Thousands of pitmasters swear by the Grill Rescue brush—and for good reason.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
Picture this: You’re enjoying a perfectly grilled hamburger and an ice-cold lemonade on your patio on a balmy summer evening. Sounds relaxing, right? And it is—until you go to clean the grill and realize that old wire bristle brush you’ve been using for years just isn’t going to cut it. Fortunately, the Grill Rescue brush exists, and it’s a game-changer for backyard barbecuing.
The Grill Rescue brush, which is safer and more effective than its bristled counterparts, has gone viral on social media as one of the best grill accessories—and you should definitely snag it for yourself this summer. In fact, we love it so much that our Product Testing Team awarded it the top spot in our determination of the best grill brushes. So what makes this barbecue brush such an essential tool for grillers? Let’s take a closer look.
TMB STUDIO
Grill Rescue
Wire-free and bristle-free for versatile cleaning of various grill surfaces and stubborn stains.
What is the Grill Rescue brush?
It might not come as much of a surprise that a firefighter invented this handy grill brush. Its head is made of heat-resistant aramid fiber (the same material used in firefighter gear) and covered in Kevlar for added strength. The brand claims the handle is equally tough—you can even drive over it with a truck without breaking it. This versatile tool works on gas grills, charcoal grills, pellet grills and flat-top griddles.
Using the Grill Rescue brush is simple. Heat your grill to at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit, soak the head in water and then scrub down the grill top. As you wipe, the steam loosens up debris and crusted-on food, thoroughly cleaning the area without leaving residue or grease behind.
How We Tested the Rescue Grill Brush
It’s no secret that wire grill brushes are dangerous. The sharp bristles can break off and end up in your food, which landed about 1,700 Americans in the emergency room from 2002 to 2014, according to one study. Thanks to the Grill Rescue brush’s bristle-free design, you don’t have to worry about that.
The brush is just as effective as it is safe, too. Because it uses steam, it cleans grills better, quicker and easier than wire grill brushes—without all the effort and endless scrubbing. The head is also dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to maintain and keep in peak condition. But if you ever find that the tool has seen better days, you can purchase a replacement head to go with your existing handle.
There is even more to love: Grill Rescue donates a portion of its proceeds to fire, military and police foundations.
Product Testing Team Tests
Our Product Testing Team followed the manufacturer’s instructions for using the brush. After grilling barbecue ribs and steak, we tested it against 11 other grill brushes. Testers used the grill brushes on dirty grates and noted cleanliness after 30 seconds and again after one minute.
Our product testing team was so impressed with its performance that they placed it in the best overall category on our list of the best grill brushes.
“The brush is lightweight, easy to use and by far my favorite cleaning method. Having a scraper is also useful,” says tester Sheri Kaz. “The squishy sponge cleans the edges, and the attached scraper can get rid of chunks of debris lodged in the grooves of the grates.”
Grill Rescue Brush Review Testing Update
Long-term tester and Prep Kitchen Manager Catherine Ward used the Grill Rescue for about two years before the fabric eventually wore out and she switched to another cleaning method. (Note: Grill Rescue does have replacement heads). She was happy with the brush during the testing period despite the fabric getting discolored. She thought the tool was effective even on messy grates. “I was a bit skeptical about using it on the hot grates, but it doesn’t harm the fabric and makes quick work of cleaning the grates,” she says.
Catherine especially liked the metal scraper at the top of the brush, which she found useful for getting any bits stuck between the grates. While she wished there was a hole at the end of the handle with a loop for hanging, she found storing it in a bucket of water in her laundry tub worked fine. (Note: There is an attachment that you can purchase separately for the Grill Rescue’s handle so you can hang it from the side of your grill, but at $13, we don’t blame you if you skip it.)
Barbara Bellesi Zito, a Taste of Home Shopping Writer, also got the chance to try Grill Rescue. “My husband is the resident grill master, but I have no problem taking on cleanup duties with the Grill Rescue. At first, the handle seems ridiculously long, but it’s for a good reason: It makes it easy to scrub the hot grill without getting too close. When he’s finished grilling, I just go out with a container of water, dunk the brush and go to work.” She notes that the yellow brush head will look rather grimy after use, but it’s super easy to detach the head and pop it into the dishwasher to get it clean again.
Pros
- Uses steam to clean without any wire bristles
- Ergonomic, lightweight handle
- Replacement heads available
- Squishy sponge cleans the edges of the grates
- Attached scraper for cooked-on bits
- Wash by hand, in the dishwasher or by hose
Cons
- You have to purchase a hook hanger separately
- Pricey, but frequently on sale
Grill Cleaner Brush Product Comparison
Grill Rescue vs. Grill Rescue Pro
The Grill Rescue Pro is an upgraded version of the Grill Rescue. According to the company, it holds 50% more water, further increasing its steam-cleaning power. Additionally, it features denser foam and a thicker aramid fiber, which should help the brush last longer. The inclined scraper is positioned in the opposite way from the original brush, which may make it easier to scrape and clean. It also has a built-in hanger for easy storage. There’s also one optimized for cleaning grill grates.
Grill Rescue vs. GrillArt
The GrillArt brush is very similar to the Grill Rescue brush. It’s different in that it features a textured brush head, which the brand claims enhances cleaning via friction. We haven’t tried it, so we can’t say for sure whether it cleans better than the Grill Rescue or not.
Grill Rescue vs. BBQ Daddy
BBQ Daddy comes from the popular Scrub Daddy brand. When we tested it, we noticed that it requires much less elbow grease than other grill brushes, which we were pleased about. The mesh fitting over a spongey interior is honestly genius: It combines the scraping power of a traditional wire grill brush with the safety of modern brushes. It could use a thinner or more maneuverable handle to make it easy to fit into narrow areas (like a gas grill’s upper grates), but that’s really our only complaint. Plus, it comes at a much lower price point than the Grill Rescue brush. Taste of Home editor Paul Rankin is a huge fan of this easy-to-use gadget. “Love the little handle on it. You can really scrub,” he says.
Where To Buy the Grill Rescue Brush
You can snag the Grill Rescue brush on Amazon or Walmart , as well as on the Grill Rescue website. It’s the perfect excuse to fire up the Weber barbecue and whip up one of these easy grill recipes—after all, you have to test out how well it cleans, right?
TMB STUDIO
Grill Rescue
Wire-free and bristle-free for versatile cleaning of various grill surfaces and stubborn stains.
FAQ
Is Grill Rescue worth the money?
In our opinion, yes, the Grill Rescue brush is worth the money. Our prep kitchen manager found it easy to use and effective, and loves the peace of mind that comes with using a safer option compared to a wire grill brush. Despite its fabric construction, it cleaned our test kitchen grills incredibly well—comparable to traditional grill brushes, even after cooking up racks of barbecue ribs.
We have come across some reviews from unhappy customers saying they never got their product or they were disappointed in the quality. However, our product tester, who has had the Grill Rescue brush for over a year now, maintains that it has been an excellent tool in her grilling arsenal. “It’s a great performer if used properly,” she says. “It has to be wet when used to clean the grill and the grates need to be hot. I found that the fabric held up really well.”
How long does Grill Rescue last?
According to Grill Rescue, the brush head can last between 25 and 100 uses. We know—that’s a big range. But the lifespan of the brush depends entirely on what exactly you’re cleaning up with it. The gunkier your messes, the shorter the lifespan of your brush, generally speaking. One of our testers found that the fabric wore out after about a year, but she notes that she grills three to four times per week, and thus cleans with it three to four times per week. It will likely last much longer for the occasional griller.
How to clean a grill with Grill Rescue?
The Grill Rescue instructions are incredibly simple. Dip it in water and use it on a hot grill to steam away debris. Easy peasy!
How do I clean the Grill Rescue brush?
Like the BBQ Daddy, the Grill Rescue brush is easy to maintain. Soapy water and hand-washing did the trick for our Product Testing Team. The cover may stain from the grease after use, but that doesn’t affect performance. You can also put it in the top rack of your dishwasher.
How do I remove the Grill Rescue head?
According to Grill Rescue’s user manual, remove the cleaning head by pressing on the locking clips on the side of the cleaning head. They note that sometimes it is easier to just press in on one of the locking clips with your thumb while using your other hand and fingers as support.
Can you use Grill Rescue on Blackstone?
You can use the Grill Rescue brush on nearly any type or brand of grill, including Blackstone. The only thing to keep in mind is that the grill must still be hot for it to work properly.
Can you use Grill Rescue on charcoal?
Why You Should Trust Us
Our testing team has three years of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best flower delivery services. Many of us have backgrounds in kitchen and culinary careers ourselves. The remainder of our team are passionate home cooks who want to recommend the best products using honest and fair testing practices. Regardless of how popular or big the brand is, we would never recommend a product we don’t love.
