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Thoughts on grill brush for the SS grates (no cast iron)

nutshellml
nutshellml Posts: 167
in EggHead Forum
So I checked out the amazing ribs site about grill brushes, read horror some articles about the bristles and injuries, and trying to decide on new grill brush/cleaner.  I'm not sure after speaking with some people I like the U-shaped utensils, ie chargon.  So wanted to reach out to see what you all think.  I've been BBQin for years w/ bristle brushes, eventually they get tossed for replacement, but wanted to get everyone's thoughts.

THX!
Northern Jersey
XL BGE  |  MiniMax
XL Adjustable Rig Combo  |  CyberQ  |  Thermoworks Singal/Billows |  Maverick 733
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Comments

  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,791
    I use putty knives (various sizes depending on the grill surface) if I have to get some gunk off.  Otherwise, I let the next fire take care of the cleaning. 
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • nutshellml
    nutshellml Posts: 167
    lousubcap said:
    I use putty knives (various sizes depending on the grill surface) if I have to get some gunk off.  Otherwise, I let the next fire take care of the cleaning. 
    I usually burn it off too, but alot of times need something to clean up the char...
    Northern Jersey
    XL BGE  |  MiniMax
    XL Adjustable Rig Combo  |  CyberQ  |  Thermoworks Singal/Billows |  Maverick 733
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  • txhawkeye
    txhawkeye Posts: 279
    I just heat it up and ball up a piece of foil to clean it off. Easy and I don't another grill gadget laying around. 
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    I use a combo of the weber triangle brush and the BGE scouring pad brush. I use that wood scraper on my gasser and it works too. 
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  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,458
    I use a welders brush, cheaper and lasts longer. Just inspect grates after brushing and replace as needed. 

    Jacksonville FL
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  • JethroVA
    JethroVA Posts: 1,251
    Clean? I thought that's where the flavor comes from!
    Richmond and Mathews County, VA. Large BGE, Weber gas, little Weber charcoal. Vintage ManGrates. Little reddish portable kamado that shall remain nameless here.  Very Extremely Stable Genius. 
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  • Tony_T
    Tony_T Posts: 303
    I use:


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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    ball of foil. or just heat.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Tony_T said:
    I use:


    I like the looks of this.  I've been trying to avoid brushes and similar scrubbers, but scotch brite has a much smaller fiber.  Wouldn't think a small piece of that would do any damage. I don't care to get my grill completely clean, but do like to occasionally knock off the larger pieces.  What store carries them?  I've never seen them before, but maybe I just haven't looked for them.  

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    Combination of a putty knife for hard stuff and homemade wooden one for soft crud.

    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Tony_T
    Tony_T Posts: 303
    FarmerTom said: What store carries them?  I've never seen them before, but maybe I just haven't looked for them.  
    I got it from Amazon.
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    I use a heavy duty putty knife to scrape off big chunks first. Then I used to use the steel scrubber "balls" type. It works well but it can catch on parts of some grates (especially if they have flip up hinged sections) and start to pull apart.

    https://smile.amazon.com/Toolwiz-Tool-Wizard-Grill-Scrubbers/dp/B000216X6M/ref=pd_bxgy_86_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YWP31XR0CPRC942ZKM0C

    I recently got one of these Grillinator brushes. It's a beast!

    https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M29BJNU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    However, I would not recommend using it on your Egg if you keep the grate at the felt line as it will  chew on your gasket.

    The bristles in that are constructed in a way that it is very unlikely that a bristle would ever pull out of the brush. Whenever I use any kind of wire brush id always give the grate a good wipe down and visual inspection and do not worry about ingesting a bristle.

    Just curious - how many of us actually keep their grill grates looking shiny and new rather than "well seasoned"?
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 17,261
    This has been discussed before. Many have commented that occasionally bristles are left on the grate, which potentially could get stuck in the food. I have seen bristles from every kind of brush deteriorate and settle on the grate, myself, and have started using the balled up aluminum foil for scraping.
    scuff pads seem to also leave residue as well.
    The foil thing, I learned on here, and once I used it in the manner mention previously by other folks, I have not had the first issue.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    YukonRon said:
    This has been discussed before. Many have commented that occasionally bristles are left on the grate, which potentially could get stuck in the food. I have seen bristles from every kind of brush deteriorate and settle on the grate, myself, and have started using the balled up aluminum foil for scraping.
    scuff pads seem to also leave residue as well.
    The foil thing, I learned on here, and once I used it in the manner mention previously by other folks, I have not had the first issue.
    This happens with wooden handles brushes. The twisted wire Weber triangle brush is safe, but if you don't use a wire brush you should never get a bristle in your food. I've seen it first hand with wooden handled brushes. 
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  • gabriegger
    gabriegger Posts: 682
    heat, ball of foil and paper towel to wipe gunk and off the grill.  then more heat

    the city above Toronto - Noodleville wtih 2 Large 1 Mini

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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Guess I'll have to break down and try the foil ball.  Being a tool guy, I like to reach for a dedicated tool for the job, wadding up foil just doesn't seem right. 

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    When really gunked up, I can just take it out and lean it against the nest and my labs take care of it.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    Legume said:
    When really gunked up, I can just take it out and lean it against the nest and my labs take care of it.

    Actually, I too have been using this technique more and more often.  Except my cleaners are German Shepherds. 

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

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  • HelenGrace203
    HelenGrace203 Posts: 43
    Tongs, paper towels and water at end of cook -- steam clean
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  • Coul
    Coul Posts: 111
    weber triangle brush, their cheap, stainless steel, and very good quality. 
    LBGE circa 2016
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  • InfectedDAS
    InfectedDAS Posts: 211
    What I use and a lot of people I know will back this up is..... An onion or an orange, after I finish cooking I used an onion cut in half or an orange to clean the remainings, I do the same at the beginning of the cook when the grate is already hot, so far so good.
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  • StillH2OEgger
    StillH2OEgger Posts: 3,896
    I have been very happy with the Billy Bar as my primary crud remover but also use the aluminum foil ball and it works really well.
    Stillwater, MN
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