At first glance, you might think that a grill mat isn’t worth investing in. It doesn’t help the grill perform any better, it won’t make your charcoal burn any hotter, and it certainly won’t make your food taste any better.
Want to skip to the end? I like the GrillTex Under the Grill Protective Patio and Deck Mat available at Amazon.
Sure, grill mats don’t give you any immediate benefits, but they accomplish a couple of things that are infinitely more important than we realize. First, grilling mats give you a more comfortable surface to stand on, making your longer grilling sessions less stressful on your lower body.
Second, grilling mats act as a protective layer for your patio surface. Placing a floor mat underneath your grill can protect even the most sensitive flooring surfaces from staining from constant grill use.
But these are 2 very different uses of grill mats. Today we will be looking at the best grill mats for protecting your concrete patio, rather than mats that help keep you comfortable during your grilling sessions. Want to avoid this issue altogether and go with an indoor grill? Read my top picks.
What to look for in a grill mat
Because our primary objective is to keep your concrete patio from staining and prolonging its life, you should be sure to get a mat made from a durable leak-proof material.
Second, you want to make sure the material can sustain the high temperatures that barbecuing brings with it.
And third, you should make sure to get one that is big enough to cover the entire area underneath your grill.
Because the market has been flooded with hundreds of different grilling mats, trying to find one that is right for you can sometimes be a tad bit overwhelming.
So to help you out, we have decided to put together a list of mats that are high-quality, durable, and will do the job they are meant to do.
DiversiTech The Ultra Grill Mat
This is the highest rated grilling mat on the market today. It gives the best protection of any other mat, not only keeping grease and oil from building up on the concrete, but also protecting your patio from sparks and hot embers.
It is made from a flexible, durable rubber material that can handle grease splatters and spills up to 600 degrees. It’s also very easy to clean – just use some soap spray with water, and lightly scrub the mat to remove stains.
Pros of the DiversiTech:
- Highest rated grilling mat
- Handle temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
- Flexible material
- Protect your patio for hot charcoal embers
Cons of the DiversiTech:
- Expensive for a splatter mat
- Because it is lightweight wind can blow the corners of the mat up
- It is rubber and will crack over time
Verdict
This is a very good product and really warrants being considered the highest rated grill mat on the market.
DiversiTech offers a 10-year warranty to be free of any defects in the workmanship and materials from the date of purchase. I would recommend this mat if you have a composite or wood deck and live somewhere that receives a lot of rain.
Find the DiversiTech Ultra Grill Mat at Amazon.
GrillTex Under the Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat
This GrillTex protective deck and patio mat is made with an synthetic rubber to catch any grease sauce or any other substance that spills off of the grill, saving your patio from getting any ugly grease stains from grill splatters.
It is made from 100% recycled synthetic rubber that provides protection from grease, embers, oils, and sauces. It is leak proof to ensure none of the oils or liquids soak through the pad and stain the concrete. It’s also heat-resistant to up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. With an easy to wash design, just spray it with a hose or wipe it down with warm soapy water; this is a great option.
Pluses of the GrillTex Patio Mat:
- Easy to clean lets you use it year after year
- The leak-proof rubber keeps oil and grease from soaking through the mat
- Environmentally friendly
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Fits under large grills
Minuses of the GrillTex Patio Mat:
- Can discolor manufactured decking
- Wind can cause untethered sides of mat to flap and make noise
- Not recommended for fire pits or charcoal grills
Verdict
Overall this is a good mat. It traps all the oils, grease, and sauce inside the mat and is a good choice.
Find GrillTex Under the Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat at Amazon.
However, you should definitely make sure to clean it after a few uses so you don’t attract any bugs.
The GrillTex mat conveniently rolls up and can be stored easily. The mat contains an antimicrobial and fungistatic agent to keep it looking new and safe from deterioration.
I would recommend this mat to someone on a budget, as it is the cheapest of the three and is not of low quality.
The Original Grill Pad
The original grill pad is perfect for your outdoor cooking areas. It is made with a fiber cement material that traps in all grease, oils, and any other substance that are associated with grilling. The fiber cement is also flexible, lightweight, and very durable.
It requires a minimum of 24 inches clearance space between the pad and the grill, to ensure safe use. Cleaning this mat is very easy. It needs no scrubbing, just put some soap on it and spray it down with a hose.
Pros of the Original grill pad:
- Flexible and lightweight
- Very durable
- Comes in four different color options
- Easy to clean
- Fiber cement locks in anything that it comes in contact with
Cons of the Original Grill Mat
- Isn’t large enough for bigger grills
- Fiber cement can be a little uneven
Verdict
The Original Grill Pad is certainly worth taking a look at. Its flexibility is unmatched for a grilling mat with this much density. It’s easy to clean, protects the surface underneath your grill very well, and it is extremely durable. The biggest downfall of this product is that it doesn’t fit larger grills like off-set smokers.
The Original Grill Pad weighs about 8 pounds and can withstand any sort of windy conditions. I would recommend this mat if you live somewhere that is quite windy and your deck is of a surface that you are not so concerned about the rain.
See the Original Grill Pad at Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is the GrillTex Grill Mat?
The width and length of this Montana Grilling Gear Premium Grill Mat are 39” x 72”. Perfect for any size grills from small to large.
Will the GrillTex Grill Mat damage my composite deck?
This mat should not damage your composite deck. It will protect the surface of any deck material.
One of the main concerns of composite decks is color fading. Strong sunlight can fade the composite decks naturally, so if you left this mat out year round it would protect the part of the deck it was covered while the rest of your deck would fade leaving the appearance of a mark, but that is not caused by the mat. The mat protected your deck, while the sunlight faded the rest.
Will the GrillTex Grill Mat trap water between the Mat and a wooden deck and result in mildew, rot or some sort of other damage?
The manufacturer of this mat would say no. Reports of this may vary. Some have claimed that they have left the Mat out year round and has shown no damage to their deck. I would recommend removing the mat and cleaning both sides and then drying every few weeks to be absolutely certain of no damage.
Can the GrillTex Grill Mat be left out in the rain without damage to the Mat or the deck it sits on?
This will depend on the type of deck and surface the mat is placed on. If you have the mat over a concrete or patio type surface then you can leave this mat out year round, even with heavy rain. If you have a composite or wood type surface, I would advise you to remove this mat and dry underneath every now and then to ensure no damage to the surface beneath.
Can the Original Grill Pad be used under an outdoor fire pit?
The manufacturer says to have least 24” between the heat source and the grill pad. The pad does not list itself as fire pit safe. If you have at least 24” and your fire pit is not too large or too hot, this can work safely under most surfaces. If using a large fire pit or one that gets too hot, the pad can and will crumble apart and will not be able to protect the surface underneath. I would be very careful if you would like to use this pad for a fire pit.
Will the Original Grill Pad protects the grass underneath my grill?
The grass is a much more fragile substance than decks or patios are and the heat from this grill can and will discolor and burn some of the grass underneath. If the grill is on a low enough heat your grass may or may not be safe. I think if the grass underneath the pad is a concern to you, better safe than sorry and not use this pad to protect your grass and to grill somewhere else!
Does the Original Grill Pad prevent damage to the deck from being left out under the rain?
This Pad does indeed trap water underneath. This is a big concern if you have a composite or wooden deck. You might need to remove this mat when it rains and be careful it has not collected too much moisture. This should be done if you would like to be extra careful to make sure it will not cause any damage to your deck.
How safe is the Diversitech The Ultra Grill Mat to be used under a fire pit?
The manufacturer states it needs 12” under a fire a pit. It also ensures protection from embers up to 600 degrees. However, this product is not fireproof, it is heat-resistant. Whether this will work with a fire pit will depend on how much heat the pit produces. I would recommend at least a 24-inch clearance to be safe but that still does not guarantee the safety of the Mat or surface below. I would use a lot of caution if planning to use with a fire pit.
Will the Diversitech The Ultra Grill Mat trap any water or moisture underneath?
This Mat is very thin, about 1/16” of an inch thick and engineered from a rubber material. The Mat will not hold onto any moisture. Water and moisture tend to just slide right off. This makes the mat perfect to use on composite and wood surfaces and you will not have to worry about damage to your deck.
Wrap – Up
If you have a grill sitting on a naked patio, then you are taking a chance that the concrete will get stained, discolored, or even begin to crack from the hot charcoal embers. If you don’t mind taking that risk every time you fire up the grill, then continue doing what you do. But if you want to protect your backyard living space, then you definitely need to get a splatter mat.
Looking for some awesome grilling accessories? Check out these infrared grill thermometers.
