Some people believe grill mats don’t make any difference when grilling. Others even think that they get in the way and become a hassle during the grilling experience. However, we know that depending on the kind of food you’re grilling, a great grill mat can make all the difference.
Grilling mats are perfect and essential to properly grill vegetables, shrimps and even burgers. Even though most grill mats can look nearly identical to one another, there are subtle differences that you must consider before choosing the best mats for you and your grill.
This is why we’ve reviewed the ten best grill mats on the market, taking into consideration their main features, their price per value and their customers’ reviews, among other things.
And don’t worry, if you’ve never used a grilling mat and weren’t aware you needed one (or two, or five!), we’ve got you covered. We’ll explain what they are, how to use them and why you need one before we go over the things to consider when you are making your purchase decision.
Before moving on to the actual reviews, let us give you a quick list of the products featured in this article:
The Best Grill Mats
Key Features ANd Specifications
- 0.39 mm thick
- PFOA free
- Non-stick surface
- Weight: 6.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 0.1 inches
This BBQ grill mat by Kona takes the title of best grill mat on our list thanks to its numerous useful features and characteristics. For starters, this mat is 0.39 mm thick, which is up to 4 times thicker than the average grill mat available for purchase. Moreover, it’s PFOA free, and it can withstand temperatures as high as 600 F.
Because of the spectacular design, the Kona grill mat can be used up to 1000 times per side, that’s over 50 times more than the ordinary grill mat. This makes the product one of the most durable on the market and on this list. However, some customers say they don’t hold up as well as they should, especially for the price. Issues with the product melting have been noted after only a few uses. Additionally, the product has torn, though this grill mat is extra thick.
On the other hand, Kona offers a 7-year warranty for the grill mat, so should you have any issues, they’ll take care of it for you. Furthermore, it’s important to consider that the aforementioned problems were few and far between. Overall, this grill mat has great ratings.
Plus, it’s non-stick surface makes it quick and easy to clean off all grease and food residue that can develop during the cooking process. Also, the mat is dishwasher safe and it’ll keep your grill clean after every barbeque. Last but not least, the price includes not one, but two grill mats!
Pros
- Extra thick
- Durable (for the most part)
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- High heat resistance
Cons
- Sometimes can be difficult to clean
Key Features ANd Specifications
- PFOA free
- Non-stick finish
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 x 0.01 inches
The Grillaholics mat is at the same price point of the Kona mat. However, the price is more than justified by the extremely high-quality materials used in making this product. Moreover, the price is also for two mats, not just one.
The product is heavy duty and has an ultra-smooth non-stick finish. It’s made from premium heat resistant PTFE-Fiberglass coating and contains no PFOA, silicone or other harmful chemicals. It works on most types of grills and can withstand temperatures as high as 500 F.
What makes this mat special is the thoughtful decision. This grill mat is thin enough to leave grill marks and flavor intact, yet is also thick enough to provide the ultimate heat resistance and durability. Plus, with Grillaholics Lifetime Replacement Guarantee, these two mats are all you’ll ever need.
Other than being heat resistant, this mat effectively prevents flare-ups. Plus, when you’re done cooking, you just have to wait for the mat to cool off before putting it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. Moreover, using the mat means the grill stays clean and looking new for years to come.
As a downside, some types of meats, such as pork loin, tend to stick a little bit to the mat. While this is a bit inconvenient, it can easily be remedied by misting the mat with a non-stick cooking spray before grilling leaner meats.
Pros
- Heat resistant
- Prevents flare-ups
- Durable
- Leaves grill marks
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Some types of meat might slightly stick to the mat
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Fiberglass fabric coated Teflon
- 0.25 mm thick
- Anti-stick
- Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Dimensions: 12.99 x 1.46 x 1.57 inches
For less than $20, Aoocaan offers a set of five heavy duty, reusable grill mats that can easily be used on any kind of barbecue whether it’s electric, charcoal or gas. The mat is heat resistant up to 500 F of heat. This grill mat is very smooth and will not stick to food easily, allowing you to look like a pro while grilling.
This mat has passed LFGB food-grade certification, which makes it harmless to food and makes your diet healthier. Interestingly, thicker grill mats don’t always mean better. Made of fiberglass fabric coated Teflon, the Aoocan mats are 0.25 mm in thickness, which is thin enough to leave grill marks and great flavor in your food, but thick enough that the heat resistance isn’t compromised.
Plus, the Aoocan Grill Mat is very easy to clean. When you finish barbecuing, you just need to rinse it with clean water and leave it in the sun to dry. The best part about it is using it means you don’t have to worry about a dirty grill. Yet, it won’t just keep your grill clean, you can use it while baking or microwaving food and keep those appliances clean, as well.
As a downside, the mats are likely to scratch easily, especially if you use a hard brush to clean them. However, as an upside, you can try this set of mats risk free. If you’re not completely satisfied, Aoocan will make it right or refund your money.
Pros
- Great price
- 5 mats included
- Dishwasher safe
- Leaves grill marks
Cons
- The mat might scratch if cleaned with hard brushes
Key Features ANd Specifications
- 0.02 inches thick
- Holes on the surface
- Anti-stick
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Dimensions: 16.33 x 13.1 x 0.24 inches
In terms of price per value, the Kitchemy grill mats are equal to the other two packs on the list. However, there is something that sets these grill mats apart… The 2021 upgraded model has holes in them! Why is this significant? Well, sometimes grill mats can be a grease fire risk because the grease pools on the mat during the cooking process. However, that’s not an issue anymore with this model thanks to the new thoughtful design.
The Kitchemy grill mat set comes with two Teflon grill mats that can withstand up to 500 F of heat on any type of grill. Moreover, they are 0.02 inches thick and are easy to clean. They can be washed in the dishwasher, hosed off outside or cleaned by hand, whichever you prefer.
Made of high-quality materials, with the perfect thickness, these mats are designed to last and can be reused many times. Furthermore, the mats are non-stick, meaning you won’t have to worry about your food getting stuck on the pad and having to scrub it off later.
However, do remember the holes will let some grease through, meaning you’ll have to spend some time cleaning the grill afterwards.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to clean
- Heat resistant
- Works on any kind of grill
- Holes help prevent grease fires
Cons
- The holes might let some grease fall on the grill
Key Features ANd Specifications
- PFOA free
- 0.4 mm thick
- Non-stick
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 0.1 inches
Renook is one of the least expensive options on the list and offers a set of 2 heavy duty, non-stick grill mats that can withstand temperatures as high as 600 F. These mats are perfect if you need to work with very high temperatures, no matter the type of grill. For 2021, Renook’s mats now come with a new thickness and new size.
Renook’s mats are 4 times thicker than most grill mats on the market. Plus, they’re now 20 inch by 16 inch, so you get plenty of grilling space. These superior non-stick grill mats can be used over 1000 times each side and are PFOA free.
Because of the non-stick surface, this product is easy to clean in the dishwasher or by hand. Moreover, you won’t need to worry about bending or manhandling the mats since they are tough and hard to deform.
Lastly, it’s important to note that Renook offers a 100% refund or replacement if you are unhappy with your mats for any reason.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Tough and durable
- A mat can be used over 1000 times per side
- Dishwasher safe
- Leaves grill marks
Cons
- The mat will easily get damaged if put directly over the fire
Key Features ANd Specifications
- High-quality Teflon
- Non-stick
- 0.20 mm thick
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 15.75 X 13 X 0.1 inches
Headmall offers a set of 5 reusable mats that can withstand up to 500F of heat for almost 100 uses per each side. This set of mats is extremely budget friendly at just a couple of dollars per mat. They are 0.20 mm thick and are PFOA free.
Unlike the other mats on this list, the manufacturer does instruct users to brush the mat with oil before using it on the grill. Though, they also describe the mats as being 100% non-stick because they are made with a high-quality Teflon fiberglass coating that has FDA and LFGB food-grade certification.
After you’re done cooking, you’ll only need to wipe the mat down with a paper towel and put it in a dishwasher to get rid of any food residue. Though, some customers complained that the mats don’t stand up well in the dishwasher and flop around during the wash cycle, so they don’t get effectively cleaned that way. Meaning, hand washing might be your best bet.
Furthermore, the manufacturer recommends only using plastic, wood, or silicone utensils to avoid scratching them. However, Headmall offers a 100% money-back guarantee and has 24/7 customer service hours, so if for any reason you’re not satisfied, they’ll have you covered.
Pros
- Set of 5 mats
- Extremely budget friendly
- Dishwasher safe
- Fits any grill
- Heat resistant
Cons
- The mat might scratch easily
Key Features ANd Specifications
- High-quality PTFE
- 100% non-stick
- Weight: 6 ounces
- Dimensions: 0.1 x 13 x 15.75 inches
Not unlike other products on our list, this set of two mats is PFOA free, heavy duty, and it can withstand a temperature as high as 500 F without melting. These reusable mats are good for grilling food on all kinds of grills including propane, gas or electric.
Don’t settle for thin barbecue grill mats made of inferior materials that curl, crack, smoke or release chemicals. The unique nonstick coating outlasts traditional mats. Plus, these mats are thicker than most mats to last you years.
On the other hand, these mats are still thin enough to create grill marks on your steak. Stop wasting money on aluminum foil or other disposable grill covers and invest in these grill mats. They are reversible and reusable, saving you money for years to come.
Moreover, the mats are dishwasher safe and are PFOA and BPA free. Though, when washing in the dishwasher, the manufacturer specifies to only put them on the top rack.
And as a last thought, it’s advised not to bend the mats when storing them away because you’ll create fold marks in the mats.
Pros
- Good price
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe
- Suited for all types of grills
- Leave grill marks on the food
Cons
- It’s easy to leave bend marks on the mats
Key Features ANd Specifications
- PTFE coated fiberglass fabric
- 0.20 mm thick
- Non-stick
- Weight: 10.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 15. 75 x 13 x 0.1 inches
For around $2 a mat, you can get this grill mats set by Vremi which includes 5 heavy duty, BPA-free, reusable mats that are compatible with all types of barbeques. The mats can handle up to 500 F of heat. They are made from PTFE coated fiberglass fabric that not only allows the products to be durable over time, but also prevents food from sticking to the mat’s surface.
Furthermore, the mats are 0.20 mm thick. This means they are thin enough to leave the typical grill marks on your food, but also help prevent the burnt taste you’d get when you cook directly on the grates.
These versatile grill mats not only act as a protective layer for your grill, but they also double as large or small cookie sheet liners for your bottom oven rack to accommodate home cooked meals and baked goods.
Whenever it’s time to clean up, simply wipe clean or place in the dishwasher to eliminate messy grill cleanup.
Before purchasing, it’s important to note some customers found that the mats slide around a bit when attempting to flip the food on them. However, this should get better with practice.
Pros
- Heat resistant
- Good price
- Dishwasher safe
- Leaves grill marks
- Can be used on any grill
Cons
- The mats might slide while you turn food on them
Key Features ANd Specifications
- PTFE coating
- 0.25 mm thick
- Non-stick
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 x 0.1 Inch
Smaid grill mats are another very affordable option at around $2 a mat in this 4 pack. Smaid grill mats can withstand up to 500 F on any type of barbeque. This is because of their .25 mm thickness. This thickness allows for the ultimate heat resistance and durability. Yet, the mats are still thin enough that you can create beautiful grill marks.
Smaid grill mats have a 100% non-stick surface for better taste and healthier meals because there is no need to use oil when cooking. These mats are made from 100% PFOA-free materials and premium nonstick PTFE-Fiberglass coating. With proper care, they can last for years to come. Plus, these grill mats are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Furthermore, Smaid offers a money back guarantee, so you can buy risk free. Though, they say these four grill mats are all you’ll ever need. However, one customer said that the nonstick quality of the grill mats was a little lacking after a year and a half of use.
Pros
- Heat resistant
- Good price
- Dishwasher safe
- Set of 4
- Reusable
Cons
- Might need to use a cooking spray to prevent food from sticking to the mat
Key Features ANd Specifications
- PTFE fiberglass coating
- Non-stick
- Weight: 9.5 ounces
- Dimensions: 15.83 x 12.09 x 0.51 inches
The last item we’re going to talk about is the grill mesh mat by OSVINO. The mat is made from nonstick PTFE coated fiberglass mesh and is PFOA-free, meaning there’s no chemical smell and they’re food safe.
The Osvino mats are heat resistant up to 500 F without burning and are suitable for electric grills, charcoal grills, gas grills, pans and ovens. Plus, they can be cut to any size or shape to fit your needs.
Because these mats are mesh, grease doesn’t pool on them which lowers the risk of grease fires. Moreover, they are reusable and easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. However, it’s important to note that since grease seeps through the mesh, you will have to clean your grill after using them.
Pros
- Set of 5
- Heat resistant
- Dishwasher safe
- Good price
- Suits any grill type
Cons
- The grill will need to be cleaned after using the mat
WHAT ARE GRILL MATS USED FOR?
Let’s start with a quick recap of what grill mats are. Grill mats are thin, reusable mats made from fiberglass that lay over the grates on your grill to keep food from falling through and create a barrier between the food and the flames.
They are meant to be durable, yet flexible while creating a flat cooking surface. Meaning, they typically have no holes or gaps. Though, this isn’t the case for all of them because the holes in the mat serve a very specific purpose.
Furthermore, grill mats are meant to be nonstick. To give them this quality they are coated with PTFE, which is made from Teflon. This material is non-flammable, which is perfect for grill mats.
In addition to keeping food from sticking, a grill mat helps preserve sauces, marinades and spices making food tastier. Plus, they help prevent flare ups that can be caused by grease dripping from meat.
Though, it’s important to note that grill mats aren’t just useful for cooking meat. They are excellent for grilling loose vegetables. No need to spend too much time tediously skewering veggies that’ll still probably fall through the grates. Plus, you can even use them to cook pancakes or eggs on the grill.
Basically, they’re the most necessary grilling accessory you didn’t know you needed. Until now!
PROPER GRILL MAT USAGE
Before we get to the buying guide, there are some things you need to know about proper grill mat usage. First thing to know, while most grill mats can withstand temperature between 500-600 F, they’re best used around 300-400 F because the PTFE coating can break down at those super high temperatures. Plus, there’s no reason to grill anything at 600 degrees anyway.
Next, let’s discuss the proper utensils to use with your grill mat. Think of your grill mat like a nonstick frying pan. That means you can go at it with just about any type of utensil; plastic, wood, silicone. However, the Golden Rule is to avoid utensils made of metal because they can scratch the coating and mess up the nonstick quality.
In the same regard, that also means you’ll want to avoid anything super abrasive when washing your grill mats. That means avoid those extra gritty sponges, firm bristled scrub brushes and especially things like steel wool. A cloth or the non abrasive side of a sponge will be the most ideal or use the top rack of your dishwasher.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A GRILL MAT
As you’ll see, there is a huge variety of grill mats available on the market. For this reason, we want to give you some pointers on the main factors you should look for in a good barbeque mat. This way, the choosing process will become streamlined for you.
Size and Shape
The first thing to consider is the size of your grill and the size of the mat. A grill mat that’s too small will lead to flare ups because the juices won’t be contained. Look for one that’s just about the size of your grill or even too big. Too big is fine because you can cut it to fit your grill and make the fit perfect.
And since not all grills are rectangular, we’d like to point out that circular grill mats are available, so you won’t need to MacGyver your mat if you have a Big Green Egg. Thank gosh, am I right!?!
Heat Resistance
It might sound obvious, but a good grill mat will need to withstand really high temperatures in order to work properly. Generally, make sure the mat you’re looking at can take up to 500 F of heat without burning or melting. It’s unlikely you’ll be cooking at a temperature that high, but for durability sake, it’s a good quality to have.
Also, it’s important to keep your grill mat around 6 or more inches away from the flame. Even with their high heat resistance, if the flame touches your grill mat, it can still melt. Best case scenario, it only warps it. So, do yourself a favor and just keep it well above the flame.
Thickness
Thicker doesn’t always mean better, there’s a sweet spot. That spot is about .25 mm. If your mat is thinner, it will get too hot too fast and burn through. However, thicker mats won’t evenly so your food won’t cook evenly. The .25 mm thickness will heat evenly and you’ll still get those beautiful grill marks. Plus, it’s thick enough that your grill mat will have a long life.
Nonstick Surface
Nobody likes delicate meat falling apart trying to flip it because it stuck to the grill mat or breaking a sweat trying to scrub off stuck on food. This means you’ll want to look for a grill mat with a PTFE coating, which is easy because they all pretty much have one!
Though, do you know what’s better than a PTFE coating? A double-coating of PTFE! Sure, this double coating means that your grill mat will be a little more expensive. However, it also means the mat will be more effective and have a longer life expectancy. This trade off is worth it in our book.
Other Things to Consider
The last thing to consider is the surface of your grill mat. And this time, we’re not referring to the surface coating. We’re referring to the surface “texture.” For example, most of the grill mats available have a solid surface. However, some have holes. Others are mesh.
These differences are important because non-solid surfaced grill mats allow grease to drain through them. This can be beneficial because a common complaint with grill mats is that grease pools during the cooking process. Meaning, food can come out greasy and won’t get crispy. Plus, it creates a risk of grease fires. Think flare ups, only this time above the grates. Not good.
While having a way for the grease to drain lowers the risk of grease fires and helps the food come out better, it also means that you’ll need to clean your grill even after using a grill mat. One of the things people tend to love about grill mats is the fact that it helps make for easy clean up. Since most grill mats have a solid cooking surface, the only thing you have to clean after cooking is the mat and the utensil. No more having to scrub down the grill. That is, unless your grill mat is mesh or has holes.
This is something you’ll want to consider before making your purchase. A possible solution? Get one of each type and see what you like best! But remember, no matter the mat you choose, treat her well. Nothing abrasive and no direct contact with fire. Other than that, you’re good to grill!
Why Trust Grill Cook Bake?
Grill Cook Bake was created by amateur chefs and food lovers to help people cook better. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, having the right tools, equipment, and gear can be the difference between a good meal or a bad meal.
Our goal at Grill Cook Bake is to provide you with comprehensive and unbiased reviews and information so that you can make informed buying decisions. Our team has decades of combined experience in the cooking field. This knowledge includes a deep understanding of both brands and individual products.
This article was updated by Jacki Chaplain, a freelance writer and product reviewer for Grill Cook Bake. Jacki Chaplain is a seasoned food writer and blogger. She received masterful culinary training under an esteemed Johnson and Wales graduate. Today, she’s combined her divine love of all things food and artful way with words into a full-time career as a freelance writer for various foodie websites.
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