The Best Grill Brushes for Cleaning Grimy Grill Grates, Tested and Reviewed

If you want to keep your grill in tip-top condition and have great-tasting burgers and steaks throughout the entire barbecue season, you’ll need a good grill brush to help get it done. This essential grilling tool removes all the grease and charred bits of food from the grates of the grill, readying it for another round of barbecuing. 

For the most avid grill masters, only the best grill brush will do, but with so many types available, it can be challenging to pick the right one. We chose five top grill brushes and put them to the test, using them to clean the grates on a grimy gas grill and pellet smoker. When all our grill grates were char-free, we found the GrillArt Bristle-Free 17” Brush and Scraper was the best option for cleaning your grill, largely thanks to its affordable price, durable design, and effective cleaning ability. 

While the GrillArt brush is our top pick, it’s not the only grill brush worthy of your outdoor kitchen. The grill brushes listed below represent the best in their respective categories. Keep reading to learn more about the best grill brushes we tested and the most important features to consider when shopping for one.

1. BEST OVERALL: GrillArt Bristle-Free 17” Brush and Scraper
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Cleaning Brush
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3. BEST UPGRADE: GrillArt SteamWizards Steam-Cleaning Grill Brush
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4. BEST NYLON: Grillaholics Essentials Nylon Grill Brush
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5. BEST STEAM:  Scrub Daddy BBQ Daddy Grill Brush
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Grill Brushes Comparison

Our Top Picks

There are many grill brushes on the market, so to make the search easier, we’ve selected and reviewed some of the best products across different categories.

Our Ratings

Bristle-free brushes are quickly becoming a popular option for cleaning grills, and with products like the GrillArt bristle-free grill brush, it’s easy to understand why. Stainless steel coils replace traditional bristles, giving peace of mind that no stray bristles will stick to the grill where they could get in food. 

This heavy-duty grill brush does an all-around solid job of removing char from a grill. The steel coils conform around the grill grate to scrape off bits and pieces of charred food, and the scraper worked well for removing stubborn charred bits off the porcelain grill grates of our gas grill when the brush wasn’t enough. Whereas other scrapers seem designed specifically for stainless steel grates, the scraper’s varied curved ends allow it to fit into a wider variety of grate styles.  

Its 18-inch length gave us good leverage for removing stubborn stick-on char. It also kept our hands far enough from the hot grill surface that we didn’t need to wear a barbecue glove while using it. The brush also has a sturdy feel thanks to its heavy-duty handle and tightly wound wire coils. It’s a grill brush that feels like it will last many seasons before giving out. 

What our tester says: “The GrillArt brush’s coiled design is ideal for scraping away stubborn bits of char. Plus, it’s built to last longer than most grill brushes.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the GrillArt bristle-free grill brush at Amazon or GrillArt.

Our Ratings

Ninja’s grill brush offers a safe alternative to wire grill brushes at a budget price—albeit with a design that isn’t going to last as long as other tough grill brushes. Unlike other grill brushes that use wire bristles or wrapped wire, the Ninja grill brush uses nylon bristles with a plastic scraper that’s grooved to fit around grill grates. Most nylon grill brushes are limited to cold grills. Ninja’s is an exception. It uses a heat-resistant design, so you can use it on hot grills. This allowed it to do a more thorough job of cleaning than most plastic grill brushes we’ve tested.  That said, the handle is shorter on this grill wire, so plan on wearing a barbecue glove if you’re cleaning your grill with the heat cranked up. 

The scraper is designed for metal wire grill grates, so it did a great job of cleaning the grates on our smokers. It wasn’t as effective with the wider ceramic grill grates on our gas grill. And since the scraper is plastic, we could already see a little wear after only a couple of uses. You’ll likely be replacing this grill brush after a season, even with moderate use. 

Get the Ninja Woodfire grill brush at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Our Ratings

GrillArt’s steam brush is among the most expensive grill brushes we’ve tested, but boy is it effective. The brush uses a head made from a special cloth that absorbs water. You dip it into a bucket of water, then rub the head over grill grates that have been heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam that’s created by the wet brush and hot grill grates removes the char, grease, and other bits. That’s exactly what happened when we tested it on a particularly grimy set of grill grates on our gas grill. It left a totally clean grill grate in its wake.  

Since it uses steam power, you don’t need to apply much pressure to the grill brush for it to work. In fact, you shouldn’t use elbow grease if you want to prolong the life of the brush, which you’ll want to do given the price of the replacement heads for this grill brush. 

Along with its steamer head, there’s also a broad metal scraper on the other side of the brush, which is effective for taking out stubborn char, though the steam side worked so well we didn’t end up needing it. The grill brush is expensive upfront, and the replacement heads cost as much as or more than other grill brushes. And if you’re an avid griller, you may need to replace it once a season. Still, it gets the grill cleaner than any traditional grill brush we’ve tested.

Get the GrillArt SteamWizards grill brush at Amazon.

Our Ratings

While there are many non-wire grill brush options to choose from, what sets Grillaholic’s brush apart is its heavy-duty design. With its longer handle and stiff bristles, we were able to produce the leverage and scrubbing power needed to remove stubborn bits of charred food from cold grill grates. The nylon bristles are attached to a metal frame that gives it a sturdy feel, and the bristles are tough enough that this brush should last for a while. We also appreciated the long, narrow shape of the brush, as it allowed us to work at angles to get grease and char on the sides of the grates. 

Like most nylon grill brushes, this one is only suitable for use on cold grills. As such, it won’t match the cleaning power of a metal grill brush or steam brushes that work on hot grates. If you don’t mind having to apply a little more elbow grease to clean your grill grates, the Grillaholics’ nylon bristles and long handle make it one of the safest options for keeping your barbecue clean. 

Get the Grillaholics nylon grill brush at Amazon. 

Our Ratings

With its large size and two-handed design, Scrub Daddy’s steam grill brush means business. We used the large steam cleaner head to take on a wire rack on a smoker that hadn’t been cleaned in many uses. The top handle and the curving ergonomic handle allowed us to apply additional pressure to remove grime from the grates. But we hardly needed it. The steam side removed all char and grease, leaving the rack looking shiny and new in a single pass with only moderate pressure. While the scraper side wasn’t necessary, we liked the fact that the metal grooves perfectly fit a standard stainless steel rack. 

Though steam grill cleaners tend to wear out more quickly because they use a fabric head, the Scrub Daddy has a sturdy feel to it. Our only complaint was that the large head made it difficult for us to fit the scraper under the top rack on our smoker. Its larger size wasn’t an issue for our standard gas grill. Its size also made it a little more awkward to store than the more streamlined grill scrapers we’ve tested. 

What our tester says: “No grill brush did a more thorough job of cleaning grill grates and with so little effort as the Scrub Daddy steam grill brush.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Scrub Daddy steam grill brush at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Grill Brushes 

We researched the most sought-after grill brushes in their respective categories. After making our selections, we then set about testing these grill brushes, using them to clean bits of char off gunked-up grates on a gas grill and pellet smoker. While testing, we evaluated each brush based on several factors, including its effectiveness at cleaning the grill surface, ease of use, and durability. We included grill-cleaning tools in our list of top picks that were made with stainless steel, plastic, and brass for ample durability and long-term use. Many of these grill brushes also boast ergonomic handles, long designs to keep users away from the heat, built-in scrapers for stuck-on residue, and hanging hooks for storing. 

Our Testing Scores

What to Consider When Choosing a Grill Brush

Finding the perfect grill brush for a backyard chef can be challenging. There are many different options and features to consider for cookout cleanup. In addition to thinking about whether a bristle or bristle-free brush is best, also think about handle length, materials, and extra features. And these days, there are even automated grill brush machines to consider. 

Bristle vs. Bristle-Free

When shopping for a new grill brush, few factors are more important than whether to choose a bristle brush or a bristle-free version. Lately, there have been reports of stray wire bristles found in cooked food, and injuries have occurred because these metal bristles were accidentally consumed. 

If wire bristles can cause injury, it may seem like a pretty big argument in favor of bristle-free brushes; however, these issues do not occur if the brushes are cared for properly. To avoid this problem, regularly inspect the grill brush before use and throw out those that do not appear safe to use. Also, after using a bristle brush on a grill, wipe the grill surface with a wet cloth to make sure it is clear of any bristles. Bristle brushes are efficient tools, but they should be replaced when the metal bristles become worn or warped to avoid this danger.

Since bristle-free brushes pose less of a hazard to health, they have enjoyed a recent surge in popularity, resulting in several high-quality brushes hitting the grilling market. These can do just as good a job at cleaning a grill as a bristle brush. However, just like the bristle brush, attention must be paid to the wear and tear to ensure it’s a safe grill brush. While it isn’t likely that a piece of a bristle-free brush will become lodged in food, ongoing wear can lead to rust buildup or a broken brush.

Material

Choosing the right material for the grill brush will depend on the style of grill and the cleaning style of the user. Stainless steel brushes are best for stainless steel grills. These brushes can be found in both the bristle-brush style and bristle-free style and can be used on a hot or cold grill.

Brass grill brushes are made of a softer metal and are great for cleaning both stainless steel and cast-iron grill surfaces, regardless of whether the surface is hot or cold. However, it can be very difficult to locate a bristle-free brush that comes in brass.

The third popular choice for material is nylon, though bristle-free nylon brushes are hard to come by. Without the danger of shedding metal wires, however, a nylon brush may be just what the grill needs. Nylon is a safer material for a grill brush and won’t damage the metal grates, but the softer material requires a bit more effort to get the grill clean. Plus, grill grates must be cool before cleaning with nylon, which can melt or become damaged from hot grates.

Handle Length

The handle length of a grill brush is only a real concern if the grill is larger than the standard backyard grill, which is about 400 square inches. For the average grill, a grill handle of 12 inches is more than enough to reach the corners of the grill without having to stretch under the second shelf grating. Many grill brushes come with an 18-inch handle that allows the grill cook to apply a more even force across a greater surface of the grill. For those who grill regularly, it may be beneficial to invest in a grill brush with a longer handle.

Also, keep in mind that now there are automated robot grill brushes that don’t have a handle at all. They work in much the same way as automated vacuum cleaners, except they sit on the grates of the grill and clean it via rotating brushes under the base. Those looking for the set-it-and-forget-it method of grill cleaning may want to consider this option.

Dishwasher Safety

Cleaning the grill is a necessity, but it is also necessary to clean the grill brush itself. Whether that means washing by hand or in an automated dishwasher depends on whether the grill brush is deemed dishwasher-safe. 

Most products state whether they are dishwasher-safe or not. If they are not safe for the dishwasher, the manufacturer can, and often will, provide instructions for how to clean the grill brush. While this won’t be a make-or-break feature for many grillers, if easy cleaning is important to you, then a dishwasher-safe brush may be the better option.

Additional Features

Grill brushes can come with several different features that can affect how efficiently and easily they clean the grill. 

• 360-degree clean: One of the most popular features is the 360-degree clean brush. These brushes feature three different wire brushes in one that surround the grate to clean the top, sides, and bottom of the grate at the same time. 
• Metal scraper: Many other brushes will offer a metal scraper on the back of the brush to quickly scrape large stuck-on gunk. 
• Automated cleaning: For those looking to pick up a grill bot, these automated devices come with a carrying case and removable dishwasher-safe brushes.

FAQs 

Now that you’ve learned about what to look for while shopping for the best grill brush, there may still be some lingering questions about specifics. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. 

Q. What kind of brush should I use to clean my grill?

Choose a grill brush that can clean your grill without damaging the grates. The style and material range from soft, bristle-free nylon to abrasive, stainless steel-bristle grill brushes. But the most effective material overall for tough or stuck-on stains and residue is stainless steel.

Q. What is the best grill brush for stainless steel grates?

If you regularly clean your grill, then nylon brushes are the best option to help prevent chipping, rusting, and corrosion. However, a brass or stainless steel brush may be necessary to remove burned food, sauces, and fat from a dirty grill.

Q. What can I use instead of a wire grill brush?

Nylon-bristle brushes and bristle-free brushes are good alternatives to wire grill brushes. Some brands also offer brass bristles for especially delicate grill grates, like ceramic or porcelain.

Q. How do I clean a grill brush?

Fill a bucket with hot, soapy water. Drop the end of the brush into the water and swirl it around vigorously to loosen up the grease and char. Next, use a metal scraper or a separate stiff brush to clean out the bristles. 

Q. How often do I need to replace a grill brush?

How often you need to replace your grill brush depends on how often you grill. If you’re grilling three or more times a week, chances are you’ll need to replace that grill brush once a season. If you only grill a few times a month, you can get several seasons out of a grill brush. Material also makes a difference. Nylon and cloth grill brushes will wear out before metal wire grill brushes.

Q. How long should a grill brush be?

A good grill brush should be at least a foot long, which is long enough to allow you to create the necessary leverage for scraping grill bits off a grill while also keeping your hand safely away from the flames.

Q. How should I store a grill brush?

Store a grill brush in a dry place, ideally in a storage compartment or cabinet on your grill, so you can access it easily when you need it.

Meet the Tester

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design.

Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.

 

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