Brooklyn Grill’s Guide to Smoking with Grill Mats

A grill mat is essential in any outdoor cooking station. It turns your grill into a full-on kitchen. Here’s a simple guide that was done by the Brooklyn Grill team for the first-time griller to smoke with grill mats!

What Are Grill Mats?

A grill mat is a non-stick heat mat that is placed over any type of grills, such as gas, charcoal, pellet, or electric grills. It allows you to cook small and delicate food without making a big mess, which also prevents the food from falling into the grill gates.

Grill mats can be used at the bottom of your grill to protect your deck from damage and discoloration. There are so many reasons why you should use a grill mat.

They can make great oven liners. Grill mats are made from non-stick fiberglass with a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is heat-resistant. They’re also dishwasher safe, so you can cook anything without worrying about cleaning!

How to Cook with Grill Mats

It’s pretty simple to cook with grill mats. Follow these steps to cook with grill mats safely:

• Step 1- Before putting the grill on, remove the mats and wash them with some soap and water. This won’t apply to those who are using their grill mat for the first time. After it’s dry, apply some olive oil to it to prevent the sticking of food.
• Step 2- Now, put your grill on. Place the grill mat on the cooking rack, and don’t limit your choices of food! Keep the temperature below 500 degrees F.
• Step 3- Put your food on the mat and begin grilling as usual. Don’t use metal utensils on your mat as they can cause damage to the mat. You should only use silicone or plastic accessories.
• Step 4- When you’re done grilling, wait for the grill to cool, then take out the mat. Clean it with mild soapy water, or simply pop it into your dishwasher. Cleaning your grill mat is important to ensure the best results every time.

You can make anything from eggs to burgers with lots of sauces and cheese without it going into the grill grate. BBQ grill mats can be used with any type of grill, from charcoal to gas grills, and are useful to have in any outdoor deck area.

Best Selling BBQ grill mats on Amazon

Now that I have given you an overview of BBQ grill mats, if you have decided to buy one, below are the 5 best-selling BBQ grill mats on Amazon.

Alternatively, you may also read our review of the Top 10 best copper grill mats of 2022

[amazon bestseller=”grill mats” items=”5″ template=”table” link_id=”3989″]

BBQ Grill Mats Safety

Generally speaking, BBQ grill mats are safe when used correctly.

You should follow all the directions that come with your grill mat, which may include how far it should be above the flames to avoid extreme exposure to high temperatures.

Since grill mats are made from PTFE, this material breaks down at about 570 degrees F, which releases harmful chemicals into the air and into the food you’re grilling. To keep your grill mats and your food safe, you shouldn’t exceed this temperature.

Your grill mats should also be washed according to the instructions. Don’t scrape or scrub the grill mats with rough sponges or use very strong chemical cleaners. Mild dishwashing liquid with a soft sponge or washcloth is enough to clean the grill mat. Most grill mats should be dishwasher safe, however, read the manual to make sure.

Never leave your grill mats near very extreme high or low temperatures. After use, they should be brought inside and stored flat or rolled into a loose cylinder. Don’t fold them!

Finally, try to control flare-ups while you’re grilling. This is unavoidable, but constant blasts of heat, over time, can damage your mats and cause them to release harmful chemicals. However, grill mats prevent grease from entering the charcoal or burners, so flare-ups are minimal anyway. Don’t let it spill off the sides, though.

Following proper instructions with your grill mat can ensure your safety and food!

Grill mats are necessary because cooking off the grill can cause tiny fibers of metal to go into the food. Copper grill mats do not leave any metal fragments in the food, so the people eating them are safe.  

Copper grill mats can also withstand high temperatures of 500 degrees F, which is higher than other grill mats. This allows you to grill without worrying about the mat damaging or burning your food.

Grill Mats Pros and Cons

Pros of using BBQ grill mats	Cons of using BBQ grill mats
Grill mats make your food flavorful and juicy. The mat prevents sauces and spices from dripping off, which retains flavor. Don’t worry, your food will still have lovely grill marks!	Grill mats can catch fire. If you use it over direct flame, it can catch on fire. They can also melt and catch fire if your grill temperature is too high.
Grill mats make your food safe. If you are in a campsite or communal grilling, grill mats come in handy for grills where everyone uses them. This will make sure your food is safe without it coming into contact with the grill grates.	They slow down cooking. Grill mats are a barrier between the food and the grate. This barrier is beneficial, however, it can slow down the cooking process.
Dishwasher safe! Since grill mats are usually made from Teflon, it’s easy to clean. Some mats are also dishwasher safe so that you can use them numerous times.	Grill mats can be damaged if you use metal utensils. The mats can be scraped and poked with metal utensils. It would be best if you only used silicone utensils.
Grill mats give you even cooking. These mats, especially copper grill mats, promote even heating which lets your food cook evenly. This will allow it to have more moisture and flavor.	Not using BBQ grill mats properly may pose health risks

How to Know Grill Mats That Won’t Discolor Deck

PVC grill mats will protect your deck from grease without causing any damage. You should avoid grill mats with rubber backing, such as ‘welcome mat’ because they can discolor the deck and cause marks.

You’d want to look for a grill mat to keep your grill firm and yourself on your feet. A grill mat that is large enough to fit under the grill with some room to spare. This is best for catching excess splatter or grease. Your deck will be protected in this way.

The grill mat should be absorbent or non-porous, which will either soak up the splatter or collect it like a tray. Most people usually prefer the non-porous one as it does not soak up rainwater.

Grill Mats Cleaning

It’s very easy to clean your grill mats after use, and you do not need any strong or special cleaners. However, how you use your grill mat will determine how you go about cleaning it.

• These are simple instructions on how to clean grill mats in the sink:
• Allow the mat to cool and wipe leftovers with a damp cloth.
• Soak the mat in some soapy water for one hour and rinse under running water.
• If you have stubborn stains, use a soft scrub to gently get them off. Make sure you get the stain off, as it will stick to the mat and make it hard to remove.

You can have a look at our other post, how to clean grill mats, for other great ways to clean your grill mats.

You must be sure to prewash your grill mats, especially if they are heavily stained. The dishwasher will not be able to remove stubborn food residue, which can damage your dishwasher in the long run.

If your mat is not that stained, you can skip this step and put it straight on the top rack of your dishwasher.