We are reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Nerdy Science in the Kitchen

Best Porcelain Grilling Brushes

Published:

Updated:


Make those sausages taste better. Clean your grill.
Make those sausages taste better. Clean your grill.

Looking for a grill brush for your porcelain grates? You’re in the right place!

One of the most overlooked aspects of grilling the perfect steak is the cleanliness of your grill grates. If you do not properly clean your grill, your taste-buds will suffer.

My Favorite Brush? Take a look at the Brushtech at Amazon.

The old grease left over from your last barbecue will sneak its way into your food leaving an unpleasant carbon taste.

Porcelain grill grates are excellent for conducting heat and producing an even cook. But they do require a little bit of extra care when cleaning them. That is why I have put together a review of a few cleaning brushes for your grill grates to ensure a delicious, even cook every time you barbecue.

Caution

Before we begin, it is important to remember that porcelain grill grates should never be cleaned with metal bristles. The bristles can scratch the porcelain off, exposing the metal of the grate to moisture and causing it to rust over time. Each of the brushes I have laid out here is safe for use on porcelain

Alpha Grillers Grill Brush

Alpha Grillers 18" Grill Brush. Best BBQ Cleaner. Safe for All Grills. Durable & Effective. Stainless Steel Wire Bristles and Stiff Handle. A for Barbecue Lovers.

View on Amazon

This is a heavy duty big brush that is sure to get the job done. This brush is safe to use on all surfaces including Porcelain. This brush has 3 times the surface area of your standard grill brush.

The brush has enough stainless steel bristles that you will be able to clean your grill much faster and efficiently than compared to other grill brushes.

Alpha Grillers are so confident you will be pleased with this brush, that they even offer you a 1-year 100% Money Back Guarantee.

Is this the brush for your grill?

Yes, it is. No matter what type of grill you may have, this brush is for you. This brush can clean the grill while the grill is warm or cold.

The brush is very, very affordable for any budget and when it has a year 100% Money Back Guarantee for an entire year, it would seem you have absolutely nothing to lose by buying one of these brushes.

Unicook Clean Nylon Grill Brush

Unicook Outdoor Grill Brush, Heavy Duty Nylon BBQ Cleaning Brush, Removable Head XL Gas Grill Cleaner, Durable and Effective, Best Alternative to Dangerous Wire Brush, Do Not Use on Hot/Warm Grill

View on Amazon

A simple, yet useful product that will handle all your cleaning needs and keep your grill in optimal condition. I like the stiff nylon bristles. They are sturdy enough to remove the carbon build-up from your last barbecue while still being soft enough to maintain the integrity of the porcelain coating.

This brush is designed to clean while the grill is cold, which is essential when cleaning with nylon. Do not use this brush if the grill is still hot. Use this with a biodegradable grill cleaner and the clean up should be easy enough.

Includes a tool hook that can help lift the hot grid and can also be hung up and stored with other tools easily.

Is this the brush for your grill?

If all you need is a simple brush that can get the job done, the answer is yes. This brush is not for you if you have a cast iron or stainless steel grate for your grill. Cast iron grates need a stiffer bristle than what is offered here. So if you use cast iron, go for a brush with stainless steel bristles. Also be aware that cleaning a cold surface will require more scrubbing than cleaning a hot one.

Brushtech BBQ Brush & Porcelain BBQ Rack Cleaner

Brushtech B407C Double Helix Bristle Free BBQ Brush, 16-Inch

View on Amazon

This is the type of brush that most grill manufacturers recommend. The Brushtech barbecue brush will contour to the shape of your grill. You get the most thorough clean with the least amount of scrubbing. The spiral pattern lets you scrub the porcelain without worrying about tearing up the coating.

I like this brush because it is stainless steel wire so you can use it on a hot grill. Cleaning a hot grill is significantly less work. I also enjoy the smaller barbecue rack cleaner that lets you scrape the caked on barbecue sauce. Before cleanup, I would recommend spraying some water on the grill while it’s still hot. Spraying the grate will give you a steaming effect to help remove the grit that built up over your cook.

Is this the brush for your grill?

In short, the answer is yes. There is a reason that grill manufacturers have been recommending these brushes for so long. The durability, combined with the flexibility of the brush itself, makes it an all-around excellent product. Every pit pro should have this in his/her toolbox. But if you are still apprehensive about using metal bristles to clean your porcelain you can look elsewhere.

Hungry yet? I found the best meat injector for BBQing.

Grill Daddy GL13186C Grand Platinum Steam Grill Brush

Grill Daddy GL13186C Grand Platinum Steam Grill Brush, 20", Gray

View on Amazon

The concept behind this grill brush is to harness the power of steam to help you clean your grill. Steam means you won’t have to put too much elbow grease into it.

This safety clean version of the Grill Daddy has a patented bristle lock technology. It is safe to use on porcelain grates.

It works by filling up the reservoir with water. Then, when you press the brush down on the grill, it releases the right amount of water to create a steaming effect. The steam breaks up all the caked-on grease. Much easier to get your grill ready for your next cook.

I like that this brush lets you clean the grill without having to spray it down with chemicals. It also has ergonomic handles that let you keep your hands away from the heat while scrubbing. That said, it is on the higher side of what you might expect to pay for a grill brush. I’m not sure that it’s a necessity to have a steam cleaner for your grill.

Is that grill clean enough? It will be with a good brush.
Is that grill clean enough? It will be with a good brush.

Is this brush for your grill?

Are you the type of person that likes to have all the gadgets available for your barbecue? Do you not mind paying a little extra for them? This might be a product you enjoy. If your primary objective is to have a good brush that simply cleans, I won’t go for this one. You can always get the same effect by spraying the grill with water while cleaning it.

Check out this post on the best fish basket for the grill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Char-Broil Cool Clean Steel Scraper Long Hand Grill Brush be replaced?

The brush head over time will become more bristled and frayed and not be as effective for cleaning. The heads are fully replaceable but can cost almost as much as a brand new brush. I would recommend shopping around for the heads to find a head that is cheaper than buying an entirely new brush.

Am I supposed to clean Char-Broil Cool Clean Steel Scraper Long Hand Grill Brush after using it?

Yes, you should be cleaning the brush after each use. This will allow the bristles to be fully clear and exposed so you will have an easier and more effective job cleaning the grill. You can clean this brush a number of ways. The dishwasher is an easy way and is perfectly safe to put the brush in there. Putting the brush in a bucket of soap and water and swishing it around. Running it under a tap or better yet a high powered hose.

Can I use different Char-Broil brush heads with this brush?

No. You must use the exact same name and type of Char-Broil brush head as the replacement. Other names and model numbers will not work, even if they are Char-Broil brush heads. If you have a Char-Broil Cool Clean Nylon Bristle Grill Brush, you must then replace the head with a Char-Broil Cool Clean Nylon Bristle Grill Brush head. No other head will work or fit the brush.

Does the Brushtech BBQ Brush & Porcelain BBQ Rack Cleaner rust?

The manufacturer claims it to be stainless steel, however, many reports have found that this cleaner will rust over time depending on how you handle the brush. If you never clean it, leave it outside all the time there will be some rust. Especially if left outside in a hot sunny climate with lots of rain.

Is the Brushtech BBQ Brush & Porcelain BBQ Rack dishwasher safe?

Yes, Brushtech has confirmed it is indeed dishwasher safe. A concern might be the wooden part of the brush, but rest assured it is completely fine to put it in the dishwasher. A dishwasher is not necessary to clean this brush and rinsing the brush off with a hose or using paper towels will be enough to have this brush good and ready for its next clean.

Does the Grill Daddy grill brush come with any spare brushes?

The Grill Daddy does not come with any spare brushes, these are however cheap and easy to replace. You should not need to replace them until after a number of cleans. This is a heavy duty cleaner that can clean even the most disgusting of grills. The heads are also relatively cheap in comparison to the cost of the brush.

Do the Grill Daddy bristles fall out after cleaning?

No, the bristles do not fall out. For the most part. You should not expect to see any of the bristles fall out for quite a few cleans. How many cleans? I think this will depend on how grimy and dirty your grill is each time you clean it. Are you cleaning your grill every time you use it? How often do you use your grill? These are all things that will factor into how long it will take for bristles to fall out. Practically all brushes will have bristles fall out eventually and this one does a very good job of not doing that for as long as possible. Even with heavy use, I would not expect bristles to fall out for many months of consistent use. When this happens it is easy and affordable to buy another head.

Does the Grill Daddy come with any batteries?

The Grill Daddy grill brush is not battery operated or does it plug into the wall. It is powered by your arm! The water will go into the tank of this brush and slowly dribble out as you clean the grill. The steam comes from your grill is heated and the water dripping onto it. I don’t think this is a necessary feature when cleaning your grill. You could even drip your own water onto the grill and achieve the same steam effect.

Can I buy replacement brush heads for Alpha Grillers Grill Brush?

At this time Alpha Grillers is not selling or offering replacement heads. They are confident with the quality of their product and that you will not need to replace the head until the brush, like all grill brushes, breaks down. You are guaranteed to get a full year to use this brush or your money back.

How can I clean Alpha Grillers Grill Brush?

You can clean this brush a number of ways. Alpha Grillers has confirmed it is in fact dishwasher safe, however, the strap could shrink a little bit. A dishwasher is not necessary to clean this brush and you can rinse the brush off with water under a tap or a hose. You could also just use paper towels to have this brush good and ready for its next clean.

Final Words

Nothing says summertime fun like some drinks and good food with friends and family. Neglecting to take the time to properly care for your grill, you will quickly find that your food will suffer. But if you make sure to give it a thorough clean after each meal, you will have less carbon build up, resulting in higher quality meals. And as a bonus, you won’t have any pests hanging around your barbecue in between cooks.

So make sure you protect your investment, get a brush, and keep your meals tasting like they were prepared with brand new equipment.

Ready for a recipe?
Here’s one for smoked salmon. And one for salmon on the grill.

Not feeling like busting out the grill? I’ll show you how to make brats without the grill.

Additional Resources