9 Best Basting Brushes Of 2023

A basting brush, also known as a pastry brush, is a must-have in any kitchen. There are countless uses to a basting brush.

You may use one for your baked goods to achieve that amazing golden crust or you may use one for your roasted meats to give them the right texture. Once you get a pastry brush, you will find more uses for it than you may expect right now.

What is the best basting brush? The answer depends on several factors, the chief of them being your own needs and preferences. The brushes vary between each other wildly, with some of them being better suited to applying different things. The only way to pick the best brush for you is to fully learn everything there is to know about them. 

We have done our research and we were able to compile a list of the most important things for you to look out for when you’re buying a new basting brush. Learn all about them, choose your favorite type, and then take a look at our list of the best 9 basting brushes on the market!

Basting Brushes Buying Guide

While a pastry brush may seem like a relatively simple purchase, it’s not that easy when you truly want to be sure that you’re getting your bang for the buck. Basting brushes come in many types, shapes, and sizes. Some cooks swear by one type and dislike the other, and some find uses for all of them.

If you want to buy a new pastry brush, don’t waste money on buying the first thing that you stumble upon in a shop. Invest in a brush that will serve you well for years while fulfilling all of the expectations you will have for it. 

In order to buy a product you will be happy with, it’s important to make an informed choice. As such, in our Buying Guide, we will do everything we can to lead you to the best basting brush to suit your needs.

What can you use a basting brush for?

Pastry brushes have many different uses, so much so that you could even say “the sky is the limit”. Like with many other types of kitchen equipment, you will find new uses for your basting brush as you continue to use it. The ability to think outside of the box is a fantastic trait when it comes to cooking, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Some of the most common uses of a basting brush include:

• Adding a glaze to cakes or cookies. You may not want full-on icing on your cake, but a delicate glaze will make it look and taste better. This will help you avoid the cake feeling dry.
• Adding fat or oils to many types of dough, such as with phyllo dough when making spanakopita. 
• Putting egg wash, salt glaze, melted butter, olive oil, or sugar glaze on your pastries. This will give them a nice glow and enhance their taste by a surprising amount!
• Glazing roasted meats or roasted fish. When you roast meat or fish, you may find that it turns out a little dry. A bit of a glaze will fix that issue and give your roast a fantastic taste.
• Candy-making, such as candied violets.
• All kinds of confectionery, such as preparing wedding cakes, cookies, or other types of creative bakery work.
• Adding a glaze to homemade bread or buns.

The above list is not exhaustive at all. You will find many more uses for a pastry brush, especially if you pick up one that is considered to be among the best. Such a brush will be able to handle many different tasks and will last for a long time.

Does a basting brush sound useful to you yet? If it does, then it’s time to learn how to pick one that will work best for you. Let’s take a look at the different types of basting brushes.

Types of basting brushes

The types of brushes vastly depend on the material their bristles are made from. Many modern brushes use silicone bristles, but you will find several different materials on the market. 

The other variation is the texture of the bristles. Some may be gentle and soft while others are hard and rigid. This is especially important to know beforehand because hard bristles will not be suited for delicate work.

Lastly, the brushes vary by shapes and sizes. As such, there are quite a few things you need to look out for when purchasing your new basting brush. In order to give you a better rundown of all the different features, we will now discuss them in-depth.

Shapes and sizes

The two shapes that pastry brushes are made in are round or wide and flat. Each is suited to different kinds of activities, so if you’re able to, picking up one of each will not be a bad idea.

Round brushes are best suited to tasks that require more precision, such as glazing smaller pastries or cakes. However, if you need to glaze larger areas, you will find that using a round brush will make the task a little more time-consuming

Wide and flat brushes, on the other hand, will cover a bigger area at a time. This will allow you to glaze a whole batch of pastries with ease.

As such, if you don’t need to be super precise but you want to bake a lot at a time, you may want to consider picking up a wide and flat brush.

As far as sizes go, the most common brush sizes are:

• 3/8”
• 1″
• 1 1/4″
• 1 1/2″
• 2″
• 2 1/2″
• 3″
• 4″

With such a wide variety, you are sure to find one that will suit your regular needs. However, consider picking up more than one to cover all of your bases.

Texture

The texture of a pastry brush is, arguably, the most important thing. Using the right type of bristles can make or break your pastry or your roast. It’s not as simple as right or wrong – both types will suit different tasks.

Hard and rigid bristles

While these types of brushes don’t have as many uses as those that have softer bristles, they still shine in their own way; so much so that you may call them irreplaceable for some specific tasks.

As the hard bristles will damage delicate cakes or pastries, we do not recommend using this type of brush for glazing those. However, if you find yourself in need of glazing a roast, you’re in luck – these will do perfectly!

Another specific use for this type of a brush is making patterns in the frosting or glaze on cookies and cakes. As they are rigid, you will be able to decorate your cakes beautifully.

Soft bristles

Pastry brushes with softer bristles have several uses. The use of softer material is very beneficial, as you can be sure that you will not damage your pastries when you glaze them. 

As such, these brushes are perfect for glazing all kinds of things, putting an egg wash on pastries, glazing with melted or salted butter, olive oil and many more. They are suited to less precise work that needs to cover a larger area as opposed to decoration, which generally requires a harder brush.

Material

Basting brushes can be made from synthetic or natural material. Most commonly, modern brushes will be made from synthetic materials, but you will be able to find traditional brushes on the market as well. 

Some of the most common materials include:

• boar hair
• other types of animal hair
• nylon
• silicone

Most of the time, you will find that these brushes perform equally well regardless of material. However, it’s good to remember that bristles made out of animal hair are not vegan or kosher. As such, not everyone may feel comfortable using them.

Other things to consider

Before making your purchase, you may want to consider a few more things, such as:

• Handle size—depending on the kind of task you’re looking to perform, you may want a brush with a larger or smaller handle. This may seem trivial, but if you have bigger hands, you will find that small handles can get pretty annoying.

• Handle type—some brushes come with a silicone handle. This makes it very easy to grip steadily. However, some people prefer to use traditional wooden brushes.

• Layers—most modern brushes have more than one layer of bristles. 

• Heat resistance—silicone brushes will generally resist heat better than a natural bristled brush will. Some brushes can resist temperatures of up to 600 degrees F.

9 Best Basting Brushes

We hope that our buying guide was helpful in showing you the different types of basting brushes. However, we know that navigating an oversaturated market is difficult and sometimes even daunting.

To help you find your future basting brush, we have reviewed nine of the best brushes that are currently on the market in the U.S. If you want to find your new brush without the hassle of spending time on research, take a look at our reviews.

1. OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting & Pastry Brush

Check current prices on Amazon.

This relatively small OXO basting brush is among the best on the market. Loved by those that already own it, this unassuming brush may very well help you step up your kitchen game and dial it up it to the max.

Key Features:

• Unique bristle design to prevent odors and clumping
• Multiple layers of silicone bristles
• Extremely heat resistant

OXO’s basting brush is the perfect choice for most cooks, capable of performing many daily tasks. You will find it to be an irreplaceable part of your kitchen setup after just a few uses – these are the words of people that already own this incredible brush.

This stylish black brush has a very interesting, unique bristle design that both makes glazing a breeze and helps you maintain the brush in good condition. 

There are multiple layers of silicone bristles that allow for thorough glazing without missing a spot, but that is not all they do. They feature gaps in the cente—a rather innovative feature—which makes them hold liquids better when you transfer them from the bowl to your food. As such, this brush will save you time and elbow grease when you work tirelessly to glaze multiple batches of cakes or pastries.

The unique bristle design also prevents the retention of odors and clumping during cleaning. As such, you can rest easy knowing that nothing bad will ever get into your food.

The outside bristles are tapered and soft. This means that this brush will be suited to glazing or otherwise handling delicate pastries without any issues. While precise and capable of a lot, this brush is remarkably durable and will withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees F.

Pros

• Durable and heat resistant
• Suited for delicate work
• Dishwasher safe
• Easy-grip

Cons

• It will not be as precise as hard-bristled brushes

2. Basting Brush Silicone Heat Resistant Pastry Brushes

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Why get just one brush when you can get several? This is a whole set of three basting brushes, each different and suited to different tasks. Buying this will save you time and money in the long run while keeping your kitchen well-equipped for years to come.

Key Features:

• A set of varying three brushes
• Dishwasher safe
• Multi-purpose

This set of three brushes by Consevisen is the ideal choice for those that love cooking and want to have the right tools for it. After all, it’s one thing to cook because you have to, and another to cook because you love it. In both those cases, but especially in the latter, you deserve to have the best equipment in your kitchen arsenal.

These basting brushes are made out of top-notch food-grade silicone which is FDA approved and completely BPA free. As such, they will keep you and your family safe from dangerous contaminants when you choose to use these brushes.

Adding to the remarkable durability, these brushes are protected from breaking by their unique one-piece design. The bristles are permanently attached to the brush. This is a feature not often seen in pastry brushes, and it solves a lot of issues, as the bristles are usually the first thing to ever break.

Pros

• Unique ergonomic design
• Ideal for many different tasks
• Extremely durable

Cons

• Some tasks may require a lot of strokes

3. Pastry Brush Natural Bristle Wooden

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The first natural bristle brush on our list will provide a worthy alternative to its synthetic counterparts. This long-bristled brush is capable of filling a niche of its own, and then some.

Key Features:

• Smooth bristles
• Dishwasher safe
• Holds liquid very well

While natural-bristled brushes are not the option that everyone wants to go with, they are by no means any worse than the brushes that have synthetic bristles. This brush is proof of that. Made out of 100% natural boar hair and wood, it’s really soft and will suit many types of tasks.

Natural bristles such as the ones found in this brush are known to hold moist liquids very well. This allows you to properly spread the glazing all the way across your pastries with just a few quick strokes.

Pros

• Suitable for all types of tasks
• Easy to hang with a nylon lanyard
• 100% natural

Cons

• Natural bristles are an individual matter and not everyone loves them

4. Natural Boar Bristle Pastry Brushes

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As mentioned above, it’s definitely good to have more than just one basting brush. That is why manufacturers often sell them in affordable sets such as this one.

This set of two natural boar bristle brushes will be a helpful addition to any kitchen.

Key Features:

• Set of two brushes
• Ideal for fresh pastries
• Water-resistant

These brushes are premium quality, and you will be able to tell at first glance. The handles were made out of top-quality lacquered handle and then topped off with brown nylon ferrules. They have a professional look about them that any cook is sure to appreciate.

The handles are ergonomic and easy to grip. They also feature a hanging hole so that you can keep your brushes on display – they will fit any kitchen.

Pros

• Premium quality
• A set of two brushes
• Great fluid retention

Cons

• Need to be delicately washed by hand

5. Silicone Basting & Pastry Brushes by AdeptChef

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This colorful set of four amazing silicone brushes is going to be more than enough to cover most of your cooking needs…and it will look great while doing so.

Key Features:

• Four beautiful colors
• High heat resistance
• Multi-functional

One of the best things about these brushes is that they come in four different vibrant colors. Not only will they bring a fresh breath of life to any kitchen design—they will also make glazing and cooking easier. 

They are incredibly easy to clean and dishwasher safe, but you can also clean them by hand. They are also very heat resistant and will easily stand temperatures of up to 446 degrees F.

Pros

• Affordable set of four brushes
• Can be used on a pan, grill, or even waffle iron
• Dry quickly

Cons

• The brushes are all similarly sized

6. Winco Pastry Brush, 1-Inch

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This compact-sized brush features a set of boar bristles that are ideal for glazing and coating. For those that want a natural-bristled brush that is still very durable, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

Key Features:

• Wooden handle with metal ferrule
• Flat bristle
• Made out of natural boar hair

This brush, ideal for smaller tasks such as decorating or glazing with greater precision, is ideal for all types of coating work. The bristles, being natural, are rather soft, but you can still use it for more precise tasks. This is due to how densely the bristles are attached to the brush.

The handle measures at 4.5″ and is made out of wood with a metal ferrule. The brush itself is 1″. This makes it one of the smaller brushes on the market; as such, it is ideal for tasks that require precise movements.

Pros

• 100% natural material
• Flat bristle
• Very versatile

Cons

• Should be washed by hand

7. WALFOS Premium Silicone Basting Pastry Brush Set

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Are you looking for something that is top-quality and can be considered a luxury item, but is still extremely affordable? You just found your match in this set of two brushes by Walfos.

Key Features:

• 100% FDA approved
• BPA-free
• Impressive heat resistance

These two brushes will stand out from the very second you lay your eyes on them. This is due to their incredibly stylish, fully black design. They have an aura of elegance about them that will add to the decor of any kitchen.

They are very heat resistant and will easily handle up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit worth of heat. You can baste food even when you’re cooking or grilling, because no harm will come to your new brushes.

The brushes feature a variety of bristles and come in different sizes, ensuring that they will cover each and every base and then some. This is a very versatile set that will satisfy even the most demanding cook.

Pros

• Multi-functional and flexible
• One-piece design
• Dishwasher safe

Cons

• The brushes are similarly sized

8. Royal Industries Pastry Brush

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Yet another natural brush on our list, this commercial-grade 1″ inch brush is suited to a variety of different tasks ranging from decorating to glazing smaller pastries.

Key Features:

• Compact-sized
• Natural boar bristle
• Water-resistant

The boar bristles on this brush are snugly secured, so you do not have to worry about any type of fall out. They’re also surprisingly durable for a natural brush and will endure temperatures of up to 500 degrees F.

You can safely use this brush for things such as basting, egg wash, glazing, spreading sauces, and making candy. It’s also fantastic for pastries, cakes, sugar cookies, or chocolate. The bristles are long and soft, making them safe to use with just about any type of food.

Pros

• Drilled handle with a hanging hole
• Lacquered hardwood handle
• Ideal for many types of tasks

Cons

• Not vegan or kosher

9. Silcony 3-Piece Set Heat Resistant Silicone Basting Pastry Brushes

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Vibrantly colored and versatile, these brushes will make cooking and baking a complete breeze.

Key Features:

• A set of three brushes
• Made out of pure silicone
• Soft bristles

Aside from looking beautiful with their three different colors: blue, green, and yellow, these brushes will make your baking even easier with their variety. 

How, you might ask? This is due to the fact that the different colors will make it easy for you to discern between different flavors of glazing or coating. As such, you will avoid cross-flavoring with these basting brushes.

They are remarkably soft and strong and will resist heat of up to 480°F, so you can use them while roasting.

Pros

• Highly durable
• Dishwasher and freezer safe
• Hygienic

Cons

• The brushes could have a more varied size

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