Whether it is winter or summer an indoor grill is a great idea, especially for people who do not have a lot of outdoor space for a gas barbecue. Or for those who live in an apartment and still want to enjoy barbecue-style food, but with less oil and smoke. It is just like having a mini-barbecue in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The 6 Best Electric Indoor Grills
- Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler (Our Top Pick)
- Proctor Silex 5-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill
- T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill
- Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
- George Foreman GR340FB 4-Serving Classic Plate Electric Indoor Grill and Panini Press
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Indoor Grill
Our top pick for the best electric indoor grill is the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler.
As well as offering you five-in-one cooking capabilities from a griddle to a panini press, the Cuisinart can cater for two people or a family of four. The griller/griddle has a lot of handy operators features like the floating lid that can be adjusted to fit thicker pieces of steak, three temperature selector knobs, a hinge release button, a removable drip tray, and the grilling plates detach for easy cleaning.
Check the price on AmazonTwo Types of Indoor Grills
Open Grill
An open grill comprises of a single grilling plate that you place the food on, and you cook the food on one side and then flip it over to seal the other side. Some models come with a lid that traps in the heat.
An open grill is ideal for those homesteaders who still want the hands-on outdoor grilling experience of flipping the meat. There are indoor grills available that give you both the open and contact grill option.
Contact Grill
The contact grill has two grilling plates. One plate inside the lid and one at the bottom of the griller. This type of grill cooks faster than an open grill. It usually comes in a compact size, which is a great choice for smaller kitchens, or if you do not have a lot of storage space in your kitchen.
The best type of indoor grill is the contact grill. A contact grill gives you ample cooking space with the top and bottom grilling plates. The lid is ideal for pressing down and grilling sandwiches and giving burgers that authentic grilled look. However, it also traps in the heat and seals in the cooking juices, which gives you perfectly cooked food, while also minimizing smoke.
Although open grills can accommodate food for three or four people, the contact grill is especially ideal for a family of four, or for when you are entertaining guests.
How to Choose an Indoor Grill
Indoor electric grills can come in all sizes, most are quite compact and can fit on a tabletop or stove. But there are some extra features to look out for when choosing an indoor grill. So here are 12 tips to help you find your perfect grilling partner.
1. Size of the Grill
The size of the grill is determined by the size of the grilling plate. Most indoor grills have a grilling service that ranges from 60 to 200-square inches. This is large enough to grill four one-quarter pound burger patties for a family of four, but if you want to cook larger pieces of meat, you might have to cook them in two batches.
If you are going to be cooking a lot of meat then why not choose a griller like the NutriChef that has a longer cooking grill plate.
2. Power
The ideal power level for most indoor grills is between 1500 to 1800-watts. The higher the wattage the faster the grill will preheat itself and the food will be cooked faster.
Indoor grills that have a power level of 800-watts are ideal for small amounts of cooking, but this level of power may not be ideal for cooking large and thicker pieces of meat like steak and pork. So once again, you might have to cook your food in two batches.
3. Heat Control Options
Indoor grills reach temperatures between 350 to 450° Fahrenheit. Some have a fixed heat setting, but others come with an adjustable temperature dial or button that gives you more control over the heat. An adjustable temperature is very useful if you are cooking different kinds of meat or vegetables that require different levels of heat.
Instead of cooking everything at the same temperature and having your food either undercooked or overcooked, the adjustable temperature allows you to control your cooking whether you are cooking a steak or grilling a panini.
If you are going to be cooking bigger and thicker cuts of meat or searing meat – choose a griller that can reach a temperature of 450°F.
4. Automatic Shut-off Switch
We all hate food that is overcooked, so some indoor grills come with a very handy automatic shut-off switch that kicks in when the food has finished cooking.
5. On/Off Light and Heating Indicator Light
Many indoor grills come equipped with an on/off indicator light that illuminates to let you know that the grill is on, but there are many grillers that also have a heating light that tells when the ideal temperature has been reached.
6. Timer
A timer is a great “set-and-forget” feature. All you have to do is set the timer for the exact cooking time that you need, sit back, and relax, and the timer will alert you when the food has been cooked to perfection.
7. Removable Grill and Plates
Many grillers have a lid that has a grill fitted inside and you can flip it to create extra grilling space, which is great if you have to cook for a lot of people. A removable grill or plate also makes cleaning so much easier as you can detach the plate and either wash it by hand or place it in the dishwasher.
8. Non-stick Grill Plates
These days non-stick grilling plates are available on just about all-electric indoor grills, and just like other non-stick cooking utensils or pots and pans, this extra coating helps to stop food from getting stuck on the grill and makes the griller easier to clean.
But be aware that some non-stick surfaces can degrade over time, especially if the griller is being used a lot. A good tip for non-stick surfaces is to keep the plate/s thoroughly clean.
9. Floating Hinge
A floating hinge is ideal for contact grills as it allows you to press down on the top of your food to ensure even and consistent cooking. The floating hinge is especially useful for grilling thicker meat or a panini.
10. Grease Tray
Basic grilling models may still have a small cup-sized grease catcher which may struggle to contain a large amount of grease. Fortunately, most indoor grills come with a sizeable grease catcher that looks like a drawer. This type of grease catcher can hold a lot of grease and some models have a detachable grease catcher or drip tray for easy cleaning.
11. Filter
Even though indoor grillers are much smaller than outdoor barbecues, they can still generate smoke. Although the lid can trap in a lot of the smoke, and most of your cooking may not require a lid, but if you have a poorly ventilated kitchen, then choose a model that has a built-in filter.
12. Safety Features
Safety is always important when you are working with hot surfaces. Many indoor grills have handy safety features like detachable temperature gauges, which is ideal for when you need to wash the grill. A griller might have cool-touch handles, which can protect you from getting burned.
6 Best Indoor Grills – Reviews
1. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
For an indoor grill that cook food that tastes as though it comes from an outdoor barbecue, the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill is the ideal choice for those rainy days or those homesteaders who live in an apartment but still enjoy that barbecue taste.
It is a compact and simple grill that is easy to use and it has plenty of room. With 118-square-inches of cooking space, you can easily fit three to four small steaks on the grill. The removable lid sears in the food juices and flavors. The non-stick cooking grid will stop your food from sticking to the grill’s surface.
There is adjustable temperature control with a temperature of 450°F, so it is ideal for searing meat. The unit has a power button light and a preheat light that lets you know when the grill has reached the perfect cooking temperature. The removable lid and the drip tray are dishwasher safe. To save the non-stick surface, it is a good idea to soak the cooking grid first.
Pros
- Compact
- High searing capability
- Adjustable temperature control
- Cooks evenly
- Grills great tasting food
Cons
- Lid hard to close on a thick steak
- Smokes a lot
- Lid feels flimsy
- Hard to clean
2. Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
The Cuisinart Griddler has five-in-one cooking capacities. Its new and improved design and 1500-watts of power and very generous cooking space of 200-square inches to grill with it allows you to cook a wide range of food. From bacon and egg, steak, chicken, and your favorite panini as you can use it as a half griddle or full griddle, a full grill for all your meat, a contact grill, and even a panini press.
The grilling/griddle is a high-quality cooking machine as it is made from brushed stainless steel. The panini-style handle is very sturdy, and a hinge release to flip back the plates for more cooking space.
Cuisinart has designed this grill/griddle with a lot of handy features like an integrated drip tray that looks like a drawer that catches all the grease as you cook. There is one set of removable and reversible cooking plates. One side of each plate is flat so you can use it as a grilling plate and other ones act as a griddle. When you use the contact grill the floating lid can be adjusted to fit the thickness of the meat, but you have to be careful when cooking meat with a lot of fat as the grease can overflow.
The griller is easy to use with power and ready to cook indicator lights, three selector knobs: a griddle temperature control up to 200°F to 425°F. A panini/griller selector where you can adjust the temperature from “warm” to “sear”. Adjustable temperature control for the grill/ panini selector, all of which have indicator lights. Another handy feature is the easy to detach cooking plates as they are identical and they have a quick-release button.
Although the cooking plates can be cleaned in the dishwasher, it is recommended that you wash them by hand for a better result, and to save the non-stick coating.
The griller comes with a handy cleaning and scraping tool, and a recipe booklet.
Pros
- Ideal for four people
- Good price
- Five-in-one functionality
- Cooks a wide range of food
- Integrated grease catcher
- Reversible grilling/griddle plates
- Floating lid
- Adjustable temperature
- Limited three-year warranty
Cons
- Has trouble cooking a thick steak
- Nonstick surface can come off with long-term use
- Unit turns on and off several times during the cooking process
3. Proctor Silex 5-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill
The Proctor Silex 5-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill is a versatile grilling machine with a wide 100-sq. inch grilling plate which gives you plenty of room to grill a wide range of food, from beef steaks to chicken fillets to burgers.
You can even open the grill flat and double your cooking space as there is a grilling plate on one side and a griddle on the other side. So you can fry eggs on the grilling plate and pancakes on the griddle. If you love grilled cheese, you can also make delicious paninis.
You do not have to worry about flipping your food over, as the top and bottom panels heat and cook the food on both sides and make sure that your food is evenly cooked.
The grill is attractive with a stylish and durable stainless-steel design. The non-stick dishwasher-safe plates can be removed at the flip of a button. It is very easy to use. Arrange your food on the grill, turn the machine on, set the desired temperature which allows for cooking at low or high heat, and the indicator light will illuminate when your food has been cooked to perfection.
The Proctor Silex indoor grill has a drip tray to catch any juices and grease from your food and keeps your kitchen counter-top or dining room table clean.
Opening and closing the lid can be done safely with the sturdy handle. The grill also comes with an easy-to-access control center that is located on the front side of the grill. Proctor Silex also includes a cooking guide and a spatula cleaning tool to keep the grilling plates clean and ready for your next grilling season.
Pros
- Very good griller
- Large cooking area for three to four people
- Dual cooking panels include a grill plate and a griddle
- Can also be used as a panini maker
- Removable cooking plates
- Standard cooking time guide
- Dishwasher safe plates and drip tray
Cons
- No timer
- Bulky
4. T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill
The super-smart T-fal GC70 OptiGrill Electric Grill has new innovative technology that can make your cooking and grill so much easier.
Once you choose the type of food that you want to cook on the funky touch panel interface program control panel, the automatic sensor adapts to the thickness of the food on the grill to make sure that the food is cooked evenly.
The multi-colored dial on the lid gives you a range of operating functions where you can choose from preheating, the start of cooking. You can even choose how you want your steak cooked: rare, medium, or well-done. You do not have to keep checking the progress of the food as there is an indicator light and the griller beeps when the food is ready.
The T-fal griller has 1800-watts of power and six cooking programs to choose from steak, sausage, fish, and burns. A defrost function and with 100-square inches of grilling plate, there is enough cooking space for two to three people. This ultra-modern grill is a fast worker and it excels at cooking frozen food.
The angled plates are designed for the easy release of any fat. The grill’s housing is made from high quality brushed stainless steel. The machine is easy to wash as the drip tray and plates can be removed and can also go into the dishwasher
Pros
- Ideal for two to three people
- Stylish stainless steel construction
- Easy to use
- Cooks fast
- Touch panel cooking program functions
- Built-in cooking sensors
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for large servings
- Bulky
- Removable plates can be hard to remove
- Timer not very accurate with a thick steak
5. De’Longhi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
The compact smart-looking Indoor Grill from De’Longhi is the ideal choice for cooking all of your favorite barbecues foods when it is too cold outside.
During the winter months, the Delonghi Perfecto will be your new barbecuing buddy as the grill excels at cooking food evenly due to the fully embedded grill plate heating element. The tempered glass lid seals in the juices for perfectly cooked food, while the fat runs down the rivulets of the grill. And it is smoke-free.
One of the highlights of the Delonghi Perfecto grill is that it can reach temperatures of up to 450°F, which is the highest setting for an indoor grill. The lower setting is to be used for slower cooking, or for searing or keep already cooked meat warm.
The non-stick cooking surface is large enough to grill beef patties or vegetables for four people. However, if you are going to be cooking larger pieces of meat, you will have to do cook the meat in two batches.
As well as having a temperature that you can adjust depending on the kind of food you choose to grill, the temperature gauge can be removed for cleaning and storage. There is a cool-touch handle to protect you when you have to move the grill once you have finished grilling your food.
The griller is very easy to clean with a non-stick plate and a removable non-stick drip tray.
Pros
- Ideal for four people
- Glass tempered lid
- Cool-touch handles
- Provides good and even cooking results
- High temperature: 450°F
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Plug can come loose
- Slow to preheat
6. George Foreman GR340FB 4-Serving Classic Plate Electric Indoor Grill and Panini Press
This well known classic Electric Indoor Grill from George Foreman is very versatile and gives you a good cooking space at 60-square inches, so it can fit four one-quarter pound burger patties and small paninis. But if you want to cook larger pieces of meat, you may have to cook them in batches.
The griller can reach a maximum temperature of 400°F in about four minutes and can cook a full meal in 10 minutes. It can accommodate thicker pieces of meat due to the 1-inch adjustable hinge. The grill cooks evenly while sealing in the juices for perfectly cooked food.
The grilling surfaces have a durable advanced coating that stops your food from sticking to the grill, while also protecting the grill from scratches and other types of wear and tear that occur over time.
For barbecue enthusiasts who are also health-conscious, the sloping grilling surface drains away up to 42% fat and the drip tray catches the grease.
Besides its overall even cooking ability, the unit is easy to clean as the plates can be removed and put into the dishwasher. To maintain the product’s durability, it is best to handwash the grilling plates.
Pros
- Ideal for four people (small servings)
- Very good cooking results
- Durable
- 42% less fat
- Reaches 400°F in about four minutes
- Removable grilling plates
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for cooking large amounts of food
- Short power cord
- Doesn’t have an on/off button
- No temperature control
Our Top Pick for the Best Electric Indoor Grill
Our top pick for the best electric indoor grill is the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler.
As well as offering you five-in-one cooking capabilities from a griddle to a panini press, the Cuisinart can cater for two people or a family of four. The griller/griddle has a lot of handy operators features like the floating lid that can be adjusted to fit thicker pieces of steak, three temperature selector knobs, a hinge release button, a removable drip tray, and the grilling plates detach for easy cleaning.
Check the price on Amazon
