Looking for recommendations on grill brushes.


 
Val Deale

Val Deale

TVWBB Super Fan
My family wants to buy me a good grill brush for Christmas. My daughter's in med school and says the metal filaments that can get lodged in your esophagus is a real issue. I'm using the bad twisted type with metal filaments now.

What do people like out there? "Steam" type? Wood scrapers? The metal "spiral" filament type that does not have small metal pieces?

Thanks
 
If you have round stainless steel rod grates, get a Chargon. Simple, very effective and very safe.

Amazon.com : CharGon BBQ Stainless Steel Ultimate Grill and BBQ Cleaning Tool for Round Rod Grills : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : CharGon BBQ Stainless Steel Ultimate Grill and BBQ Cleaning Tool for Round Rod Grills : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com

I also have this style of brush which is safe and I am quite satisfied with it. I don't know what brand name I have however.

 
Don't buy any brush with wood handle number one. Best brushes by far and I've never once seen a bristle come off one is Libman. Made in USA (unlike Weber ones or any other),
 
If you have stainless rod grates, I can heartily endorse the Chargon that @Bruce referenced. I do also have a Libman mentioned by @LMichaels that I use sparingly on cast iron when my “scrub pad” soft grate cleaner can’t do it all. On GrillGrate grates, a wooden spatula type scraper seems like the perfect fit to me.
 
Also one other advice on the Libman. I know they cost quite a bit more than the junk ones but once they get a little "clogged" with grime and such toss it. I like the brass ones as I can easily use them on either my porcelain grates or my solid SS from Dave Santana with great performance and no worry about damaging the grates or ingesting a bristle. These https://www.amazon.com/Libman-Handle-Brush-Scraper-Black/dp/B00KYSNZS2?tag=tvwb-20 are the ones I use. I buy them locally at Menards 2 or 3 at a time.
 
I have the Weber Stainless Steel grate "system" (with the round opening in the middle for different inserts).
Over the past several years, I have used the Weber 3-sided, the Weber Bamboo, the Grill Art "spiral wound", and Libman (brass) brushes (all mentioned above). I took the two Weber brushes out of rotation after finding small bristles in the bottom of the grill when cleaning. I've settled into the Grill Art and Libman. The Grill Art version does a pretty good job, but does get caught on the transition areas around the round opening, to the point where one of the coils broke during vigorous cleaning. I haven't seen any further damage to the Grill Art. I follow up with the brass Libman. Although I haven't seen any brass bristles at the bottom of the grill when cleaning, last step is always wipe clean with a paper towel soaked with olive or vegetable oil. If I had porcelain-coated grates I would stick with the brass Libman exclusively. My local supermarket has the Libmans for about $8 during the Spring.
One thing I have noticed with the Libmans is the soft rubber part of the handle degrade over the course of the Summer, to the point where it becomes fluid and sticky (sort of like plumber's putty) and the sticky rubber transfers to my hands. Maybe it's just UV damage, as I keep my brushes outside next to the grill. I've put a couple of wraps of tape over the handle and all is good.
brush.JPG
 
Cody Bratton said:
I’ve had one of these that I love. Never any issues with bristles. I use a lot of marinades so I try to be religious about post cook scrubbing!

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I only use this brand but I get the 18 inch model over this 12 inch model......works amazing...never seen a loose bristle......the corners of the brush really get items off the grill.
I buy these 3 at a time.....the worst part about them is they will eventually get greasy from all the cleaning....and it smears grease around the cleaned grates but I just wipe it with a paper towel.
 
I agree with your Daughter. I started out with a wire brush that was guaranteed not to shed bristles; it worked seemingly well but when I replaced it the new one shed like a cat. Then I transitioned to this, which I've been using for many years: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ3C28I?tag=tvwb-20

Though now I see there is this newer model: https://www.amazon.com/Charbroil-Safer-Replaceable-Bristle-Technology/dp/B0DZ2VTR6T/?tag=tvwb-20

With nylon bristles the process is a little different in that I clean the grates after they have cooled down a bit but I've been well-pleased with this brush (and its replacement heads).
 
I have a nylon brush as well though for me it's useless on the gas grill. Because on that grill deposits are much harder (more "carbonized") due to much higher cooking temps and actual flame type exposure. Whereas on the pellet grill deposits stay on the "softer" side and slide right off with the nylon or the brass. Which leads me to another "curiosity" I've seen since buying an induction range. My pans are MUCH MUCH easier to keep looking shiny clean (especially the exterior) because there is no external heat source literally fusing any drippings to the pan. It's really quite remarkable how much easier it is to clean up my cookware.
 
Bob Erdman said:
I prefer nylon brushes, easier on my CI grates.
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I do use those as well, whenever possible, if the soft pads don't do the job. On raw cast iron, it is not as big a deal, but since most cast iron grates today are porcelain coated, anything you can do to avoid chipping that off is a good idea.

I still have a set or two in reserve of the very early Weber Genesis cast iron grates that did not have any coating. Lots of work to keep seasoned, but I still have a place in my heart for the "real deal."

Cast Iron Restoration.jpeg

Weber Uncoated Cast Iron with Patent.jpeg
 
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