What is the Best Grill Mat? — Top Picks for Maximized Cooking and Grilling (2022)
Want to utilize your griller? Cook soft and small food alongside meat with a grill mat!
Enhance your grilling experience and find the best grill mat with this guide! We don't want to keep you waiting, but if you're in a hurry, Grillaholics Grill mat is our favorite option.
Read on below to see why!
Reviews of the Best Grill Mats
1. Best Overall - Grillaholics Grill Mat
The Grillaholics Grill Mat is chosen as the overall best BBQ grill mat for its price, size, durability, and versatility. You can also use this heavy-duty bbq grill for cooking and baking besides grilling.
3-in-1? Sign us up, too!
It has the perfect thickness to withstand heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and enough to still put grill marks on the meat.
Not to mention, a smooth, nonstick surface that makes cleaning and maintaining feel less like a chore. Now now, if you thought the best overall product only had that to offer, that's not all, grillers.
Just look at those sweet baby features below:
- Durable design made with pure PTFE fiberglass coating.
- Heat-resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Nonstick surface perfect for gas, electric, and charcoal grills.
- PFOA-free material, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe.
- Great choice for both pro and amateur cooks.
2. Best Value - Kona XL
The best grill mats can handle any temperature and if you're willing to spend a tad bit more, the Kona XL mat can withstand up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit of heat, higher than Grillaholics.
The Kona XL is thicker than most grilling mats and also comes with a smoke mat, making it even more useful when you grill at higher temperatures.
It has a thickness of 0.39mm but it retains heat very well which is perfect when you want that juicy texture and tender flavor for your meat. We can smell barbecue just from that alone. Can you?
- Textured surface with non-stick PTFE coating to keep food in place
- Comes with a 7-year warranty
- Heat resistance up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit and retains heat like a stone grill.
- Easy cleaning surface but not suitable for all dishwashers.
3. Budget Pick - Kitchen + Home BBQ Grill Mats
The Kitchen+Home Non stick BBQ Grill Mat is our budget pick from all of the best grill mats.
It's an affordable and a high-quality purchase that comes in a set of two, and thick enough to withstand 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
We don't mean to sound like a broken record, but all these grill mats just blow our expectations away. So while Kitchen+Home makes for our #3 spot, how do you know it's for you?
That depends on how often you plan to use one: if you don't plan to use your grill frequently, this is the best one for you. It's reusable and works well with various types of grills without issues.
- Affordable and high-quality mat with a peak temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Reusable with its PTFE nonstick coating and is PFOA-free
- Cooks food evenly without burning and keeps the flavor.
- Not as durable as others but a very suitable choice if you don't grill frequently.
4. Chef Caron BBQ Grill Mat
Our #4 is a great alternative but if you need some convincing, then here we go:
What makes Chef Caron worthy as a runner-up pick is its two layers of PTFE or in other words, it's highly durable except multiplied x2.
It also has a nonstick coating and delivers heat evenly on the surface.
But its main selling point is how its durability & design make it the perfect camp buddy for outdoor trips and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
It almost has the same price as Grillaholics but it only comes with one mat. Other brands usually have a set of two mats.
- PFOA free and has lightweight PTFE material to ensure that nothing sticks onto the surface.
- Thickness of 25mm perfect for distributing heat evenly.
- Low coefficient of friction (COF)
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
5. Aoocan Grill Mats Set of 5
We won't lie. Aoocan grill mat doesn't come close to our top 3 picks, but price is the name of the game for someone like Aoocan.
The Aoocan grill mat is a very affordable and apt option for those who use grill mats often. While others come in a set of 2, this comes in a set of five for less than $13!
Despite its low price, it's capable of withstanding temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's LFGB and FDA approved and is very much safe for use. Each mat measures 15.75 inches by 13 inches. It's thick and easy to clean.
It might not be as durable as the other options but it's a good quality for its price!
- Usable in microwaves and different grills.
- Very affordable and comes in a set of 5.
- FDA-approved, PFOA-free
Grill Mats Buyer’s Guide
In the search for the best grill mats, there are key things you should look out for. Keep these in mind while you're browsing so you can find the perfect grill mat for you!
(We also reviewed the best grill covers for your grilling needs.)
Size and Design
Before you go in search of your grill mat, you should measure your grill's (or any surface you're planning on using) surface area for the grill mat size.
Some grill mats might not have the same exact size but you could always cut or trim it.
But if you don't want to go through the hassle of measuring and cutting, you could always look for the exact dimensions for your grill.
You could definitely save a whole lot rather than having unused chunks and pieces of the mat.
Do note it might be better to get a bigger mat rather than a smaller one. The juices and the food that you're cooking might be prone to sliding away from the surface area of the mat and fall in between the grates. It's better to have a mat with the same size as your grill or bigger.
If you have a circular grill, get a circular grill mat!
Thickness
The thickness of your mat heavily affects its heat resistance and the way your food is being cooked. Avoid mats that are too thin. They quickly heat up and are prone to getting burned.
The thicker the mats are, the more heat resistant it is. Sear that into your brain.
Although if it's too thick, it might not cook your food evenly. Ideally, your grill mat should be around 0.25mm thick.
This is the perfect thickness to have for a decent temperature rating without compromising safety. Try using one with 0.25mm thickness and tell us what happens.
Temperature Capacity
Most grilling mats can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Those with a higher peak temperature are most likely thicker or made of tougher material.
Make sure that the mat can handle temperatures within the 500-degree Fahrenheit range. Any mat that has a lower peak temperature than that is most likely prone to melting.
Grill mats should be able to handle temperatures in that range as a safety measure in case of sudden flare-ups.
Price
The purchase price of BBQ grill mats usually ranges from $13-22 depending on the design and features.
Some brands may seem like they're more expensive but most of the time it's because they come in a set of 2.
It's also important to have a look out on the warranty of the mats. Some brands also offer money-back guarantee. Keep on the lookout for these types of offers and take them into account.
It might seem cheaper to purchase mats that have no warranty but trust me, a warranty will save you in the future.
What Is a Grill Mat?
Usually, when cooking with grills, you cook big chunks of meat on top of the grates. Ideally, most foods stay large and firm while grilling, but there are some types that are too soft and fall through the grills.
One of the solutions for is to purchase a grill mat.
Grill mats are thin sheets that can withstand high grilling heat temperatures that you place on a grill or in an oven.
With this, you can cook soft types of food like eggs, fish, and chopped veggies without the risk of them falling.
All grill mats are made of fiberglass coating that make it flexible and durable. To be able to cook on it, it's coated in PTFE [1], a material that makes the surface non-stick.
And in case you were worried, these mats are safe to use for electric, gas, or charcoal grilling.
Purposes of Grill Mats
Grill mats have many purposes but one of the main things it's used for is to prevent food from sticking onto the grill. The mats also help preserve the juices from the meat when grilling to have more flavor.
Doing this also prevents grease fires.
These nonstick mats also help you cook a variety of things all at the same time and not just chunky meat. Eww.
It's perfect if you want to grill the best vegetables, eggs, pancakes, and more. Its nonstick texture also allows you to cook fish and chicken on it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Grill Mats
The nonstick grill mats don't just cover the grate gaps. If you want to keep the grill marks on the meat, you can still do so. Its thickness is perfect for hitting these two birds at once!
It really maximizes your grilling.
And not only that, but it's also easier to clean! You don't have to scrape grease and gunk from the grates. (You might as well know the best way to clean grill grates.)
Most of these mats are dishwasher safe, so you can just chuck it in the dishwasher and it's ready to use again. They're also very portable and easy to store which makes it perfect for camping cook-outs.
Though you have all of these advantages, you still have to take caution when using a grill mat. They're also prone to catching fire so avoid using them over open flames and always monitor the heat temperature when in use.
The material is susceptible to being damaged by metal utensils so be very careful in searing and slicing meat on top of it.
There's not much difference with the taste of meat when using a grill mat. You just won't get that much of a smoky flavor but you'll get really tender and juicy meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grill mat is best?
While we did give product suggestions above, the best pick will be one that's suited for your needs. Take into account the factors mentioned above when looking for a grill mat.
If you use your griller often then you might need to get something heavy-duty and dishwasher safe like the Grillaholics one.
If you're just using it for a trip, you might want to get something that comes in a set of 2 or more.
Just remember to take note of your usual cookout temperatures so that you'll get a mat that has the temperature rating you need.
Do grill mats really work?
Yes, of course!
The design of the grill mat is made to properly conduct heat for food to cook without falling or slipping between the grates. They're best used when cooking greasy food to keep the oils and meat juice from producing flare-ups.
Cooking innovation has allowed grill mats to come into the picture. We'd understand why you want to be sure.
The same way we were amazed to see Air Fryers do virtually everything from baking to frying countless recipes.
So here's some piece of advice: maximize your grilling experience and try using it to see what we mean!
Are grill mats safe to use?
Yes! These mats are coated with PTFE that doubles as a non-stick coating and a shield to prevent the fiberglass from interacting with the food. It's completely safe and PFOA free.
You also might come across copper grill types but they don't have actual copper in them.
Copper grill mats usually have coloring but it's protected by a PTFE coating as well. It's safe and doesn't really have anything different from the ones mentioned.
Make sure to check for an FDA-approved label before buying.
Our Top Pick For a Grill Mat: Grillaholics Grill Mat
To wrap it all up, the best grill mat is the one that suits your needs. You might just need to use it for a special event or maybe you grill frequently.
There are plenty of viable options in the market but for our overall best pick, Grillaholics Grill Mat offers the best quality for its price. It's not too expensive and it's heavy-duty. You can rely on it to expand your grilling experience without compromising flavor!
If you have a little extra to spare, go for the Kona XL! It's also worth it and you can use it long-term.
Having a grill mat lets you prepare different types of food on your grill besides meat.
You can cook eggs, chopped vegetables, fish, chicken, and so much more! You definitely won't regret investing in one.
Want to have a unique grilling experience? Check out our review of Kamado Joe vs Primo, next!
We have more guides for your grilling needs. Read them below:
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