If you are wondering if you should get some BBQ grill mats, ask yourself these questions: Are you tired of food falling through the grates on your BBQ grill? Do you want to cook smaller items along with your burgers, but you can’t because they are too small to stay on top of the grill? Or do you just want to cover up that grimy BBQ grate at the campground this weekend?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider getting a grill mat for your next BBQ. Here are 7 common questions asked about BBQ grill mats.
What is a BBQ grill mat?
If you have ever wanted to grill small or delicate foods that would normally fall through the grates on your grill, then you need a BBQ grill mat. A mat lets you prepare small vegetables or delicate foods that easily break apart like fish on your BBQ grill. You can also add sauces and seasoning to your foods that will not drip through the grates, but rather stay on the food for the entire cooking process.
Are BBQ grill mats any good?
Read reviews before buying, I am sure that some are better than others. Most are made from a coated fiberglass fabric, or copper, and can take temperatures up to 500 degrees. So they can take the temperatures you are going to use for most foods. The non-stick coating can be easily cleaned. Some can double as cookie sheet liners in your oven.
Are grill mats reusable?
Grill mats are reusable. Their non-stick coating can be cleaned by wiping down with warm water and dish soap, and most can be washed in your dishwasher.
How many times can you reuse a grill mat?
The number of times you can reuse a grill mat will depend partially on the brand and quality. Not many of them will claim a solid number because it depends on so many factors. I have seen some that say they can be reused up to 100 times. And I haven’t seen many reviews that complain about them failing after just a few uses.
Are grill mats carcinogenic?
Most grill mats are PTFE coated, which is the same coating as most non-stick pans. The FDA approved this coating for cooking, but some people still question how safe it is to use. If you have concerns about non-stick pans, then you may want to avoid the coated fiberglass grill mats and look for the copper ones as an alternative.
How do you clean grill mats?
Most grill mats are dishwasher safe. You can also wipe them down with warm water and dish soap to clean them. Their non-stick surface generally makes them easy to clean after use.
What are the best grill mats?
There are several options out there at a variety of prices. My preference for the best grill mat would be the copper options which have no PFOA or silicone. Copper mats are normally more durable as well.
Instead of a grill mat, you can use other options, such as a fine cooking grate, a “grill pad,” a grill basket, or even a cast-iron skillet. The benefits of the grill mat are that it rolls up for easy storage, and is simple to clean. You know I’m a fan of cast iron skillets, but sometimes light and simple wins.
Most mats are solid, so food is cooked in its own juice. This is a little different than most grilled foods. There are some mesh mats, too. Those might be a little harder to clean when you are done, but they should be a little more true to the grilling experience you are going for. When I use a mat, I am partial to the copper-coated mats.
There are many options and many tastes. And they aren’t terribly expensive, so you can definitely try more than one. Leave a comment below with your experience!