If you’re tired of scrubbing the grill every time you want a burger, it might be time to give one of our picks of the best grill mats on the market a try. One of best parts about grilling is the taste of smoked food cooked in the open air. But there’s a drawback to this cooking method. Grill grates tend to be perpetually dirty—probably because they’re a pain to clean. And how many times have you wondered if the black specks in your grilled chicken are charred meat or flecks of wire grill brush? (Yikes.)
And then there are the limitations of the surface itself while cooking in the great outdoors. Big cuts of meat and burgers can do fine on a grill but other food can present a challenge. Roasted vegetables often slip through the grates. More tender entrees like fish tend to stick to the grates and break apart when you move them.
Yet, it’s hard to pass up that grilled flavor. Who would boil or steam dinner when you can roast and singe it with real fire?
Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this problem—grill mats—brought to you by the nonstick invention that transformed stove-top cooking. Grill mats are thin, flexible nonstick rectangles that are usually made from fiberglass cloth coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). (A material better known by its common brand name, Teflon.)
Just like a nonstick frying pan, grill mats provide a smooth surface with even heat distribution. They come in a few standard sizes and are meant to be placed directly on the grilling surface.
In addition to the common black grill mats, there are also “copper” grill mats. Note the parentheses. Most products that bill themselves as “copper grill mats” don’t contain actual copper, despite their claims. (Read about one chef’s investigation here.) It comes down to a simple matter of color preference. See our favorites at the end of this post!
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Table could not be displayed.Here’s how to use a grill mat:
- Cleaning: Always clean a grill mat before use, including when you first remove it from the packaging. Most mats can be cleaned with soap and water but just like nonstick cookware, don’t use abrasive soaps or scrubbers. This will scratch and damage the nonstick surface.
- Placement: Adjust your grill so that the mat won’t come into direct contact with the flames. Also, most mats can withstand temperatures of 500 degrees but not more than that. (In most cases, you’ll want your grilling temp to be between 300-400 degrees.)
- Preheat: Preheat your grill to a low or medium heat. Once the grill’s at temperature, place the mat on top of the grates. (You can arrange your food on the mat before or after you’ve placed it on the grill, whichever is easiest.)
- Cooking: Turn your food as needed using utensils that won’t scratch the mat. Don’t use anything on a grill mat that you wouldn’t use on nonstick cookware.
- Mat Removal: Once the food is cooked, use an oven mitt to remove the hot mat from the grill. Let it cool before washing it and storing it. (And never fold it. Grill mats should be stored flat or rolled up.)
Here are some of the best grill mats you might want to try at your next cookout.
The highest rated grill mat on our list comes with a 7-year warranty—and has more reviews than you’ll ever care to read.
Grilloholics Grill Mat
If you’re looking for a grill mat recommended by America’s Test Kitchen, this is it. It’s also the #1 bestseller on Amazon.
This grill mat 3-pack is FDA-approved and comes in standard black or copper. Use one color for meat and the other for veggies.
Consider this grill mat 6-pack and share with a friend. Or, mats can also be used as bonus baking sheets in the oven (up to 500 degrees).
This set of 6 standard-sized mats comes with a money-back guarantee.
These mats are made with the right thickness to find that perfect balance between protecting your food, and providing superior heat distribution.
The last—but not least—grill mat on our list also comes in black or copper. And like most grill mats, it can be cut to size to fit your grill.
Once you’ve decided on your grill mat, check out these 10 recipes and get grilling!
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