Warmer days are here, and before you fire up the grill, we're here to remind you how important it is to clean and maintain it; having the best tools to do just that will help you stick to a schedule. Matthew Eads, cookbook author, gourmet griller, and founder of the blog Grillseeker, recommends a quick cleaning of the grill grates after every use, ideally when they are still warm and he suggests using a bristle-free brush (more on that later). "You want to get any food, sauce, and residue off of your grill grates to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold which can be dangerous," he says. "These things tend to attract insects and critters that you don't want setting up a new home inside your grill."

Every now and then, and definitely before you put your grill away for the season, you should also do a deep cleaning using a brush, cleaning block, and some grill cleaning spray. "During these cleanings, you should also clean out any charcoal ash or residue in the bottom of your grill, as well as the burners if you have a gas grill," says Eads, who recommends following that up with a thorough scrubbing using a degreaser solution that's designed for grill cleaning. 

A sturdy ash handle forms the foundation of this grill cleaning set, which comes with three clip-on tools: a stainless-steel wire brush, a polishing brush, and a high-gauge stainless-steel brush that gets in between grill grates. The set comes with a lifetime warranty, and all you need is a little elbow grease. When it's time to clean the brushes themselves, note that they're hand-wash only.

This sturdy brush uses steam to sterilize and clean stubborn grease and food residue. To use it, heat up your grill, fill the brush handle with water, and scrub away using the stainless-steel bristles. The steam helps melt away gunk on your grill without the need for intense scrubbing or harsh chemicals. For harder to reach areas, flip over the brush and use the small scraper.

Offering a safer alternative to traditional wire brushes, this 17-inch grill cleaning brush is designed to clean large areas with ease. For best results, it's recommended you preheat your grill for 15 minutes and repeatedly dip the brush in water while brushing. The brush is made of sturdy stainless steel and has shorter sides to clean grill edges and between grill grates.

If your grill has classic stainless steel or ceramic grates, Eads strongly recommends using a bristle-free wire brush in tandem with a grate cleaning brick (like the one below). "It's extremely important to choose a bristle-free style of brush," he says. "The standard wire brushes have a tendency to leave bristles behind. These bristles can get into your food and that can be dangerous."

This 4-pack of reusable grill cleaning bricks are perfect for removing grease and food residue from between grates, especially when used in combination with a bristle-free brush. They're lightweight and have a natural anti-slip grip that makes them easy to handle. Plus, they won't scratch up your ceramic or metal grates. Beyond the grill, you can also use these to clean your oven, kitchen utensils, and enameled surfaces.

Ideal for cleaning laser cut style grill grates, this wooden grill scraper is another favorite of Eads. "High-end laser cut grates provide incredible searing, but they will destroy a typical bristle-free brush or cleaning block in just a few uses," he says. "The wood scrapers are best for this style of grate." This particular option is made with A-grade pine wood and claims to clean grills without scratching them. It can also be used to clean porcelain, ceramic, stainless steel, and cast-iron grills as well.

Aptly named, GrillFloss allows you to clean round grill grates without having to lift them. It's made of sturdy stainless steel, wipes clean, and is meant to replace brushes and scour pads.