Napoleon · Grill & Oven Mats
Napoleon BBQ Side Shelf Mat
Lower PFAS concern, stainless steel side shelf mats carry minimal risk unless coated.
Napoleon's side shelf mat is primarily a stainless steel accessory with no disclosed PFAS-related treatments. The brand makes no claims about water resistance, non-stick coatings, or grease resistance, typical for a simple metal shelf. Without evidence of waterproofing or coating specs, this product poses lower concern for PFAS.
Shop Napoleon on Amazon →Material
Stainless steel shelf/mat surface
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Napoleon BBQ Side Shelf Mat is constructed from stainless steel, a metal alloy that does not require protective coatings and exhibits minimal leaching behavior even at typical grill temperatures (200-400 degrees F on the shelf surface). Stainless steel is inert and chemically stable, meaning it does not degrade into compounds that contaminate food or migrate into surrounding materials. Unlike coated or enameled cookware, this mat avoids risks from ceramic glazes, Teflon-type coating (Teflon) degradation, or aluminum leaching.
The brand's record and disclosure
Napoleon does not publicly disclose detailed material safety certifications or PFAS testing results for this specific accessory. The company has no recorded recalls or safety controversies tied to this product or similar stainless steel shelf mats in its lineup. No third-party lab reports or independent testing data are publicly available for this mat, which is typical for barbecue accessories rather than primary cookware.
How it compares in its category
Stainless steel shelf mats are among the safest options in the grill accessory category and carry lower chemical risk than coated nonstick mats, silicone liners, or polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) -based products. Most competitor models use similar stainless steel construction or optional nonstick coatings that introduce Teflon-type coating fume risk at high heat. This mat's solid metal design eliminates surface degradation and coating failure as concerns over time.
If you buy it
Clean the mat with soap and water or a grill brush after use; stainless steel resists corrosion but can spot from mineral deposits. Avoid prolonged exposure to acidic foods or sauces left on the surface, as concentrated acids can slowly etch stainless steel over years. Replace only if warping, visible pitting, or rust appears (signs of damage or alloy failure). Inspect the mat seasonally and wipe dry after wet weather to maintain integrity.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Stainless steel leaching (nickel, chromium)
Stainless steel can release trace amounts of nickel and chromium when in contact with acidic foods or salt, though quantities at typical grill temperatures are negligible for a shelf mat that does not contact food directly.
Corrosion and rust formation
Stainless steel shelf mats exposed to salt spray (coastal areas) or improper drainage can develop surface pitting or rust over extended outdoor use; this does not directly pose a chemical hazard but signals material degradation.
Thermal stress and warping
Repeated heating and cooling cycles can cause minor warping or stress fractures in stainless steel, though this is a mechanical failure rather than a chemical release hazard.
Fastener corrosion or release
If the mat is secured with fasteners, those components could corrode and shed metal particles; no specific safety record exists for this product to indicate a problem.
Flame retardant or coating contamination
Stainless steel mats do not require flame retardant treatments or polymer coatings, eliminating this hazard class entirely for this product type.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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More grill & oven mats grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.