Getting the gunk off your cast iron grates after a weekend of intense BBQ grilling isn’t anyone’s definition of RnR, but it doesn’t have to be so painful either. If you’re old grill brush has seen better days, you might want to ditch the bristles for a bristle free option like the Cave Tools Grill Scraper.
Whether it’s chicken skin remains, marinating sauce, charred beef, or blackened vegetables caught between your grates, dirty grates are unsanitary and unhealthy. Wire bristle brushes, however, can leave behind bristles that accidentally get absorbed by your food while cooking.
A scraping tool specially designed for grilling purposes is one sure way to avoid the risk of getting wire bristles lodged in your cooking grates. In this detailed Cave Tools Grill Scraper Tool review, you’ll learn all the important details about this grilling accessory from one of America’s most popular brands.
Product Name: Cave Tools Grill Scraper Tool
Type: Grilling Accessory, Bristle Free BBQ Grill Scraper, Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Barbecue Brush
AMAZON RATING: 4.4 / 5 Stars
Features:
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches
- Leather Handle
- Bristle Free Design
- Stainless Steel Notched Scraper Tool
- Bottle Opener Tool
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes Grill Master's Essential Barbecue Recipe Book and Access To Meat Smoking Journal App
Best Suited For:
- Cleaning, scrubbing, scraping
- BBQ Grilling grate surfaces or Griddle
- Stainless Steel, cast iron cooking grates
Appreciate quality BBQ brands? Find the best Masterbuilt Electric Smoker and enjoy amazing smoked meat anytime of year!
Cave Tools Grill Scraper Tool Review (Full)
Construction Quality
This is a stainless steel grill scraper tool. Both ends of the tool are highly durable stainless steel that is resistant to heat, weather, and corrosion. With regular cleaning this essential grilling tool will stay shiny and new looking for years.
Size
At almost 7 inches in length, you can fit this grill scraper in the palm of your hand comfortably. It appears designed for the average male, but larger hands may find it a tad small. Storing it is really easy, however. You can either hang it from a utensil hook or store it in a drawer. This thing is so compact it even fits in your back pocket!
Alternatively, the compact size could be a problem for some users. Sometimes it’s easier to scrape off food remains while the grill is still relatively hot, but completely turned off. You certainly shouldn’t try scraping a hot grill or griddle with this scraper unless you’re wearing gloves because the handle is much too short.
It’s a minor drawback, but a longer handle would make scraping hot surfaces much safer and easier.
Scraper Tool Performance
In spite of its compact size, the Cave Tools Grill Scraper is an extremely effective scraping tool. Stainless steel and cast iron grates are no problem at all, and it does a better job than much larger grill brushes.
The ‘nose’ of the scraper is angled or bent, which gives you added leverage for scraping stubborn grime off of your grates. On porcelain coated grates you would definitely need to be careful. Too much pressure and you could easily chip the porcelain. Loosening the dirt with warm water will make your scraping much more effective.
Additional Features
In addition to scraping, the Cave Tools Grill Scraper also functions as a bottle opener. The bottle opener is the perfect size, and provides added convenience. You can scrape away at your grill grates in the hot sun, and crack open a cold one to cool you down without the need for another utensil! It’s the perfect tool for tailgating, campfires, or a Superbowl party in your backyard.
Bundled with the scraper are a few online accessories as well. Cave Tools isn’t just a brand, they’re a community of grilling enthusiasts. You can even attend the Grill Master University, a series of online master classes hosted by Rick Browne, one of America’s most foremost grilling and meat smoking experts.
With each Grill Scraper, you receive a Meat Smoking App with helpful tips and hacks for smoking meat the right way. The app is a free download available for either iPhone or Android. You can download the app, or watch any of the meat smoking and grilling tutorials in their growing catalogue of over 100 videos.
With that in mind, if you know someone who really enjoys grilling and smoking meat, the Cave Tools Grill Scraper Tool is an inexpensive but very thoughtful gift.
GRILL MASTER UNIVERSITY
Love grilling and gadgets that make cooking easier, more fun? You might also be interested in these 10 ESSENTIAL PIECES OF GRILLING EQUIPMENT.
What We Like…
Drawbacks...
Scrape or Scrub? How To Clean Your Grill Grates
Generally, you should read the instructions for cleaning and maintenance that were included with your BBQ grill. Each manufacturer has their own specifications so be careful before attempting to clean your porcelain-coated grates.
By cleaning your grill grates after each use, you’ll preserve them for much longer and you’ll find cleaning them is less time consuming. Use the right tools for the right type of grill grate, and you’ll avoid damaging them.
Porcelain BBQ Grill Grates Cleaning Tips
- Porcelain coated grates can be more fragile than stainless steel or cast iron. While they are extremely heat resistant and nonstick, their surface can be easily scratched or chipped with excessive scrubbing.
- Avoid using a wire brush on your porcelain coated grates. A scraper tool is a better option but can cause scratches on your surface if you’re not careful. If you use a scraper, soak the grates to loosen food debris more easily so you can scrape them clean without being too forceful. A nylon scrubbing brush is another option. The nylon bristles can be used while the surface is still fairly warm to remove any stubborn gunk.
- It’s a good idea to soak porcelain grates in warm water first before scraping or scrubbing. Let them cool before removing them from your grill. Be sure the grill is turned off completely.
Cast Iron BBQ Grill Grates Cleaning Tips
- Cast iron grill grates are highly durable, heavy duty, and can be found in premium gas grills and wood pellet grills by the likes of companies such as Traeger, Camp Chef, and Weber.
- A quality grill brush with wire bristles and a scraper tool can be used for cleaning cast iron grates without fear of damaging or scratching the surface. You can apply a lot of pressure if needed without worrying that the grates will bend or get scratched.
- They aren’t usually non stick, so they need to be oiled or greased before you start grilling to reduce the amount of sticking. To clean them, soak them in a solution of water, vinegar and baking soda before scrubbing. Any household dish washing soap will also work to loosen dirt and gunk.
Stainless Steel BBQ Grill Grates Cleaning Tips
- Stainless steel grill grates are more resistant to corrosion than cast iron or nickel plated cooking racks. They retain their shape well, but can bend or warp over time with use. Stainless steel grates are also highly heat resistant, which is why you’ll find them in quality electric smokers, gas and charcoal grills.
- When grilling with stainless steel BBQ grill grates, a nonstick spray or oil will work wonders to reduce sticking. To clean stainless steel grill grates, pre-soak them in water and dish washing soap first. Once they’ve sufficiently cooled, cleaning them should be relatively painless.
- A scraper tool or quality grill brush with wire bristles are essential tools for cleaning your stainless steel grill grates. They don’t scratch as easily as porcelain and with regular cleaning, they’ll look almost as shiny as the day you bought them.