We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Food and Kitchen Reviews Outdoor Cooking Reviews The 8 Best Grill Cleaners of 2024 for Cookout Season Banish caked-on grease with brushes, bricks, and sprays. By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis is an experienced lifestyle writer and online shopping enthusiast with a decade's worth of experience in digital journalism and lifestyle e-commerce. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 11, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she's an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / Marcus Millan Grilling season is a cause for celebration—nothing beats a long and lazy backyard dinner party ripe with flame-grilled steak and ribs in the summertime. However, with regular grilling comes regular cleaning—and finding the right grill cleaner can sometimes be a challenge if you’re looking for something that’ll get the job done without harming your grill. There are dozens of options on the market that are designed to tackle cleaning the grill with ease—but we’ve found the best grill cleaners for a variety of needs, whether you’re looking for a heavy-duty wire brush or a lightweight, plant-based oil. What We Researched Type: Since some grills are used outdoors and some inside, we looked at various grill cleaners to cover both types, such as wire grill brushes, cleaning solutions, cleaning bricks, solutions that clean rust, and more.Composition: We considered the different types of liquid grill cleaners, including what they are made of, and provided options that are easy to use and noted if they are natural or plant-based.Use: We researched to see how long it would take for these cleaning products to work and considered how they should be used and the cleaning needs they targeted, such as rust and corrosion or everyday grease and grime. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Grill Rescue BBQ Replaceable Scraper at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review Best Brush: Kona Clean Grill Brush at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Heavy-Duty: Zep Oven and Grill Cleaner at Amazon ($6) Jump to Review Best for Exterior: GRILLART Grill Brush for Outdoor Grill at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review Best for Grill Grates: Weber Grill Grate Cleaner at Amazon ($11) Jump to Review Best for Rust: Heritage Products Cast Iron Soap at Amazon ($12) Jump to Review Best Spray: CARON & DOUCET BBQ Grill Cleaner Oil at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best Block: Kelfuoya Griddle Cleaning Brick at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best Overall Grill Rescue BBQ Replaceable Scraper Amazon View On Amazon $40 View On Wayfair $43 View On Walmart $40 Why You Should Get It: This reusable option cuts down on plastic waste and cost by allowing you to replace just the head when it wears out.Keep in Mind: The initial cost is quite a bit higher than most grill cleaners on the list. The Grill Rescue BBQ Replaceable Scraper earns our top spot for the best grill cleaner for myriad reasons—but we particularly like that it's a more sustainable alternative to the traditional grill cleaning brush. It’s made with an aramid fiber material (the same material used in firefighter gear) that is heat resistant, food safe, and long-lasting, but even when the head does start to wear down, you can pop it off the handle and replace it. This cuts down on plastic waste and cost while also ensuring a safe and complete clean. The replaceable head is also super easy to work with; it’s dishwasher safe, which means you can easily wash away the debris and grease after each clean without having to put in any additional legwork. It also has a built-in metal scraper on the top of the head for heavy-duty jobs that functions the same way a wire brush would, but without the risk of metal bristles contaminating your food. Not only is it a less wasteful alternative to the classic grill brush, but the Grill Rescue Scraper is also designed with a more ergonomic and easy-to-use handle. The thick handle is slightly curved to better fit in your hand and the thick heat-resistant polypropylene material is food safe and strong enough that it won’t bend or break even under extreme conditions—like if it gets run over by a car, for example. While it is quite a bit more expensive than other options, we think the benefits are worth it for avid grillers. Best Brush Kona Clean Grill Brush Walmart View On Amazon $20 View On Wayfair $20 View On Walmart $20 Why You Should Get It: This traditional grill brush features three brush heads and an extra-long handle to help you achieve a thorough clean.Keep in Mind: The handle makes this option feel a bit awkward in hand at first. If you’re set on a traditional wire bristle brush but want to decrease the risk of the dangers associated with the tool (mainly, loose bristles that could end up in your food), the best grill cleaner for you might be the Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush. The brush is safe for all grill types, including indoor grills, and features a distinctive three-brush design that cleans your grill’s surface incredibly quickly. The bristles are touted as being extra secure to cut down on the possibility of them shedding into the grill while you clean. The stainless steel bristles are also totally rustproof, so you won’t have to worry about your brush wearing down or becoming damaged with regular use. We also really like that the Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush features a generous 18-inch handle that doesn’t flex or bend with heavy use. The longer-than-average handle allows you to use both hands while cleaning for minimal effort, while the rigid material is sturdy enough to really get into the nooks and crannies of your grill without running the risk of snapping. Because of this feature, it can be a little awkward to hold. Best Heavy-Duty Zep Oven and Grill Cleaner Walmart View On Amazon $6 View On Walmart $13 View On Lowe's Why You Should Get It: This grill cleaner doubles as an oven cleaner, so you can use it for year-round culinary cleanliness.Keep in Mind: The spray nozzle can sometimes clog up before the bottle is finished. We’re increasingly in search of products that can play double duty; not only is it more economical than having several gadgets to perform similar tasks, but it helps keep your space more organized and clutter-free. That’s why the Zep Heavy-Duty Oven and Grill Cleaner is one of our best grill cleaner picks. This heavy-duty cleaner doesn’t just take care of your outdoor barbecue grill—it’s also designed to work just as well on your indoor grill, or even your oven. The foaming cleanser features a grease-cutting formula that is designed to cling to surfaces for an all-over and complete clean without the need for too much manual labor on your part. It’s suitable for stainless steel, porcelain, and ceramic, and powerful enough to dissolve baked-on grease and carbon. The only downside is that the foaming formula can sometimes clog the spray nozzle, which means you might have to take extra care to ensure you wipe down the bottle after you’re finished cleaning. The 6 Best Propane Grills of 2024, According to Testing Best for Exterior GRILLART Grill Brush for Outdoor Grill Amazon View On Amazon $17 Why You Should Get It: This wire option is bristle-free while offering the same benefits of a traditional wire bristle cleaning brush.Keep in Mind: The shape doesn’t work very well for cleaning grill grates. The Grillart Grill Brush for Outdoor Grill isn’t like a regular wire brush—it’s a very cool wire brush. The double-helix design provides flexible edges designed to clean your grill with minimal effort, but the looping circular design also means you won’t end up with rogue bristles left over on your grill. The wide scraper helps to remove stubborn residue faster, but we’re particularly fond of the fact that this bush head is completely hollowed-out, which means your vision won’t be blocked while cleaning. This allows you to target all the stuck-on grease and carbon without having to lift your brush to get a full picture of the dirt and grime still stuck on the grill. We also really like that this brush comes with an ultra-strong handle that is surprisingly thin and comfortable to use. It’s lightweight and ergonomic, but it can still handle heavy cleaning without flexing or snapping. So, what’s the downside? The curling shape is a bit limiting when it comes to cleaning grill grates. Best for Grill Grates Weber Grill Grate Cleaner Amazon View On Amazon $11 View On Walmart $20 View On Home Depot $11 Why You Should Get It: This biodegradable option is hard-working without the need for potentially harmful chemicals.Keep in Mind: It can sometimes require a lot of formula to clean stuck-on grease or carbon. The Weber Grill Grate Cleaner is going to be your best bet for cleaning hard-to-reach grill grates—but it’s also equally useful for cleaning things like your microwave, oven, and even your smoker. The grill cleaner is safe to use on various surfaces thanks to the non-flammable, non-corrosive, and phosphate-free formula. We also really like that this formula is biodegradable without sacrificing its heavy-duty cleaning ability. The powerful cleaner is designed to give a little extra love to your grill—even if it has been a little while since you last serviced your appliance. It can remove burnt-on residue and thick grease with relative ease, but it’s worth noting that particularly dirty grills might require a fair bit of formula at first in order to loosen up and remove the mess. This shouldn’t be an issue if you clean your grill on a regular basis, but keep it in mind if you have a particularly tough case on your hands. Best for Rust Heritage Products Cast Iron Soap Amazon View On Amazon $12 Why You Should Get It: This gentle cleaner is tough on rust while being plant-based and free of detergent and parabens.Keep in Mind: The cap doesn’t include a nozzle and can be annoying to apply to the grill. If you’re dealing with a particularly rusty grill surface, you’ll want to look for the best grill cleaner specifically designed to tackle rust and corrosion in order to ensure the best chance of rescuing your grill. Heritage Products Cast Iron Soap might be your best bet in this situation; it’s made from a plant-based formula that won’t cause further harm or corrosion on your grill but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a heavy hitter when it comes to cleaning. The formula was made and bottled in the USA using avocado and vegetable oils, and glycerin that both tackles rust while deterring it from coming back. The gentle, but efficient formula removes food particles and stuck on grease without stripping away the polymerization on your grill or cast iron kitchen appliances. We also really like that this option is plant-based and formulated using only food-safe ingredients so even if you accidentally leave some on the grill, you won’t end up with a potentially harmful chemical taste in your food. Our least favorite aspect is the packaging, which doesn’t include a spray nozzle, making it more challenging to apply. Best Spray CARON & DOUCET BBQ Grill Cleaner Oil Amazon View On Amazon $16 Why You Should Get It: This plant-based cleaning oil doesn’t clog up the nozzle with regular use.Keep in Mind: The oil can get pretty messy while cleaning. The Caron & Doucet BBQ Grill Cleaner Oil is by far our favorite option when it comes to a food-safe and sustainable spray that is both easy and safe to use on a regular basis. The plant-based cleaning oil is lightly scented with natural essential oils but is otherwise free from strong odors and won’t cause corrosion or leave potentially harmful chemicals on your cooking surface. The naturally degreasing and deodorizing agent is the consistency of an oil rather than a traditional cleaning spray which, in tandem with cleaning and degreasing your grill, will also build a natural seasoning that will, in turn, help to prevent rust and seal off pores to prevent food from sticking to the grill. We also really like that the consistency of this cleaner—a light oil—doesn’t clog or build up around the spray nozzle, which means you won’t run into any technical issues while trying to spray down your grill, even if you don’t always wipe down the nozzle after each use. That said, it can get a bit messy while cleaning and might leave behind a bit of a film. Best Block Kelfuoya Griddle Cleaning Brick Amazon View On Amazon $9 View On Walmart $19 Why You Should Get It: This alternative to sprays, foams, and brushes cleans and descales with minimal effort on your end.Keep in Mind: It can be more difficult to clean a warm grill without a handle to protect your hands from lingering heat. The Kelfuoya Elaziy Grill Griddle Cleaning Brick is definitely the least conventional of the best grill cleaners on the list—but the pumice stone is a great option for anyone in search of an economical and effective grill cleaner that won’t scratch your grill’s surface or leave behind harmful wire bristles or toxic chemicals on your cooking surface. The pumice stone features a durable de-scaling construction that can easily remove build-up and stuck-on grease without requiring any additional sprays or oils—and the surprisingly heavy-hitting material doesn’t require a ton of manual labor or pressure on your end. The slightly abrasive pumice material will do all the work for you, but keep in mind that the lack of a handle means that you should take care to watch your hands and wait until the grill has cooled significantly before cleaning. The 11 Best Grill Covers of 2024 to Protect Your Grill The Bottom Line Overall, the best grill cleaner is the high-end and sustainable Grill Rescue BBQ Replaceable Scraper. Although this heavy-duty cleaner is a bit more expensive than the average grill brush or cleaner up front, the head is fully replaceable, which extends the life of the product, saving you money and cutting down on your household plastic waste for years. What to Know About Grill Cleaners Before Shopping Type There are a handful of different types of grill cleaners to choose from, some of which are designed for a specific cleaning purpose or appliance. When shopping for the best grill cleaner, consider looking for food-safe wire grill brushes and a heavier-duty cleaning solution for tackling an outdoor grill with ease and precision, for example. Your indoor grill, on the other hand, can probably get by with a cleaning brick like the Kelfuoya Elaziy Grill Griddle Cleaning Brick, paired with a lighter formula (or even hot soapy water). Use It doesn’t matter what kind of grill cleaner you opt for—as long as you take care to follow manufacturer instructions carefully and never leave the solution sitting on your grill grates for longer than the recommended period of time. This can cause corrosion and rust over time, even with the best grill cleaners on the market. You’ll also want to make sure that you rinse away every last bit of cleaning solution before firing up your grill again in order to ensure it’s safe for cooking and ready to go. Your Questions, Answered What is the best way to clean a grill? You might assume that the best way to clean a grill is to simply turn off your grilling surface and spray it down with a cleaner—but according to Justin Carpenter, owner of Houston-based Modern Maids, there are specific steps that will ensure a safe and efficient clean. Start by preheating the grill to medium heat. This will help loosen any grease and debris built up in the grates. From there, turn off the burners and place aluminum foil over them to prevent any food particles from falling onto them while you clean. Scrub the grill grates with a food-safe wire brush to remove any stuck-on food particles and grease. Then, use a kitchen degreaser or soapy water for heavier cleaning jobs. Apply the solution to a rag and wipe down the grates thoroughly. Are heavy-duty cleaners and sprays safe to use on grill grates? Many heavy-duty cleaners and sprays are not safe to use on grill grates, as they can leave a residue or cause damage. “When in doubt, it is best to stick with natural solutions such as kitchen degreaser or soapy water,” explains Carpenter. “This will ensure that your grates are properly cleaned without risking any possible damage.” How often should I clean my grill? Grills should be cleaned at least once a month, depending on how often it is used. However, according to Carpenter, if you use your grill regularly, then it may be necessary to clean it more frequently (think every two weeks or so). Ensuring proper care of your grill will help to maintain the life of your grill and keep it running smoothly for years to come. Who We Are This article was written by Kaitlyn McInnis, a former lifestyle editor and freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She researched a variety of different grill cleaners from leading brands in order to find the best options online. She also consulted Justin Carpenter, owner of Houston-based Modern Maids for insights on the matter. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit