Our Cooking Expert Says These Are the Best Wire-Bristle-Free Grill Brushes
These picks make it easier for me to swap out my metal-bristle brush for a safer option.
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As the director of Good Housekeeping's Kitchen & Cooking Lab, I grill often—whether I’m testing the latest model or grilling something quick in the summer. One of the reasons I love it is the minimal cleanup; I just keep a good grill brush nearby to scrub the grates when I’m done.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: OXO Good Grips Hot Clean Grill Brush
- Best value: Proud Grill Company Q-Swiper BBQ Grill Cleaner Set
- Best with sponge head (and for steam cleaning): Grill Rescue Griddle Brush
- Best coiled head design: Kona Safe/Clean Grill Brush
While I used to prefer a metal wire-bristle brush for its effectiveness, Weber and Nexgrill each recalled millions of metal bristle grill brushes earlier this year for "posing an ingestion hazard." That recall prompted me and my team to rethink our top-recommended grill brushes and compile a list focused solely on wire-bristle-free options. After testing more than 30 grill brushes over the past few years—cleaning up after greasy burgers and using them for months—we stand behind the OXO Good Grips Hot Clean Grill Brush as our top choice.
Best Deal
Pros
- Chainmail scrubbing pad design is proven to work on cast iron
- Head is replaceable
Cons
- Heavier than some other brushes
This grill brush was ahead of its time when it launched a few years ago. Its replaceable head features a stainless steel mesh wrapped around silicone padding. (It's similar to a chainmail scrubbing pad used to wash cast-iron pans.) The hard material scrubs the grates, while the padding provides some flexibility.
The brush's thick, long handle is comfortable to hold and stayed cool in our tests. It was easy to maneuver and use. It cleaned the grill well, and the sturdy stainless steel scraper on the flip side got any bits the head did not.
The one downside is that we did find the brush heavier than others we've used.
| Dimensions | 2.5" x 5" x 20.05" |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Either |
Pros
- Comes with wipes for quicker cleaning
- Built-in scraper helps with tough stains
Cons
- Should be used on a cool grill
A Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award winner, this grill cleaner ditches the bristle design for a handled pad, a scraper, and a set of disposable, pre-moistened wipes that let you scrub the grates to a fresh, clean surface each time. You can also flip or angle the pad down to use the built-in scraper, with a wide, flat edge and two scalloped edges for working between grates.
In our tests, this cleaner even handled barbecue sauce-coated grates with ease. Because of the short profile, which places your hand close to the grill's surface, you should wait for the grill to cool before using it, as instructed by the manufacturer. The pre-moistened wipes come in handy for quick cleaning or small messes when you don't need to pull out your larger grill brushes.
| Dimensions | 12.75" x 6" x 6" |
| Material | Stainless steel scrubber with fabric wipe overlay |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Cold |
Pros
- Easy to use
- Comfortable to hold
- Scraper included
Cons
- Cleaning sponge can be tricky to remove
- No hook or string attached for hanging
This grill cleaner is essentially a large sponge connected to a long handle. How it works: Dip the sponge into a bowl of water before using it on a hot grill; the water and heat then generate steam to loosen up grime and better clean the grates. This model also includes a scraper and a cover for the scraper.
In our tests, this cleaner from Grill Rescue stood out compared to others like it for its ability to absorb more water and clean efficiently. It also has a curved handle that effectively keeps your hand away from the heat. Its sponge head is replaceable, though our analysts noted it was a little hard to remove. It, however, didn’t deter them from recommending it. Because there isn't a hook or string attached, you can’t hang it on your grill.
| Dimensions | 5" x 2.5" x 4.54" |
| Material | Plastic |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Hot |
Pros
- Strong but slightly flexible head
- Comfortable handle
Cons
- Didn't clean up burger residue as well as bristle brushes
This grill brush style is one of the first to launch boasting a wire-bristle-free design. It has three rows of coils that scrub grates and get around corners. The strong head is a little bulky but more flexible than others we tested; you can rotate the brush 90 degrees to use the corners in between grates.
It has a thick, plastic handle that stayed cool in our tests. While it wasn't the best at scraping off burger residue in our evaluations, it eventually got the job done. Since we tested this model, the brand offered new tips on how to use it, including dipping it in water before using it on a hot grill to generate steam and loosen up grime.
| Dimensions | 17.5" x 4" x 10" |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Either |
Pros
- Dual-sided design with nylon bristles and steel wool
- Built-in scraper for extra cleaning power
Cons
- Cannot be used on hot grill
This versatile brush features a dual-sided head, combining nylon bristles on one side with steel wool on the other. The nylon bristles aren’t overly stiff, allowing them to conform to the shape of the grates. For tougher, baked-on residue, simply flip the brush over and use the steel-wool side, which does an excellent job of loosening stubborn debris. A built-in scraper provides extra cleaning power. The bristle head is replaceable, and the long handle offers a comfortable grip and provides a good angle for cleaning.
Additional thoughtful touches include a hanging loop for convenient storage and an integrated bottle opener, so you can crack open a beverage while cleaning the grill.
This brush can only be used to clean cool grill grates, either before cooking or after the grill has completely cooled after cooking.
| Dimensions | 5.12" x 3.75" x 17.5" |
| Material | Acacia, stainless steel, nylon |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Cold |
Pros
- Conforms to your grill over time
- Wide, comfortable handle
Cons
- Doesn't handle corners or tight spaces easily
It took me a second to wrap my head around how this bristle-free grill cleaner works, but I grew to like it the more I used it. As the wooden paddle is used back and forth on a hot grill, it wears down and conforms to the exact size of your grill grates. The unique shape allows for better cleaning.
It has a wide, comfortable handle and was long enough to use on a hot grill in our tests. I also liked the hanging strap for storage. It just had a hard time getting into corners and tight spots.
| Dimensions | 20" x 0.75" x 4.75" |
| Material | Hardwood |
| Best for hot or cold grill | Either |
Other grill brushes to consider
- Charbroil Safer Replaceable Head Nylon Bristle Grill Brush: I liked this nylon-bristle option, but the bristles are quite stiff, so I found it a little hard to maneuver over the grill grates.
- Cuisinart Steam Cleaner Brush: We tested this Cuisinart steam brush in our latest grill brush evaluation. It was comfortable and easy to maneuver, but didn’t absorb enough water to produce strong steam for deep cleaning. It works better for light cleaning.
- Grill Fighter Chainmail Brush: Similar to our best overall, this grill brush has a chainmail head, but it’s thinner and more flexible, which allows it to scrub the grates a bit better. I noticed, however, that it sometimes got stuck between grates during cleaning. I like that the set comes with a container for holding water for steam cleaning.
- Scrub Daddy BBQ Daddy Bristle Free Steam Cleaning Grill Brush: This new brush from Scrub Daddy cleans effectively and has a comfortable grip, but its bulky design can cause your hand to bump against the warming rack while cleaning.
How we test grill brushes
Our team in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab has tested more than 30 grill brushes for performance and ease of use by cooking up juicy, fatty burgers and evaluating how well each brush cleans the grates.
✔️ Performance: When we use grill brushes to clean the grates, we assess both their durability and effectiveness.
✔️ Ease of use: We also take note of different factors, like how comfortable they are to hold and use over a hot grill. We also prefer a brush with a large loop or hook for easy storage.
What to look for when shopping for grill brushes
✔️ Type: Bristle-free brushes come in a few designs, including the ones below.
- Chainmail scrubbing heads feature a stainless steel mesh wrapped around a silicone pad, offering some flexibility during cleaning. Some of these cleaners come with scrapers that can reach tight corners.
- Coiled metal heads are strong and efficient but offer little flexibility, which can make it harder to get good leverage and maneuverability during cleaning.
- Sponge heads are used with water to generate steam, making cleaning easier. They don't get in between the grill grates, unlike their metal or bristle competitors. The one downside? Excess water collects in the grease trap and must be emptied regularly.
- Wooden heads that are shaped like paddles conform to the shape of your grill grates over time. They can be hard to use in tight crevices.
- While we don't recommend metal-bristle grill brushes anymore, nylon ones can still be used on cool grill grates. They do a good job of getting around and cleaning each grate.
✔️ Handle: All of the bristle-free grill brushes we tested had plastic handles that were often thick and comfortable to hold. Long handles allow for more versatile use.
✔️ Scraper: Choose a grill brush with a scraper if you can, which helps release stubborn bits and grime during cleaning.
Why should I use a grill brush?
It's important to clean your grill at the end (or ahead) of every use because a clean grill is a safe grill. It reduces the risk of flare-ups and fire. It also eliminates hot spots and helps ensure more even cooking.
When should I clean my grill?
I prefer cleaning my grill right after I'm done cooking and the grates are still hot. The stains are still fresh at that time and easier to clean. It also gives any debris a chance to burn off.
Keep in mind, however, that you can only clean your grill right after cooking if you have the right brush. Nylon bristles can melt on hot grates, and short handles can pose a burning hazard.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab, where she oversees all testing and led the evaluation of these grill brushes. She specializes in grills and grill accessories.
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