Freshly baked pie crust is known for its flaky golden brown color…
…but you can’t achieve that look without a certain kitchen tool.
Use the pastry brush for beautiful color, sealed edges, and a shiny finish.
Pastry brushes, also known as basting brushes…
…have long been a staple of commercial kitchens…
…but they are now finding their way into home kitchens as well.
The classic natural bristle variety preferred by professionals has many benefits…
…ensuring adequate liquid gathers to make a uniform egg wash…
…or facilitate an even layer of nappage over fruit tarts.
In addition to silicone, nylon, boar hair, and Teflon…
…there are also small, angled, and round options with wooden, plastic…
…or metal handles-each with its own advantages.
Aimee’s story will prepare us for the next section…
Just bought these pastry brushes and I really like them.
Initially, I didn’t see the need for so many,
but it turns out that I like using different ones for different tasks.
As a result, I always use one for barbecue sauce and one for pizza sauce.
If it retains any odors, it won’t be a big deal since they will all be used for the same thing. T
his is an excellent tool, and I would recommend it to my friends.
It’s time to get started…
What to Look for in a Pastry Brush
Bristle Material
A pastry brush’s bristles determine how well it picks up…
…and spreads liquids on your baked goods.
You want bristles that are flexible for even coverage…
…but do not damage your delicate pastries.
Thinner bristles can tear paper-thin phyllo dough…
…while very soft bristles are hard to control and may grab too much liquid.
Most pastry brushes are made from four materials…
…and each has its own niche in pastry prep.
Boar Hair
Professional chefs are by far the most attracted to natural bristle.
These sponges absorb liquids well and are supple enough to glaze any pastry…
…and dense enough to soak a cake in syrup.
It works equally well whether the liquid is thick and viscous or thin and runny…
…and drippage is virtually nonexistent.
Despite its advantages, this material can shed bristles over time…
…and most must be hand washed.
Nylon
The nylon bristles offer the pliability of natural brushes…
…without the risk of shedding, but they do not hold liquid as well.
As nylon is adept at spreading thicker liquids…
…such as glazes and barbecue sauces, it can be stiffer than natural bristles…
…causing the brush to tear delicate pastries.
It holds liquid well and is a good compromise…
…if you want something that doesn’t shed, but allows for better absorption.
Silicone
There are a lot of things to love about silicone brushes…
…though they are much better for basting meats than brushing pastries.
Dishwasher safe, high heat-resistant, and odor resistant…
…silicone is often used in appliances.
Silicone models typically have larger bristles and fewer of them…
…than other materials, which causes thinner liquids to drip right off.
In addition to being able to handle thicker sauces and marinades…
…they can often be used while grilling or roasting.
The bristles are secure and will not fall out.
Teflon
Teflon also works well for greasing or cleaning hot appliances.
Teflon bristles are extremely durable…
…but their stiffness makes them unsuitable for delicate pastry work.
Generally, they don’t have as many bristles as nylon or natural material models…
…so liquids do not hold as well.
While they’re tough enough to clean your waffle iron…
…they aren’t exactly ideal for spreading a delicate chocolate glaze.
Read on…
Handle Material
Pastry brush handles are made from three different materials: wood, plastic, and metal.
Handles made of wood offer a firm grip and are often found…
…on brushes with natural bristles.
Make sure the grip you choose fits comfortably in your hand…
…and consider the job at hand.
Grilling and basting require a longer handle…
…whereas buttering delicate puff pastry requires a shorter handle.
Wood handles cannot usually be washed in the dishwasher.
Nylon or silicone bristles are usually accompanied by plastic handles…
…that are dishwasher safe.
Plastic handles also tend to be more grippable than other options.
These types of handles typically have molded bristles…
…which eliminates bacterial growth problems…
…and they tend to last longer than other models.
Metal-handled brushes are less common.
They tend to be more expensive and difficult to handle.
Size
The right tool for the job means taking the size into consideration.
In general, bristles under 2 inches tend to provide…
…the best coverage and versatility.
Having longer bristles allows you to reach every crevice on pastries…
…such as fruit tarts, but can be difficult to manage when a more delicate touch is needed.
Although shorter bristles lack the swoosh factor of their longer counterparts…
…they can aid in detail work and are appropriate for smaller pastries or doughs.
Density of brush head is an important consideration in addition to bristle length.
With more bristles, it can grab more liquid, reducing reloading.
Here’s the main thing…
Our Top Picks for Pastry Brushes
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Winco Pastry Brush, 1-1/2-Inch | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Silicone Basting Pastry Brush Spread Oil Butter Sauce Marinades for BBQ Grill Baking Kitchen Cooking, Baste Pastries Cakes Meat Sausages Desserts, Food Grade, Dishwasher safe | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Royal Industries (ROY PST BR P 200) - 2" Nylon Bristle Pastry Brush | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Jamie Oliver Pastry Brush, Wooden Handle with Hook and Natural Bristles, Round | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | OXO Good Grips 1-1/2 Inch Natural Pastry Brush | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Winco Pastry Brush
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This classic model is probably what comes to mind…
…when you think of a pastry brush.
Winco Pastry Brush has natural boar hair bristles…
…and a thick varnished wood handle that is comfortable to hold.
For tasks such as applying egg wash, buttering a pan…
…or soaking a cake in simple syrup, the flat, paintbrush-style shape is ideal.
There are a lot of soft bristles on the brush…
…but they are loose enough to ensure you get the most liquid.
For delicate pastries or sealing pie crusts, you’ll need this brush.
Pros:
- Flat bristle
- Versatile
- Offers maximum coverage
Cons:
- Hand wash only
- Sometimes sheds bristles
“The 1.5-inch design is outfitted with a wooden handle and tough boar bristles that absorb liquid exceptionally well, don’t drip when you’re moving from sauce to meat, and are heat resistant.”
AMY SCHULMAN – Food Writer
Consevisen Silicone Basting Brush
The color-coded set makes it easy to identify the right pastry brush…
…for each task, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Each set of four is heat-resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit…
…comes with a convenient drawstring bag for storage…
…and is made from FDA-approved silicone.
Silicone bristles are less likely to break or shed than natural ones…
…which is common with natural bristles.
Silicone bristles are also incredibly versatile.
The brushes are perfect for using as barbecue basting brushes…
…as well-the essential tools used to spread glaze on roast turkeys…
…and layer thick marinades.
While this model isn’t good for delicate pastries…
…it can often provide a consistent egg wash due to its high heat capacity.
On the other hand, the high heat capacity makes it ideal for sugar work.
You can easily clean these by popping them in the dishwasher after use.
Pros:
- Multiple sizes
- Heat resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Silicone does not grab liquids
Keep reading…
Royal Industries Nylon Bristle Pastry Brush
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A nylon pastry brush is a great option if you are concerned about bristles shedding…
…when you use a natural bristle pastry brush.
Nylon pastry brushes from Royal Industries get the best of both worlds:
…they’re not rigid like silicone, and they dispense liquids better…
…but they don’t shed like natural bristles.
The nylon bristle brush is also more heat resistant than a natural bristle brush…
…so it is a great addition to candy-making equipment.
This Royal Industries model holds a fair amount of liquid, too…
…so it’s great for buttering phyllo dough for baklava or oiling bread before baking.
The handle is easy to grip, and the larger size can handle bigger jobs, like basting meats.
Rinse your bristles right after using them and wash them with warm, soapy water.
Pros:
- Flexible, but little shedding
- Wide base covers surface well
Cons:
- Hand wash only
Go on…
Jamie Oliver Pastry Brush
- Perfect for glazing foods, applying melted butter or egg wash, basting meats and poultry, and more
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A round brush is a great tool when you have small pastries to glaze…
…a cake to decorate, or really anything requiring fine detail work.
Rather, they’re not the best choice for delicate doughs…
…because their shape tends to put more direct pressure on the dough…
…which can cause tearing.
With its acacia wood handle and natural boar hair bristles…
…this model is quite elegant.
Plus, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of Jamie Oliver’s gorgeous collection?
As a chef and food activist, he understands the power of good tools…
…so he backs them with a 25-year guarantee.
The handle of the brush is curved for a comfortable grip…
…and the handle is tipped with teal silicone (it also comes in gray)…
…with a hole for hanging, so it can be conveniently stored.
Jamie Oliver’s Pastry Brush makes quick work of egg washing buttermilk biscuits…
…and mopping barbecue sauce from ribs.
Pros:
- Good for detail work
- Ergonomic handle design
- Celebrity chef-approved
Cons:
- Hand wash only
- Bristles may shed
Oxo Good Grips 1.5-Inch Pastry Brush
- Natural boar bristles retain softness and pliability better than synthetics
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Oxo products are known for their affordability and durability.
Featuring a grippy, slip-resistant handle that’s angled…
…for maximum comfort and a sealed base that prevents food…
…and liquid from accumulating and growing bacteria, this pastry brush is no exception.
Aside from the intuitive design of the handle, the head is also well crafted.
The bristles are pliable and hold enough liquid to bast large batches of turnovers…
…and the angled head keeps the brush elevated.
The bristles do not touch the countertop when the brush is set down…
…and spills on the countertop are a thing of the past.
The brush is also dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Angled head prevents dripping
- Dishwasher safe
- Bristles don’t touch countertop when set down
Cons:
- Bristles may shed
Sum Up!
It might even be said that there are no limits…
…when it comes to the uses for pastry brushes.
As with many kitchen accessories, you will find new uses for your basting brush…
…as you continue to use it. When it comes to cooking…
…being able to think outside of the box is a fantastic skill…
…so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Conclusion
Natural bristles, a flat shape for maximum liquid absorption…
…and a comfortable grip make the Winco Pastry Brush a top choice.
If you’re looking for a brush that won’t shed and is dishwasher safe…
…choose the Consevisen Silicone Basting Brush set.
Sturdy silicone bristles are unbreakable and easy to color code…
…preventing cross contamination.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
