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As I've always said the only cleaning tools I use on my smoker is a brush and the handle of a large hammer. Wack the box with the handle to loosen anything up and brush the grates. What I didn't mention and caused someone a problem is that I also scoop any soft grease that has collected anywhere. If you don't, you will eventually have a grease fire.
Aside from that, I don't clean anything else. I like to walk past my boxes when I'm not cooking and enjoy the smell.
I wash/clean down the grates in my Brinkman before each use. Pan too. Also have to periodically wipe down the sides of the vertical box. We get a lot of mold down here in Houston because of the humidity. Not good eats.
I do the veg spray on the water pan and line with foil. Keeps it new clean. I also always clean my racks and the window on the MES. Other than that... black!