Best Grill Brushes
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Safety Hazards
Safely was our number one priority when compiling this list, because there are plenty of things that can go wrong when cooking this summer- but getting sick from dirty grates should never be one of them. We know that it is a hassle to clean them down every time that you are done using them, especially because they are not the easiest of surfaces to clean. However, if you ask any chef- both indoor and outdoor- what the most important thing is when cooking, almost all of them would tell you to ensure that all of your spaces are clean.
Cooking outside should always be fun, and taking some of the work out of ensuring that you are working in a safe space is incredibly important. We hope that you have a fun and safe summer filled with hot dogs, BBQ ribs, and and the best burgers in your entire neighborhood!
Ease of Use
No one likes to spend a lot of time slaving over getting their cooking surfaces clean- we want you to have more time cooking and less time cleaning. Often, cooks have to really dig into the scrubbing process to get them sparkling like new- and we don’t like that idea. We wanted to select products that were as easy to use as they were effective. That’s why we made the Grillbot our number one choice- because the only work you will have to do is to turn on the on the button and let the little robot do the rest of the work. For those that didn’t want to spend the extra cash on a cleaning robot, we gravitated toward models that utilized the use of steam- which made grate gunk come off easily- and ones that had long rubber grips.
Value
Spending a lot on cleaning supplies is no fun. everyone prefers to save their money for the more exciting things- like steaks, snacks, and flowers. We kept this in mind as we searched for the best tools out there on the market. We wanted to make sure that they were still made with quality materials and had a smart design- but we also didn’t want them to put any unnecessary strain on your party funds for the summer. We did make one exception, however, with the Grillbot. The Grillbot does have a pretty hefty price tag- but it’s a robot that cleans your grates for you! We just couldn’t resist such a neat product and found that it was well worth the padded price tag.
Durability
If it can’t clean all of that gunk that is clinging to your grates, then it’s just an expensive hairbrush. When conducting out research, we made sure to pay close attention to what people were saying about how well they performed. Sure, wooden designs might be incredibly eco-friendly and safe for all types of grates, but they typically underperformed when compared to their stainless steel counterparts. Products that utilize steam to help kick up gunk were fantastic- but if they didn’t have a long enough handle, that was a bit of a problem. When you are dealing with high temperatures- and especially with hot steam- you want to make sure that you put a good deal of distance between you and the heat source. If the unit didn’t have a long enough handle, we moved on to a different design.
Top 10 Picks
1. Grillbot Automatic Scrubber
If you are someone that just cannot resist all of the neat little gadgets out there on the market that make your life just a little bit easier, you won’t be disappointed with this product. Grillbot is like a Roomba for your outdoor cookery. It comes at a much higher price tag that a lot of the other models out there on the market, but it will ensure that you will not be spending any outdoor time cleaning when you could be cooking.
Read moreDesign:
Like we said earlier- think of it as an outdoor Roomba. It has a round design that comes in a hard matte black carrying case so that you can store it on the porch or right next to the grill when it it ready to be used. It is available in both a solid black design or red to match the color scheme on your patio, and this handy little unit is sure to impress all of your dinner guests this summer.
Ease of use:
If you are buying this unit doe your dear old dad for Father’s Day this year (which, by the way, would make a perfect gift), tell him that he can put away the elbow grease this summer because he isn’t going to need it. After you are done cooking for the day, simply give the lithium battery a full charge, press the power button, and go make yourself another burger as this little guy does all the hard work of cleaning for you.
Effectiveness:
At the end of the day, all you want is your grates to be clean- so as impressive as this little guy is, if he can’t clean he isn’t worth the price tag. Just like all of the other cleaners out there on the market, this model uses stiff bristles that are able to be removed at the end of the cleaning cycle, thrown into the dishwasher, and popped right back into place for the next cycle. Some uses have stated because it doesn’t have the benefit of the extra pressure of elbow grease, that it doesn’t get it as clean in just one 30 minute cycles, and that extra cycles will be necessary.
Value:
We hope you are sitting down- because the price of this unit is far more expensive than any of the the units out there on the market. However, if you consider all of the energy and hassle you will be saving, it is well worth the added price point, especially if you love clever gadgets.
Summary:
For all of the serious outdoor cooks out there that love to collect all of the neat little gadgets out there that can make life just a little bit easier- the Grillbot will make cleaning up after a party a lot easier. Why do something yourself when you can command robots to do it for you?
2. Kona
One of the common problems when cleaning grates with stiff bristles is that when you really throw your back into it, you run the risk of losing a some of the bristles. Lost bristles run the risk of showing up in your mother in law’s hamburger on your next cookout- and that is one recipe for disaster. This model removes that risk by removing the bristles.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this unit looks just like any other that you would find out there. It has a long handle that puts a good deal of distance between you and the grates/heat, and has a soft plastic grip to make it easy to really throw in some elbow grease. The head is a series of steel coils that create friction on the grates to kick up all of the leftover ash and grime.
Ease of use:
To get the most out of this product, you have to go a few extra steps than simply scrubbing it down right out the the package. To really get those grates shining, dip this product into a bucket of water, and start scrubbing when the grates are still hot. The more steam that you see rise, the better you know that it is working.
Effectiveness:
If you were looking for something that will makes those grate shine like the very first time you cooked on your outdoor cooktop- this is going to be your best best. The coiled steel is really good at getting down in between those little nooks and crannies where grime just loves to hide, and you will not run the risk of losing any bristles.
Value:
The price tag might surprise you a bit, because it is a little bit more expensive than many of the other similar styles out there on the market. However, the clever design of using coiled steel bristles as well as its effectiveness makes it well worth the price tag. Kona also offers an impressive 10 year warranty, so you know it will be the last one that you will be buying for quite some time.
Summary:
If you wanted to buy one unit, and never have to worry about buying a replacement for a long time- this is the best way to go. It does cost a little bit more, but as they often say- you get what you pay for.
3. Grill Daddy Original
If you like to cook outside- you are probably familiar with the brand Grill Daddy. It is no wonder that they are making the top of our list with this innovative design that is unlike any of the other units out there.
Read moreDesign:
To really get down and liquify all of the gunk that lingers on your grates, this model has a water reservoir to store water as you use it. The handle isn’t as long as some of the other models out there, and sports a light gray color. It has a nice rounded handle that makes it easy to grip and really be able to throw in a little extra effort to get your grates shining.
Ease of use:
To use this product, simply fill up the reservoir with water- cold or hot- and turn on the heat to your grill and begin to scrub. There is a button on the top that will allow you to distribute the water to the bristles at an even rate. When the grates begin to steam, that when you know that is is working.
Effectiveness:
Steam that rises from the grates lets you know that the bristles are really able to do their work. This design is perfect for digging down deep into all of those spaces where grimes likes to hide. The only downside about this model is that is uses the traditional bristles that you see with a lot of other models, and these bristles have a tendency to break off and become unnoticed on grates the next time that you go to cook. However, they are easy to pop off with the flick of your wrist to throw into the dishwasher, or replace when needed without replacing the entire unit.
Value:
The cost of this unit is surprising low, considering the innovative design and the brand recognition of Grill Daddy. This will likely set you back the same amount of money of many of the models that you would find for sale in the outdoor gear section of your hardware store.
Summary:
If you are looking for something from a brand name that is innovative and effective, and comes at a really low price point to allow you more money this summer for hot dogs and sausages.
4. Iccker
This product brought to you by ICCKER is a product that boasts its incredibly strong design. This model is built like a tank from the handle all the way down to the bristles that are used to clean off of the gunk off of your grill top. If you have had issues in the past of models that just aren’t effective- this is the solution to your problem.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this unit looks just like all of the other out there on the market. It has a long handle that puts a good deal of distance between you and the hot grates. It has a soft rubber handle that is design to sit in your palm to create a great grip so you can getting get to scrubbing. The stainless steel bristles are incredible strong and rigid so you don’t need as much pressure as softer bristles.
Ease of use:
ICCKER doesn’t state the use of water when using their product. Simply turn the beat on to your unit and wait for the grates to get rather warm. Then, take your ICCKER and begin to scrate down the grates and watch all of the grime and gunk just melt away.
Effectiveness:
The head of this model is a lot larger than many of the others on the market, allowing for you to clean a larger section of the grates than some of the others. The incredibly ridgid bristles are perfect for digging really deep into all of the hidden places that grime likes to hide, and it doesn’t require as much extra elbow grease to get to it. However, it should be noted that some users have found that these bristles are so stiff that they have actually scratch their grates.
Value:
There is no beating the price of this unit- it will likely set you back about the same amount of money that you would spend on a good pack of hot dogs. It should also be noted that this product comes with an impressive 10 year warranty if anything should break or it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Summary:
If you are in the market for something that is incredibly sturdy that can clean the grimiest of grates without breaking your back or your wallet- this is an excellent option.
5. Grill Daddy Pro
Grill Daddy makes this list yet again with a really great design that is made to make your life just a little bit easier. This model has the water reservoir just like the the previous model, but it has a shape that looks more like many of the other units out there on the market, and comes at a slightly higher price point.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this model looks a lot like tradition models. It has a long handle with a brush on the end. The way that is unit differs is that it has a grip along that top that looks like the handle to a bicycle that will give you a little bit extra leverage when you are really putting your back into scrubbing. The water reservoir holds the perfect amount of water that will allow you to get an excellent clean.
Ease of use:
To use this product, simply fill the reservoir with water, turn on the grates to your grill, and get scrubbing. The button along the middle of the unit will allow you to control just how much water will be released onto the bristles, and the subsequent steam that is released will give you an indication of how effective it is. The more steam that is released, the more the grime is being liquified and easy to scrub away.
Effectiveness:
When you pair heat with steam, you have created a great recipe for removing excess gunk and ash- and that is exactly what this product does. With the addition of the reseviour with the longer handle, you can be sure that you will create enough distance between you and your outdoor cooktop.
Value:
The price of this unit is a little bit more expensive than many of the other models that are out there on the market. However, if you were looking for something that was really good at cleaning your dirty grates, was easy to clean, and was sure not to damage your cooktops- this is an excellent choice.
6. Zoutog
If you are worried about cleaning and working around high heat- ZOUTOG has you covered: literally. The purchase of this cleaner comes with an additional pair of heat resistant gloves, so you never have to worry about burning your hands when working with hot surfaces.
Read moreDesign:
In addition to the included gloves that will keep your paws safe from high heat, the length of this model measures to be 18 inches long- making it one of the longer cleaners to make this list. It also sports a soft rubber grip for easily handling, and strong and sturdy stainless steel bristles and arms.
Ease of use:
The longer arm design makes it easy to really throw in some elbow great to really kick up all of that extra ash and grime. To get the most out of it, simply soak the bristles in water, and turn on the heat to the grill. When the grates are sufficiently hot enough, start to scrub along the surface and watch all of the gunk kick up and melt away. The addition of the scrapper makes it easy to scrape off some of the bigger pieces of debris that are stuck to the grates that the bristles can’t seem to get.
Effectiveness:
If if cann’t clean, then it’s not a very good product. The design of this model has very short, strong, and tightly spaced bristles that are cocked on the end of a very long handle to ensure that you can really get to every inch of your grates. This particular design is perfect at getting into all of those hard to reach places that some of the other brands can’t get to.
Value:
One of the best features about this model is the incredibly affordable price point. THis unit will most likely set you back the same amount of money you might spend on some ground beef and bun to cook up a batch of hamburgers for your next summer cookout.
Summary:
If you are looking for an more affordable option that is incredibly effective, comes with bonus items that will ensure the safety of your hands when working with hot surface- this product will work perfectly for your needs.
7. Geson
Geson offers an alternative to the traditional wire bristles that you might find to be easier to use and more effective for your outdoor cooktop. Its long handle and strong and sturdy design that comes in at a really great price point will make it a perfect addition to your outdoor cooking utensil family.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this brush looks a lot like many of the others out there on the market, but it has just a few differences. The first difference is the extremely long handle that measures in at 18 inches long. While a lot of similar designs have a long handle, this one is just a tad longer than many of the other which is great for creating more distance between you and the hot grates.
Ease of use:
As with all of the simple handle designs- this unit is really easy to use and allows a good amount of distance between you and the hot grate surface. Simple soak the bristles in water, turn on the heat to your unit, and begin to scrub. The absence of bristles eliminates the risk that bristles will break off of the unit and end up in your food- the last thing you would want to contend with while hosting a summer BBQ. When you are finished, you can simple wash the head with a little bit of soapy water and you are good to go.
Effectiveness:
The bristleless designs that use a set of stainless steel coils are perfect for cleaning grates without running the risk of a loose bristle sneaking its way into your food, but they just cannot get into those hard to reach places the same way. Many users claim they really have to put their back into to be able to get their grates looking good as new.
Value:
The cost of this unit is one of its best features, considering that it is offered at a really great price point. The cost of this will likely set you back the same amount of money that you would spend on a pound of ground beef and pack of buns to grill up some killer burgers for your family or your neighborhoods this summer. It also comes with an impressive 10 year warranty, so you can ensure it will be the last one you will have to buy for a while.
Summary:
If you were looking for something that is easy to use, effective, and won’t run the risk of getting bristles in your food- this is an great choice that is offered at a even better price point.
8. Weber 6494
Weber was founded in 1893, and his been in the business merging the great outdoors with cooking for a very long time. It is no wonder that they have landed a spot on this list with their well designed tool made to keep your cooktop surface looking like the day you brought it home from the store.
Read moreDesign:
The design of this model is a little bit smaller and a little bit more compact than many of its counterparts that are out there on the market. The compact design makes it easy to store and won’t take up as much room or be as cumbersome as some of the other models that have longer handles.
Ease of use:
To get the most out of this model, simply heat up the surface of your grates for about 15 minutes to ensure that they are nice and hot. Then, run the bristles along the surface of the cooktop to remove all grime, food particles, and ash. When you are done, you can clean this model with just the use of some soapy water, and it is ready to be used again after your next BBQ.
Effectiveness:
The smaller handle does make it a little bit more difficult to really dig in there, and a short handle means you are going to be a little bit closer to the hot surface than you may be comfortable with. The narrow brush design may stand out from some of the other that have flat heads, but this design was made to be able to slip in between each great to really dig out all of the grime that other may have missed.
Value:
This design is one of the most affordable units that is currently out there on the market. If you were looking for something affordable and simple- Weber is the way to go.
Summary:
For outdoor cooks that don’t want to fumble around with cleaners that have long handles and flat heads that cannot fit in between grates very well, you will certainly no be disappoint with this simple design that it brought to you by one of the leading names in cooking outside.
9. Alpha Grillers
This is a really great and solid option for those outdoor cooks that want a take on the classic design but still offers a lot of the newer features that will make clean up a snap.
Read moreDesign:
The Alpha Grillers design looks just like any other model that you would find at the located hardware store- but it has just a few features to make it better. It has a long plastic grip that it easy to hold onto and cool to the touch. It has a long and flat head for cleaning large areas, and a scraper on the other side.
East of use:
Using this model is simple and easy, and because of the long neck and wide head, it won’t take as much elbow grease. Plus, the 18-inch arm will create a wide distance between you and the hot grates.
Effectiveness:
Many users find that the head of this unit is really great about getting into all of those hard to reach places to kick up excess dirt and grime. Plus, the addition of the scrapper on the pack is perfect for clearing out all of the bigger food particles because really getting into cleaning the finer grime on the grates.
Value:
While it’s not the most inexpensive unit out there, it still comes at a pretty reasonable price. This design is likely to set you back the same amount of money you would spend taking a friend out to lunch. However, if you are not satisfied with how this works out for you after a year, Alpha Grillers offers 100 percent money back guarantee.
Summary:
For the cooks that want something simple, that doesn’t try and reinvent the wheel. But also has a few extra features that make it a little safer and stand out from the simpler design- this will be a great addition to your outdoor utensil family.
10. RubberMaid
It wouldn’t be a party if Rubbermaid didn’t make an appearance! Rubbermaid has been making cooking indoors and outdoors a little easier since they were founded in 1920. This model sports a really simple design, and the best part about it is that it comes at once of the lowest prices on this list.
Read moreDesign:
This has a pretty basic design that doesn’t have very many additional bells and whistles. The lack plastic handle is just over 10 inches long (which can be a little short for some users that really want to put a great deal of distance between themselves and hot grates), and it sports basic brass bristles with a metal scraped at the end.
Ease of use:
If you can use a back scrubber in the shower, you have all of the skills that you need to use this product. Simply run the brass bristles over the surface of the grates, and they work to really kick up grime and food particles to make your grates look good as new.
Effectiveness:
The metal scrapper at the end in perfect for getting rid of the larger bits, while the smaller brass bristles can get into all of the nooks and crannies where stubborn bacteria loves to hide. Some find, however, the bristles are too soft and leave some food behind.
Value:
The best part about this is the price. This model will likely set you back about the same amount of money that you would spend on a package of hot dogs. Plus, you know you are getting quality product with the name Rubbermaid behind it.
Summary:
If you are looking to save some money this summer, but also need to update you outdoor utensils- this is a great way to ensure that your grates stay nice and clean and your wallet stays full.