Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 9 Best Grill Cleaners to Keep Your Grill Spotless

It’s grilling season again, which means it’s time to top off the propane (or grab a bag of charcoal, we’re not here to start a fight), dust off your barbecue toolkit, and crank up the heat for every dad’s favorite way to cook. But before you tie those apron strings, you’re going to need to clean your grill. It doesn’t matter how expertly you season your steaks, how perfectly you prepare the vegetables, or the family secret in your burger grind — a dirty grill will ruin the most expertly planned barbecue. Cleanliness is next to godliness, they say, meaning you can’t call yourself a grilling god unless your grate is immaculate.

Related Guides

Luckily, there are products on the market that take a lot of the elbow grease (and regular grease) out of grill-cleaning. There’s no sense spending money on dry-aged steaks just to have them ruined by a sooty grill-top, and we’ve rounded up the best products on the market to take the guess-work out of grill cleaning.

Best Overall: Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

Carbona 2-in-1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

Quick, effective, and easy to use, this cleaning solution is applied in a simple 3-step process. It comes with a bag and disposable gloves for your convenience as well. A star feature is that you don’t need to turn on your grill at all. You can even clean more than one rack at a time, saving you a grueling chore after cooking. This cleaner is just as effective on stainless steel as it is on iron grill grates. Why overcomplicate it? The Carbona cleaner is ideal for those who just want to keep it simple.

Best Brush: Grill Art Stainless Steel Brush and Scraper

Grill Art Stainless Steel Brush and Scraper

Stubborn stains wearing you out after grilling a delicious meal? If stubborn food is giving you grief, you’ll be grateful for this particular brush. Designed with both a scraper and bristle pad, this tool is made for deep cleaning. The bristles give a 360-degree rotation when getting those hard-to-reach gaps. The handle is comfortable to grip, meaning you don’t have to apply as much pressure for a thorough cleaning.

Best for Smaller Grills: OXO Good Grips Ultimate Brush

OXO Good Grips Ultimate Brush

If you are using an indoor grill, and want a non-abrasive brush on those non-stick surfaces, this little purchase is just the thing. This brush is safe to use up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The rubber-lined handle is comfortable and easy to grip. Since the wiper blade is silicone, rinsing the brush when you’re done using it is an easy task. An added bonus, this is a fantastic brush for waffle cleaners and griddles as well.

Best Spray: Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner

Citrusafe BBQ Grill Cleaner

This bottle is a miracle worker, and is just as versatile as your grilling. Grills, cookers, and smokers and smoker-grill combos can be cleaned with this spray after cooling down. It is non-corrosive and non-toxic, so you won’t have to stress over harmful residue giving your next steak a chemical seasoning. Who knew a grill cleaner could smell good? The formula has a citrus base, and was engineered for a deeper clean.

Best for Grill Grates: Char-Broil Cool Clean Nylon Grill Brush

Char-Broil Cool Clean Nylon Grill Brush

The part you dread — scraping and scraping those charred grates — has just gotten a lot easier. The Char-Broil brush has uniquely angled, abrasive bristles to get around and under the grate’s rods. Removable and replaceable heads can be popped on in seconds. Whether you prefer to clean your grill hot or after it has cooled, you’re covered, because the multi-blade scraper can do both.

Best for Stainless Steel Grills: Method Stainless Steel Clean and Polish

Method Stainless Steel Clean and Polish

Even if your food of choice to grill isn’t plant-based, this cleaner is. Method uses a formula that is both surface-safe and biodegradable. If you have a stainless steel hood, this will take off smudges and fingerprints, leaving everything looking just like new. Packed with a pleasant apple vanilla scent, you don’t need to pinch your nose at strong chemical clouds as you spray.

Best for Gas Grill: Easy-Off BBQ Grill Cleaner

Easy-Off BBQ Grill Cleaner

Gas grills are a favorite option among outdoor chefs. However, they can tend to carry a lot of buildup. Easy-Off holds true to its name, as it is famously tough on grease and burnt residue. It dissolves the gunk you don’t want, leaving you with the easy job of simply wiping everything off afterwards. You don’t even need a grill brush! Just spray, let it sit, and wipe.

Best Low-Cost: Weber 12-Inch Bamboo Grill Brush

Weber 12-Inch Bamboo Grill Brush

Often, simple is better. You don’t need to drop a fortune on elaborate cleaners, you just need a basic tool to do the job. The Weber brush is made with a narrow scraper on the end, which is curved to fit perfectly along grate rods. An added bonus — renewable materials are used in the bamboo handle. Bamboo is famously resilient and sturdy. And don’t worry, these bristles don’t rust or leave deposits.

Best High-End: Stainless Steel Steam Cleaning Grill Brush

Sharper Image

For those that incorporate grilling into their life as a regular event, no matter the season, this Sharper Image brush is the ultimate cleaning necessity. You are investing in the longevity of your grill. This brush is designed to use your grill’s existing heat to make steam and easily break loose all food or grease particles in seconds. It works on any grill type, and comes with perfectly calibrated steel bristles.

Editors' Recommendations

The best ginger ale brands to sip on or mix with
Looking for the best ginger ale? Our top picks
best ginger ale brands organic soda

Bartenders understand the value of a good ginger ale. It can be combined with spirits for some memorable cocktails like a Dark 'n Stormy or Scotch and Ginger Highball. It can also serve as the base for some great zero-proof mocktails if you're in the midst of dry January or just taking it easy. The best ginger ales are great on their own, offering a swift kick of herbaceous spice that awakens the palate.

Related Reading

Read more
Campbell’s Soup has an executive chef, and he’s dishing amazing tips and recipes
Did you know Campbell's Soup has an executive chef? Neither did we, but we chatted him up for culinary tips
Campbell's executive chef Bryan Cozzi.

When you think of Campbell's, you probably think of chicken noodle soup and Andy Warhol. Well, the classic American brand, founded back in 1869, also has a research and development team fit with culinary talent. Campbell's even has an executive chef, with whom we chatted about cooking, some special Cambell's Soup recipes, and general tips for an elevated eating experience.

Bryan Cozzi is an East Coast native and has been with Campbell's for a decade. He's helped the company innovate with fresh meals and sauces and currently focuses on soups and broth. After 10 years with Campbell's, he says he's still excited to go to work every day.

Read more
These are the 7 best Mexican restaurants this side of the border
There's no shortage of good Mexican restaurants here in the states — These are the very best
The Original Ninfa’s

Of the many truly great cuisines out there, Mexican must be in the mix. It belongs in the same breath as Italian and French, full of diversity, dynamism, incredible age-old recipes and techniques, and a lot of food that's just plain fun to eat.

Yes, our country is home to some fantastic Mexican restaurants, from family-friendly outposts to high-end establishments redefining the very genre. And it's not just happening in border states like Texas, Arizona, and California. There's great Mexican cuisine all over the United States.
So, while this is by no means the definitive list of best Mexican restaurants in the nation, it is a collection of some of the finest. If you’re looking for an iconic experience, authentic dishes, or simply a great a meal, these options will never disappoint.

Read more