A good grill brush makes it easy to remove grease and charcoal from any grilling surface. Their stainless steel bristles and interlocking construction make them sturdy and reliable, setting them apart from most other kitchen tools. Here are 6 of the best grill brushes to take perfect care of your charcoal grill.
Regular cleaning is key to keep your grill performing at its best for the long term. The importance of a good grill brush cannot be underestimated. However, not all brushes are created equal, and there are even some that can do more harm than harm.
Here are 6 of the best ones that will keep your grill in top condition during grilling season:
- Weber 6494 12 inch 3-sided grill brush
- GRILLART grill brush & scraper
- Grillinator 18″ grill brush BBQ
- Alpha Grillers grill brush & scraper
- BBQ-Aid grill brush & scraper
- Kona Safe grill brush
1. Weber 3-Sided Grill Brush
Weber is known for making some of the best charcoal grills in the world so it’s only fitting that you know what they do with grill brushes and accessories. While not the best on this list, this brush is of high quality and value for money.
Weber is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to grills and has been in business for a long time. While not the best on this list, this brush is of high quality and value for money.
The brush head is 7 inches wide, allowing you to quickly and efficiently clean a large number of grilles. The sides allow you to clean the edges of your grill and fit snugly between the grates so you can remove food stuck there.
Learn how to clean a flat grill.
The bristles are made of stainless steel and can withstand wear and tear for a long time. The handle is very ergonomic and allows easy handling.
However, there are some downsides to this brush. Some people claim that the brush scratches and chips the porcelain grids. Other claim that this is not the brush’s fault. While I can’t confirm that none of these are true, I would suggest that you keep this in mind if you have porcelain grills.
The handle of the brush is also quite short compared to others, which may be a bit uncomfortable for some people.
2. GRILLART Brush and Scraper
The GRILLART grill brush is a huge hit with customers and it’s easy to see why. It is 18 inches long which means YOU can safely use it without burning yourself. Again, the bristles are stainless steel so they last a long time. The head measures 2.8 x 6.3 inches, allowing you to clean large areas in less time.
The GRILLART grill brush has a unique design; The bristles are braided around the frame. This ensures that they rarely, if ever, fall off. With this brush you don’t have to worry about the bristles ending up in your food. If you turn over, you can use as a scraper. This allows you to clean areas that you otherwise might not be able to reach.
As with any other brush, the lifespan depends on how often you use it. The grill brush from GRILLART is definitely worth its price.
3. BBQ Grillinator Grill Brush
The Grillinator is possibly the best brush you can buy. It ticks all the boxes for a full brush and adds even more.
The grillinator measures a total of 18 inches long. Outside of that, the grip occupies 14 inches. That’s more than enough to ensure you don’t burn yourself while cleaning the grill.
The head has a pretty interesting and unique design that cleans 50% faster than others. It’s also important to mention that the head is interchangeable. You don’t have to buy a whole new brush every time they wear out, you just need to order a replacement brush head.
Speaking of wear and tear, the bristles are incredibly tough and last a long time. The Grillinator even has a bottle opener on the other end should you fancy opening a cold one. Of course, it also works as a hanger.
4. Alpha Grillers Brush and Scraper
The Alpha Grillers brush is also an official contender. It has an 18 inch handle and three, that’s right, three heads. This enables extremely easy and quick cleaning.
The bristles are sturdy and can remove any type of dirt that might remain on the grill. No matter how hard you scrub your grill, the brush is sure to hold up.
This is not the type of tool that breaks easily. It’s also great for cleaning porcelain-coated pans and won’t scratch them. They certainly won’t break off the brush either.
The Alpha Grillers Grill Brush also has a scraper for residue that the brush cannot remove. The bristles have also improved on the brush. You don’t have to worry about them getting into your food.
Alpha Grillers also offers a 100% Lifetime Money Back Guarantee.
5. BBQ-Aid Grill BBQ Brush
This brush is slightly different than the ones we’ve seen so far. The design is quite simple, but it serves its purpose perfectly. It’s 15 inches long, so it’s pretty good if you don’t want to burn your hand. The head isn’t as big as the others we’ve seen so far, but it’s still perfect for efficient cleaning.
It is also made entirely of stainless steel. The handle is made of wood and is firmly attached to the metal frame. The edges can be used as a scraper, which can remove even the most annoying residue. The quality of this brush makes up for its price.
The BBQ-Aid Grill Brush is perfect when you want something simple and light. You can perfectly clean your grill without losing bristles. The stainless steel head will certainly not rust if you take good care of it. The long wooden handle ensures you won’t burn yourself while cleaning. You can put a rope(or something similar) in the end hole to get a better hanger for yourself.
6. Kona Safe Grill Burst
This brush from Kona shows why you need more than just a regular cleaning brush to get the job done.
The brush removes the standard bristles to prevent loose bristles ending up in the food(it’s happened to me, it’s gross).
The lack of bristles might not sound like a lot, but instead Kona used a ceramic and nylon one that’s still tough and durable enough to stand above most other brushes.
This makes it ideal for people who want something that is both safe and effective. And because it’s less corrosive, it’s ideal for cleaning cast iron cooking grates .
It has a long handle to remove flames or hot coals while also helping you clean it much easier.
Why do I need to clean my grill?
The old adage that if you take care of your grill, it will take care of you is clearest when it comes to cleaning.
After each use of your grill, a little more grease and oil will collect on the grates, burners and walls of the cookbox.
You may not need to clean them after every use, but it does build up very quickly.
Leaving them alone will degrade the quality of your outdoor grill and ultimately negatively affect the flavor of your food.
It doesn’t just stop at fat, however. Charcoal particles begin to stick to your grill, which means safety BECOMES an issue. These particles can protect your food and even pose a fire hazard.
The best way to limit this risk is to clean the grill thoroughly after a few uses. And the best way to do that is with a good grill brush.
What does a good cleaning brush need?
I wouldn’t say that all of these qualities are essential in a brush, but if you can find one that exhibits some or all of these qualities then you’ve got a winner.
A long handle
Grills clean best when they are hot. If your brush handle is too short, you could burn yourself. Of course, you could also try cold cleaning your grill, but that would take more time.
Strong breasts
Second, look for a brush with sturdy bristles. However, with most brushes, the more the bristles wear out, the more likely they are to fall out. This could result in them getting into your food, which is awful to think about.
Scraper included
An integrated scraper in the brush is also a big plus. It can be used to remove dirt that the brush can’t handle and is also good for cleaning surfaces you can’t reach.
Avoid plastic
One thing you absolutely must avoid with brushes is plastic. No part should be plastic since, as mentioned above, grills require hot cleaning. The plastic could potentially melt and that would be awful.
Consider going bristleless
As we saw with the Kona Safe brush, brushes without bristles are becoming increasingly popular.
And with good reason: the bristles can detach during use and end up in your grill. If they then get into your food, it can pose a health risk.
While ceramic brushes aren’t as abrasive as stainless steel bristles, they’re becoming increasingly efficient. I predict any difference in performance will be zero within a few years.
Choosing the right grill brush can be difficult. You need to look for some qualities in all of them and decide which one suits your needs best. Hopefully this article has given you an idea of what to consider. Or maybe you were even won over by one of the brushes I showed you. Whatever the case, remember; Cleaning your grill is essential if you use it frequently. And you need the right tool for that.
If you ask me, the best of these 6 brushes is without a doubt the Grillinator. It has everything a good brush needs and more. Who wouldn’t want a bottle opener on the end of their grill brush? The handle is the perfect length, the head is very easy to clean and the bristles never fall out. You can’t go wrong with a purchase.
Of course, all of the other brushes mentioned above are amazing on their own as well. Think about what type of grill you have, how often you use it, how often you clean it, how you like to clean it, and make your choice accordingly.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!