I'm obsessed with grilling, which makes my job as Good Housekeeping's lead grill tester that much more fun. I associate grilling with my favorite season (summer) and my favorite activity (cooking for friends), plus I love the flavor and ease. What I don't love about grilling (and cooking in general) are gimmicky products that mess with my recipes and overall experience — like grill mats.
What's a grill mat?
Grill mats are like Silpats, a.k.a. silicone baking mats, for your grill. They're made of a relatively thin and flexible material (often mesh) with a nonstick coating that can withstand high temperatures. They're designed to help you grill delicate foods like fish or small foods like veggies without worrying about them sticking or falling through the grates. They're also marketed as a tool to speed up cleaning.
My problem with grill mats, however, is that you don't actually need them to do those things, and most importantly, the ones I've used prevent you from getting grill marks on your food, which contribute to the flavor. They can also cause food to steam — the exact opposite result you'd want from a grill. Here's how to get the most out of your grill without using a mat:
How to make your grill nonstick
Most grills have cast iron or stainless steel grates, and many cast iron ones are enameled, which naturally provides nonstick properties and facilitates cleaning and maintenance. Both of these materials just need to be heated properly to prevent food from sticking.
Before I start grilling, I always heat my grill on high for about 10 minutes with the lid closed, allowing it to reach between 500°F and 600°F. Then, I place my food on the grill and turn down the heat to my desired cooking temperature. I let the food sit there and cook until it develops nice grill marks, and I can easily slide my spatula underneath it in one smooth motion to release it.
You can also grease your grates before cooking with a neutral oil that can withstand high temperatures, such as vegetable or canola oil. I prefer to use a long, silicone-bristled brush to apply oil to the grates, which allows me to apply a generous amount without going overboard and easily reach into crevices. I use this same brush to rub my food with oil, which helps prevent sticking.
It's important to regularly clean your grill grates to prevent buildup, which can cause food to stick and lead to flare-ups.
How to easily clean your grill
I like to clean my grill as soon as I'm done cooking while the grates are still hot. I use a grill brush to scrape the grates clean, and then I turn off the burners and close the lid until the grill cools down.
I sometimes pass the grates with a grill brush before I start grilling, too, but that's usually just for good measure.
Not all grills can be cleaned while the grates are hot, so remember to always check your user guide for best practices and tips.
How to prevent food from falling between the grates
To prevent your vegetables from falling through the grates, cutting them into thicker pieces might seem like the obvious solution. However, it’s surprising how many still manage to escape. Cutting them on the bias helps, as it makes them harder to slip through.
Grill baskets are one of my favorite grill accessories and solutions. They're perfect for small or thin foods, such as shrimp, peppers and onions. I use this Weber grill basket most often, as it has a large cooking area. This Proud Grill basket was named our best overall grill basket in Lab testing. It features dividers and a handle, and it's also easy to clean. Both of these grill baskets get nice and hot, allowing for sear marks and browning on food, which can be challenging to achieve with a grill mat.
Don't forget about the cookware you already own: Cast iron pans can be used on the grill, and so can carbon steel and some high-end stainless steel cookware pieces (but always check your manufacturer's instructions first). These pieces can be placed on your grill and used the same way you would on your stovetop, but with smokier results.
Griddles and griddle inserts are becoming more and more popular. These flat surfaces are ideal for anything you're afraid of falling through your grates, as well as foods you'd never think to put on your grill, like fried rice or bacon.
Proud Grill Company UltraVersatile Stainless Steel Grill Basket
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
The bottom line: You don't need a grill mat
I can't think of one reason why you'd want to buy a grill mat instead of trying one of these tips first or investing in some grilling tools that you can have for a long time. Grill mats don't create good grill marks; most are only heat-safe up to 500°F or 600°F, and most grills get hotter than that, making mats an extra thing to clean.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab where she oversees all testing and content related to cooking, drinking and eating. She's been testing grills since 2019 and has had her hands on more than 50 as well as countless grill accessories. She grills for herself and her friends and family as often as she can, and is always looking for ways to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
