Best Grill Brush and Scraper
There’s nothing better than grilling your favorite foods. Backyard fun is synonymous with burgers, steaks and hotdogs for an outdoor feast made complete with corn on the cob, salad, paper plates, soft drinks and beer.
But after all the searing, sizzling and eating are done, the reality of cleaning the grill sets in. Few people look forward to the task of scraping off the burnt globs of grease and food stuck to the grates. That’s where a good grill brush and scraper can really take the hard work out of cleaning up after a great barbecued meal.
Which grill brush and scraper you use will depend upon a number of factors such as the size of your grill, what the surface of your grill is made of, and how hard you want to work to get it spotlessly clean. No doubt when you do find that perfect grill brush and scraper, you won’t mind doing cleanup duty at the end of the day.
We feature five grill brushes and scrapers you can buy online. Read on to find the one you like best.
Top Pick Best Versatile: Grill Spark Quick/Easy BBQ Grill Brush and Scraper 18″
In your house, you’re the grill chief, the one who handles all of the barbecuing. With that comes the job of cleaning the grill. It’s not something you enjoy doing it, but logic dictates your grill will last longer, and your food taste better, with regular cleaning. Your last grill brush and scraper has given up the ghost and now you’re on the lookout for another one to get the job done.
We recommend this grill brush and scraper from Grill Spark to help you make quick work of cleaning your barbecue grates. The cleaning starts on a hot grill with the scraper, built to effortlessly remove heavy, greasy residue. Made from stainless steel, it is rust-resistant and durable for long-lasting use.
Once you’re done with the scraper, it’s time for the deep clean with the wire brush. The brush on this model has a large cleaning area, almost three times the size as a single brush, and a round head that performs 360-degree cleaning. Rid residue from the maximum area of the grill in a single stroke.
The 6.7-inch grill brush is made of three twisted stainless steel wires, with each wire densely filled with galvanized steel bristles and designed not to shed or break off with frequent use.
Finally, the 10-inch-long handle has a smooth, anti-slip finish and a medium thickness for a good, solid grip. This grill brush and scraper is suitable for grill types – porcelain, ceramic, stainless steel, cast iron and gas.
Pros:
- 10-inch handle
- Metal hook for hanging brush after use
- Bristles are made from galvanized steel wire designed not to break off
- Ideal for use on all grill surfaces
- Rust resistant
- Hand wash or safe for the dishwasher
Cons:
- Has wire bristles
- Plastic handle may melt if kept too close to the grill
Top Pick Best Bristle-Free: POLIGO BBQ Grill Brush and Scraper
Sometimes even the best grill brush and scraper are not exactly what you are looking for because you have decided to move away from a brush with bristles, and find one that cleans using a different method. This bristle-free grill brush and scraper from Poligo may be the solution to your dirty grill issues, while giving you peace of mind that random bristles will not end up in your food.
This grill brush and scraper has a coiled, triple helix wire design that is heat resistant, totally bristle-free, with nothing to dislodge and get into your food. The two shorter sides of the helix are used to clean edges and dislodge debris between the grates.
The wide, integrated scraper, set at a 30-degree angle with the grill brush, is used to help you efficiently remove large, stuck-on foods without scratching your grill.
The non-slip 18-inch handle keeps your hands and arms away from the heat, and also provides a solid construction with strong twisted wires and a reinforced ring to ensure the grill brush and scraper will never break, even under the great pressure.
This versatile grill cleaning brush and scraper are suitable for ceramic, gas, smoker, charcoal, porcelain and iron/steel grill grates.
Pros:
- Brush is bristle-free
- 18-inch, reinforced handle
- Suitable for most grill surfaces
Cons:
- Too bulky to get into smaller spaces and clean between the grates of a small grill
Top Pick Best Overall: Cuisinart Grill Cleaning Brush
If you’re the type of person who prizes functionality and aesthetics, even when it comes to a grill brush and scraper, then you may want to consider this affordable one from Cuisinart that will look great beside, or hanging from your grill.
The five-inch-long brush on this grill cleaner is made from stainless steel, so it will not rust or deteriorate, and for a total length, including the handle, of 16.5 inches, you will be able to safely reach and clean all areas of your grill while keeping your arms away from the heat.
The stainless steel wires on the face of the brush are securely woven into three rows of aluminum coils and set at opposite angles to optimize cleaning with fewer brush strokes. The smooth stainless steel handle is durable, and gives a comfortable grip. Designed at an angle, it allows you to clean the grates thoroughly.
The 3.5-inch scraper at the end of the brush will easily remove burned on grease and food, and with its concave sides, will fit into small spaces.
When you’re done, simply rinse the brush and scraper under water, scrub with a sponge and it’s ready to use again and again.
Pros:
- Streamlined, attractive design
- Unique brush pattern optimizes cleaning
- Removable brush head
- Handy hanging hook
Cons:
- The angle of the brush is not at a great enough degree to offer a comfortable grip
Top Pick Best Durable: BBQ-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush and Scraper
For a timeless look that is reminiscent of the last century when natural materials were the norm, this barbecue grill brush and scraper will not only clean the grates of your grill, it will stand out from the rest with its sturdy, light brown acacia wooden handle that connects with the full stainless steel core and replaceable brush head.
There is nothing like the appeal of wood, and when paired with stainless steel, produces a strong and effective tool to get the job done. Use the stainless steel scraper to easily remove hard-to-clean muck, and then use the grill brush to easily take care of the rest, leaving the grill polished and clean.
The grill brush itself is extra large, measuring 3.5 inches x 3.93 inches, slightly less than 14 square inches. Made with the highest quality stainless steel bristles, it will outperform a brass bristle head, since stainless steel doesn’t rust and is tough on debris, grime, and grease. And because people use products with varying levels of intensity, there are replaceable brush heads, when needed.
Suitable to use on all types of grills including porcelain, ceramic, infrared, Weber and Char-Broil.
Pros:
- 15-inch durable acacia wood handle
- Stainless steel core for added strength
- Oversized, replaceable stainless steel brush
Cons:
- More expensive than other grill brushes and scrapers
Top Pick Best Bristle and Wire Free: Q-Swiper BBQ Grill Cleaner Set
If you’re looking for a way to move away from the traditional method of cleaning your barbecue grill so you don’t have to worry about finding bristles in your food, or scratching your grill, then consider this totally different way to get the job done.
This grill brush and scraper consists of a brush that has a gripping handle on the top, a scrubbing pad on the bottom and a scrapper to tackle baked on food and grease. It also comes with moist cleaning wipes. These attach to the bottom of the scrubbing pad and are used to wash, scrub and absorb the residue from the surface of the grates, once the scrapping is done. No bristles, no wires, no long handle.
This grill brush and scraper set works on a cold barbecue, to be used before you turn on the barbecue before you cook your next meal. The wipes, which have Omni-directional 3D grill cleaning nodules and food contact safe cleaning agents, combine to wipe away tough grill grease and grime from grates.
Safe to use on most barbecues, including stainless steel, porcelain coated grills and cast iron, as well as all major grill and smoker brands such as Weber, Broil King, Napoleon and Traeger.
Pros:
- Bristle-free and wire-free cleaning
- Uses a scrubber, scraper and cleaning wipes
- Suitable for use on all barbecue surfaces
Cons:
- Wipes contain recognized food contact safe cleaning agents and preservatives
- Wipes not recyclable
Things to look for:
Consider these things when looking for a grill brush and scraper so you will choose one that best suits your needs:
The brush head:
One of the most important decisions when choosing a grill brush and scraper is what the brush head is made of. Brush heads made from bristles have been known to shed, or come lose, and could end up on your grill or worse, your food. If you prefer a grill brush made from bristles, make sure it is a quality product where the bristles are securely inset into the brush. Then always inspect your food before consuming it.
There is always the option of choosing a grill brush made from coiled mesh. These are usually formed into a tight, circular bundle, so they cannot come loose. Some people claim that they don’t clean as well as a bristle brush, but that is not always the case. There are some quality wire mesh grill brushes that do a fine job of cleaning grates.
Finally, if you don’t want bristles or wire mesh, look for a scraper/brush made from wood or from cloth attached to a metal scouring pad.
The handle:
Since most grill brush and scraper makers often recommended cleaning your barbecue grill when it’s hot, you want to make sure the handle on the model you choose is long enough so you can bear down on the brush for a good scrub, without your hands or arms getting too close to the heat source.
Make sure it is made from strong, fire resistant material that won’t melt or soften when it comes close to heat. A solid wood, stainless steel or stainless steel reinforced fiberglass or plastic handle are good choices.