So, we've been looking around for kitchen mats lately. And we actually like the unlikely candidate, Gel Pro Chef's Mat when we take a closer look at it. It's a fatter alternative to thin (and expensive) Chilewich mats. And we like their woven appearance.
The mats are a residential version of commercial kitchen fatigue mats. They're supposed to relieve lower back pain and are 100% cleanable. Two different sizes are available: 20x36 for $100 and 20x72 for $200.
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Comments (11)
It seems like it would collect funk in the creases.
Yes, in a commercial setting mats need to be cleaned daily to keep the funk out. Not sure how often this would need to be cleaned at home, but a periodic scrub-down with a deck brush and soap surely would be necessary.
That said, they do look good.
I ditto that comment, and note that their site states:
"Gel Pro Mats feature a bacterial killing additive to eliminate mold/mildew"
I can't tell if it is really woven, or just looks like it is.
Anyways, we put Reztec rubber flooring in our kitchen. It comes in various thicknesses, and although not gel, is very comfortable.
Does anyone have a suggestion for an antifatigue mat that doesn't cost $100? It doesn't have to look good because I want to put it under a rag rug.
Ew! Little bits of food in there would get nasty quick. What's with the kitchen products that aren't practical? (thinking of the fancy drain cover that looked beautiful but with holes that were too large).
Um... wouldn't a yoga mat be much cheaper?
Grita, there are commercial/industrial catalogs I've seen that contain anti-fatigue mats for factory workers, etc. I'd assume they were cheaper.
I can't remember the name of the catalog, but it contained metal carts, commercial garbage cans, pallet jacks, hard hats, metal stools, etc.
Grita I second hejiranyc's yoga mat suggestion. Hejiranyc - another Joni Mitchell fan?
I think that Jon_B is probably referring to McMaster-Carr. Their website is www.mcmaster.com
I went there and did a quick search they have quite a few inexpensive alternatives. If you go to their website be sure to notice that there are 3 pages of options for antifatigue mats and the links can be easy to miss at the top of the page. They don't have many (any) color options but they do have plenty of size, thickness and texture options.
Yoga mats can be slippery and they absorb sweat, so they probably absorb water or any other liquid that spills. In my opinion, they are too spongy for use in a kitchen. The Chilewitch mats are more expensive, but I bought two (lined up side by side...the stripes match up perfectly and you can barely see the seam) for my long galley kitchen a few months back, and I have been so happy with them. But this Gel Pro mat looks like a great alternative!
We have a Chef's Mat and love it! The basketweave is embossed and not an actual weave, therefore
food or debris becoming stuck in the creases is not a problem. We simply sweep our mats off and for stains or spills we use water and dish washing detergent.
We tried other anti fatigue and industrial mats and while they may be cheaper, you get what you pay for. The Chef's Mats are not only super comfortable they are aesthetically attractive and complements our kitchen!