A grill on a deck is one of the easiest ways to ruin a surface you spent real money on. One windy afternoon with the lid open and you are stripping finish off pressure-treated pine, ringing a permanent halo into composite, or leaving a black scorch bloom on concrete that rinses off in five minutes but stains for years. The fix is not complicated, and it is not expensive relative to what it protects.
We put together the best grill mats for decks after comparing ten of the highest-rated options on size, material, published heat ceiling, weight and the complaints owners actually report. The short version: a gas grill on wood or composite wants a heavy, non-slip PVC or recycled rubber catch mat, while a charcoal grill, smoker or fire pit wants a silicone-coated fiberglass mat rated well past what the coals reach. If you are building a whole outdoor cooking station, our outdoor kitchen grill island guide covers the appliance side of the setup.
Table of Contents
Do You Actually Need a Grill Mat on a Deck?
Yes, on almost every deck, patio or paved surface you plan to grill on. A grill mat blocks radiant heat from reaching your boards and stops grease, sauce and spilled juices from soaking in, which is the single most common form of deck damage. What it does not do is make a flammable deck fire-safe under an unattended, tipping or ember-shedding charcoal grill.
It helps to think of a deck mat as doing two separate jobs, and you may need one product for each:
Grease and spill containment — a waterproof, oil-resistant or absorbent surface that catches what runs off the grill before it reaches the wood.
Heat and ember shielding — a fire-rated barrier between hot coals, ash and flying sparks and the surface underneath.
For a gas grill on a wood or composite deck, the first job matters most. For a charcoal grill, kamado cooker or fire pit, both matter, and the mat should be rated to at least 2000°F.
Top 3 Best Grill Mats For Decks (October 2026)
Cuisinart 65 x 36 PVC Grill Mat
- 100% PVC
- 65 x 36 inch
- Non-slip weighted base
- Rinses clean with water
GRILLTEX 39 x 72 Rubber Deck Mat
- Recycled rubber
- 39 x 72 inch
- 500°F rated
- Will not stain wood or stone
FLASLD 32 x 60 Fireproof Mat
- Fiberglass core
- Silicone both sides
- 1800°F rated
- Folds for storage
The 10 Best Grill Mats for Decks at a Glance
Every pick below is sized, rated and weighed from the manufacturer listing rather than from marketing copy. The best-for column tells you which job the mat is built to do, and it is not always the job you assume.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Cuisinart 65 x 36 PVC Grill Mat |
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| GRILLTEX 39 x 72 Rubber Mat |
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| FLASLD 32 x 60 Fireproof Mat |
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 UBeesize 65 x 48 Fireproof Mat |
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 Protebox 60 x 40 Fireproof Mat |
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 DocSafe 48 x 48 Four-Layer Mat |
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 Drymate 36 x 59 Absorbent Mat |
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 Linda’s Essentials 48 x 30 Mat |
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 rumlick 79 x 39 Large Grill Mat |
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 SONGC 48 Inch Round Fireproof Mat |
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1. Cuisinart 65 x 36 PVC Grill Mat — Best Overall Deck Mat
- 100% PVC built for all-weather outdoor use
- Heavy non-slip base that stays put
- Works on wood composite and concrete
- Rinses clean with a hose
- Deepest review base in the roundup
- Bulky to store compared with folding silicone mats
- PVC can degrade with prolonged high-heat exposure
The Cuisinart CGMT-300 is the mat most gas grill owners end up with, and after working through the ratings it is the one we keep coming back to. It is a 100% PVC mat measuring 65 by 36 inches with a quarter-inch thickness, which makes it the most substantial-feeling catch mat here without tipping into heavy rubber.
What separates it from cheaper rubber mats is weight and grip. Owners repeatedly report that it stays exactly where they put it, does not shift in wind, and does not slide when you roll a loaded grill back over it. A mat that walks out from under a grill leaves the area it was protecting exposed, which is why stability is not a luxury feature here.
The 65 by 36 footprint is a genuinely useful shape. It is wide enough to cover a grill body plus a side shelf, which is where most of the drip actually lands, without forcing you to unroll something the size of a carpet when you move the grill. Owners also point out that it covers griddles and smoker setups without needing a second mat underneath.
The 0.25 inch thickness is worth noting as well. It is thick enough to take the weight of a loaded gas grill without the surface deforming, and thick enough to feel substantial underfoot, which is why owners compare it favourably to the flimsier silicone mats in this roundup. It comes with a one year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Cleaning is the easiest part. The surface is waterproof and non-absorbent, so grease sits on top and rinses away with a hose, with no scrubbing and no harsh chemicals. Across the ten mats we compared for this roundup, that rinse-down routine is the one grill owners mention most often as the reason they would buy the same mat again.
How it holds up on composite and wood decking?
The listing is explicit that this mat works on wood, composite and concrete, and the reviews back it up. As a hard PVC surface it will not absorb marinade into the boards, though owners do report edge curl after many seasons of direct radiant heat.
When it is the wrong choice?
Skip it for a charcoal grill, kamado cooker or fire pit, and it is the priciest mat here, so a tabletop grill user is paying for construction they will not use.
2. GRILLTEX 39 x 72 Rubber Mat — Best Value Catch Mat
GRILLTEX Under the Grill Protective Deck and Patio Mat, 39 x 72 inches, Black
- 39 x 72 covers grill side tables and walk space
- Weighs 8.8 lb so it will not shift
- Recycled rubber rated to 500°F
- Lays flat and wipes or hoses clean
- Will not stain wood or paver stone
- Thin at 0.11 inch with some underfoot unevenness
- Edges can curl after being rolled for storage
- 500°F ceiling sits below silicone fiberglass mats
Size is the whole argument for the GRILLTEX 9M-110-39C-6. At 39 by 72 inches it covers a grill, both side tables and the walking space in front of them, which is more coverage than anything else in this roundup apart from the rumlick long mat. Reviewers say that footprint alone decided the purchase for them.
It is made from synthetic recycled rubber and weighs 8.8 pounds, which is why it does not move in wind and does not need a second person to reposition. The rubber construction also gives it a forgiving, grippy surface that does not slide on smooth concrete or on a glazed patio tile.
Grease that used to reach the deck lands on this mat instead, and because the surface is wipeable you can deal with it while the grill is still warm. The manufacturer states it will not stain wood or paver stone, which matters a lot if you are grilling over sealed or unsealed stone.
Size coverage and the overhang question
The footprint removes the sizing maths from most purchases. Measure your grill, and if it fits inside 39 by 72 with a few inches showing each side, you are done. A deep smoker can still overhang the 39-inch dimension.
What to watch for over a season?
The recurring complaints concern thinness and storage, not performance. At 0.11 inch it is not a cushioning mat, and rolling it up for winter leaves a small amount of edge curl the following spring. Store it flat if you can.
3. FLASLD 32 x 60 Fireproof Mat — Best for Fire Pits and Smokers
- Double-sided silicone rated to 1800°F
- Resists sparks charcoal ash and flame
- Will not melt curl or crack under heat
- Grease sits on top instead of soaking in
- Lightweight and folds for storage
- Only 1 mm thick so it feels sparse under a heavy grill
- Light enough to need repositioning after use
- Lowest five-star share of the group at 73%
The FLASLD mat is the first genuinely fire-rated pick on this list. It is fiberglass with a silicone coating on both sides, rated to 1800°F, and it is built for the jobs a catch mat cannot handle: sparks, charcoal, ash and open flame. Owners running griddles and smokers report that the silicone surface stays intact where cheaper rubber mats warp and curl.
At 32 by 60 inches it covers a medium grill, a smoker, a fire pit or a chiminea with room around the edges. It folds down small, so owners who grill seasonally can put it in a closet rather than leaving it out all winter. The khaki colour is a departure from the usual black and works better if you want the mat to read as part of the patio rather than a piece of equipment.
Cleaning is close to effortless. Oils sit on the surface rather than soaking in, so a damp cloth, mild soapy water or a spray from the hose is the whole routine.
The stated use cases run well past grills. Owners use it for camping fire protection, indoor hearth protection, tent stoves, oil space heaters and cooktops, which makes it the most versatile mat here for anyone who does more than one kind of fire cooking.
How it handles a charcoal grill setup?
This is where the double-sided silicone earns its place. Ash and stray coals that would scorch a deck are caught on a surface rated to 1800°F, and the coating will not absorb the grease that comes with them.
What gives owners pause?
Thinness is the recurring note. At 1 mm it feels sparse under a heavy grill and cushions nothing, and it is light enough to need repositioning after use. Its five-star share of 73 percent is the weakest of the silicone mats here.
4. UBeesize 65 x 48 Fireproof Mat — Best for Composite Decks
- 2000°F rating
- one of the highest here
- Large 65 x 48 footprint with stitched edges
- Folds compactly and includes a storage bag
- Waterproof and oil-resistant so it wipes clean
- Also works as a welding blanket
- Low 4.2 average with 8 percent one-star reviews
- Fiberglass can itch bare skin
- Only 0.1 inch thick so little cushioning
The most repeated complaint in deck forums is a mat that sticks to composite decking or leaves an oily slick on it. The UBeesize LH113 is the answer, because it is a hard, non-absorbent silicone surface rather than anything soft or tacky that could bond to the boards.
It is fiberglass with a double-sided high-temperature silicone coating, rated to 2000°F, and it is 65 by 48 inches. That is the largest coverage area among the silicone-coated mats here, so a big gas grill, a side burner and the walking space in front all sit on one mat.
It also folds compactly and comes with a storage bag, a practical win for anyone with limited off-season space. Owners who moved up from a smaller fire mat report the extra width is what finally made drips land on the mat instead of the deck.
Beyond grilling it doubles as a welding blanket, an emergency fire blanket or a vertical heat shield, and it ranks in the top handful of its category on sales volume. For a family that grills weekly through summer, this is the mat we would put down on a Trex-style deck first.
Why composite owners like this one?
Composite boards are unforgiving because they are dense and slightly tacky when warm, and a soft or tacky mat can weld to the surface in a hot spot. A silicone-coated fiberglass mat has no such failure mode and will not soak a marinade into the plank.
Honest drawbacks
The 4.2 rating is among the lowest in this roundup, and a meaningful group of buyers find raw fiberglass irritating against bare skin. At 0.1 inch it is also too thin to damp a dropped grease spatter on its own.
5. Protebox 60 x 40 Fireproof Mat — Best Budget Fire Mat
Protebox 60 x 40 inch Under Grill Mats for Outdoor Grill BBQ Deck Protector
- 2000°F rating on a double-sided coating
- Non-absorbent surface sheds grease and sauce
- Large 60 x 40 footprint for the money
- Weighs only 2 lb and folds flat
- Thicker 0.9 mm version also offered
- Thinnest build here at 0.02 inch
- Too light to stay put under a large grill
- No storage bag included
The Protebox mat is the value entry into the fire-rated category, putting a 2000°F rating on a 60 by 40 inch footprint without a large jump in cost. Fiberglass core, heat-resistant silicone coating on both sides, and a waterproof, oil-resistant surface that will not absorb oil stains, sauce or food.
At 0.02 inch and 2 pounds it is the lightest, thinnest option here, and that shapes who should buy it. It suits a gas grill, a small charcoal kettle or a smoker on a patio where you want ember protection but do not need the mat to stabilise a heavy appliance. It folds flat for storage and travels without ceremony.
Worth knowing: the brand also offers thicker versions at 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm. A number of reviewers upgrade after finding the base 0.02 inch build too flimmy, and several settle on the 0.9 mm as the better long-term buy.
Size and where the coverage ends
60 by 40 inches fits a standard mid-size gas grill with a few inches of margin on the long edges. It is not wide enough for a griddle with side shelves on both sides, so measure before you order.
The shifting problem to plan around
At 2 pounds this is the mat most likely to need re-fixing. Owners with a large appliance report repositioning it repeatedly, so on a smooth patio either pick the thicker 0.9 mm version or plan to nudge it back each session.
6. DocSafe 48 x 48 Four-Layer Mat — Best for Smaller Grills and Fire Pits
- Four layers of non-itchy silicone-coated fiberglass
- Passed the UL94 V-0 and 5VA flame test
- Rated to 2000°F with grease that will not stick
- Collapses for storage and transport
- Two-year warranty with replacement promise
- 48 inch square only covers grills up to 48 inches
- Larger grills overhang on every side
- Manufacturer advises at least 4 inches of clearance from the heat source
The DocSafe mat is the only one in this roundup with a genuine multi-ply build. Instead of a single sheet of silicone-coated fiberglass, it is four layers of non-itchy coated fiberglass, tested to the UL94 V-0 and 5VA flame retardant standard and rated to 2000°F. The grease will not stick to it and it wipes or rinses clean.
At 48 by 48 inches it is a square, which works well with a compact charcoal grill, a fire pit or a small gas grill, and it gives you even coverage in every direction. Owners who switched from a single-ply mat say the layers survive a season without the edge curl that plagues thinner products. Buyers also use it with a Solo Stove rather than a grill and report the same performance.
Getting the size and clearance right
The square only covers grills up to 48 inches, so anything larger overhangs on all four sides. The manufacturer also advises keeping at least 4 inches between the heat source and the mat, and that guidance is worth following.
Colour and warranty
It comes with a two-year free warranty and a replacement-or-refund promise, which matters for a product built to take repeated heat cycles. It is black, though other sizes in the range include 40×40, 48×36 and 65×42.
7. Drymate 36 x 59 Absorbent Mat — Best for Grease Containment
Drymate Under Grill Mats for Outdoor Grill & Griddle, USA Made, 36×59 XL
- Absorbent layer soaks up grease and marinade
- Waterproof middle layer blocks soak-through
- Reversible charcoal and brown faces
- Made in the USA with 50 percent recycled fiber
- Machine washable and can be cut to size
- Soft enough to shield wood from grill feet
- Not fireproof
- so it is not a fire pit or ember mat
- Only 0.13 inch thick
- Soft construction will not stop a dropped grease fire
The Drymate works on a different principle from every other pick here. It is a fabric mat, not a coated one, and it absorbs grease and marinade into the top layer instead of holding liquid on the surface. The construction is a patented reversible material: an absorbent outer face, a waterproof middle layer, and another absorbent face, charcoal on one side and brown on the other.
Owners say containment beats coating, because grease sitting on top of a mat has to be wiped away every time, while grease drawn into fabric is out of sight until you wash the mat. That is the whole argument for this pick, and it is why it behaves nothing like the coated mats elsewhere on this list.
It is 36 by 59 inches, made in the USA with at least 50 percent recycled fiber content, and it can be cut down to a custom size, which is unusual in this category. You can hose it, power wash it, or machine wash it on a delicate cycle and hang it to dry. Because the surface is soft, it also cushions the deck under heavy grill feet, something no hard mat on this list does.
What this mat cannot do?
It is not fireproof. It will not handle a falling ember, a hot coal or sustained radiant heat from a charcoal grill, and at 0.13 inch it will not stop a dropped grease spatter on its own. If you run charcoal or a fire pit, you need a different product underneath.
Storage and the five-star share
It folds or rolls flat, so storage is straightforward, but a soft absorbent mat is easy to store damp and that is how mildew starts. Its five-star share of 63 percent is the weakest of the silicone group, tracking back to buyers expecting a fire mat.
8. Linda’s Essentials 48 x 30 Mat — Budget Pick for Small Gas Grills
- Lowest cost of the fire-rated group
- Neatly stitched edges resist curling and cracking
- Waterproof non-stick surface wipes clean in seconds
- Folds up small for storage
- Same range also sold at 60 x 40 and 76 x 52
- Smallest coverage here at 48 x 30 inch
- Very thin at 0.02 inch
- No temperature rating stated in the listing
The Linda’s Essentials mat does the basic job for the least money in the fire-rated group. It is fiberglass with a thickened silicone coating on both sides, 48 by 30 inches, and the reviews describe it accurately as the option that stops grease and splatter reaching your deck and wipes clean afterwards.
The edges are stitched, and owners give that more credit than you would expect. Stitching is what keeps a thin silicone mat from fraying at the perimeter and then curling, which is the failure that ends most budget mats’ lives after one season. The surface is waterproof and non-stick, so a damp cloth or a hose is the entire cleaning routine.
It is a family-owned brand that reports serving more than five million customers, and the product ranks well inside its category despite being the cheapest fire-rated option here. It weighs 1.26 pounds and folds up small, which makes it the easiest mat on this list to move out of the way when you are not grilling.
Where the 48 x 30 footprint falls short?
It is the smallest coverage area in this roundup, and that is the caution buyers repeat most. Owners of larger grills say drips land past the edge, and the reviews recommend stepping up to the 60×40 version for anything mid-size or above.
Thinness and the missing rating
At 0.02 inch it adds no cushioning and will not stabilise a grill. The listing also states no temperature rating, which is a real gap when you are choosing between mats on heat performance alone.
9. rumlick 79 x 39 Large Grill Mat — Best for Large Griddles
rumlick 79×39 inches Large Under Grill Mats for Blackstone Outdoor Deck BBQ
- Longest footprint here at 79 inches
- Rated to 2000°F with a double-sided coating
- Weighs 5.2 lb so it lies flat
- Designed to cover a Blackstone and its side tables
- Folds and travels for tailgate grilling
- Narrow at 39 inches so deep griddles overhang
- Thin at 0.04 inch
- Only 436 reviews so durability data is thin
If you cook on a large flat-top griddle, this is the mat that solves the sizing problem. At 79 by 39 inches it is the longest mat here, and it is dimensioned specifically to cover a Blackstone-style griddle along with its side shelves, which is where a surprising amount of grease actually goes.
Owners of large-format griddle setups are the clearly satisfied core of the reviews. They report that the length finally covers the whole cookstation, that the side shelves are covered, and that drips land on the mat. The 5.2 pound weight keeps it flat rather than bunching under a heavy appliance.
The material is fiberglass with a heat-resistant coating on both sides and a 2000°F rating, so it handles flying embers and hot grease on wood or pavers. The surface is oil-proof and waterproof, so food residue, oil, water stains and dust stay on top and hose off rather than going brittle season after season.
It folds and travels, which makes it useful for tailgate grilling and camping as well as a deck. The 4.6 rating is the second highest in this roundup, and the rating-to-value ratio here is the best of the ten we compared.
Long but not square
79 inches long is generous, but 39 inches wide is not a lot. A deep griddle, a gas grill with side burners on both sides, or an offset smoker will still overhang the width. If your appliance is deep rather than long, a larger square serves you better.
Thinness and a smaller evidence base
At 0.04 inch it offers no cushioning for cast-iron griddle wheels. The review base of 436 is the smallest among the well-regarded mats here, so the durability data is thinner than the 4.6 suggests. The listing advises keeping fire sources off the surface.
10. SONGC 48 Inch Round Fireproof Mat — Best for Round Stoves
- Only round footprint in the roundup
- Suits Solo Stove and round fire pits
- Rated to 2000°F with a dual-layer silicone coating
- Non-absorbent surface wipes clean with no scrubbing
- Folds down light enough for RV and camping
- Low 4.1 rating with 14 percent one-star reviews
- Only 188 reviews so the score carries less weight
- Circular shape wastes deck area at the corners
- Light at 1.6 lb so it shifts under a heavy stove
Most mats are rectangles because most grills are rectangles. The SONGC is a 48 inch circle, and if your heat source is round then it is the only shape that covers it without four corners of mat hanging over nothing.
Inside that circle you get fiberglass with a dual-layer fireproof silicone coating rated to 2000°F, and a non-absorbent surface that repels grease, sauce, oil and food spills. Owners say a damp cloth or a rinse with water is the whole clean, with no scrubbing and no staining.
At 48 inches it suits a Solo Stove, a smoker, a round fire pit, a turkey fryer and a fireplace equally well, and it works on wood, composite, grass, stone and concrete. It weighs 1.6 pounds, folds for storage and travels easily for RV trips and camping.
Why a round shape is a real advantage?
Heat radiates outward from the centre of a Solo Stove or a round fire pit, and a rectangular mat leaves a visible rectangular burn outline. A circle matches the heat pattern, so the mat shows an even burn instead of a hard-edged rectangle.
Where the rating drops come from?
This is the lowest-rated product here at 4.1, with 14 percent one-star reviews, and the smallest review base at 188. The recurring complaint is the corner waste of a circular footprint plus the mat being too light to hold position without a weight on top.
How to Choose a Grill Mat for a Deck?
Size, material and deck surface are the only three decisions that really matter. Get those right and the rest is preference, but get the material wrong for your deck and no amount of care will stop the damage.
Size and coverage: the six-inch overhang rule
Measure the grill footprint, including the side tables if you keep them on, then add at least 6 inches of overhang on each side. The overhang is where drips and stray coals land, so a mat that matches the grill exactly is already too small. Round up to the next standard size rather than trimming to fit.
The common sizes are 39×72, 48×30, 48×48, 60×40, 65×36, 65×48, 76×52 and 79×39. Match them to your appliance: 48×30 suits a compact or tabletop grill, 60×40 a standard mid-size gas grill, 65×36 or 65×48 a larger grill with a side burner, 79×39 a long flat-top griddle with side shelves, and 39×72 a full cooking zone including the space in front of the grill.
Material families and their real heat ceilings
There are four families and they are not interchangeable. PVC and recycled rubber are catch mats rated somewhere around 500°F, excellent for grease and radiant heat from a gas grill. Fiberglass with a silicone coating is the fire-rated family, rated from 1800°F to 2000°F, and it is what you want under a charcoal grill, a smoker, a kamado cooker or a fire pit. Absorbent fabric mats wick grease into a barrier layer and are best for volume, but they offer no fire protection at all. Bare glass fibre without coating is the weakest option here, because it itches and does not repel oil.
Which mat works on which deck surface?
Wood and pressure-treated pine take a silicone-coated fiberglass mat if you are using charcoal, and a heavy PVC or rubber catch mat if you are on gas, because the wood is the surface most likely to stain permanently. Composite decking takes the same silicone-coated fiberglass mat almost regardless of fuel, and you should avoid any soft or tacky mat that could bond to the boards in a hot spot.
Concrete and poured patios can take anything, since concrete is not damaged by grease the way timber is, though a mat still stops the stain. Sealed stone and travertine are the case to be careful with, and this is a real question from buyers: check that the mat is described as not staining paver stone before you put it on a freshly sealed patio, and keep in mind that an oil slick absorbed into a porous unsealed surface is very hard to lift.
Cleaning, storage and the mildew trap
Coated mats clean with a hose and soapy water, and there is no point using anything harsher. Fabric mats can go in the washing machine on a delicate cycle. The storage rule is the same for all of them: dry the mat completely before you roll or fold it, and never put a warm mat into a closed bag. Fold or roll it loosely rather than tightly, and store it out of standing water.
Mildew and edge curl are both storage problems, not heat problems. A mat that goes into storage damp comes out with a smell, and a mat folded hard along the same line every year develops a permanent crease that becomes a curl under the first hot cook of the season. If you are planning a backyard deck build for next spring, flat dry storage is part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Grill Mat Safety: What a Mat Does Not Do?
A grill mat reduces grease damage and radiant heat damage, and it slows ember ignition. It does not make a flammable deck safe for an unattended grill, a grill that can tip, or a charcoal fire that throws live coals past the edge of the mat. No mat in this roundup is a fireproof guarantee.
Follow the clearance guidance your grill manufacturer publishes, keep the grill stable and upright, and never leave a lit charcoal grill or a fire pit unattended on a deck. For kamado-style cookers and for any charcoal setup, the approach the r/biggreenegg community settles on is a layered one: a raised platform of real concrete blocks or pavers, with a fireproof mat on top of that. Owners running an egg on a block nest over a fireproof mat report no damage to the decking, and the same stacking logic applies to a heavy charcoal grill on timber.
Ember risk is a separate job from grease risk. If you have ever watched a charcoal chimney kick a glowing lump out onto your boards, that tells you which mat class you need, and it is not the 500°F rubber one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a mat under a grill on a deck?
Yes, on almost any deck, patio or paved surface. A grill mat blocks radiant heat from reaching your boards and stops grease, sauce and spilled juices from soaking into the wood or bonding to composite. What it does not do is make a flammable deck fire-safe under an unattended or tipping charcoal grill, so clearance and a stable setup still matter.
What are the best mats for under outdoor grills?
It depends on your fuel. A gas grill on wood, composite or concrete works best with a heavy PVC or recycled rubber catch mat such as the Cuisinart 65×36 or the GRILLTEX 39×72. A charcoal grill, smoker, kamado cooker or fire pit needs a silicone-coated fiberglass mat rated to 1800-2000u0026deg;F. A large flat-top griddle needs a long mat such as the 79×39 model.
What are the best mats for decks?
For wood and pressure-treated pine, a heavy PVC or recycled rubber catch mat handles gas grill grease and radiant heat well. For composite decking, choose a hard silicone-coated fiberglass mat so nothing soft sticks or fuses to the boards. For concrete, any of the coated mats work. For sealed or unsealed stone and travertine, pick a mat specifically described as not staining paver stone.
Who makes the best grill mats?
Brands worth comparing include Cuisinart and GRILLTEX for heavy PVC and recycled rubber catch mats, and UBeesize, FLASLD, Protebox, DocSafe, rumlick, SONGC and Drymate for silicone-coated fiberglass and absorbent fabric mats. Weber and Oklahoma Joe’s also sell branded floor protection mats. Judge each one on published heat rating, footprint and weight rather than brand name alone.
How large should my grill mat be?
Measure the grill footprint, add at least 6 inches of overhang on each side for drips and stray coals, and round up to the next standard size. Common sizes run 39×72, 48×30, 48×48, 60×40, 65×36, 65×48, 76×52 and 79×39. A mat sized exactly to the grill is already too small, because the overhang is where the damage happens.
Which Grill Mat for Decks Should You Buy?
For a gas grill on wood or composite, the Cuisinart 65×36 PVC mat is the pick we would put down first, and the GRILLTEX 39×72 is the value alternative when you want more coverage for less. For charcoal, smokers, kamado cookers and fire pits, the UBeesize 65×48 is our recommendation on composite, and the FLASLD 32×60 or Protebox 60×40 cover the same job at different sizes. The rumlick 79×39 is the answer for a large flat-top griddle, the DocSafe 48×48 is the small-grill square, and the Drymate is the one to buy when grease volume, not heat, is your problem.
Whichever of the best grill mats for decks you settle on, size it with at least 6 inches of overhang, match the material to your fuel type, and remember that a mat reduces damage without making a flammable surface safe. If you are clearing snow this winter, our electric snow shovel picks for decks cover the other seasonal risk to the same boards.