How Do You Clean A Wire Grill Brush
The best way to clean a grill brush is by soaking it in hot water with a squirt of dish soap and swishing it around to remove as much crud as possible. If you have another grill or kitchen brush available, you can also rub the two togetherthis is a great way to dislodge even more gunk and clean deep within the bristles. Once you’ve gotten most of the debris out, rinse the brush to remove any soap residue and hang it to dry.
How To Prepare The Grill For Cleaning
The grill grate should be cleaned after each cooking.
To do the cleanup correctly and as easily as possible, first, burn off the grate grille. That is easy. Set the controls to the maximum position and leave the grill on with the lid closed for 10 minutes.
After burning off, it is very easy to clean the grill grate with a stainless steel brush. The stainless steel brush ensures easy cleaning and does not damage the porcelain and enamel coating of the grates.
Kona Speed/scrape Grill Brush
We have been griller for nearly 15 years and have tried all sorts of grill brushes. We always seem to go back to this one. This has a great grip and its nice and sturdy. Its also pretty cheap compared to a lot of other ones on the market.
We also like that you get a 5-year warranty with it, that way if something happens to it or breaks, you can get a new one cheap!
Pros:
The bristles are safe for all types of grills, even porcelain ones.
Its got a nice grip and is pretty sturdy.
You also get 5 years warranty with it, just in case something happens to it or if the brush rots over time.
Cons:
None that we can think of!
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Best Overall: Grillaholics Pro Brass Grill Brush
What We Love: Non-shedding, risk-free purchase, little force required
What We Don’t Love: No warranty, not dishwasher-safe
Stainless brass is both heavy-duty and not prone to shedding bristles, meaning this brush can be used regularly without fear. Since its made from brass and not stainless steel, this grill brush is safe for every kind of grill, including delicate porcelain and ceramic grates.
Since this wood-handled brush is on the heavier side, its actually really easy to get your grill clean without applying much pressure. I found during testing that the brass bristles are durable and great for most surfaces. One downside is that it cannot be placed in the dishwasher, and some gunk did get trapped between the bristles. After the tests, I ran it under hot water for several seconds which helped to alleviate that.
The 18-inch handle is ideal for leverage, and the design is meant to amplify cleaning. Reviewers confirm the manufacturers claim that this brush gets your grill cleaner faster than most. The company also offers a risk-free purchase, meaning you can send it back if youre unsatisfied. Strength and utility are combined in this all-around excellent outdoor grill brush.
Length: 18 inches | Bristle Material: Brass | Dishwasher Safe: No
Dont Use A Wire Brush
Theres a story we came across a while back about a four-year-old boy who got hospitalized after he accidentally swallowed a metal bristle from a wire brush. Yikes!
While wire brushes are marketed explicitly to barbecue grill owners, we dont recommend using them to clean your grates. Theres always a chance that some of the bristles from the brush may fall off without you noticing, latch onto your food while youre grilling, and end up in your body. Its simply not worth a trip to the ER.
There are several other safer alternatives you can use that work just as well. One option would be to crumple up a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and shape it into a ball. Then, use a pair of tongs to grab it, and voila! You have a safe tool to clean your grates with.
Alternatively, you could also use a wooden grill scraper instead. The best thing about it is that the block will start to develop groves that fit your stainless steel grates perfectly after a while of using it.
Now, if you live on the wild side and insist on using a wire brush, ensure you double-check and even triple-check your grates for any stray bristles that might make their way into your food. Be sure to run a damp cloth across the grates once youre done scrubbing. You can never be too safe.
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How To Deep Clean Your Grill
When you want to deep clean your grill or smoker, before starting, make sure the grates are cleaned and removed and the cooker is completely cooled. If it is a gas grill, also make sure the burners are off and the gas is disconnected.
The best way to deep clean your grill is to work from the top to the bottom. Focus on every part of the grill and just utilize a clean, heavy-duty stainless steel wire brush. This will scrub off the carbon buildup throughout the grill. Remove components individually that can be removed and scrub them with the brush outside of the cooker. This will help ensure each part is thoroughly cleaned.
Water, a mild dish detergent , and a clean sponge will help safely clean off any remaining residue and carbon from any components. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry them before cooking again.
Remember, harsh chemical cleaners, caustic oven cleaners, chloride, or bleach should never be used to clean your grill. Mild enzymatic cleaners, like Dawn, or even baking soda are much safer bets.
Use the wire brush to scrub the exterior of any remaining fixed components as well as the sidewalls and firebox walls . These must be cleaned and maintained also or else the carbon buildup can quickly corrode the metal.
As you work your way towards the bottom of the grill, your drip pan would be the last component to clean. Make sure it is fully emptied and cleaned out with mild soap and water.
The Most Important Grilling Accessory
There are a handful of essential tools that every pit master needs to have on hand, like a thermometer, a light, fire starters and more. And youll also want a place to store all of these things, so you have them on hand whenever you need them. However, the most essential item everyone from the casual cook to the pro chef is a good grill brush to keep your grates clean.
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Grill Grate Cleaning Method: Aluminum Foil
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Rating: 1
The method: Crumple up a ball of aluminum foil, then use the ball to scrape warm-but-not-hot grates clean.
How it went: I found this method to be an excellent way to get down into the grooves and knock big chunks and flakes off your grates before using one of the other methods. I loved it because I was able to mold the foil to the shape of the grates to get down in between each one. It didnt do a great job at removing grease which wasnt surprising, and why I like this method in tandem with another method. Just keep in mind that using excessive force can strip away the enamel, so proceed with caution!
What Is A Grill Grate
Grill grates are one of the most important components of our grill, since they are what we cook our food on. They are also one of the easiest components to switch on your grill, since they simply sit on top no mater what type of grill you have.
Your grill will come with a set of grill grates, and the material will depend on what the manufacturer has included.
You may choose to have another set handy to make cleanup easy during a long day of grilling, or it may simply just be time to replace your grill grates
When I have ended up a grill that has been given to me by someone else in the past, the first thing I did was to buy new grill grates! Replacing the grill grates is a great option to spruce up a used grill since who knows how well the previous owner maintained it.
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What Is The Best Type Of Grill Brush
The best grill brush is sturdy and versatile.
It can work with all types of grills and clean them thoroughly.
Its also important to choose a grill brush that you can use for long periods.
They must also have enough length to keep you far from heat and fire if necessary.
Ideally, you want a brush that has a secondary feature like a scraper, which adds to its versatility.
The brush head should also be easily replaceable.
How To Clean Porcelain Grates Quick Tips
Porcelain grill grates are popular because they insulate heat well and theyre resistant to rust.
But, you still need to periodically clean them to keep them in great condition.
Watch out for chips and scratches in the porcelain finish. If water comes into contact with the metal under the finish, this may cause rust.
So take extra caution when cooking with metal spatulas or other metal tools.
Make sure to use a nylon brush which has soft bristles rather than a metal brush to keep the porcelain scratch-free.
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Is Grill Brush Safe For Porcelain Enameled Grates
A grill brush is a long-handled tool. These have bristles on one side and a scraper on the other thats used for cleaning stainless steel grates and other grates. Is it safe to use on porcelain grill grates?
All are not safe. Youll get some brushes, they are safe and dont damage the porcelain. But you have to find out one that is best for a porcelain grill.
What Is A Good Grill Brush
A good grill brush will not only depend on how well it cleans but also on the material of your grill. To summarise the features of a good grill brush:
- It should have properly woven bristles that do not fall off.
- It should have the ability to reach all corners of the grilling plates.
- The brush should be wide and thick to ensure the best cleaning results.
- The handle should not be too small or too long 18 is typically the perfect size.
- The brush head should be easily replaceable.
- Avoid bristles with plastic near them since they can melt and damage the brushs integrity.
Coming to the compatibility with grill material:
The grills made of stainless steel or cast iron gates can be cleaned with any type of brush. They are known to be strong enough for metal brushes and even for conventional brushes.
On the other hand, when cleaning a porcelain grill, it is best to use a bristle with a softer material like brass. This material will ensure that your grilling plates do not chip off easily.
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Other Nonwire Grill Brushes We Tested
Char Broil Nylon Bristle Grill Brush We found the Char Broil nylon bristle brush worked well when it came to cleaning the grill, but because of the material of the bristles, it can only be used on a cooled grill surface. The brush features lab-tested, extra-long red nylon bristles, which work well when cleaning, but we found they hold onto the gunk from your grill when youre finished. To ensure you arent making a mess on any surfaces once youre finished with this brush, and to avoid gunky buildup, this grill brush requires a thorough cleaning after each use.
EarthStone Grill Cleaning Block The EarthStone Grill Cleaning Block is exactly that and nothing more its a stone block that you use to clean the surface of your grill. The one we tested didnt come with a handle, which means that you need to hold it in your hand while cleaning the grill. It can be used on both warm and cold grill surfaces, but since your hand will be very close to the cooking grate, we would not advise using this on your grill until it is cooled down. The stone cleans well and removes gunk from the grill, but it leaves behind a white residue on both the grill surface and your hand. The stone is said to be made from recycled material that is nontoxic and chemical-free. You can opt to purchase an EarthStone cleaning block that comes with a handle, which wed recommend you do.
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How To Clean A Rusty Grill
If you see signs of rust anywhere on your grill, take action immediately to remove the rust before it spreads. But dont use a commercial rust remover, which can leave a chemical residue on the grill. Try scrubbing rusty areas on the interior with a heavy-duty scrubbing sponge and soapy water. For stainless exteriors, stick to a stainless steel cleaner designed for grills.
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How To Clean Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Grill Grates With Baking Soda
If you already have baking soda in a kitchen cupboard, why not make good use of it while trying to clean?
The texture of baking soda is perfect for removing dirt and grime stuck on grill grates.
After any barbeque, this solution is so simple that you might want to start using it.
If you dont have any vinegar with you, baking soda is a great alternative. For cleaning your porcelain-coated cast iron grill grates with baking soda, you will need:
- One cup of baking soda
- Half cup of water
- Nylon or brass bristle brush
- Hose or bucket of water and washcloth
Best For Cast Iron Grates: Grillart Grill Brush And Scraper
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Scraper can be harsh on coated grates
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Possible for bristles to break
The GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper has three separate brushes arranged side-by-side, which allows you to clean a large swath of the grill easier and faster. The stainless steel bristles can scrape off sticky sauce residue or burned bits of food with ease, and theyre flexible enough to fit between the grill grates to clean both the top and sides with a single swipe. The brush also has a scraper that comes in handy when cleaning a griddle or tight spaces of your grillbut our tester warned it can get in the way a little bit when cleaning a grill’s interior.
This brush is sturdy enough for long-term use on all types of grill grates, including porcelain-enameled cast iron or seasoned cast-iron grates. Our tester found it worked well on all types of grills, such as the inside lid of a kamado. Rounding out the impressive features is an 18-inch handle that has a non-slip grip for comfortable use. As an extra bonus, our reviewer found the dense bristles hold oil well so you can use it to season hot grates and before cooking.
The Spruce / Donna Currie
Dimensions: 18 x 3 inches | Weight: 12.6 ounces | Brush Material: Stainless steel
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Which Type Of Grill Brushes Should You Use For Porcelain Enameled Grates
Porcelain-enameled grates are often a popular choice for many people. Because they offer an attractive, easy-to-clean surface. Unfortunately, porcelain-enameled grates can be difficult to clean and maintain if you use the wrong type of grill brush.
This is why it is important to know what types of grill grate brushes should be used for porcelain-enameled grates. Only two kinds of brush are suitable for this. They are:
- Wireless grill Brushes
You can use these brushes without any problem.
Manual Vs Automated Brushes
Now you know that stainless steel brushes are the way to go for your grill, you now need to think about how you’ll use them. Traditionally, the best way to clean a grill was to do it manually. This takes time and a lot of effort, but it helps to get the grill sparkling clean after a cook out. Many times though, you just don’t want to do that. It’s especially true when you want to spend time with the loved ones you’ve cooked for. Who wants to be slaving over cleaning the grill when you could be enjoying yourself?
That’s why grill cleaning robots, such as the Grillbot, are becoming so popular. These robots function very much in the same way as a Roomba vacuum cleaner. You set them down on the grill, push the button, and they get to cleaning. Rotating brushes on the bottom of the robot scrub the grill down for you, so you don’t have to.
The great thing about these robots is that you can choose the kind of brushes that you put on them, too. Taking Grillbot again as an example, you can put brass, nylon, or stainless steel brushes on them. You can customize the way your grill cleaning robot works dependent on the type of grill you have.
As you own a cast iron grill, the best option for you is the stainless steel brushes. Attach these to your cleaning robot, set it, and walk away. You won’t have to do all the hard work, but your grill will still get sparkling clean with it.
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Get Your Grates Beautiful With Ammonia
Believe it or not, ammonia is perhaps the most effective gas stove grate cleaner around. Use ammonia to clean clothes or coins as well as all sorts of outdoor tasks.
On top of everything else, it makes your stove grates look like new. Always wear gloves and safety gear when working with ammonia, and always work in a well-ventilated area with fans running and windows open.
- Large Ziploc bag or garbage bag
- Gloves
- Safety glasses or goggles
Don all safety equipment. Pour the ammonia in the plastic bag or trash bag, and place the grates in the bag and seal it. The ammonia fumes will do the cleaning, so make sure that the grates are not soaking in the ammonia when you put the bag down.
Be sure there are no leaks. Wait for ten to twelve hours, then unseal the bag. You should be able to rinse almost all grime and dirt off under warm water.
