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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
If you’re tired of constantly cleaning your grill grates or watching food fall between them, you may want to seek out a grill mat. Not only is this accessory known for making cleanup much easier, but it also affords you the option to cook smaller foods without skewering them or worrying that they might fall into the fire. The kind of grill you have, what sorts of foods you’re looking to cook on it, and how often you use it will all be factors to consider when purchasing a grill mat.
Here are the best grill mats.
Best Overall
Kona Best BBQ Grill Mat
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Amazon
Safe up to 600 degrees
Thicker than most mats
7-year warranty
Requires trimming to fit smaller grills
One of the biggest variances between grill mats is thickness. If your mat is too thin, heat is conducted through quickly and can burn your food. Too thick and you'll always need to make sure you have enough heat to properly cook your food.
That said, the thickness of this grill mat from Kona is super heavy-duty and just the right amount for us. Comparatively, this mat is anywhere between two to four times thicker than other mats, which makes it much more durable and allows you to use it for longer. The thicker material also allows for it to be safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. With a nonstick surface and safe to put in the dishwasher, reviewers love how easy it is to clean these mats and how much they’re able to use them without the quality degrading. If you need a bigger size, there's also the 25 x 17-inch XL mat; both are backed by a 7-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: PTFE fiberglass cloth | Dimensions: 16 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 600 degrees
Best Copper
Aoocan Copper Grill Mat
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Amazon
Great for even cooking
Easier to spot browning and buildup
Can be used in the oven
Slightly thin
Not only is the fresh copper color of these mats a nice design choice, but the lighter color makes it easier for you to see your food on the mats and determine how browned they are (in comparison to a black mat). They’re also a bit easier to clean than a black mat because it’s much easier to identify any stuck-on food bits. Reviewers love how evenly these mats distribute heat as well as the fact that you’re still able to achieve grill marks on your food without having to place your food directly on the grates. These can also be used in the oven atop a cookie sheet.
Price at time of publish: $15
Material: Fiberglass fabric coated PTFE, copper coat | Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees
Best Value Set
Dad's Choice Heavy Duty Grill Mats
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Amazon
Features black, copper, and mesh mat
Different thicknesses
Great for gifting novice grillers
Only safe up to 500 degrees
If you’re having trouble deciding which mat you want to go for and you want to give a few different versions a try, this set is a great way to try out multiple versions. It includes a basic mat, a copper mat, and a mesh mat, so you can sample them all and decide which you prefer. At under $15, this is a great deal for what you’re getting, especially if you’ve never tried grilling with a mat and are feeling indecisive. These mats are dishwasher safe so you have nothing to worry about when it comes time to cleanup. They’re safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and this variety pack would make for a great gift, especially for a young or novice griller.
Material: PTFE-fiberglass coating | Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees
Best for High Heat
Kona Mesh BBQ Grill Mats
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Kona
Sturdier and thicker than some mats
Recommended for use up to 600 degrees
Versatile
Can be difficult to clean
Not all grill mats can withstand high heat, but these are recommended for temperatures up to 600 degrees, which tends to be the maximum temperature suggested for any of these products. In addition the maximum temperature, what we really like here is the design. The mesh allows more circulation of smoke, yet it prevents small food items from falling through the grates. This makes these extremely versatile—you can use them for smoking meats, making jerky, or infusing your favorite nuts with smoke flavor. Like the other Kona grill mats we recommend, these are dishwasher safe and have a 7-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: PTFE-coated mesh | Dimensions: 16 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 600 degrees
Best Round
Osvino BBQ Round Mat
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Osvino
Easy to trim to size
Reasonably priced for a set of five
Can be used on any type grill
Too small for some round grills
Since a good amount of kamado grills and smaller grills are round instead of rectangular, it makes sense to get a round grill mat, instead of cutting one to fit the shape of your grill. This set of five mats works on all types of round grills, including electric, charcoal, and gas, and each can be trimmed down to size as needed. The 16-inch diameter is a medium size, but you might need to layer a few mats around your grill if you're using a Big Green Egg or a similar large grill.
These are heat-resistant up to 500 degrees and do not contain PFOA or silicone. They’re also dishwasher safe, though reviewers say food debris falls off easily without requiring much scrubbing.
Material: PFTE-coated mesh | Dimensions: 16 x 16 inches| Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees
Best Mesh
Cook Time Grill Mesh Mat
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Amazon
Mesh allows more smoke to penetrate foods
Dishwasher safe
Black and copper options
Can be difficult to clean
If you’re looking for a mesh mat option, this is a great option from Cook Time. By opting for mesh, your food will be much more exposed to the smoke and flame from your grill, but the food will still not come into direct contact with your grill grates, making cleaning the grill an easy task. These mats are food safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and are totally compatible with gas, electric, pellet, and charcoal grills. While they're nonstick and dishwasher safe, reviewers remark that lots of nooks and crannies can make it difficult to thoroughly clean the mesh.
Price at time of publish: $16
Material: PTFE-fiberglass coating | Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees
Best for Fish
Grillaholics Grill Mats Set
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Amazon
Dishwasher safe
Thin enough to leave grill marks
Wonderfully nonstick, even after many uses
Comparatively expensive
For a super flat, level, and nonstick mat, this Grillaholics model is a fan favorite. If you cook a lot of delicate foods on your grill, like fish, this mat is a great way to ensure that you don’t run into any sticking issues. It’s thick and sturdy enough to protect the fish from any intense flavors but will still allow for that signature grilled flavor. Users love the option to cook smaller foods, like crumbled sausage, eggs, and veggies. These mats fall on the slightly pricier side, but for such great quality, they do warrant a few extra dollars.
Price at time of publish: $20
Material: PTFE-fiberglass coating | Dimensions: 15.75 x 13 inches | Maximum Temperature: 500 degrees
The Kona Best BBQ Grill Mat is our top pick because it's durable, high-heat resistant, and should last many years of grilling to come. If copper is your forte, the Aoocan Copper Grill Mats are a popular option, thanks to their even heat distribution.
What to Look for in Grill Mats
Size
It’s definitely important to measure the size of your grilling area before buying a mat to ensure that the mat will fit without any cumbersome overhang. Though you can always cut your grill mat once you have it to fit the size and shape of your grill, it’s easier to start with a mat that’s in the ballpark of your grill. If you have a circular grill, like a kamado, it will certainly be helpful to buy a circular mat. Instead of buying a huge mat for a small grill, save your money and opt for something smaller.
Temperature Capacity
It’s important to know the highest temperature that your grill mat can withstand. Most mats are safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, but you should double check before purchasing. If the temperature capacity is anything lower than 500 degrees Fahrenheit, you run the risk of your mat melting or potentially being degraded during usage. If you want a mat that can withstand hotter temperatures, you’ll likely need to opt for a thicker mat. All grill mats are made of heavy-duty PTFE, a nonstick coated fabric, but the thickness of these mats vary, which directly indicates how high of temperatures they can withstand.
Material
Grill mats are made from a PTFE-fiberglass cloth, but they can be coated in copper, which is great for even grilling and also makes it easier to see the food than with a solid black mat. You can also find mesh PTFE-fiberglass cloth or mats with holes, which allow more smoke to get through to the food.
Price
The price range for grill mats is pretty narrow—you’ll likely spend anywhere from $10 to $25, so you don’t need to worry about a huge price difference between separate models. That said, you’re much better off opting for a higher quality mat with a thicker design that can withstand high temperatures, especially because a higher quality mat is not much more expensive than a basic one.
FAQs
How do you clean a grill mat?
To clean your grill mat, start by rinsing and soaking it in warm, soapy water. If there is any stubborn food debris, you can also use the soft side of a scrub pad to loosen up the food. Never use any scratchy metal objects to clean these mats, as it will damage the nonstick coating and could potentially ruin the mat. Some grill mats are dishwasher safe, so check to see if yours is and run it through your dishwasher accordingly.
How do you use a grill mat?
To use your grill mat, lay the mat down directly onto your preheated grill grates. Using a grill mat will prevent you from needing to clean your grates after grilling and you don’t have to use as much oil on your food to grill. By using the grill mat, you also don’t need to worry about smaller food items falling between the grates. Instead of skewering veggies, you can just throw them directly on the mat, and if you want to prepare breakfast items like eggs, pancakes, or French toast over the grill, now you can. When you’re done using the grill mat, let it cool down before removing and cleaning.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Sara Tane has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats, understanding what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their outdoor culinary adventures. She is a professionally trained chef in addition to an outdoor cooking enthusiast. With many weekends of cooking elaborate, delicious meals outside on a grill, she is no stranger to what it takes to have a successful bout of grilling. After researching different grill mats and their materials, she can help you find the best model for your grilling lifestyle.
This roundup was updated by Arricca SanSone, who has been grilling since she owned her first tiny hibachi in college. She’ll grill anything, but her favorite food to grill is homemade pizza with fresh tomatoes and herbs from her garden. She is a health and lifestyle writer for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, House Beautiful, PureWow, and many others
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