Is the Grillbot grill cleaner robot worth having this 2025? Here’s my honest, mom-of-3 review and how it stacks up against the Horsepower GiddyUp Brush.
My husband’s colleague gifted it to him for his birthday (because what screams bro friendship like a grill-cleaning robot?). Being the curious, gadget-loving stay-at-home mom I am, I snatched it out of the box before my husband could even charge it.
Because let’s be real, between chasing three kids, school pickups, and trying to keep a halfway decent backyard space, any shortcut to cleaning is worth a shot.
About the Grillbot
If you’ve ever seen late-night As Seen on TV commercials, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the Grillbot. It’s a little automatic, rechargeable robot that’s supposed to clean your grill grates while you kick back with a cold drink. It comes with replaceable brass brushes (you can upgrade to stainless steel), a carrying case, and promises to scrub off all the stuck-on grease and grime for you.
Basically, a Roomba for your BBQ.
Sold for $152 on Amazon.com, does it really live up to its price?
My Experience Using the Grillbot grill cleaner
Setup:
Super simple. Charge it up, pop on the brushes, and drop it onto your cooled-down grill (don’t skip this — it can’t handle a hot surface). It has a built-in timer (10, 20, or 30 minutes), and it zips around randomly scrubbing.
Actual Cleaning:
It’s fun to watch — my toddlers were obsessed. But is it actually effective? Meh.
It picked up some ash and lighter grease spots but struggled with anything really baked on, especially in the corners. I still had to manually go in with a brush afterward. It’s more of a maintenance tool than a deep cleaner.
Also, it’s LOUD. Not jackhammer loud, but it rattles and bangs as it bounces around the grates.
Battery Life:
Decent. Lasted through several 20-minute runs on one charge.
Cleaning the Grillbot Itself:
A bit annoying. The brushes pop off easily, but grease gets caught underneath the device too, and you’ll need to wipe it down after a couple of uses.
Pros
- Hands-off cleaning (mostly)
- Easy to set up and use
- Rechargeable with a decent battery life
- Good for light cleaning and ash removal
Cons
- Can’t replace a good scrubbing for stuck-on gunk
- Noisy and bouncy — toddlers will love it, you might not
- Cleaning the robot itself is one more chore
Grillbot vs. Horsepower GiddyUp Brush (Which I Also Own)
Now here’s where it gets interesting — because I already have the Horsepower GiddyUp Grill Brush, another As Seen On TV tool that I actually bought.
| Feature | Grillbot | Horsepower GiddyUp Brush |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Automatic robot | Handheld electric grill brush |
| Deep Cleaning Ability | Weak on tough grime | Excellent — melts through stuck-on gunk |
| Convenience | Hands-free (but needs follow-up cleaning) | Hands-on, but works quickly |
| Use on Hot Grill | No | No |
| Noise Level | Loud rattling | Low hum |
| Maintenance | Clean brushes + wipe the device | Wipe brush head |
| Price Value | $152 Overpriced for the result | $52 Fairly priced, does what it promises |
Winner for Me: Horsepower GiddyUp Brush
It’s not as fun, but it actually gets the grill clean in one go, even when I forget to clean the grates right after cooking.
Final Thoughts
If you love quirky kitchen and backyard gadgets (or want to gift a BBQ-loving friend something hilarious), the Grillbot is a fun toy. But if you’re a busy parent like me who needs reliable, quick cleaning tools, you’re better off with a good electric grill brush like the Horsepower GiddyUp.
FAQ
Can you use the Grillbot on a hot grill?
Nope — it’s plastic and will melt. Always let your grill cool down before using it.
How long does the battery last?
On a full charge, it easily runs multiple 20-minute cycles.
Does it clean in corners and edges?
Not really. It tends to bounce around and misses tight spots.
Is it dishwasher safe?
The brushes are removable and can be hand washed, but the robot itself needs to be wiped down.
Is it worth the price?
As a fun gift? Sure. As a serious cleaning tool? Not so much.
Would I buy it again?
Probably not. But my toddlers think it’s the coolest thing ever, so it might just earn a permanent spot next to the bubble machine.