The Best Grill Brushes to Keep Your Grill Clean
If you grill out a lot, you know having the best grill brush is vital to keeping a clean grill.
Finding the right brush or scraper to get the gunk off your grill grates can be difficult with all of the options available.
We've created this guide to help you sort out the best options.
Below you'll find the best grill brushes and scrapers. This guide will save you time in your search and get you the best grill brush for your money.
We'll cover each brush or scraper in detail and then include several topics to better prepare you for choosing the best grill brush to keep your grill clean.
Top Picks for Best Grill Brushes and scrapers
Here are our top picks for the best grills brushes and scrapers if you're looking for a quick recommendation.
More details are provided about each grill brush or scraper below.
Best Overall
Best Bristle
Best Scraper
Best Wooden
Best Grill Brushes and Scrapers
The GRILLART bristle-free BBQ brush has several advanced features making this our top-rated grill brush.
Above all, this grill brush doesn't have any bristles. Instead, it is made with a rigid, triple helix of stainless steel wire.
Bristle brushes can come apart, leaving little pieces of metal that can get stuck in food and ingested. Read more about this in our FAQ section below.
This grill brush also has an extra-wide scraper to cover more of your grill with each pass. And the extra-long 18" handle keeps your hands away from the high heat of your grill.
One thing that is missing when you receive this brush is user directions.
While one may think all grill brushes work the same, the ideal way to use this brush is on a hot grill.
After preheating the grill, use the scraper to remove larger debris. Then, dip the brush in water as you clean the grill grates. The brush essentially becomes a steam cleaner using this method.
Additionally, to get in between the grates, use the sides of the brush to get deeper.
Because of its size and design, the manufacturer claims it will clean your grill 5X faster than other grill brushes. While this may be a difficult claim to prove, I found this brush cleans very quickly and efficiently when used as designed.
Key Features:
- 100% bristle-free
- Triple-helix, steel wire design
- 18-inch handle
- Large, integrated scraper
- Safe on porcelain, ceramic, iron, and steel grates
Pros:
- Bristle-free design
- Long handle to distance hands from heat
- Large scraper
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Inadequate instructions included with the product
- Doesn't work well on mesh grates
Conclusion:
The exceptional features available in the GRILLART bristle-free grill brush makes this the best overall grill brush. It's difficult to find another brush design with similar features for a comparable price.
2. Kona 360
If you're looking for a more traditional bristle grill brush, it's hard to go wrong with the Kona 360.
With the three rows of bristles, this grill brush will make cleaning your grill a breeze.
The brush is designed to be 60% more rigid than conventional grill brushes.
And the 18-inch handle keeps your hands far away from the heat, but close enough to get a good clean.
Like the GRILLART brush above, this grill brush works best after dipping in water and using it on a hot grill.
While this bristle brush appears to be of more quality construction than other bristle brushes, always keep a close eye for loose or missing bristles. No matter how well-made bristle brushes are, there is still the possibility of them breaking off.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel bristles
- Triple-row design
- 18-inch handle
- Safe on porcelain, ceramic, iron, and steel grates
Pros:
- Textured grip
- Long handle to distance hands from heat
- 5-year manufacturers limited warranty
Cons:
- Bristle design - vulnerable to bristles breaking off
- Metal doesn't extend far enough into the plastic handle to prevent handle cracking
- No integrated scraper
Conclusion:
The rigid, three-row design, textured grip, and long handle of the Kona 360 make this our top recommended bristle grill brush.
Whether you have a brush without an integrated scraper or just prefer to use a scraper, the ZIANGMIER grill scraper is an excellent choice to deeply clean the debris from your grill.
This stainless-steel grill scraper includes multiple-sized notches for both round grates and v-shaped grates.
The thicker plastic handle makes this scraper a better choice than some of the thinner competitors, providing more leverage for tougher scrubbing.
The simple design makes keeping it clean simple. And a nice added touch is the integrated bottle opener.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel design
- Five round grate notches
- Five v-shaped grate notches
- Works with charcoal, gas, electric, infrared grills and more
Pros:
- Thicker grip than competitors
- Easy to clean
- Multiple notches for different grill designs
- Integrated bottle opener
- No bristles
Cons:
- Short handle - challenging to use on a hot grill
- Notches don't reach deep enough in between the grates on some grills
Conclusion:
While the NIANGMIER grill scraper has a short handle making it difficult to use on a hot grill without heat-resistant gloves, it is still our top pick for the best grill scraper. The multiple notches and stainless steel design makes it a versatile tool in your grilling toolkit.
For anyone who wants to avoid using any kind of metal to clean your grill grates, the Ultimate Cleaning BBQ Tool is for you.
This wood scraper is made from red oak. With no wire bristles, there is no worry about little metal pieces in your food.
The hardwood design conforms to your grate, creating custom grooving and a perfect fit over time.
It is also easy to clean, long-lasting, and has a long handle (you could probably use it as a paddle if needed!) to provide leverage to obtain a good clean.
Key Features:
- Red oak construction
- Conforms to your grill
- Easy to clean
Pros:
- Long handle for leverage
- Easy to clean
- No bristles
- Emergency oar, if needed
Cons:
- Works best on round grates - more challenging to form grooves with larger grates
- Doesn't clean as well after burned in - clears off larger debris
Conclusion:
A wooden grill scraper isn't for everyone. If you have experienced finding a metal grill brush bristle in your food or know someone who has, you may be more inclined to use one.
That said, if you are looking for a wood grill scraper, the Ultimate Cleaning BBQ Tool is an excellent choice. However, you should have realistic expectations of how wood can clean a grill compared to metal.
Similar to the GRILLART grill brush, this Kona Safe Grill Brush is bristle free.
For people who may like their Kona 360, but dislike having a bristle brush, the Kona Safe Grill Brush is an excellent choice.
This brush lasts 5X longer and is 125% more rigid than conventional grill brushes. It also has an 18" handle to keep your hands away from the hot grates.
Similar to other brushes, it is ideal to use the heat of the grates and water to essentially steam clean your grill.
Key Features:
- Stainless-steel, hard-wired brush
- Three brush design
- 18-inch handle
- Safe on all grill types - porcelain, ceramic, iron, and steel grates
Pros:
- No bristles
- Long handle to distance hands from heat
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Some find the wrapped wire too stiff to clean between grates
- Works better on wire grates than wider cast iron grates
- No integrated scraper
Conclusion:
If you're looking for a stand-alone, no-bristle grill brush, the Kona save grill brush is an excellent choice. Just be aware that if you have wider grates, some owners have had issues due to how stiff this brush is.
The Universal Barbeque Grill Scraper is a bit different than the other scrapers we reviewed.
Instead of the scraping surface being in the same plane as the handle, on this scraper, the scraping surface is offset 90 degrees to the handle making it easier to use.
Unlike most of the other grill scrapers available, the Universal Grill Scraper uses a solid brass "universal disc" to scrape your grill. It is attached to a wooden handle using a solid, aircraft-grade aluminum shaft.
The tool is 16" long to keep your hands away from the heat and has no bristles that can be ingested. It also includes a leather hanging strap.
Key Features:
- Brass universal disc
- Multiple grate notches for round and v-shaped grates
- Works with most grill types
Pros:
- Brass design, no bristles
- 16-inch handle
- Unique design
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The nut holding disc to the handle sometimes comes loose
- Can only clean one wire at a time
Conclusion:
If you're looking for a unique grill scraper, the Universal Barbeque Grill Scraper may fit your needs.
The Cave Tools Grill Scraper Tool is an excellent choice if you want a compact grill scraper. It's perfect for camping or tailgating.
This grill scraper has grooves to fit the most common grill grates. It includes grooves for round, v-shaped, and square grates.
The handle is textured for a more secure grip and includes an integrated bottle opener.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel design
- Round, v-shape, and square grate notches
- Works with most common grill grates
Pros:
- Textured grip
- Easy to clean
- Multiple notches for different grill designs
- Integrated bottle opener
- No bristles
Cons:
- Short handle - challenging to use on a hot grill
- Notches don't reach deep enough in grates on some grills
Conclusion:
Like the NIANGMIER grill scraper, the Cave Tools scraper is a bit on the short end, making it hard to use on a hard grill. However, the simple design and portability make it a great choice for a grill scraper you can take with you.
For an ultra-portable solution, the Sage Owl Grate Grill Scraper is what you're looking for.
There are multiple options available:
- Standard/Universal
- Stainless Steel/Brass
Additionally, a handle is available for using it on hot grills. And its compact size means you can store it anywhere or carry it in your pocket.
The universal scraper has 13 grooves to clean virtually any shape of grate.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel or brass design
- Up to six notches for round grates, five for v-shaped grates, three for national park/campground grills, a bottle opener, and a griddle scraper
- Optional handle for hot grills
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Multiple notches for different grill designs
- Integrated bottle opener and griddle scraper
- No bristles
Cons:
- Difficult to use without optional handle
- Notches don't reach deep enough in grates on some grills
Conclusion:
While this wouldn't be your primary grill cleaning tool, the Grate Grill Scraper is an excellent little tool to have if you grill on the go. Whether tailgating or camping, it's small size makes it ideal for taking anywhere.
Barbi-Q Grill Cleaning Bricks are the perfect alternative to brushes and scrapers.
These cleaning bricks are made of non-porous abrasive material. They allow you to clean a larger area than a grill scraper without the worry of a bristle brush.
Additionally, these bricks can be used to clean toilets, bathtubs, sinks, pools, and more.
Each brick conforms to the shape of your grates, lasts for about 4 or 5 uses, and can be used for any grill material.
Key Features:
- Made of non-porous abrasive material
- Conform to the shape of your grate
- Reusable
- Works with any grill grate material
Pros:
- No bristles
- Conforms to the shape of your grates
- Multiple uses around the house
- Hygienic and safe
Cons:
- Takes a lot of scrubbing to clean grates
- Don't last long and sometimes fall apart
Conclusion:
If you don't like using a metal scraper or a typical grill brush, these grill stones can help you keep your grill clean.
How to Choose a Grill Brush or Scraper
When looking for the best grill brush or scraper, there are several features to consider. These include:
Cleaning method
There are basically two ways to clean a grill's grates - either scraping or brushing the grates.
So your first decision will come down to your preference for one of these.
Of course, you also have the option of buying a grill brush with a scraper that is integrated into its design. I prefer this option because, while for the most part I use my brush, sometimes I need the scraper to get through some additional grime.
Type of Brush
For grill brushes, you need to decide if you prefer a traditional steel bristle brush or a bristle-free version.
Bristles that break off of grill brushes are a serious medical concern. We'll discuss more on this below in the FAQs.
However, there are higher quality bristle brushes that reduce the likelihood of the bristles coming off, but it is always a possibility with this type of brush.
Non-bristle brushes are typically made with wound, stainless-steel wire.
While many people don't have any issue with these brushes, others find them to be too stiff to clean between the grates. Some of these brushes are designed to use the side of the brush or an integrated scraper to reach those more difficult spots.
Scraper Options
The biggest thing you want to pay attention to with a scraper is the shape of the grooves.
You can find single groove scrapers that may fit your grill perfectly, but that isn't very likely. There are also universal grill scrapers that include multiple groove sizes to fit many different grate sizes.
You also may find material options for different scrapers. Material types include stainless steel, brass, and even wood.
You should check the compatibility of the scraper you are interested in with the material of your grates.
Portability
Most people use their grill brush and scraper at home, so this isn't a big deal, but if you like to tailgate or camp, a portable version may be more ideal.
While grill brushes and scrapers aren't large in general, you are most likely to find highly portable versions of scrapers.
Handles
The handle of your grill brush and scraper can make or break the usefulness of the tool.
Typically you'll want a brush handle around 18 inches. This length is long enough to protect your hands from the heat of the grill (grills are best cleaned when hot) while short enough to have reasonable control.
Brushes typically have handles that fit well in your hand, but you need to be careful with some scrapers. You'll want some texture on the handle for grip when scraping your grill.
Additionally, some scrapers are a thin piece of stainless steel, which can cause some discomfort for some people.
And scraper handles tend to be on the shorter side, so you may need heat-resistant gloves when using them on a hot grill.
Quality of Materials and Build
You should also pay attention to how the handle is designed and how it connects to the brush.
You don't want a flimsy handle. It will make it very difficult to get your grill clean if you can't put any pressure on the cleaning head.
Some grill brushes have a plastic handle where the metal from the brush head doesn't extend far enough into the handle. This can lead to cracked and broken handles.
And for some of the scrapers, if you want to use them with a handle, they are screwed on. If this isn't designed well, you'll find that the nut holding the scraper on the handle may come loose, and you'll lose it in your grill.
Extra Features
There are several other features you may want to consider, as well.
- Can you store the brush/scraper in a convenient spot?
- Is there a way to hang the brush/scraper?
- Is there an integrated bottle opener?
- Not a necessity, but it seems to be a popular and convenient option.
- How easy will it be to keep clean?
- What kind of warranty is included?
Frequently Asked Questions About Grill Brushes and Scrapers
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about the best grill brushes and scrapers.
Are bristle grill brushes dangerous?
Yes, they can be. The bristles can break off and end up in your food.
According to this study by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, there were an estimated 1700 emergency room visits for wire-bristle grill brush injuries between 2002 and 2014. And about a quarter of them had to be admitted to the hospital.
While there are higher-quality bristle grill brushes, you always need to be cautious when using them and inspect the grill after you are done cleaning it.
Which is better for cleaning your grill - a grill brush or a grill scraper?
This is really a matter of personal preference, and both work well at cleaning your grill.
Over time, you'll learn the proper technique for cleaning your grill with your chosen tool and can achieve similar results.
I personally like to have a grill brush with an integrated scraper. While I typically use just the brush, occasionally, the scraper is needed for spots between the grates that my brush can't quite reach.
Summary of the Best Gas Grill Brushes and Scrapers
You always want to ensure you have a clean cooking surface in your grill. And for that, you need a quality grill brush or scraper.
We hope this article has provided you with valuable information on choosing the best grill brush or scraper and helping you keep your grill clean.