One typical issue when purchasing a barbecue grill brush is whether or not it will damage your cooking grid. The last thing you want is to scratch the grates of your expensive Weber BBQ. Thankfully, with just a bit of study it is really simple to ensure you purchase the best grill brush for your BBQ.
How delicate your grate is, and how susceptible it may be to damage and scratching, is based upon the material the grate is made from. The most tough material that is frequently used is stainless steel. These grates are really strong and resistant to rust and corrosion. Porcelain coated grill grates, on the other hand, are much more delicate. The porcelain coat is relatively brittle and can chip and crack. No only does this minimize the non stick capability of the grate, it also exposes the metal underneath the enamel to moisture. Cast iron grill grates are really tough, however must be kept oiled to stop rusting.
Many grill brushes are completely safe for use with most grills, however there is one noteworthy exception. NEVER EVER use a scraper on porcelain coated grill grates! That will definitely lead to you chipping the porcelain enamel. Apart from that, most brushes are fine with most grates.
The 2 most typical materials used to make the bristles for BBQ brushes are brass and stainless steel. Brass is softer, so less likely to scratch the grates, however this softness also means the bristles become flattened much more quickly. As a result, brass grill brushes need to be replaced regularly. Stainless steel grill brushes are much more long lasting, as a result of their stiffer bristles. Nevertheless, this extra stiffness means that they can sometimes scratch the grate. This is why people often recommend brass brushes for porcelain enamel coated grill grates.
So which sort of brush should you purchase to clean your porcelain enamel coated grill grate?
My recommendation is to go for a stainless steel grill brush with bristles thin enough that they don’t cause damage. The usual belief that you can only use brass bristled brushes for porcelain enamel coated grates is not in fact true. Many stainless steel grill brushes are completely safe to use. Because they will certainly last longer compared to brass brushes, my recommendation is to go with one of these. That way, you get a brush that will not only safely clean your barbecue, but will also last a very long time. To get even more life out your BBQ brush, only use it when the grate is hot. This will make it easy to clean, enabling you to use much less pressure, which ultimately means that your bristles will remain in great condition longer.