A basting brush is a basic cooking utensil used to coat meat and other foods in the process of marinating with liquid for the purpose of enhancing flavor or preserving moistness.

Basting brushes are made of either natural bristles, usually made out of boar bristles, or they can be synthetic, made out of plastic or silicone bristles. Some cooks prefer the synthetic basting brushes for their ability to be resistant to stains and odors. The synthetic brushes also have the added advantage of being dishwasher safe.

Basting brushes with natural bristles are often selected when one requires maximum liquid adhesion to the brush and increased pliability with the bristles.

Some basting brushes are made with feather bristles. These are used to apply thinner layers of liquid, such as glazes.

Nylon brushes are selected for durability, but do not provide a very high volume of liquid retention and also suffer from low heat resistance and can easily become scorched in high temperatures.

Basting brushes that are composed of synthetic bristles, as weLl as those with plastic handles, can be washed in the dishwasher.

Those with natural bristles should be hand washed in a solution of warm, soapy water. The bristles should be gently massaged with the fingers, then rinsed in running water until all of the soap is removed. Once the brush has been thoroughly rinsed, the excess water should be shaken off and patted dry with a paper towel. To prevent microbial accumulation on these brushes, they may be dipped periodically in a solution of a capful of bleach per one quart of water. The brush should be allowed to soak in this solution for 30 seconds, then rinsed thoroughly and dries as when it has been washed.