Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you’ve never wanted a BBQ grill mat before, this would probably change your mind. A BBQ grill mat is your best companion if you want to make sure that your grilled meat and veggies won’t stick to your grill but what is a BBQ grill mat?
A BBQ grill mat is a thin and flexible cookware piece that allows mess-free and convenient grilling. It is made of fiberglass cloth covered with a layer of heat-resistant PTFE material that provides a non-stick cooking surface. Good quality BBQ grill mats can withstand extreme temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, a BBQ grill mat is suitable to use with almost any type of BBQ including Charcoal and Gas so you can enjoy effortless grilling on any BBQ available.
Nowadays, there are plenty of BBQ grill mats to choose from in many cookware stores and online shops. With the many choices available, making a purchase decision is certainly no easy task. But don’t worry because we’re here to help!
In this article, we will be explaining what are BBQ grill mats and how to use them. We’ve also included a list of things to look for when buying a BBQ grill mat. Without further adieu, let’s get into it!
How to use BBQ Grill Mats
Believe us when we say that using BBQ grill mats is almost foolproof. In fact, it only takes three steps to effectively use this cooking tool. These three steps are:
Step 1: Start heating your BBQ
Step 2: Lay your BBQ mat on top of your BBQ (when using a charcoal BBQ wait for flames to die down)
Step 3: Place your food on the BBQ grill mat and start grilling
That’s all! You won’t even need to brush oil or butter to prevent sticking because BBQ grill mats are already covered with a non-stick material.
But before you use your BBQ grill mat, here is a friendly reminder. Although BBQ grill mats are made durable to withstand up to 500F, we recommend not using or exposing them to any temperatures in excess of this rating. Just like any product, a BBQ grill mat also has its limits. When used for cooking at temperatures more than 500F, chances are your BBQ grill mats will start to deteriorate and seriously affect your food’s quality.
Nevertheless, you shouldn’t be afraid to use a BBQ grill mat. Take note that a wide variety of ingredients including meat will just need 350F to 400F to cook completely so you might not need to use your mat up to 500F at all.
5 Best UK BBQ Grill Mats
We’ve told you what BBQ grill mats are and how to use them so let’s now look at 5 of the best UK BBQ grill mats on the market.
Following our top 5 list, you’ll find some information on what to look for when buying BBQ grill mats so make sure you keep reading.
1) EXTSUD BBQ Grill Mat
EXTSUD BBQ Grill Mats come in 2 different sizes the first one we’ve listed here is 40cm x 33cm and the second is slightly large at 40cm x 50cm.
You can see the larger version by clicking here but they are essentially the same although the larger ones do only come in a pack of 3 and are more expensive.
These grill mats are fantastic and do exactly what they should. They come in packs of five and are very simple to use and are also reusable.
Unlike some other low-quality mats, these barbeque mats won’t burn or shrink and help to stop flare-ups.
They are smooth and 100% non-stick which means you can easily cook any type of meat or veg without any of the food sticking to the BBQ. Not only does this mean your food should retain any flavourings but also that your BBQ and mat are easier to clean.
They are made from 100% PFOA-Free materials and can easily be washed either in the sink with soapy water or even in the dishwasher.
Made from a slightly thicker material, the EXTSUD BBQ mats are hard-wearing, long-lasting, and can cope with temperatures up to 500°F or 260°C. Finally, they can be used on both gas and charcoal BBQs and can be cut into any shape.
BBQ Mat Specifications
Dimensions: 40cm x 33cm
Thickness: 2.5mm
Heat Rating: Heat Resistant up to 500°F, 260°C
Quantity: 5 mats per pack
Dishwasher: Dishwasher safe
Material: Fiberglass fabric coated PTFE (Teflon)
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Main features
- Perfect Thickness
- Cuttable and Washable
- PFOA-free
- Easy to Clean
- 100% Non-Stick Surface
2) GoFriend BBQ Grill Mat Set
The GoFriend BBQ grill mat set comes with 5 mats a pair of BBQ tongs and a really hand silicone brush.
They come in one size, 40cm x 33cm and can handle temperatures up to 500°F, and 260°C.
The non-stick material means that you can easily grill any type of meat, fish, or vegetable without the risk of your food sticking and ruining your grill.
The grill mats are very easy to clean & reusable and the 0.2mm thickness means that your food will still have the telltale grill marks and also retain its flavour.
Made from PTFE coated fiberglass which is free from PFOA means that you can feel comfortable that your grill mats are perfectly safe.
Like most other good quality BBQ mats, these GoFriendly mats won’t burn or shrink, and will also prevent BBQ flare-ups.
BBQ Mat Specifications
Dimensions: 40cm x 33cm
Thickness: 2mm
Heat Rating: Heat Resistant up to 500°F, 260°C
Quantity: 5 mats per pack
Dishwasher: Dishwasher safe
Material: PTFE coated fiberglass
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Main features
- Free BBQ Tongs and Brush
- Reusable
- PFOA-free
- Easy to Clean
- Non-Stick Surface
3) Beeway BBQ Mats
The BEEWAY BBQ grill mats are made from PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric that not only keeps your grills clean but also makes your grilling more healthy.
These 0.2mm thick mats are the perfect width to leave grill marks and flavour intact on any type of food whilst being thick enough to provide ultimate heat resistance.
Although the mats are highly durable and reusable, there are 5 in a pack meaning you’ll be able to BBQ all through the summer.
One of the best things about the mats is that they can be popped into the dishwasher or a bowl of soapy water to clean. This in itself will save you time when it comes to the end of the evening.
As with many other BBQ mats, these can be cut to whatever size you need.
The non-stick surface allows you to easily cook any sort of food, preventing those dreaded flare-ups and protecting your food from burning.
Finally with this set of mats you get 5 mats and a free pair of BBQ tongs so you can cook easily and safely.
BBQ Mat Specifications
Dimensions: 40cm x 33cm
Thickness: 2mm
Heat Rating: Heat Resistant up to 500°F, 260°C
Quantity: 5 mats per pack
Dishwasher: Dishwasher safe
Material: Fiberglass fabric coated PTFE (teflon)
Main features
- Free BBQ Tongs
- Cut to any Size
- PFOA-free
- Reusable
- Non-Stick Surface
4) Diker BBQ Grill Mat
These BBQ grill mats come in two different sizes 40cm x 33cm and 40cm x 50cm which is great if you have a slightly larger BBQ.
They are 100% non-stick which means you can easily grill any type of food without the fear of it sticking. It will also ensure that your grill looks brand new and you spend less time cleaning
When it comes to cleaning the mats you can just throw them into a bowl of water in your dishwasher and let the soapy water do its job.
Although the mats can be reused, you’ll be pleased to know that they are made from 100% PFOA-free materials, silicone, or other hazardous chemicals.
Unlike others on the list, the recommended maximum temperature is 400°F but as with all mats we’d always recommend you allow the flames to die down before you put the mat on the grill.
BBQ Mat Specifications
Dimensions: 40cm x 33cm
Thickness: 2mm
Heat Rating: Heat Resistant up to 400°F
Quantity: 5 mats per pack
Dishwasher: Dishwasher safe
Material: Fiberglass fabric coated PTFE
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Main features
- Large and Smaller Mats Available
- Simply cut to size
- PFOA-free
- Easy to Clean
- Dishwasher Safe
5) GQC BBQ Grill Mat
These GQC teflon grill mats are PFOA-free, non-toxic, and with no harmful chemicals.
They’re made from fiberglass fabric coated PTFE that features rapid thermal conductivity.
They not only allow food to be cooked to perfection but prevent smaller items of food from slipping through the gaps in your grills.
This BBQ grill mat is thick enough to provide ultimate heat resistance up to 500℉, but thin enough to still leave grill marks on your food.
The mats won’t burn or shrink as long as you follow the instructions.
The best thing about these mats is that you’ll never have to worry about your food sticking to the grates meaning you can cook meat, fish, and any type of vegetable with ease.
Although the mats are completely reusable they do come in a pack of 6 which is great for those who BBQ all year round.
BBQ Mat Specifications
Dimensions: 40cm x 33cm
Thickness: 2mm
Heat Rating: Heat Resistant up to 500°F, 260°C
Quantity: 6 mats per pack
Dishwasher: Dishwasher safe
Material: Fiberglass fabric coated PTFE
Main features
- Eliminates Falre-ups
- Cut to Size
- PFOA-free
- Easy to Clean
- Dishwasher safe
What to Look for When Buying BBQ Grill Mats
As with everything in life, no two BBQ grill mats are the same. Yes, they may look the same at first glance but there are often minute differences between them.
From the mat thickness to its size, there are a number of things you need to consider before you buy which is why we’ve covered some of the main points to consider when buying BBQ grill mats below.
1) BBQ Mat Thickness
You want a BBQ grill mat to have a thickness that is just right to cook your food evenly and prevent it from burning easily. In choosing the appropriate thickness for a BBQ grill mat, we highly suggest choosing one that is not so thick and not so thin.
Thick BBQ grill mats tend to take some time to heat up while thin mats can easily acquire heat and burn your food.
BBQ grill mats that are 0.25 mm thick are always your safest choice. This thickness is considered to be on the moderate side and will not take time to heat or burn your food easily.
2) BBQ Mat Size
You want your BBQ grill mat to fit your BBQ perfectly so knowing what size you need matters in making a purchase.
Most BBQ grill mats nowadays can be cut to size, however, it is still better to only buy a BBQ grill mat that has the appropriate size for your BBQ to avoid having useless scraps. If you can’t find the perfect size for your BBQ, we suggest opting for a BBQ grill mat size that is closest to your BBQ’s size.
3) Grill Mat Material
BBQ grill mats are generally made with safe materials however some poorly made grill mats might contain toxic chemicals that can raise health concerns.
Therefore, it is a good measure to only opt for BBQ grill mats that are made with department-approved material. You may also look for safety certificates to ensure the grill mat’s safety for grilling.
4) Easy to Clean
There is no doubt that we all love a BBQ grilling tool that is easy to clean. Grilling can be extra messy with all the meat juices, oil, and barbeque marinade that can build up. Hence, having a BBQ grill mat that is easy to clean will certainly make cleanup a breeze.
Generally, BBQ Grill mats are easy to clean with just dishwashing liquid, warm water, and a brush or sponge. However, if you are extra busy, then you can always opt for BBQ grill mats that are dishwasher safe for more convenience.
Finally
We hope you’ve found this information on BBQ grill mats useful. Don’t forget to take a look at our other helpful articles on the best BBQ Gloves and BBQ Tables.