The 10 Best Indoor Electric Grills
Summer grilling on the patio or at the park is a time-honored tradition, but when temps soar into the triple digits, the last thing you want to do is man a hot grill while everyone else frolics in the pool. Good news! You can have your BBQ and eat it, too, when you purchase an indoor electric grill that delivers the same char (and a host of other benefits) in the comfort of your air-conditioned kitchen. Here are 10 of the best electric grill options to explore when you’re ready to beat the heat with indoor grilling.
Breville Smart Grill
There’s a lot to love about this diminutive griller, starting with high-sear heating elements embedded in (not under) the cooking plates to deliver 1800 watts of power for quick grilling and consistent sear. Whether you’re grilling the perfect medium-rare steak or shooting for grilled cheese with optimal golden crust and gooey innards, you’ll have no trouble getting it just right with this handy grill, featuring a digital display. As for cleaning, you’re sure to appreciate the fact that removable plates are dishwasher safe. That’s way better than singeing your mitts scrubbing a crusty outdoor grill.
Cuisinart Griddler Elite Grill
Cuisinart is well-known for small kitchen appliances like blenders and food processors, among other things. So, it’s no surprise that they’ve thrown their hat in the ring with their own electric, indoor grill. What will you get with this nifty food press? How about six grilling options in one, including a full grill or griddle, a half grill/griddle, a top melt, a contact grill, and a Panini press? Non-stick plates are removable and reversible, there’s a dual zone temperature control (cook a rare and a well-done steak simultaneously), and you can sear up to 500 degrees (F) for up to two minutes at a time.
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill
Sometimes, grilling power just isn’t enough. If you’ve got a small kitchen without much counter space, you need small appliances that can perform double duty. You’ll get five times the function with this foodie’s friend. This multi-functional offering from Ninja can not only grill, but also air crisp, bake, roast, and dehydrate, providing outstanding convenience and versatility. It comes with a grill grate, grill crisper basket, and even a handy grill brush, as well as 15 recipes to get you started on your grand grilling and crisping adventure.
Breville Sear & Press Grill
Another grilling option from Breville, this one isn’t quite as smart as it’s counterpart, what with analog controls instead of a digital display. However, with a price drop over a hundo, it may be a better choice for anyone looking to try out indoor grilling before they commit to a pricier model. You’ll still enjoy reversible, ceramic griddle, flat, and waffle plates, as well as one-touch presets for burger, sear, and panini press function. Best of all, the top opens wide to deliver a larger grilling surface.
Philips Smoke-Less Indoor Grill
Indoor grills have a tendency to feature a “press” configuration with top and bottom plates, but for grilling aficionados, there’s really no substitute for an open grill face. You’ll get exactly that with the Phillips Smoke-Less Indoor Grill, which features a flat grill surface for flipping burgers, chicken, corn cobs, kebabs, and more. A raised grill means fats and oils drip away, and the drip tray stays cool to prevent acrid smoke. The burner heats to a consistent 446 degrees for optimal grilling.
Krups Smokeless Indoor Grill
This open-face grill will take up a bit more counter (and cupboard) space than a press appliance, but the benefit is you’ll enjoy two independent cooking surfaces, just in case you want to sizzle steaks on one side and char veggie kabobs on the other. Each side offer temp controls ranging from 200 to 450 degrees and you can reasonably fit eight beefy hamburger patties across the grill surface. Edge-to-edge heating elements ensure consistent heat distribution and removable grill plates and drip tray are dishwasher safe for your convenience.
HomeLabs Smokeless Indoor Electric Grill
One of the biggest problems with many open-face indoor grills is the fact that they lack the cover traditional outdoor grills come equipped with, meaning you might overcook the surface of food without reaching safe internal temperatures. This grill removes the threat of undercooked meat with a tempered glass lid, as well as six cooking temperatures ranging from 200 to 450 degrees. You’ll also enjoy a drip tray for smokeless cooking and removable, non-stick grill and griddle plates for versatile cooking function. The plates, drip tray, and glass lid are all dishwasher safe.
George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Domed Electric Grill
George Foreman is known for many things, from being a two-time heavyweight boxing champ and Olympic gold medalist, to naming all five of his sons George, so they would have something in common. His name has also become synonymous with grilling, due to the outrageous popularity of his original George Foreman Grill. He takes it to the next level with this indoor/outdoor grill that features a removable upright stand for off-counter use. It’s bigger than other models (up to 15+ servings), comes with a domed lid and drip tray, and features a temperature gauge from 150 to 550 degrees.
DeLonghi Indoor Grill
Year-round grilling is easier indoors, and DeLonghi gives you everything you need to grill juicy chicken cutlets or crisp up some corn cobs. Not only will you enjoy the ample, open-face cooking surface, but this model comes with a tempered glass lid to preserve meat juices or keep food warm. The adjustable thermostat features five heat settings (although temps are not shown) and fully-embedded heating elements ensure even heat distribution. At a price well under $100, this grill is eminently affordable.
T-Fal OptiGrill+ XL Electric Indoor Grill
Another press-variety grill, this countertop cooker offers some convenient features that busy households are sure to approve of. The 1800 watts of power ensure a good sear, while removable plates and drip tray are dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning. You’ll also get nine programmed settings, including burger, sandwich, sausage, poultry, red meat, fish, pork, bacon, and shellfish, as well as a frozen cook mode and four temperature settings for veggies and more. A light indicates preheating/ready status, and audible beeps inform you when meat is rare, medium, or well-done.
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