Grill Rescue Brush Review
Can this bristle-free grill brush tackle crusty burger remains? We tried it
Credit:
Reviewed / Samantha Mangino
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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Grill Rescue Brush
Pros
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Bristle-free
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Heat resistant
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Dishwasher-safe
Cons
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Requires water
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Requires lots of scrubbing
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After a friend told me about finding a grill brush wire in their food as a kid, I immediately threw out my grill brush in terror. Since then, determined not to have a similar experience, I’ve been roughing it, DIY-ing makeshift grill brushes, like using half an onion on a grilling fork.
And then this safer, more effective option—the Grill Rescue Brush (available at Amazon) —caught my attention.
The Grill Rescue brush uses steam to wipe away all the crusty build-up that ends up on grill grates. The soft, sponge-like head is bristle-free, making it a hazard-free choice. Plus, once you’re done cleaning the grill, just toss the brush head in the dishwasher to give it a clean of its own.
The downside is the brush needs to be completely drenched in water to use, which may be difficult to come by near the grill, depending on your set-up.
You know I tried it—all summer long while cooking burgers, dogs, and skewers in my backyard. Read on for my first-hand experience with the Grill Rescue Brush.
About the Rescue Grill Brush
Having to haul a wet grill brush down the hallway and outside is a bit of a bummer.
Invented by former firefighters, the Grill Rescue brush cleans without any bristles. The long-handled brush looks like a normal grill brush, but the wires on the head are replaced with a foam block covered in fire retardant aramid fiber. The head also has a metal scraper for those extra stuck-on messes.
To use, the brush head must first be soaked in water. On a grill that’s heated to 450°F (and then turned off), scrub the wet brush head over the grill grates. Once you’re finished cleaning, the brush head is dishwasher-safe, so you can toss it in to get clean.
You can purchase replaceable brush heads online after yours has seen better days. It’s sold at major retailers including Amazon.
What we like
The detachable head of this grill brush is dishwasher safe.
It cleans without any bristles
Using the Grill Rescue brush on my grill provides effective, wire-free cleaning. After grilling some chicken that left behind lots of crust on the grill, I doused the brush head in water and ran it over the grates. All the debris loosened with steam and fell off the grates.
Since the foam head doesn’t get in between the grates like a bristle head might, I found I had to exert a little more force with the Grill Rescue brush than I would a traditional one. (Grill Rescue does have a grate brush head option, we just haven't tried it yet.) But having the metal scraper on the brush is helpful for any truly stuck-on bits that the steamy brush can't loosen.
The Grill Rescue brush is just as effective as a regular brush, and within minutes it had my grill looking refreshed.
It’s heat resistant
When you're dealing with lots of heat and an open flame, you want to be assured that your grilling tools are heat-proof. Luckily, the Grill Rescue brush is covered in aramid fiber that is fire retardant.
I typically use traditional grill brushes with the heat turned off, but the Grill Rescue brush requires the grill to still be on. However, I was impressed with how the fabric stayed totally unscorched by the heat and flame.
It’s dishwasher-safe
With bristle brushes, I’ll admit I never gave them a very thorough cleaning. But since the foam head is more sponge-like, it feels important to clean it. The fabric gets fairly stained with black char that it’s wiping away from your grill, but it’s easy to get it cleaned since you can just toss it in the dishwasher.
The foam head unclips from the brush handle so it’s more manageable to wash. Once it’s clean and dry you just clip it back into use.
What we don’t like
It requires water, which may be hard to come by near the grill (depending on your set-up)
Having to haul a wet grill brush down the hallway and outside is a bit of a bummer.
The biggest downside to the Grill Rescue brush is that it requires water. While I wish I had a backyard setup with a sink or hose close by, I don’t. So it was a bit of a pain soaking the grill brush inside and then bringing it outside.
If you don’t have a hose nearby, the best solution is to bring a bowl of water outside, so you can soak it right before use.
It doesn’t have the gripping power of traditional grill brushes
The foam brush head of the Grill Rescue brush has one downside: It’s flat. The bristled head of a traditional grill brush provides a spiky surface to get in and around grates which the Grill Rescue brush just can’t do. However, there is that option of the grate cleaning head, which could potentially remedy that issue.
The traditional Grill Rescue brush can offer a comparable clean to a traditional brush, but I do think it requires some more elbow grease to get there.
Should you buy the Grill Rescue brush?
The Grill Rescue brush is a fantastic wire-free option.
Yes, it’s a smart option for safer grilling
The Grill Rescue brush is a phenomenal option if you’re looking for a bristle-free grill brush. The steam power and foam brush head work together to wipe away grease and debris from grill grates.
The flame resistant brush head is sturdy against the grill’s heat, and throwing it in the dishwasher after use keeps it extra sanitary. While it is a pain to get the brush head wet before use, it’s worth it to get a wire-free clean.
The Grill Rescue brush is a superb option to clean your grill without any wire bristles in sight.
$40 at Amazon
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