When reviewing products for our Top 28 lists we put ourselves in the shoes of the customer and look at the kinds of questions that you might ask when making a fairly costly purchase. Unlike previous reviews we haven’t compared apples (in a pig’s mouth) with apples (in a pig’s mouth), so to speak, but rather looked at the features of each of the Indoor Grill, what we like and just as importantly, what we don’t.
- George Foreman GFO240S Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, Silver
- Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler, Silver, Black Dials
- Cuisinart GR-300WS Griddler Elite Grill, Stainless Steel
- Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
- De’Longhi BGR50 Reversible Grill/Griddle
- Farberware Open Hearth Broiler & Rotisserie
- George Foreman GRP1060B 4 Serving Removable Plate Grill, Black
- George Foreman GGR240L 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Grill
- Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 MultiGrill Indoor Grill, Griddle & Bacon Cooker (25600)
- Excelvan Indoor Electric Classic Plate Barbecue Grill Adjustable Temperature Easy Clean, 1120W, Black
- George Foreman GFO201RX Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, Red
- Presto 09020 Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill
- Gourmia GBQ330 Portable Charcoal Electric BBQ Grill – 90% Smoke Reduction Barbecue with Turbo Fan, Removable Electronics, Travel Bag- 110/120V
- T-fal GC722D53 1800W OptiGrill XL Stainless Steel Large Indoor Electric Grill with Removable and Dishwasher Safe Plates, Silver
- Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill, Red
- Tayama TG-868 Tayama Non-Stick Electric Indoor Grill, Black
- George Foreman GRP1001BP 6-Serving Removable Plate Grill, Black
- Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 MultiGrill Indoor Grill, Griddle & Bacon Cooker (25600)
- George Foreman GGR50B 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, Silver
- Livart LV-982 Electric Barbecue Grill, Orange
- Zojirushi EB-DLC10 Indoor Electric Grill
- Grill Griddle,iGarden Indoor Electric Smokeless Cast-Aluminum Reversible Grill Griddle Combo- Water-Based Double-Layer Teflon Coating,1700 Watts, Non-Stick FDA Certification For Home Restaurant Party
- TECHEF – TRUE GRILL PAN – Stovetop Nonstick Indoor/Outdoor Smokeless BBQ Grill Set, including a Grill Plate and Aluminum Drip Tray
- NutriChef Electric Grill Roaster Indoor and Outdoor Grilling Barbecue For Fish Meat Etc , Red (PKFG14)
- Chef’s Secret Non-Stick Aluminum Indoor Stovetop Grill with Stainless Steel Base, Black/Silver
- Casa Moda Smokeless Tabletop Grill with Ceramic Tray
- Cuisinart Grid-180SAL Indoor/Outdoor Grill, Black
- T-fal GC702 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill with Removable and Dishwasher Safe plates,1800-watt, Silver
Little Grill, Big Power
Contact grills are indoor-use grills that cook the food between two grids. One grid is on the bottom where the food is placed. The other grid is on the cover that rests on the top of the food when the grill is closed. Both grids are heated so the food is cooked from both sides. The result? Foods cook in a fraction of the time of conventional grilling. The dual cooking surfaces also eliminate the need to flip food, but you can if you like.
Contact grills have ridged plates to give the food grill marks. Depending on the type of grill you purchase, these plates may be stationary or removable. If they are stationary, be sure to thoroughly wash them with hot, soapy water after using. Removable plates can be removed and put in the dishwasher or washed by hand.
Grill Successories
When purchasing a grill, you’ll want to shop with your cooking style and needs in mind. Grills may have some or all of these features.
- What’s the Watt? Similar to microwave ovens, contact grills can vary in wattage. Higher-wattage grills, over 1,200 watts, shorten cooking time.
- Cooking Good! Contact grills come in lots of shape, size and style options, so whether you’re a single cook or feeding a family, you can have a grill that will accommodate your culinary needs.
- Dial it Up. Some grills offer a thermostat-type dial to help regulate heat, and others have a fixed temperature. The latter are more temperamental, so foods must be watched more closely. Some grills have an automatic shutoff to prevent overcooking.
- Extra, Extra! As the demand for contact grills increases, manufacturers are challenged to provide extras for cooks. Grills may include a bun warmer or grill plates that flip over to become a griddle. Look for special extras if these appeal to you.
Top Indoor Grilling Tips
- Just like an outdoor grill, contact grills need to be pre-heatedFollow the manufacturer’s recommended preheating time for your grill.
- Vent! Even though you’re cooking indoors, you often have the same type of smoke smell you get when you’re grilling outside (but to a lesser extent). Use your grill under or near an exhaust fan when grilling. If buildup becomes too much, open a window.
- Boneless cuts of meat work best with indoor grills because cooking meat to the proper doneness near the bone is more difficult.
- Try not to use glazes or sauces while cooking on a contact grill because they burn easily. Instead, serve the sauce on the side.
- The closed lid allows the appliance to build up steam. Be sure to vent or open periodically to prevent your food from being more steamed than grilled.
- Contact grills cook at high temperatures and get very hot. Use pot holders or oven mitts when opening or closing the cover to prevent burns.
- Keep an eye on the timer and your food. Because these grills cook from both sides and you don’t have to deal with weather variables (wind, temperature and rain), it’s easier to overcook foods.
- For easy cleanup, unplug the grill and place a couple of wet paper towels between the cover and the base, then close for 10 minutes.
- If you want to try a recipe that uses outdoor grilling times on your contact grill, start by cutting the time in half and then checking every few minutes.