A basting brush is a piece of cooking equipment designed to assist cooks with basting. Basting refers to adding liquid to food for flavor and to help keep it moist. Most typically, meat is basted, although other foods can be basted as well. A basting brush is an excellent way to control the amount of basting applied and to use the basting efficiently. Some cooks may choose to use a basting bulb instead.

The basic design of a basting brush is like that of any other brush, with a handle for gripping and bristles to brush a surface. A basting brush, however, is designed to be heat resistant so that it can be used in and around ovens and grills. The bristles can be natural or synthetic, with most cooks preferring synthetic basting brushes, especially those made from silicone. To use the basting brush, the brush is dipped in the baste or marinade, and it is applied to the food to be basted.

The classic basting brush is made from a wooden handle and boar or plastic bristles. Some cooks complain that these brushes tend to hold stains, odors, and flavors. They are also potential bacteria traps, since the design of the basting brush often includes nooks and crannies, and the natural fibers and wood cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher. To keep this type of basting brush sanitary, it should be periodically dipped in bleach to kill potential organisms.

A synthetic basting brush, especially one with a plastic handle, is usually dishwasher safe. It may also be designed with less bacteria catching crannies, so it is a better choice for cooks who want to keep their kitchens clean and sanitary. A silicone basting brush is ideal, since it can be molded from a solid piece of silicone which will resist odors, flavors, heat, stains, and freezing.

Often, a basting brush comes with a basting pot, a special pot designed to hold the marinade and the basting brush. A niche in the pot keeps the basting brush stable, and the pot is usually meant to hold hot marinades. Some companies make basting pots which can be directly heated. Using a basting pot can help to keep messes to a minimum, and it will keep the marinade very handy. In some cases, a basting pot may also include a lid for storage of the contents.

Although a basting brush is specifically designed with glazes, sauces, and marinades in mind, it can also be used as a pastry brush. Most cooks keep their basting and pastry brushes separate to avoid food contamination, but a basting brush made from a material like silicone can be used for both applications. It also helps to keep a variety of sizes around, to ensure that cooks have brushes for all needs.