6 Best Grill Cleaning Brushes That Are Effective and Safe to Use

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IT'S NO SECRET that the cleanup process is the least favorite step in grilling, but if you want to preserve your hard earned investment (like your smoker and all your containers) then it's best to go all out and make sure your station is spotless. A grill master is nothing without their trusty tongs or spatula. The same holds true for a grill master and their grill cleaning brush.

A good grill cleaning brush is often invisible to the user. If it does everything right, you won't hardly notice the grill brush at all; but if you find yourself with a bad grill cleaning brush that leaves huge spots of char and dirt—or worse, leaves a few ripped off bristles on the grill top—then you'll be tossing that brush in the trash faster than a cat lapping chain lightning. To help you avoid the trial and error process of finding a quality grill cleaning brush, we tested over 20 different grill brushes to find the very best for keeping your cooking surface spotless and safe. Curious about the most innovative grill brush we've tested? That would be the new BBQ Daddy Grill Brush from Scrub Daddy, thanks to its smart design, awesome performance, and trusted durability.

Along with our editor-selected grill brushes we also asked several longtime chefs and food experts for their own favorite grill brush picks. The landscape of grill brushes in this guide is diverse, ranging from your traditional steel grill brush designs to grill brushes with nylon bristles, to grill brushes that are even bristle-free. Keep scrolling to see our top picks of the best grill brushes, and then learn about what the deal is with steel grill brushes (and when we'd recommend it's ok use them).

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BBQ Daddy Grill Brush, Bristle Free Steam Cleaning Scrubber

Those with any prior experience using an OG Scrub Daddy know the brush is the best dang tool for tackling dishes. Now, the brand has applied some of its innovative materials used in the Scrub Daddy to the Daddy Grill Brush: a bristle-free, water-activated grill brush that wipes down grill surfaces using steam cleaning.

The brush is designed with a detachable stainless-steel fiber woven mesh head, making it perfect for breaking off char on a grill without having to worry about bristles falling off. The mesh is much stronger than alternatives like nylon bristles, and so this brush can potentially scratch other dishes and pots if you try to use it outside of just the grill. The Daddy Grill Brush is similar to the Scrub Daddy original is the fact it's temperature controlled, meaning it will get softer in warm water and firm in cold water.

To use the Daddy Grill Brush, all you need is a small pail of cold water to steam clean your preheated grill. Dip the brush in the water and start going to town on the grill surface, scrubbing back and forth using the unique handle that allows for easy leverage that other grill brushes simply do not have. And if you're having trouble getting off char pieces, the Daddy Grill Brush also has a stainless steel scraper you can flip over and use.

Really the only knock on the Daddy Grill Brush is the fact you need to bring out of a bucket of water to steam clean with. Some reviewers also found the stainless steel scraper did not work as well as some grill surfaces, but we personally did not have that issue. For all that you get with the Daddy Grill Brush, we can confidently say this product is a game changer. You'll pay a little more to invest in the Daddy Grill Brush, but remember it takes replacement heads, so the overall cost per use will factor out to be pretty cheap in the long run if you're a guy who loves to grill.

Dimensions: 6.32 x 4.75 x 18.12 inches | Material: Stainless steel mesh material, plastic | Warranty: None

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BBQ Replaceable Scraper Cleaning Head

Developed by firefighters, the Grill Rescue brush is one of the first legit bristle-free options that actually put this type of grill brushes on the map. The genius is in the replaceable head, where an aramid fiber pad is used to steam clean all types of grills ranging from gas to charcoal, to pellet grills and flat tops.

Aramid fiber is a heat-resistant material used in firefighter gear, so there's no need to worry about the head being susceptible to melting. To use, all you have to do is dunk the brush in water and start powering away on your grill surface. With the Grill Rescue comes a replaceable stainless steel scraper, allowing the user to attack char that's doesn't want to break away.

The one downside about the Grill Rescue is it doesn't wrap around grill grates as well as bristles can, but really it's a small knock that is not a very big problem (if char started to hide underneath you could simply just turn the grate over when its cool and go at it that way). What the Grill Rescue promises is an alternative to stainless steel bristles; the fact the aramid fiber head can be replaced easily (or tossed into a dishwasher for cleaning), is a huge reason for why we love this bristle-free grill brush so much.

Dimensions: 1 x 15 x 5.5 inches | Material: Aramid fiber, metal, stainless steel | Warranty: None

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Good Grips Grilling Cold Clean Grill Brush

If you want to avoid metal brushes completely, one other type of brush you can turn to is nylon. OXO's Good Grips brush is made with strong nylon bristles that are made for application to a cool grill only. If you take the brush to a warm grate its likely the bristles will melt, so be mindful that this is what is called a "cold clean" brush in the world of grilling.

Alas, the Good Grips brush is still a pro at breaking off dirt and grime. The bristles are mighty stiff, and there's even a stainless steel scraper on the end that you can use to break off difficult areas of char. Perhaps the coolest aspect about the Good Grips brush is the head is replaceable, so if the nylon bristles start to fray you can pop on a new top and be good

Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef at The Forked Spoon, is a big fan of the OXO Good Grips due to the brush's safe nylon bristles, plus the fact the bristles are gently on materials like cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain. "Another reason this OXO brush stands out to me is its ergonomic design; the handle is comfortable and non-slip, even when wet, providing a secure grip and control during cleaning," says Randhawa.

If you're looking for a steel alternative grill brush, then this is about as good as they come. Just be careful not to apply the brush to a hot surface or you'll notice the bristles will start to melt fast.

Dimensions: 18.4 x 3.07 inches | Material: Nylon, stainless steel, plastic | Warranty: None

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Safe Grill Brush, 100% Rust Resistant Stainless Steel

Another bristle-free grill brush that incorporates stainless steel, the Kona Grill Brush is a favorite among many due to it's unique looped design that's void of bristles and can get to hard to reach places. The brush is safe to use on surfaces like porcelain, ceramic, steel, and iron; plus it comes with a long 18-inch handle to help keep your fingers away from the heat.

Casey Bumpsteed, an editor of Ceramic Cookware Review and a chef for over 20 years, swears by the Kona Safe Grill Brush after he had a run in with a bristled brush at a barbecue many years ago. "My cousin ended up with a metal bristle in her burger from a less reliable grill brush, and it was an alarming experience and made me more aware of this potential danger," says Bumpsteed. When using the Kona, Bumpsteed admits it takes a little more leverage and pressure to really scrape off char like a traditional bristled stainless steel brush can, but with the right technique it does a solid job.

What's the technique? Here's what Bumpsteed recommends: "I keep the grill hot and bring a bowl of water at hand, then I dip the brush into the water, and sprinkle some onto the grates," he says. Once the water steams, I scrub the grates using the wet brush and I work in sections on the grill. Re-dip the brush in water a few times during use."

So there you have it: a full play-by-play on how to use the Kona brush from a veteran chef.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 4 x 10 inches | Material: Stainless steel, metal, nylon | Warranty: 5 year

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Cool-Clean Handheld Brush

Sometimes all it takes is a simple handheld brush to get the job done. Seasoned grill masters like Chad Kelley, a retired chef with over 30 years of experience and founder of ChefMadeHome.com, has been using this nylon brush from Char-Broil for years now. "It keeps the grill grates clean on my pellet smoker which I’m using 3 times a week," says Kelley. "I choose nylon as I’ve experienced first hand metal bristles coming off into food."

You will want to make sure not to use this brush on a hot grill, as the bristles can start to melt. Instead, let the grill cool and then go to town on the grill. At the very least, make sure the grill is at least not fully heated so you can use this handheld brush.

As for the lack of bells and whistles on the Char-Broil, Kelley points out a nylon brush isn't for everyone. "It’s ideal for people that grill on the regular," he says, with a big reasoning due to the fact if you're using your grill frequently there's less need to worry about knocking off hardened pieces of food that have sat for days, or even entire weeks.

If you're commanding tongs multiple times a week, it's worth checking into this wallet-friendly grill brush opiton.

Dimensions: 4.6 x 3. 2x 3.2 inches | Material: Nylon, plastic | Warranty: None

Grill Brush and Scraper 3-in-1

A stainless steel grill brush is still widely regarded as one of the best ways to scape off the hardest food and grime off a grill. There's, of course, the stories of grill bristles falling off and getting into food somehow, but taking proper steps to buy a well made steel grill brush can decrease the odds of bristles falling off drastically. The Grillart 3-in-1 Grill Scraper is one of those brushes, as the bristles are formed by twisting together and all connecting to a heavy wire frame. The brush is a major favorite for grill masters due to its strong 360-design that allows for easy reaching all around the grill (it makes it easy to clean under the grate too when sticky foods try and hide from plain sight).

Another design detail we liked included the 18-inch handle with its rubber grip, which ensures you won't have to risk burning hairs on the back of your hand when cleaning. The metal scraper is effective, so you can break off pesky charred areas of the grill before breaking out the bristles.

Amna Muqeem, Editor-in-Chief of Ravvy Reviews, a site that specializes in kitchen appliance reviews, told us the Grillart 3-in-1 is her favorite go-to due to the brush's number of ways it can be used. "The stainless steel bristles and double scrapers help with cleaning all kinds of grime and food debris; this way, I don't have to resort to using other specific tools," says Muqueem. "The best part is that this grill brush can be used on different types of grills with varying grate shapes and sizes, thanks to the universal grill scrapper."

The biggest downside to this brush are still the fact it has metal bristles. It's hard for any company to guarantee the bristles won't pop off, so you need to be mindful after every use and inspect the grill space after cleaning. One easy way to make sure you remove any fallen bristles is, after cleaning, taking a wipe with light oil on it and wiping down the grill surface to prep it for use the next time. Wiping the grill down with oil will remove most bristles and greatly lessen the chances of any find their way into food.

Dimensions: 6.7 x 2.8 x 18 inches | Material: Stainless steel, rubber | Warranty: 1 year

Frequently Asked Questions About Grill Brushes

What is the best way to clean a grill?

Unless you're using a cold grill brush (with nylon bristles), the best way to clean a grill is to incorporate some type of steam on a hot surface not long after use. Using water to create steam on a grill surface loosens up grease and dirt and kills bacteria, so you're killing two birds with one stone when you steam clean your grill.

Some methods include dipping a brush into a bucket of water and then letting it drip over a grill surface before scrubbing, while other methods involve just dunking the brush into the bucket and going straight for the grill surface.

To touch back on the cold grill brushes made of nylon bristles, remember what Chad Kelley said about only recommending them for those who frequently use their grill. If you're using a grill several times a week (and cleaning it after each time) then there's going to be less food and dirt buildup; hence, you don't need to worry about power cleaning as deep as someone who only uses their grill only a few times a month.

What is the best brush to clean your grill with?

Stainless steel has long been the go-to material for cleaning a grill due to how easy it can break off charred food. However, with the widespread documentation of how stainless steel bristle brushes have show to be a potential health hazard, there are now many different stainless steel bristle alternatives that work just as good.

You can't go wrong with any of the options we've listed above, but if we had to name the best brush to clean your grill, it would be any of the brushes above that can be steam cleaned with.

What is the concern with metal grill brushes?

To elaborate further on the metal grill brush problem, many stainless steel bristled brushes are prone to having the individual bristles fall out over time. These bristles can then stick to a grill surface, and every once in a blue moon a bristle can end up in someone's food—like inside a burger or a steak. Ingesting a metal bristle can cause some serious health problems, so really avoiding this type of grill brush all-together is a smart idea.

With all that being said, ingesting a grill bristle is rare if you buy a quality brush. We have one bristled brush on this list, the Grillart, for the people who want a traditional brush design; and what makes the Grillart different from other bristle brushes out there is it's constructed with the bristles twisting together and connecting to a heavy wire frame.

One tip to limit the odds of a bristle sticking to a grill surface is to apply a light amount of oil with a thick wet rag to prep the surface for grilling next time. Doing so can knock away any potential bristles that stuck around.

What to Look for In A Grill Brush

• Brush Type: Stainless steel has long been the go-to material for cleaning a grill surface, but there are many others that buyers can turn to these days. If you want a brush type that's going to clean the strongest, any type of stainless steel brush is good to choose.If you want to side with a safer pick that's away from stainless steel bristles, then you can choose a nylon bristle brush or a bristle-free brush. The safer picks sometimes require a little more power required from the user when cleaning, but many times they turn out to work pretty well.

• Special Features: A grill brush can quickly become superior than the average model when special features are added. We're talking about ergonomic handles, stainless steel scrapers, detachable heads that can be replaced, and more. These special features ultimately make cleaning your grill much more easier and enjoyable. The counterpoint is an upgrade grill brush will cost you more, but we find the additional investment worth it at the end of the day.
  

How We Selected

The Men's Health editors and writers, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, evaluated the best grill brushes for peak grilling season in 2023. When creating this story, we also tapped a diverse group of grilling and food experts who have knowledge in buying and using grill brushes. To narrow down our favorites, we considered our expert's favorite grill brushes and combined them with our own picks. Some factors we looked at in the selection process included the brush type, the special features on the brush, and price point. Above all, we factored in the safety of each grill brush, as we've noticed the greater awareness of the health risks a cheap, metal grill brush with bristles can pose on consumers.

We can confidently say this list reflects the best grill brushes you you can buy in 2023.

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