Are Grill Mats Safe to Use? Our Answer and Guide to Grill Mat Health Risks

Grill mats can be a real food saver. Aside from minimizing clean-up and losing bits of meat, fish, or veggies through the grills, the uniform surface of grill mats ensures that your food is cooked evenly.

Grill mats can be safe to use if used properly. They’re thin, flexible sheets made from materials like PTFE, also known as teflon, or silicone. They’re a favorite in our grilling accessories.

They’re great for grilling delicate foods such as salmon, scallops, shrimp, or small vegetables. Plus, due to their non-stick nature, it’ll allow you to use less oil.

There’s virtually nothing to hate when it comes to choosing the best grill mat, but a burning question remains: Are grill mats safe? And what are the potential grill mat health risks, if any?  After all, they have almost a plastic-like look to them and they’re used at scorching temperatures.

When used properly on a clean grill, quality PTFE or PFOA-free grill mats are considered safe by experts. However overheating and lack of maintenance can cause deterioration. Read on to find out more about what makes grill mats potentially toxic, and the health risks that may come when using them.

What Are Grill Mats Made From?

Typically made from fiberglass cloth, grill mats are thin sheets that are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is the same material that’s used in nonstick pans and Teflon cookware, and is now FDA approved and deemed non-toxic.

However, misuse can make them harmful.  It’s said that PTFE-coated grill mats may release toxic fumes at high temperatures.

The safety of Teflon cookware has been debated for years. However all studies find that the real danger comes from a chemical foundation called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is oftentimes used in the process of making PTFE.

What Is Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)?

PFOA, also known as C8, acts as a catalyst used in preparing fluoropolymers like PTFE and is the primary fountain of non-stick kitchen tools.

However, according to T-Fal, a well known French cookware and small appliance manufacturer, PFOA is gradually burned off during the creation process and only an innocuous amount remains in the finished product.

PFOA is considered a pollutant and has the potential to be a health concern as it could remain in the human body for a long time.

Under the stewardship of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2003, PFOA was deemed to be a toxic substance. Subsequently, the EPA asked all major cookware companies to cease the use of PFOA in their products.

Due to this, most of the reputable non-stick coating manufacturers make sure to avoid PFOA at all costs. You’ll often find labels that say “PFOA-free”; this means that the chemical wasn’t used in the manufacturing process of that non-stick kitchen cookware.

What Are the Health Risks of PFOA?

According to experts, increased exposure to PFOA may cause certain cancers and increase the risk of tumors. Primarily in the liver, testicles, breasts, and pancreas.

But even before the elimination of PFOA, non-stick cookware isn’t a significant source of PFOA exposure as it’s mostly burned off in the manufacturing process or is present in extremely small amounts. So the connection between cancer and tumor risks is all simply speculation.

The long-term effects of PFOA and similar chemicals are largely unknown, and experts say that the risk of cancer and tumors directly because of PFOA only happens when there’s an incredible amount of exposure.

As all Teflon products are PFOA-free, the major health risks of PFOA exposure are no longer a huge cause for concern.

Grill mats are considered to be as safe as Teflon pans. There is no inherent danger when using them, but like most products, they do come with minute risks. Consequently, the concept of safe nonstick cookware has more to do with practice and use, than with the specific materials the pans are made from.

One notable health risk due to unsafe practice is flu-like symptoms from breathing in fumes from an overheated Teflon-coated pan. This is called polymer fume fever.

Polymer Fume Fever

Polymer fume fever, also known as Teflon fever, consists of temporary, flu-like symptoms that include chills, fever, body aches, and headaches. Symptoms occur after 4 to 10 hours of exposure.

Those who have experienced this fever, however, dramatically improve within the following 12-48 hours. With all the cases that were studied, the individuals who were affected were exposed to fumes caused by overcooked Teflon at extreme temperatures of at least 730°F, for a period of at least four hours.

Polymer fume fever is a relatively rare disease, and is normally treated with oxygen inhalation under close observation.

 

Non-Stick Grill Mats: How To Keep Yourself Safe

A perfectly safe grill mat may turn toxic if not handled correctly. Two of the most important factors to a grill mat’s safety are heat and friction.

Avoid Overheating

In general, overheating cookware creates toxic fumes. This doesn’t only happen with cookware coated with PTFE and/or PFOA; fumes may appear even when overheating aluminum, cast iron, silicon, and ceramic cookware.

Your grill mat should specifically state how high of a temperature it’s safe to use at.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and you’ll be just fine.

Maximum Heat Capacity of Nonstick Cookware

Although PTFE is extremely stable and resistant to even the harshest chemicals, it all changes when faced with temperatures above 500°F.

Nonstick grill mats go through the same process any other material does at its melting point; based on temperature fluctuations, substances may change from solid to liquid and from liquid to gas.

Now, this is when things get a little bit complicated for grill users. PTFE deteriorates above temperatures of 500°F, and decomposes at 662°F, deeming it unusable and entirely toxic.

This means that the difference between safe and toxic is only a matter of a few degrees.

So despite it being created to aid grilling, you can’t and shouldn’t put a grilling mat directly over an open fire as it’s difficult to control the temperature of the grill.

Doing so will immediately melt through and destroy the mat, and will cause chemicals to be mixed directly into your food.

However, not all manufacturing processes use materials that are a concern. Some grill mats are hard-anodized, and other ceramic-based nonstick coatings, such as Thermolon, emit no such chemicals even after reaching high temperatures.

Be that as it may, traditional grilling often comes between 150 degrees Fahrenheit and 375 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s little risk of burning the grilling mat.

But if your grill mat doesn’t come with full specifications to ensure it meets safety guidelines, it’s better to only use them on low heat settings.

Minimize Friction

As little friction as possible must be used on the mat’s cooking surface, as it will scratch and weaken the integrity of the nonstick coating. Whether it be while cooking or cleaning, certain rules must be followed.

Using the Appropriate Tools

Using the incorrect tool will damage the coating of your grilling mat. Some metallic utensils have rough or sharp edges, which can damage your nonstick cookware.

Because of this, always use plastic, wooden or rubber utensils during cooking to maximize the life of any non-stick cookware you own.

The following are the best tools you can use for cookware with a nonstick surface:

• Heat resistant plastic tools with no rough edges
• Wooden cooking spoons with rounded edges
• Silicone utensils and spatulas
• Nylon kitchen utensils

Cooking With Your Grill Matt

Along with the right cooking tools, you also need to apply the right cooking technique when using your grill mat.

As mentioned, as little friction as possible is needed to ensure the long life of your grill mat. It’s best to prepare simple foods on your BBQ, and constantly keep them moving instead of letting them sit on the surface and cook.

Depending on how often you use your non-stick grill mat, it may last for up to 2 – 3 years. Some companies, like Kona, make grill mats with extra layers of PTFE. Although slightly more expensive, it might be a good investment especially if you’re planning to use the grill mat often.

Cleaning Your Grill Matt

Just like cleaning your grill, you should be cleaning your grill mat.  One of the biggest selling points of non-stick products is that it’s easy to clean.

Here are some tips to safely clean a grill mat:

• Always wash your mats immediately after use.
• Don’t use steel wool, scouring pads, or harsh chlorine detergents as they may scratch and penetrate the surface of the grilling mat.
• If there’s tough residue, soak the mats in soapy water for about an hour or longer before wiping them clean with a microfiber cloth, paper towel, or cotton towel.
• Nylon-scrubbing pads are ideal for cleaning grill mats.
• If your grill mat is dishwasher safe (most are), put the mats on the top rack of your dishwasher and run it on hot to remove any stubborn residues.

Should your non-stick grill mat start to peel or get heavily scratched or damaged, discontinue the use of the mat to avoid pieces of the coating from being transferred to food.

Storing Your Grill Mat

Quality grill mats don’t come cheap, so you need to keep your investment safe even while storing it.

Careless storage is one of the primary causes of premature aging in non-stick cookware, so you’ll need to treat mats with care in order for them to keep delivering great results for years to come.

When storing nonstick cookware, avoid stacking them on top of each other as it may cause scratches that are detrimental to their lifespan.

Before putting them away, make sure they’re clean and moisture free to avoid rusting. You’ll also find cookware and bakeware storage options that allow minimal contact with the nonstick coating.

Other Safety Precautions When Cooking With Nonstick Cookware

Cooking with nonstick cookware is safe, healthy, and overall highly convenient. Follow these tips to minimize health risks while cooking with PTFE coated products.

• Avoid preheating an empty pan as it can reach high temperatures within minutes
• As much as possible, avoid cooking on high heat.
• Turn your exhaust fan or windows while cooking to help clear fumes
• Don’t use cooking spray as it burns at lower temperatures and may cause the nonstick coating of the cookware to melt.
• Don’t store food in non-stick cookware.
• Replace old cookware especially if it contains excessive scratches, peeling, flaking, and chipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Grill Mats Cause Cancer?

According to experts, if you are exposed to PFOA on a regular basis, you may be at a higher risk of developing certain cancers and an increased risk of developing tumors. The main areas for this to occur are the liver, testicles, breasts, and pancreas.

However, you should know that non-stick cookware is not a significant source of PFOA exposure, as the majority of this will be burned off during the manufacturing process. It will only be present in very small amounts, which means that the connection between cancer and tumor risks is not likely going to be the case for using grill mats.

Unfortunately, the long-term effects of PFOA and similar chemicals are largely unknown, and experts actually say that the risk of cancer and tumors due to PFOA only occurs when there is a high amount of exposure.

The majority of grill mats will be PFOA-free, so the major health risks that are associated with PFOA are no longer a cause for concern.

Are Grill Mats Toxic?

Grill mats are not technically toxic, but there is more to this than a simple yes or no answer. The grill mats themselves are not toxic, but it is possible for them to release dangerous fumes if they are heated to extreme temperatures.

Grilling is a high heat cooking application, which is why many people are concerned by this. However, as long as you are using these mats safely and responsibly, you shouldn’t have any issues.

PFOA is something that can remain in the body for a long time, and prolonged exposure to it can increase the risks of several health conditions. However, using a grill mat should not be concerning, as the majority of the chemicals will have been burned away before the product reaches your kitchen. This means that your exposure will be minimal, if at all.

Another concern is polymer fume fever, which is a rare disease that can occur from inhaling the fumes from an overheated grill mat. Some of the symptoms of this are similar to those of the flu, including fever, chills, and body aches.

However, in order to develop this, you would have to be exposed to the fumes for at least four hours. The nonstick surface would also have to be heated to at least 730 degrees Fahrenheit for all that time. This is very unlikely.

How Many Times Can You Use a Grill Mat?

You can use grill mats over and over again, and they can be used on either a charcoal, electric, or gas grill. They are really easy to clean and are safe to use in the dishwasher, so you can keep on using them until they start to wear. Depending on how often you use your grill mat, they should last for around 2 to 3 years.

Is PTFE Coating Dangerous?

The majority of grill mats will contain PTFE, which is the same compound that is used to give nonstick cooking pans and Teflon their smooth and slippery surfaces. This compound has been approved for use by the FDA, and is generally considered to be non-toxic.

However, when it comes to cookware, there are many questions surrounding whether it is safe to use. The manufacturing process involves the use of PFOA, which can present health risks when it is used in large quantities.

Manufacturers do claim that most of the PFOA is burned away during the manufacturing process, but trace amounts are likely to still be present. PFOA is something that has been labeled as a toxic substance by the EPA, and many companies are looking for alternatives.

Are Copper Grill Mats Safe?

Copper grill mats, like other high-quality grill mats, can be safe to use if used correctly and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Copper grill mats are designed to provide a non-stick surface for grilling, just like traditional grill mats made from materials like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or silicone.

We recommend the yoshi grill mat. The yoshi copper is nonstick and is Infused with real Copper. It’s PFOA-free and can withstand heat up to 500 degrees

Are Grill Mats Safe?  The Bottom Line

Are grill mats safe? Yes, but only if used safely.

Grill mats are great BBQ tools. They retain the moisture in your food, cook it more evenly, and even allow you to make breakfast on your grill! Grilled hash browns, eggs, and bacon. How about pancakes? Yum! Without grill mats, this isn’t possible.

As long as you’re careful and follow precautionary measures while using your mat, there won’t be a cause of concern while using them.