How to Take Care of Your Nonstick BBQ Grill Mats

Today we’re going to take a look at the best ways to care for your new BBQ grill mats.

What are they?

Granted, a grill mat doesn’t look like much, but appearances can be deceiving. It’s really like having an expensive non-stick pan that you can roll up. That’s essentially what they are, but they’re even better, because you can use both sides. Obviously, you can’t do that with a nonstick pan. The BBQ grill mats require the same care as any other high-end nonstick cooking utensil. A chef’s cookware will still look new after years of use, and your mats will too, if you learn to use them and maintain them correctly.

Step by step

First of all, remove them from the box and wash them thoroughly in soap and water to remove any manufacturing and packaging residues. Never use abrasives of any kind when cleaning the mats. Avoid scratch pads and powdered cleaners. Use only water, liquid soap and a soft cloth. After washing, rinse them well, and wipe off the excess water with a dry cloth. Allow them dry, until all moisture is gone from the surface. You can use your dishwasher if you prefer – grill mats are dishwasher-safe, but use the top rack only.

Use them correctly

After washing and drying your new BBQ grill mats, you’re almost ready to put them to use. First though, you’ll need some specific tools to use them effectively and not damage them. The techniques used are a bit different than those used when working directly on the grill.

Never use metal tools on the mats. Whenever metal comes into contact with a nonstick surface, it leaves scratches and these add up over time and break down the integrity of the cooking surface. The best tools to use are a set of silicone tipped pincers and a hard plastic spatula, so be sure to acquire those, before you start using the mats. You can find them at any store that offers kitchen implements. You’ll also need a can of your favorite cooking oil spray.

Using oil

I realize that many online ads for the grill mats say that you don’t need to use oil, but the grill mats behave the same way as Teflon™ cookware and the oil makes the food simpler to handle, eliminates sticking and makes cleanup easier. So be sure to use oil.

Technique

You’ll use a two-handed technique to manage food on the mats. Use one tool to anchor the mat and hold it in place while you use the other to flip, turn or otherwise move the food around. Cooking on the grill is very easy with the grill mats because food doesn’t fall through the grate and you won’t have to wrestle with those pesky foods like fish that usually adhere to the grill.

Finish up

When you’re done cooking on the BBQ mats, the simplicity of cleanup varies depending on what you’ve been grilling. For many items, you’ll only need to wipe the mats clean. If you’ve been cooking sauces or fish, and you didn’t use oil, then you’ll need to soak them for a while before wiping them off. Alternatively, just use the dishwasher. Keep your grill mats rolled up and stored in the box they came in, to protect them from scratching. Happy grilling!

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