When shopping for a nylon grill brush, look for one with a fairly full brush head rather than one with wide-spaced rows. You also want a brush with brightly colored bristles so you’ll notice if one gets stuck on your grill surface or ends up in your dinner. A long handle is less important than it would be if you were using the brush to clean a hot grill, but most grillers are probably used to a long-handled brush and the added leverage can help to give you that extra oomph.
Because nylon bristles are less durable than wire bristles, you may need to replace a nylon grill brush or brush head more often than you would a traditional wire grill brush. But grill cleaning tools (even dangerous metal ones) aren’t meant to last forever. If it helps, think of your grilling brush like a toothbrush and get a new one when it starts to look frazzled—especially if it’s already starting to shed bristles.
Our favorite nylon brush: Oklahoma Joe’s Blacksmith Combo Grill Brush
This two-sided grill brush features a full brush head of nylon bristles, yes, but it also has a steel wool scrubbing pad on the other side of the cleaning head. That steel wool part is heat-resistant and can be used while the grill is still hot. There’s also a stainless steel scraper on the end of the brush for more heavy-duty scraping. The long handle allows you plenty of leverage for going to town on tough stuck-on bits.
Other nylon brushes:
The rest of these models are more or less exactly the same, and they all feature that criteria outlined above: A metal scraper in addition to a full head of nylon brushes—and long, ergonomic handles. The Char-Broil gets extra points for its replaceable head (because you will need to replace the head of these brushes—a clean grill requires a clean grill brush).
Along with that nifty replaceable head, the Char-Broil also features a handle made of iron, which gives the brush a weighty feel in your hand as you clean up your grill. And, since we’re all fully committing to this safe grill brush lifestyle, we recommend that you pick up a pack of new head replacements to have on hand for a quick swap.
If you’re in the yard grilling all afternoon, you might need a bottle opener and a grill brush. This multipurpose tool has a hook attachment that also works for cracking open a cold one.
One of the most affordable options on this list, the Room Essentials brush keeps things simple and utilitarian. Grab this no-frills BBQ grill brush and save your money for farmers market vegetables to throw on the grates.
Cuisinart makes some of our favorite kitchen appliances—like mini food processors, blenders, and panini presses—so it makes sense the brand produces plenty of other high-quality tools. Their grill brush in particular brings a smart design that’ll make you immediately hit “add to cart.” You can swap out the brushes as needed, and the universal drill bit that attaches the head to the handle also works with power drills for any time you need a deeper clean for your grill.
The grill floss
This grill cleaning tool came out on top of our grill brush product test, but it isn’t actually a brush at all. It is, however, another great bristle-free grill-cleaner to have in your kit. The grill floss is a dead-simple 20-inch stainless steel rod with an adjustable head that can be tailored to wrap snugly around round cast-iron grill grates of all sizes. The tool comes with four interchangeable, different-sized heads to help you find the best fit for your particular grill. Using a back and forth motion, and rotating the rod to get every side, you’re able to shave the gunk from each individual grate. You can use it both on hot and cold grills, and since there are no bristles (nylon or wire) you don’t ever have to replace any parts. (Though for the most thorough clean, you could combine this guy with the power of a replaceable-head nylon brush.)
Note: Our reviews editor Noah Kaufman also tested (and loved) the Grill Rescue, which is a tool for steam cleaning your grill. However, we’ve heard some customers have had trouble receiving the product when they order this brush, so we’re putting our recommendation on hold for now. But you can read his full review:
If the bristle-free design catches your eye, check out this similar model from Cuisinart, which also boasts a center grip knob on the handle to offer you some extra leverage while scrubbing.
While the Cuisinart uses a heat-resistant aramid fiber fabric scrubber, Oxo’s version relies on a silicone layer caged in by stainless steel coils for the most thorough cleaning. Both the replaceable head and handle can go in your dishwasher, though it’s worth noting that this brush does not work on ceramic-coated grill grates.
Wire grill brushes, if you must
Still set on your trusty wire grill brush? Fine, but don’t say we didn’t warn you. And at least do yourself (and your cookout guests) the favor of replacing your wire brush at the very first signs of wear and tear—preferably with a well-made model that won’t lose its bristles right away—so everyone can enjoy safer outdoor cooking this season.
Looking to outfit your setup with more grilling tools? Here are few small things that can make a big difference in your grilling this summer.
Still debating which kind of grill is right for your outdoor space? We’ve tested and reviewed so many types of grills—including popular charcoal grills, gas grills, and pellet grills. Find our thoughts and top recommendations below.
