Zyliss Silicone Basting Brush Review

Brushes used for basting turkey or barbecue quickly become disgusting and should be considered disposable.  The oily grunge never seems to wash off.  You also hesitate using those brushes with really hot cooking.  Even though a traditional basting brush has never had a melt-down while in use on grills or in ovens, I often worry about how the heat affects their bristles.

Although at first this didn't look like much, the Zyliss Silicone Basting Brush has become a welcome addition to my outdoor kitchen this year.  This has several terrific features that set it apart from my traditional bristle basting brush.

The silicone supposedly withstands temperatures up to 600 degrees.  My outdoor grill frequently reaches temperatures of 500 degrees, although while basting meats on the grill the temperature will fall into the mid-400 degrees.  The Zyliss Silicone Basting Brush "laughs in the face" of these high temperatures. They're not a problem.

The bristles are easily removable and the brush is dishwasher safe. Yes, my former, traditional basting brush has a metal base that can be unscrewed to allow the bristles to expand for easy cleaning.  The oily marinades adhere to the bristles regardless of how much soap is used. The Zyliss Silicone bristles pull off and expose an internal mesh silicone grid.  Both parts are easy to clean in the sink with dish soap and in the dishwasher. If this can handle 600 degrees on a grill it can certainly handle the inside of my dishwasher.  

The internal mesh silicone grid holds extra sauce for extended basting. I love that this is designed to hold more sauce which reduces drip time and return trips to the sauce-filled bowl. The grid is between the silicone bristles and both are extremely soft and flexible. The flexibility feature makes this an ideal basting brush for covering both the easy-to-reach and difficult-to-reach surfaces -- you know, those snug little joints under the wings or legs of a Cornish hen.

The brush (brush and handle) is 8 ½ inches long. My only complaint is this could be a little longer to keep my hand out of the heat.  The silicone brush can handle 500 degrees but my hand gets warm and I wouldn't mind a 14-inch distance between my hand and the working end of the brush.

Personally I love how technology and innovative thought have combined to make my kitchen easier to clean and safer to use. Basting turkey -- not a problem, basting pork on the grill - the spice and oily sauce washed off with ease and the bristles were not bothered by the temperatures.  Zyliss has provided some additional magic into my kitchen and I highly recommend their simple little Silicone Basting Brush.