Summer nights are best spent outside with friends and family, grilling dishes like chicken, steak, and salmon. But if you want to avoid dangerous flare-ups (and prevent this week's corn on the cob from tasting like last week's wings), you're going to need to clean your grill regularly with a grill brush. You should give your grill at least a simple wipe down after every use to avoid build up, and deep-clean it with a brush every so often. Your grill will always be the star of the summer, but only if you treat it well.
You also might be wondering about the reported dangers of wire grill brushes and the chances of accidentally ingesting a wire bristle. A 2012 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted that awareness of this type of injury can reduce its likelihood. The report also advises to examine the grill surface before use or use alternative cleaning products or methods. While we do include some tried and true wire grill brushes in this list, we also include several wire-free brushes, such as the Grill Rescue Grill Brush, Kona Safe Clean Grill Brush, and the Great Scrape Shovel.
Whether you're cooking on a charcoal, pellet, or gas grill, we handpicked the best brushes on the market to keep it looking in tip-top shape. And don't forget to check out our picks for the best grill gloves, best steak knives, and the best grilling gifts. Once you have all your gear, get inspired by a these classic grilling recipes.
The BBQ-Aid Barbecue Grill Brush And Scraper looks like an old-school grill brush, but with its sturdy construction, comfortable handle, and stainless-steel wires that are safe for every type of grill, it's built to last. While plenty of other bristled grill brushes also feature a scraper, what sets this one apart is its replaceable and dishwasher-safe brush head. So if you like a traditional brush with bristles, you can easily replace and clean the head to avoid any rogue pieces on the grill—all without having to purchase a new brush altogether.
There are now a lot of options on the market for bristle-free grill brushes, but this one tops our list for a few reasons. For one, it has a detachable (and dishwasher-safe) cleaning head made out of the same heat-resistant fiber that's in firefighter gear. All you have to do is heat your grill, wet the scrubber, and the combination of the the brush head and steam effectively cleans away stubborn food. It still has a scraper to loosen up any stubborn gunk, and it's also safe for nearly any surface.
Amazon reviewers say that the Alpha Grillers Grill Brush And Scraper makes the process of cleaning their grill go five times faster than usual—which may have something to do with the 360-degree rotator and the 18-inch handle.
The Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush is a no-fail tool to get your grill squeaky clean. It's 18-inch handle protects your hands from burns and also features a textured grip for a firm hold. Made of stainless steel, the heavy duty bristles can deal with the toughest of messes.
Instead of bristles, the Kona Safe Clean Grill Brush has three layers of stainless steel to get the job done. Similar to others, this one works well when dipped in water and used on a hot grill to harness the power of steam.
Maybe not ideal for using on several surfaces with different grates
Okay, so it's not really a brush, but rather a wooden scraper. Great Scrape grill cleaners come in a variety of sizes, and this 20-inch shovel is one of the bestsellers. It's crafted out of red oak and beech woods and coated with food-safe mineral oil. As you use it, the shovel will form grooves from the grill's grates.
Looking for a cost-effective and versatile grill brush? Then the Merry Bird BBQ Grill Brush Scraper is your best choice. It doubles as a scrubber for pots and pans, and it's dishwasher safe.
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How we picked these products
When selecting the best grill brushes, we aimed to include a wide variety of products. We chose brushes with and without bristles, and also made sure to find models that were safe for different types of surfaces. While long handles protect your hands from heat, some may prefer brushes with short handles, so way made sure to include those, too.
For a clean grill, you'll need to make sure your grill brush is clean, so most of these picks are dishwasher safe or easy to clean.
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.