the grates with a paper towel that has been gently oiled. This final process cleans out any remaining grit and reduces the likelihood that any bristles, should they come off the brush, will stay to the grill.

Should you clean a barbecue using a wire grill brush?

A: For a very long time, wire brushes were the standard. It is important to take extra precaution to check the brush for any stray hairs that may fall off and adhere to the grill, which could be dangerous if swallowed. Before using, check your brush; if it shows signs of wear or is losing bristles, replace it.

What else can you use to clean a grill except a wire brush?

A: Alternative materials and processes come in a variety of options. After rubbing the grill with half a raw onion to create steam, Scott Moody, CMO of PK Grills, described how to clean it using a palmyra brush. In an emergency, he and other people we spoke to have been known to utilize a balled-up piece of aluminum foil as a scrubber.

Our Specialty

Greg Baker is a chef, restaurateur, and food writer who has won awards and worked in the culinary business for many years. He spoke with chefs Maxcel Hardy and Brandon Rice for this article to see what the pros look for in a grill brush. He then compiled this list using their advice, his own knowledge, and market research.