Checklist · 11 picks · 3 categories
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A dirty grill isn't a flavor, it's a problem. Serious Eats says built-up gunk can make food stick, mess with heat and even catch fire, so it scrubbed burnt-on barbecue sauce off grates with 12 brushes.
Its fastest was a steam brush that cleaned up in about 12 seconds after burgers. For the deep clean, Bob Vila reviewed grill cleaners after real cookouts, from a cheap foam for greasy grates to an odorless spray that works on a cold grill. Then keep the weather off: Bob Vila's grill cover picks come in lots of sizes, and the Weber one spent a year on the writer's own grill. Each card shows the drawback its outlet called out. Start with a brush and a cover, then add a cleaner for the deeper clean every few cooks.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you don't own a grill yet; the Grilling Starter Kit has the kettle, chimney, tongs and thermometers to begin.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 31, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Bar-B-Q Steam Clean Grill Brush Powered by Scrub Daddy | budget | $15-25 | fast cleanup, no wire bristles | 1 outlet |
| Kona Safe/Clean Grill Brush | budget | $15-25 | scrubbing power without loose bristles | 1 outlet |
| Oklahoma Joe's Blacksmith Combo Grill Brush | mid | $25-50 | heavy-duty cleaning | 1 outlet |
Best grill brushbudget pick · 18 in
Best for fast cleanup, no wire bristles
Serious Eats' best steam-cleaning grill brush: the fastest in its test, cleaning grates in about 12 seconds without metal bristles.
Heads up. The plastic body doesn't feel built to last
1 outlet. Serious Eats best steam grill brush.
$15-25
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budget pick · 17 in
Best for scrubbing power without loose bristles
Serious Eats' best bristle-alternative grill brush: a stainless steel coil that left the tops and sides of the grates near-gleaming and still looked great after every scrubbing test.
Heads up. Takes more elbow grease and time on really gunky grates
1 outlet. Serious Eats best bristle-alternative grill brush.
$15-25
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mid pick · Long
Best for heavy-duty cleaning
Serious Eats' best grill brush: bristles plus coiled metal for hot or cold cleaning, cutting through grease faster than most.
Heads up. The big head is hard to store in a drawer
1 outlet. Serious Eats best grill brush.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Grill Grate Cleaner | mid | under $15 | cleaning grates without firing up the grill | 1 outlet |
| Easy-Off BBQ Cleaner | budget | under $15 | greasy grates on a budget | 1 outlet |
| CitruSafe BBQ Grill Cleaner | mid | $15-25 | an all-over clean with a nicer smell | 1 outlet |
Best grill cleanermid pick · 16 fl oz
Best for cleaning grates without firing up the grill
Bob Vila's best grill cleaner for grates: a nonflammable, noncorrosive, nontoxic spray with no odor that works on a cold grill.
Heads up. May struggle with very tough stuck-on grime, so you might still need a wire brush
1 outlet. Bob Vila best for Grill Grates grill cleaner.
under $15
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budget pick · 14.5 fl oz
Best for greasy grates on a budget
Bob Vila's best bang for the buck grill cleaner: an easy-to-use foam whose powerful formula has no trouble with grease.
Heads up. Strong chemical scent, you have to remove the grate to clean it, and it's not for the grill's inside or outside
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Bang for the Buck grill cleaner.
under $15
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mid pick · Spray
Best for an all-over clean with a nicer smell
Bob Vila's best overall grill cleaner: an eco-friendly all-purpose spray that uses d-limonene to cut through grease and grime.
Heads up. May struggle with tough, stuck-on grime, and one grill can use up a whole bottle
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall grill cleaner.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCover BBQ Grill Cover for Outdoor Grill | budget | $25-50 | keeping rain off for less | 1 outlet |
| Classic Accessories Veranda Grill Cover | mid | $50-100 | most grills, in lots of sizes | 1 outlet |
| Weber 200 Series Premium Outdoor Grill Cover | splurge | $50-100 | weber Spirit II 200 owners | 1 outlet |
| Comsmart BBQ Gloves | budget | $15-25 | occasional grilling | 1 outlet |
| Blackstone Griddle Gloves | mid | $15-25 | handling hot grates and skillets | 1 outlet |
Best grill coverbudget pick · 30-75 in wide
Best for keeping rain off for less
Bob Vila's best waterproof grill cover: heavy-duty fabric and double-stitched seams at an affordable price.
Heads up. May not cover the feet or wheels of some grills
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Waterproof grill cover.
$25-50
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mid pick · XS to 3XL
Best for most grills, in lots of sizes
Bob Vila's best overall grill cover: a laminated backing and bound seams, plus vents, padded handles and a zippered pocket.
Heads up. May have limited UV resistance and might not fully cover legs and wheels
1 outlet. Bob Vila best Overall grill cover.
$50-100
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splurge pick · Spirit II 200
Best for weber Spirit II 200 owners
Bob Vila's best grill cover for two burners: the writer bought it and used it on his own grill for a year, and it's tailored to Weber Spirit II 200 grills.
Heads up. Pricey
1 outlet. Bob Vila best for Two Burners grill cover.
$50-100
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Best grill glovesbudget pick · Knit
Best for occasional grilling
Serious Eats' best budget gloves for occasional grillers: they beat pricier knit gloves on heat resistance and grip, and they're machine-washable.
Heads up. Polyester is less comfortable than aramid knits
1 outlet. Serious Eats best budget grill gloves.
$15-25
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mid pick · Knit
Best for handling hot grates and skillets
Serious Eats' best grill gloves: a double-sided silicone grip and a tidy, comfortable fit.
Heads up. Dry-clean only, though the silicone wipes clean
1 outlet. Serious Eats best grill gloves.
$15-25
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Serious Eats says grates should ideally get a quick clean before and after every cook, plus a deeper clean every few sessions if you grill a lot. For a deep clean, get the grill hot for a few minutes to burn off residue, then scrape off what's left hot or cooled, depending on your brush.
Serious Eats says swallowing a bristle is relatively uncommon, but the risk was enough for some brands to recall wire brushes. Tightly twisted coils like the Kona felt more secure than short, fine bristles. With any wire brush, check the bristles over time and replace it as soon as you see wear.
Follow the label. Bob Vila says Easy-Off BBQ Cleaner should only be used in a well-ventilated area with a mask, gloves and safety glasses, and that CitruSafe can only be used on a cold grill.