Grilling is always fun because you get to make tasty food but in order to do this, you must use it when clean. This is because old grease impacts a bad taste on your food and also smells terrible when burning.
However, cleaning will be difficult if you don’t have the right tools. One such tool is a grill brush and considering that there are multiple varieties available in the market, here are the best grill brushes to buy.
In this post:
- 7 Best Grill Brushes – Review
- 1. Weber 6494 – Cheapest Grill Brush
- 2. Alpha Grillers Grill Brush – Grill Brush with Ultra-Heavy-Duty Wire Bristles
- 3. Kona 720 Grill Brush – Grill Brush with a Weather-Resistant Handle
- 4. Grillaholics Essentials Grill Brush – Bristle Grill Brush with a 3-in-1 Brush Head
- 5. KitchenReady Grill Brush – 2-in-1 Grill Brush
- 6. Mountain Grillers Grill Brush – Good Grill Brush
- 7. Tadge Goods Grill Brush – Best Bristle-Free Grill Brush
- How to Buy the Best Grill Brush
- How to Clean a Grill Brush
- Conclusion
7 Best Grill Brushes – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Weber 6494 (Cheapest) |
| |
 | 2. Alpha Grillers Grill Brush (With Ultra-Heavy-Duty Wire Bristles) |
| |
 | 3. Kona 720 Grill Brush (Has Weather-Resistant Handle) |
| |
 | 4. Grillaholics Essentials Grill Brush (Has 3-in-1 Brush Head) |
| |
 | 5. KitchenReady Grill Brush (2-in-1) |
| |
 | 6. Mountain Grillers Grill Brush (Good) |
| |
 | 7. Tadge Goods Grill Brush (Best Bristle-Free) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Weber 6494 (Cheapest)
|
2. Alpha Grillers Grill Brush (With Ultra-Heavy-Duty Wire Bristles)
|
3. Kona 720 Grill Brush (Has Weather-Resistant Handle)
|
4. Grillaholics Essentials Grill Brush (Has 3-in-1 Brush Head)
|
5. KitchenReady Grill Brush (2-in-1)
|
6. Mountain Grillers Grill Brush (Good)
|
7. Tadge Goods Grill Brush (Best Bristle-Free)
|
1. Weber 6494 – Cheapest Grill Brush
Photo: Weber
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 12 inches
If you are tight on cash, you can still get a good quality grill brush such as this 6494 from Weber. It has a wide 7.1-inch brush head that covers and cleans a wide surface area quickly and evenly for efficient cleaning.
The unit also has short sides to help in tidying up the edges, as well as removing debris in between the grates. These sections are lined with thick stainless-steel bristles, which are designed to resist wear and tear.
Also included is an ergonomic handle, which gives you better control and leverage as you scrub the grates. However, this handle is relatively short at 12 inches, and it only contains a single brush head.
Note: Before use, make sure you preheat the grill for about 15 minutes so as to soften the grease and dirt.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide 7.1-inch brush head covers a large area when cleaning
- Short sides clean up the edges and remove debris between the grates
- Thick stainless-steel bristles with wear resistance
- Ergonomically designed handle
Cons:
- Short handle
- Single brush head
2. Alpha Grillers Grill Brush – Grill Brush with Ultra-Heavy-Duty Wire Bristles
Photo: Alpha Grillers
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 18 inches
Alpha Grillers’ grill brush is characterized by ultra-heavy-duty stainless steel wire bristles, which are also rustproof for enhanced durability. The unit actually contains 3 brush heads, which means you get 3 times the surface area of a standard grill brush.
This design is safe to use all types of cooking grates such as porcelain, cast iron, and stainless steel, which means you won’t damage any of your expensive pieces.
As for the handle, it is 18 inches long and this ensures that your hands are kept away from the heat to prevent burning accidents. This length also gives you complete control when cleaning, and especially along the hard-to-reach areas.
These features make it the top-rated grill brush in this review. On the downside, stainless steel bristles are known to fall off as the brush wears and this might be a health risk if some of these pieces end up in your food. On the bright side, the brush is relatively affordable.
Note: After cleaning, wipe the grates with a wet cloth so as to check if any bristles have come off the brush and onto the bars.
Pros:
- Rustproof ultra-heavy-duty stainless steel wire bristles
- 3 brush heads give 3 times the cleaning surface area
- Safe to use with all types of cooking grates
- Long 18-inch handle protects your hands and gives extended reach
- Relatively affordable
Cons:
- Bristles may come off when the brush wears out
3. Kona 720 Grill Brush – Grill Brush with a Weather-Resistant Handle
Photo: Kona
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 18 inches
With a weather-resistant handle, Kona’s 720 grill brush is very tough and durable, and this handle is 18 inches long, which gives you enough holding space without burning your hands and also extends your scrubbing reach.
The brush has a bristle-free design, which eliminates the risk of bristles falling out to the grates and ending up in your food. It also eliminates sharp edges due to the coiled design, and this prevents accidental piercing to your skin.
With this design, Kona guarantees 5X longer use than other conventional brushes, with 125% more rigidity for enhanced cleaning capabilities.
Other features include lightweight construction, 3 brush heads for wide coverage and quick cleaning, and compatibility with all grill types, be it porcelain, stainless-steel, infrared, etc.
However, for the best results, it is recommended to dip the brush heads in water as you work the hot grill to steam clean it. This slightly complicates the cleaning process.
Pros:
- Long and durable weather-resistant handle
- Safe and clean bristle-free design
- 125% more rigidity and 5X more durable than other conventional brushes
- Lightweight construction
- 3 brush heads give 3X the cleaning surface
Cons:
- Requires to be dipped in water for the best results
4. Grillaholics Essentials Grill Brush – Bristle Grill Brush with a 3-in-1 Brush Head
Photo: Grillaholics
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 18 inches
Grillaholics’ Essentials grill brush is equipped with a 3-in-1 brush head that is 5.5 inches long, which gives 3 times the cleaning surface and up to 5 times the cleaning speed and efficiency of a conventional stainless-steel brush.
A long and sturdy 18-inch handle holds the brush heads in position, and this also gives you enough room to safely hold the piece without burning your hands when scrubbing.
The actual scrubbing is done using 360˚ stainless steel wire bristles, which are compatible with all grill surfaces, and clean more efficiently. Other features include a metal hanging loop for easy and convenient storage and a unique braced-construction for maximum durability.
On the downside, the brush’s bristle design is not as safe as a bristle-free one. However, there is a bristle-free option available but is slightly more expensive. Other options include nylon, brass, and palmyra.
Pros:
- 3-in-1 brush head with 5X the cleaning speed
- Long and sturdy 18-inch handle
- 360˚ stainless steel wire bristles are compatible with all grill surfaces
- Metal hanging loop for easy and convenient storage
- Available in bristle, bristle-free, nylon, brass and palmyra options
Cons:
- Bristle design is very safe to use
- The bristle-free option is slightly costlier
5. KitchenReady Grill Brush – 2-in-1 Grill Brush
Photo: KitchenReady
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 18 inches
This grill brush from KitchenReady features scrubbing coils as well as a metal scraper at the front, thereby giving it 2 functions in 1.
The bristle-free scrubbing coils form a combined 3 brush heads, and they have a unique parallel design that is very effective at removing stubborn debris. This results in intense cleaning power, all while having a sleek and stylish look.
Also included in the unit is a metal hook for easy and convenient storage, as well as a long 18-inch non-slip handle, which safeguards your hands from getting burnt, while giving you extended reach.
Other features include being universally compatible with all kinds of grill surfaces, but you don’t get other options such as nylon, brass, and bristle designs to choose from.
Pros:
- Scrubber and scraper in 1
- 3 brush coils in a unique parallel design that is very effective in cleaning
- Metal hook for easy and convenient storage
- Long 18-inch non-slip handle
- Ideal for cleaning all kinds of grill surfaces
Cons:
- Available only is a bristle-free stainless-steel design
6. Mountain Grillers Grill Brush – Good Grill Brush
Photo: Mountain Grillers
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 18 inches
Mountain Grillers’ grill brush also features a bristle-free brush head, which actually contains 3 brush coils in 1, resulting in triple the cleaning power. The brush is compatible with charcoal, propane and other kinds of grills, and its non-bristle design makes it very safe to use.
This head is supported by a long 18-inch handle, which gives you long reach so as to get to the hidden and difficult to reach areas, while also protecting your hands from accidental burns.
Other features include a hanging loop at the end of the handle for easy and convenient storage and a dishwasher friendly design that is very easy to maintain.
However, it is recommended to use a water and vinegar mixture in the ratio of 4:1 respectively for the best cleaning results. Also, the unit does not have a scraper built-in.
Note: It is recommended to preheat the grill before cleaning, or to clean it just after cooking when it’s still smoking hot.
Pros:
- Safe bristle-free brush head
- 3 brush coils with triple the cleaning power
- Compatible with all kinds of grill surfaces
- Long 18-inch handle
- Dishwasher-friendly design
Cons:
- No scraper
- Recommended water-and-vinegar cleaning mixture slightly complicates the cleaning process
7. Tadge Goods Grill Brush – Best Bristle-Free Grill Brush
Photo: Tadge Goods
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Length: 17 inches
Though quite costly, Tadge Goods’ bristle-free grill brush stands out as one of the best there is because it has 4 stainless-steel coils on its head, which means you get 4X the cleaning power.
The head actually measures 6 x 4 inches (24 square inches), which gives you a wide coverage on every pass. Coupled with a long 17-inch handle, this ensures you get extended reach for the hidden areas, as well as a safe, distant hold without getting your hands burnt.
Additionally, this handle is ergonomically designed for comfortable holding, which is ideal when cleaning your grill for a long time.
Other features include a hanging ring at the end of the handle for easy storage and a durable stainless-steel design that is meant to last. On the downside, the brush has no scraper, which would have been a good addition, especially considering its price.
Pros:
- 4 stainless steel coils give 4 times the cleaning power
- Large brush head results in faster, more efficient cleaning
- Long 17-inch ergonomic handle
- Hanging hook for easy and convenient storage
- Durable stainless-steel construction
Cons:
- Expensive
- No scraper
How to Buy the Best Grill Brush
Photo: Kona
1. Material
Before buying a grill brush, the first thing to check should be the material of the scrubbing surface. The most common material is stainless steel, and this is so because it does not rust and is very strong.
Other materials such as brass are cheaper, but brass, in particular, makes the brush vulnerable to rusting.
On the other hand, nylon brushes are affordable and very durable, but cannot withstand very hot grills when cleaning; the nylon will melt. Therefore, it is best to stick with stainless steel.
2. Bristle or Bristle-Free
These are the two main types of grill brushes. Bristle brushes contain spikes of wire or nylon on the head, and this is the traditional brush design that is very effective and aggressive at cleaning.
However, as the brush wears off, the point of contact in which the bristles are stapled to the frame loosens up, which causes some to fall off. This poses a safety risk because if you do not check carefully, some of these metal pieces might end up your food next time you grill.
On the other hand, bristle-free brushes are the new, modern type of grill cleaners, and they are fitted with coils instead of bristles. This eliminates the problem of metal pieces being left behind as you clean, making them the safer option. However, they are costlier than the bristle type.
3. Handle Length
Given mostly in inches, a short handle will make it difficult to hold the brush comfortably, and possibly even get you burned because your hand will be too close to the hot grates. On the other hand, if the handle is too long, holding the brush will be very cumbersome.
You need to strike a balance between the two, and the best size is usually between 17 – 20 inches.
4. Durability
Of course, durability is always an important factor to have and the more durable the grill brush is, the better. Features to check for include wear and rust resistance bristles or coils, and a weather-resistant handle that cannot be damaged even when left outside.
5. Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, the grill brush needs to be easy to hold and this means having an ergonomic handle. This will help make the grip comfortable for extended periods of use.
6. Additional Features
Lastly, any additional features are a plus and with these brushes, having something like a scraper built-in is certainly an advantage. For instance, KitchenReady’s grill brush has an advantage over the rest because it lets you do 2 functions in 1.
How to Clean a Grill Brush
With continued use, you should expect some grease to line up and clog your brush. This will reduce its efficiency and also make it smell bad. Therefore, as you maintain cleanliness on your grill, you also need to maintain cleanliness on the brush using the following steps.
1. Tap It Against a Solid Surface
The first thing that you need to do immediately after scrubbing your grill is to tap the brush against a hard, solid surface. This will help to knock out most of the chunks of debris out of the coil or bristles before they settle down and harden.
2. Brush It Using Another Grill Brush
Use another grill brush, with the bristles facing each other, to rub one against the other. This will help to dislodge stuck debris for easy removal afterward, or even remove it in one step. Do this continuously until all the debris is removed.
3. Wash It with Soap
Pour water in a bucket, add some dishwashing soap then swirl the water to create bubbles. Place both brushes that you were scrubbing against each other into the water, then continue rubbing them against each other while inside.
Continue doing so until all the grease has been scrubbed off, then rinse and hang them to dry.
4. Replace It When It Starts Wearing Out
While cleaning, check for signs of wear, especially if the brush is the bristle type. Also, check for rust on brass brushes. If you spot something unusual, it is time to retire the brush. Otherwise, finish off the cleaning process, then hang it to dry until the next use.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are quite a lot of differences between the brushes above, most notably being between either a bristle or bristle-free type. All these differences have their own strengths and weaknesses, which should form the basis of your selection process.
That said, having gone through the grill brush review and buying guide above, you should be in a better position to pick the best grill brush that suits your cleaning requirements.
Sources
- How to Clean a Grill Brush – Hunker
- Grill Brush Safety – Napoleon