Wire Grill Brushes Might Leave Behind Errant Bristles. Here's What You Can Use Instead.
A few Wirecutter-tested wire grill brush alternatives. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter
This wooden grill paddle is the best wire-free grate cleaner we've tested. The beveled edge takes on the pattern of your grill, becoming a custom scraper that hugs the grates.
The Great Scrape Woody Shovel is the best wire-free grate cleaner we've tested. The hardwood paddle's straight, tapered edge takes on the pattern of your grill's grates as you scrape along them while they're still hot. During testing, it effectively cleared sticky, cooked-on sauce as well as charred bits. And the handle provides a firm grip.
Breaking in the wooden shovel takes some patience, however. For the most effective cleaning, you'll need to exert sufficient pressure to create deeper grooves that really hug your grates. Cleaning staff writer Caroline Mullen uses Great Scrape's Woody Shovel to tackle tough, stuck-on bits. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter
Also, you can't use this tool on multiple grills, unless they have the same exact grill-grate pattern. So it's less versatile than a wire grill brush and the other options we've included in this list.
If you prefer stainless steel to a foam kitchen sponge, the Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubber performs similarly to a wire grill brush, albeit without the handle.
In our guide on how to clean a grill, Lesley recommends pairing the scrubber with 12-inch tongs to keep hands away from the heat. It's abrasive enough to rival a wire grill brush, but it's not as likely to leave traces of metal bristles behind. Still, if you use this scrubber, you should inspect your grill's grates to check for any stray pieces before cooking.
A wadded-up ball of aluminum foil can work in a pinch. However, we strongly advise against lining your grill with a sheet of aluminum foil to catch grease or using it as a tarp over the grill grates to help burn off stuck-on food bits. These actions could void your grill's warranty — and they're just dangerous.
According to Weber, placing aluminum foil inside a grill can restrict proper grease flow into the catch pan, potentially resulting in a grease fire or flare-up. Most grill warranties, including Weber's, won't cover what they call 'burn-through' damage, which is damage caused by excessive heat exposure (such as from a grease fire).
Two other wire-free, low-cost, effective scrubbing options include a scouring pad, like the Heavy Duty Scotch-Brite Scour Pad, and a Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge. (The Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge is Wirecutter's favorite sponge and one of our 18 must-have cleaning essentials.)
These cleaning tools are flexible, textured, and terrific for deep cleaning and getting into a grill's hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. 'It's tough enough to remove stuck-on grease, but it won't damage the more delicate parts of your grill,' said Lesley, who often relies on scouring pads when she' s cleaning grills.
Caroline's testing also confirmed that the Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge is a reliable grill-cleaning tool. She said she used it to deep-clean and scrub away built-up burger grease after a week's worth of consistent grilling. The Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge is a reliable wire grill-brush alternative that can get into all of the nooks and crannies of a grill's grates. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter
However, since scrubbing with a sponge or a scouring pad alone requires a good amount of elbow grease, Caroline recommends using it alongside Great Scrape's Woody Shovel.
Before going in with the sponge and hot, soapy water, use the wooden tool to dislodge any stuck-on pieces. Then, once a grill has cooled down, use the sponge and soapy water to scrub any remaining gunk off of the grates, body, and heat plates.
This pad brush is the best one for steam cleaning. Made with the same fabric found in firefighters' gear, it can be plunged into water and wiped over a hot grill, creating steam as you clean.
Not a one-and-done tool, the Grill Rescue Grill Brush should be used only after you scrape away stuck-on food with a wire brush or a wooden scraper. Otherwise, this brush's heat-resistant fabric pad will tear, and you'll have to order a replacement.
But as a secondary cleaner — and to wipe away any lingering wire bristles from a wire-brush scrubbing — this sponge-like brush efficiently clears away soot and loose debris. It is also sturdy, and it has an ergonomic, plastic handle. Marilyn Ong, Wirecutter's senior kitchen editor, has been using hers for two summers.
To use the Grill Rescue brush, dunk it in water, and then use it on still-hot grill grates. The wet sponge creates billows of steam that help soften any leftover food, soot, and grease, making it easier to wipe away. Use the Grill Rescue Grill Brush after you scrub your grates with a heavy-duty tool. For a steamy clean, dunk the brush in water. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter
This abrasive block of pumice can remove rust and corrosion from a griddle that's been left out in the elements.
To restore a grill that's been rusted or corroded, consider using a grill stone — a block of coarse pumice stone (yep, the same material that's used for exfoliation). In testing, we found that grill stones work best when they're run under water before they're used on a hot grill, but they can also be used dry and on cool grills.
Grill stones are safe for use with cast-iron and stainless steel grill grates and griddles, but they're not safe to use with grills with enameled cast-iron grates, whose surfaces could end up getting damaged. Blackstone, the cast-iron griddle manufacturer that makes our top griddle pick, does not recommend using a grill stone for daily cleaning, since it will strip your griddle of its seasoning. A grill stone is a great option for restoring grills and griddles that have been exposed to the elements for some time and show signs of rusting and corrosion. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter
Although a grill stone's wide, flat surface works well on griddles, we found that this wasn't the most effective way to clean cast-iron or stainless steel grill grates. A grill stone is meant to mold to the shape of your grill grates, but it requires outsize effort over several cleaning sessions to get it there, even with heat and water.
During testing, we also found that the grill stone left dust and debris on the grates. So we recommend that you wipe your grill with a wet rag or one of the other wire grill-brush alternatives on this list after using it.
This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Katie Okamoto. After testing more than 90 tools from grill brushes to chimney starters, we have recommendations for everything you need to barbecue with ease.
To keep your grill in working order, take time to do some simple cleaning tasks, as well as the occasional deep scrub-down, every time you cook.
To keep your grill ready for summer cookouts, cleaning is essential but tremendously annoying. This durable grill brush makes steam cleaning surprisingly easy.
You can't keep sponges forever! Here's how to know when to toss them.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
04-06-2025
- CNET
Pee-wee Herman's Documentary Lets Gen X Reflect on Our Quirky Childhood
Countless memes exist about how Gen X is a tough, often overlooked generation, and a million more about how we're also an apathetic generation (say whatever you want about us, I don't care). The whole "we drank from the hose and biked alone till dark" thing absolutely shaped many kids who grew up fiercely independent and resilient in the 1980s. But we were also one of the first generations to truly be babysat by TV and that also played a huge role in the lives of millions of lawless latchkey kids. It wasn't until I watched Pee-wee as Himself, the new two-part documentary on Max about the life and career of Paul Reubens, (aka Pee-wee Herman), that it hit me just how lucky we were to grow up at a time where a character like Pee-wee existed in the mainstream and the idea that something could be weird -- and embraced for that. Pee-wee's weirdness was obvious and evident in his films and on TV in Pee-wee's Playhouse. Here was this ageless man-child in a gray suit who lived alone, whose prized possession was his bike, who screamed every time a secret word was spoken. My household routinely ran out of Scotch tape as a result of my using it to stretch my face into some grotesque skin mask with an upturned nose, thanks to Pee-wee. The character seemed like someone who got to live out every kid's fantasy life, and that was the initial draw. He was aspirational in his silliness. But what the documentary makes clear is how deliberate Pee-wee's choices were, especially in the creation of his CBS Saturday morning TV show Pee-wee's Playhouse. This was a show that went out of its way to cast actors of color in prominent roles (including Law & Order star S. Epatha Merkerson and Laurence Fishburne, who both appear in the doc), and created an inclusive environment that embraced the unusual and eccentric. Nothing about any of that was by accident. Natasha Lyonne, who appeared on the show as a child, said being on the show "felt like permission to be myself." I'd like to think this permission to embrace what others might not consider "normal" is one reason why our generation identified so much with genres whose names speak volumes: alternative music, indie film, underground comedy. These things already existed, but ours was the generation that labeled them. How many other children's television shows cast androgynous disco star Grace Jones in their Christmas special? (The special also featured appearances from Charo, Joan Rivers, k.d. lang, Cher, Oprah Winfrey and Little Richard, an attempt to create multiple levels of entertainment for several generations. The Muppets did this too in a more vaudevillian-inspired way; Pee-wee took it to a much campier level.) Reubens says in the film, "I wanted kids to learn about being a non-conformist and what non-conformity was ... you can do the opposite of things, you can do whatever you want." Warner Bros. Discovery "I just put a lot of stuff in Pee-wee's Playhouse that I thought, 'Why not?'" he adds. This includes things like Pee-wee dancing in high heels and holding a marriage ceremony between himself and a bowl of fruit salad. (What's more fascinating is that while this stuff was considered offbeat at the time, it wasn't censored and didn't spark backlash the way that it potentially might today.) Pee-wee Herman was a performance art creation by an actor who chose not to ever appear as himself in public until much later in his career. It's because Paul Reubens never allowed anyone to get to know him and his creative process (a fact he expresses regret about in the film), and we didn't know at the time just how intentional and subversive he was being with his work. Reubens died in 2023 while still in the process of finishing interviews for the film and he struggled to relinquish creative control of the doc -- it's bittersweet to see him express his triumphs and regrets in these interviews and not get to see the completed product. I was a Pee-wee-loving kid, but after watching the documentary, I'm grateful that it was finished even in the wake of Reubens' death. It's a necessary bookend to Reubens' career; without it, I don't even know if I would have realized the impact he had on so many of us little weirdos.
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Forbes
The Top Blended Scotch Whisky From The 2025 IWSC Judging
A glass of Scotch whisky The International Wine and Spirit Competition is one of the world's largest and oldest spirits competition. It is also among the most extensive judgings of Scotch whisky globally. The IWSC has just released its 2025 Scotch whisky judging results. Below are backgrounds and tasting notes on the three Blended Scotch Whisky contenders for the coveted Scotch Whisky Trophy. The winner will be announced on November 12 at the IWSC Gala in London. Black Bottle Captain's Cask is a blended Scotch whisky that brings together the tradition of smoky, peated whisky with the versatility of blended Scotch. It's named for the maritime heritage that inspired the blend, symbolizing the journey of whisky casks across the seas. Produced by CVH Spirits, this distinctive smoky expression showcases a blend of different malt and grain whiskies, with a notable emphasis on peated expressions. The whisky is bold and smoky on the nose, featuring a persistent, cold peat smoke. Subtle hints of honey, vanilla, and dried fruit notes, especially raisins and figs, provide sweetness to counterbalance the smoke. Additional roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and a subtle iodine/seaweed maritime note add complexity. On the palate, the peat smoke is pronounced but well-integrated. The whisky is sweet, with a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel that showcases earthy notes, caramel, dark chocolate, and a hint of dried fruits. It's slightly savory, evoking its coastal origins, with underlying flavors of roasted coffee and toasted almonds. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of peat smoke, honey, vanilla, and a hint of oak spice. John Dewar & Sons, an iconic name in the Scotch whisky industry, is known for creating exceptional blended whiskies. The "Double Double" in the name reflects the double maturation process. The whisky undergoes two phases of aging, each in a different type of cask. The lightly peated character lends the whisky a hint of smokiness, complemented by the smoothness from the cask finishes. The nose is complex, featuring dried fruit notes of raisins, apricots, and dates, interwoven with honey, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and a hint of floral potpourri. A subtle smokiness from the lightly peated malt adds depth, while a touch of oak provides a rich, woody backbone. On the palate, the whisky is rich, sweet, and creamy, showcasing notes of caramel, dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of ginger. As the whisky develops, the lightly peated character emerges, adding a smoky undertone without overpowering the other flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering caramel and vanilla. The smokiness gently fades, leaving behind a dry, slightly spicy aftertaste. The Double Double 38 YO Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a tribute to the art of blending, where multiple single malts are combined to create a complex and layered whisky. It's unpeated, highlighting the richness and complexity from extended maturation in oak casks. The "Double Double" process refers to the whisky's maturation in two different types of casks, each contributing its nuances. The whisky is rich, aromatic, and slightly floral on the nose, featuring dried fruit aromas of dark cherries, figs, and raisins, along with notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla. Oak-derived spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of clove, add complexity, while the cask finish introduces a subtle note of roasted nuts and light wood smoke. On the palate, the whisky is smooth and complex, with a distinctive weight and mouth-coating quality. Roasted nuts, dark chocolate, a subtle spiciness from the oak, and a slight savory character follow the initial sweetness of caramel and dried fruits. The oak influence becomes more pronounced as the whisky develops, offering a warm, woody character with hints of leather and tobacco. The finish is long and complex, with lingering flavors of dried fruit, oak, and a light spice. Each of these whiskies is outstanding, offering distinct and complex profiles that appeal to both seasoned whisky enthusiasts and beginners. The Black Bottle Captain's Cask offers a robust peated character. The Double Double 32 YO provides a lighter, more balanced smoky profile, while the Double Double 38 YO provides a rich, unpeated experience full of maturity and complexity. All are worth trying, and if you like them, adding them to your whisky collection.
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Forbes
Top Scotch Whisky Winners From The 2025 SF World Spirits Competition
The 2025 SFWSC Finalists in the Single Malt Scotch Whisky 20 Years & Older category Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a cornerstone in the world of Scotch Whisky, is one of the most extensive and prestigious judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow its results, as they often set the standard for excellence in the industry. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the whiskey industry, will announce the winners on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Here are the finalists! From a diverse pool of several hundred entries, the distinguished panel of judges, comprising some 60 in total, has selected a range of finalists. These include five blended, four blended malts, and 20 single malt Scotch whiskies, each with its unique character and flavor profile. From these finalists will emerge the coveted title of World's Best Blended Scotch Whisky, Best Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, and Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and ultimately the highest prize of all: World's Best Scotch Whisky. The variety and quality of these finalists are sure to pique your interest. The 2025 SFWSC Blended Scotch Whisky Finalists in the No Age Statement category. Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Blended Scotch is a mix of grain whisky and single malt whisky. The Scotch Whisky Association, the industry's regulatory body, does not specify the proportions in the blend. Generally speaking, the higher the proportion of single malt in the blend, the more flavorful the whisky tends to be. The single malt portion of a blended whisky can range from as little as 10% to as much as 50% of the final blend. Under SWA rules, a no-age-statement whisky does not disclose the age of the youngest component of the blend. However, under SWA regulations, a whisky must be aged for a minimum of three years before it can carry the designation Scotch Whisky. Hence, a NAS whisky is guaranteed to be at least 3 years old. Most NAS whiskies are considerably older than the minimum three-year aging requirement. For a brief background and detailed tasting notes of the Blended Scotch Whisky finalists from the 2025 SFWSC, see SF World Spirits Competition Reveals Top Blended Scotch Whisky. The Finalists in the Blended Malt Scotch Whisky category at the 2025 SFWSC Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Blended malt is a mix of single malt Scotch whiskies. Unlike a single malt, which is a malt whisky from a single distillery, blended malts are a mix of malt whiskies from more than one distillery. The practice harkens back to the early days of the Scotch whisky industry when independent blenders created their whiskies by mixing single malt whisky from several distilleries. For background and detailed tasting notes on each of the Blended Malt Scotch Whisky finalists, see SF World Spirits Competition Reveals Top Blended Scotch Whisky. SFWSC 2025 Single Malt Scotch 13 to 19 Years Finalists Photo, courtesy Tasting Alliance/San Francisco World Spirits Competition Single malt Scotch whisky is a single malt from a single distillery. Each expression is typically a blend of different single malts from that distillery. The age statement listed on the bottle is the youngest component of that particular blend of single malts. Hence, 18-year-old Scotch whisky is not the 12-year-old expression aged for an additional six years, but rather a blend of single malt whiskies from that distillery, the youngest component of which is at least 18 years old. For a background and detailed tasting noteson these single malt Scotch whiskies, see SF World Spirits Competition Names Top Single Malt Scotch Whisky For a background and detailed tasting notes on these ultra-aged, single malt Scotch whiskies, see Best Ultra-Aged Scotch Whisky, According To The SF World Spirits Competition. These Scotch whiskies are among the very best, the crème de la crème of Scottish whisky. They are all outstanding, each reflective of the region and terroir that produced them. Some are historical names, while others are new distilleries, specialty bottlers, or once-silent distilleries that have been reborn. All are worth tasting, and if you like them, add a bottle or two to your Scotch whisky collection.
