Now that summer has turned to autumn, and winter is rapidly approaching, it’s time to put the outdoor grills away for the year and break out the indoor grills.
If you don’t have an indoor grill yet, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about indoor grills including how they work, what to look for before buying one, as well as our top picks for the best grills to invest in this year.
Don’t let the cold weather shut down your grilling-game, get one of the best indoor grills and keep on grilling.
Best indoor grills: Quick Picks
- Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- Cuisinart Griddler Elite
- T-Fal GC7 Opti-Grill
- New House Kitchen Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill
- Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1
- Philips Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill
- Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill
- DeLonghi BGR50 Reversible Grill/Griddle
How Do Indoor Grills Work?
Indoor grills work in a similar fashion to hot plates and infrared stove-tops. The heating technology utilized in most indoor grills is infrared which cooks food thoroughly with little to zero smoke.
Indoor grills also create less grease and oil splatter than traditional stove-top cooking and outdoor grilling. Most indoor grills even come with drip trays which keep things much cleaner and produce even less smoke and vapors.
As far as power goes, 99.9-percent of indoor grills run on electricity and plug right up to normal household power outlets. Technically, you could even set up a temporary cooking area in the dining or living room and safely and efficiently get your indoor grilling on(think of the extra kitchen space you can create for Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking).
Now, before moving on, we want to point out that you can not grill inside with an outdoor grill. No matter how well-ventilated your home is, charcoal and gas grills create high amounts of carbon monoxide. All indoor grilling must be done with a proper indoor grill.
What to Consider Before Buying an Indoor Grill
Before picking up that indoor grill you’ve set your eye on, take the time to pause and consider these important factors:
Quality of components
When you are planning on purchasing an indoor grill as the next addition to your kitchen equipment, looking into the quality of components is crucial. For example, cast iron grills may last several years. That said, stainless steel can last up to more than 10 years.
If you are looking for an indoor grill to send to school with your new college student, pick up the cast iron unit. But, if you are searching for a long-lasting piece of equipment for your kitchen the stainless steel grills are a much better choice.
Assembly
It may not seem like the most significant factor, but whether or not your new indoor grill comes assembled or not makes a pretty big difference. A grill that is ready to pull out of the box, dust off, and plug in, is much more convenient that one that needs constructed (possibly taking a decent amount of time and hand tools).
If you aren’t the hands-on type, we suggest going with a pre-assembled indoor grill. However, if you don’t mind spending extra time and attention setting stuff up, a grill that requires assembly may be right up your alley.
Cooking power
The more BTUs an indoor grill puts out, the larger amounts of food you can cook. More BTUs also means you can grill your food even faster.
The power output and efficiency are among the most significant factors that impact the amount of time it takes for the grill to reach optimal cooking temperatures. It also makes the difference between the ability to grill a couple of chicken breasts and grilling a couple of entire chickens.
If you are cooking specifically for one or two people, lower BTUs are suitable if you don’t mind waiting a few minutes longer for your food to cook. For families with a higher head-count, higher BTUs are pretty much necessary.
Ease of use
One of the most important considerations to make before purchasing an indoor grill is the ease, or difficulty, that it requires to operate the grill.
Beyond the general ease of use, you need to consider your specific needs and requirements.
Do you like slow cooking, or do you prefer cooking fast? Do you like to have all the bells and whistles that come with the most up-to-date and state-of-the-art kitchen equipment, or do you prefer classic designs?
However you prefer to cook, and whatever you expect out of a grill, the model you choose to buy should fit all your needs and make grilling indoors as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Portability
How important the portability of your new indoor grill is depends on you and your cooking habits.
Do you plan to take and use this grill in your dorm room, or to take it to aunt Jenny’s house for sunday dinners with the family? If so, portability matters.
Luckily, most indoor grills are extremely portable. That said, some models which are extra heavy-duty may be less convenient in regards to mobility.
Warranty
The last thing you want to deal with is returning your brand new indoor grill, or needing to request a refund for it, but there is a slight chance that is what happens. That is why you need to make sure that your new indoor grill comes with a warranty and/or guarantees.
Many indoor grills come with manufacturer warranties that cover the first year or two past the date of purchase. They also include 30 to 90-day money-back guarantees, or something similar. The very best indoor grills come with lifetime warranty options as well as customer service.
Purchasing a new indoor grill for your kitchen is a real investment. Make sure you are covered, check warranty options before you buy.
Best Indoor Grills This Year
Here it is, our picks for the best indoor grills of 2020. Each grill on our list was chosen after careful research and ranking based on all of the considerations mentioned above.
We think you are really going to love these great eight indoor grills(let us know what you think in the comments section below):
1. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill is the first item on our list. This particular indoor grill is very high-end and is well-known for its ability to lock in juices and flavors in meats like steak and pork chops. The grill heats at temperatures up to 450-degrees and has an adjustable temperature dial that allows you full control of how you cook your food.
Even better, the grill has 118 inches of surface, enough space to prepare food for six people at a time. If you have a family that you are cooking for, this could be the grill for you.
You can easily multi-task when cooking with the Hamilton Beach indoor grill too, thanks to the convenient viewing window. No need to lift the grill top and let all the heat out when you just want to check on the progress of your food.
One of our favorite parts about this grill is that it is super easy to clean up afterwards. In part, this is due to the fact that the grill actually makes very little mess to begin with. It comes with an extra-large drip tray that catches 99.9-percent of juices and splatter. The grill is also dishsafeproof.
This grill also includes power-on and preheat lights to let you know when it’s working and when it is hot enough to cook with.
Pros:
- Fully adjustable temperature dial
- 118 inches of cooking space – serves 6
- Power and preheat lights
- Extra-large drip tray – little mess
- Dishwasher safe – easy to clean
- Manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Cost more than many comparable indoor grills
- May be bigger than what you actually need or want
2. Cuisinart Griddler Elite
The Griddler Elite from Cuisinart comes in second on our list of the eight best indoor grills, just behind the Hamilton Beach grill. It is a sleek looking silver indoor grill that is nonstick and works as a grill or griddle. The plates are removable.
There are six diverse cooking options with this one grill, hence the name Elite. The wide-range of cooking options include contact grill, full grill, half grill, full griddle, half griddle, and top melt. Searing at 500-degrees is possible for up to two-minutes.
The top cover is adjustable with six convenient presets to top melt. There is also a lock on the top that makes storing easy and secure.
Pros:
- Six cooking functions
- Non-stick removable plates
- 500-degree searing for up to 2-minutes
- No much mess
- Easy to lock and store
- Manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer as much cooking space as other top indoor grills on our list
3. T-Fal GC7 Opti-Grill
This impressive grill from T-Fal is one of the most advanced grills on our list. The GC7 Opti-Grill from T-Fal adapts grilling cycles to the thickness of foods being grilled. There are six pre-programs including Burger, Red Meat, Fish, Sandwich, and Sausage, and Poultry.
A 93-inch cooking surface is another of the great benefits of the GC7. It allows for cooking enough food for 4 to 6 people at a time.
There are two cooking modes, one is for frozen foods and the other is a manual mode that allows you to take control of the cooking process more entirely. It also comes with a large juice tray that is set at a convenient angle that helps capture juices.
The grill is constructed of high-quality die cast aluminum and has nonstick plates which are removable for easier cleaning. The plates are dishwasher safe as well.
Pros:
- Prepares food for up to 4 to 6 people
- Two convenient cooking modes; frozen food and manual
- 93-inch cooking surface
- 6 pre-programmed settings for more accurate cooking
- Large angled juice tray
- Limited warranty
Cons:
- Is heavy-duty, but from die cast aluminum rather than stainless steel
4. New House Kitchen Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill
The New House Kitchen Electric Indoor Grill is both smokeless and multi-purpose, both big pluses in our book. This indoor grill is excellent for just about any grilling purpose and intents.
It comes with built-in temperature controls that allow you options ranging from warm to sear. That way you can grill just the way you want and avoid unnecessary smoke and splatter.
Forget heading to the steakhouse on Saturday night, head to the kitsch instead. The New House Kitchen Indoor Grill is great for more than just steak, that said. It is also good for cooking fish, pork, veggies, and much more.
The grill runs on a high-end 1200-watt motor and draws 120 volts. Needless to say, the grill is definitely one that will last for a very long time. Further, it is seriously low maintenance and also has cool-touch handles. The top of the grill and water tray are also removeable and dishwasher proof.
In addition, a money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty is included with the grill. That way it is practically a risk-free purchase, if you’re not happy you can return it.
Pros:
- 1200-watt motor
- Low maintenance and dishwasher safe
- Easy to use temperature controls
- Convenient drip tray
- Manufacturer warranty
Cons
- nothing
5. Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1
The Ninja Foodi Pro is an incredibly handy little 5-in-1 that is perfect for college dorms as well as their parents (or grandparents) kitchen. If you’re looking for something that sizzles, sears, and frys, you may have just found it.
The versatile design allows you superior control of grilling and cooking all of your favorite foods. Low, medium, high, and max temperature controls are easy to locate and use. The grill operates at a temperature range of 105-degrees to 500-degrees and has a fan with 5 speed settings; air crisp, dehydrate, roast, bake, and grill.
One of our very favorite features is the air crisping ability with the 4-quart crisper basket. It works with 75-percent less fat or oil than traditional deep frying and produces the same great taste.
We also absolutely love the smart probe included, it takes all the guesswork out of your cooking. That way you can multitask and never worry about burning your food. Even more, the grill includes a splatter shield in combination with a temperature-controlled grill grate to reduce the amount of smoke produced(which is very little).
Pros:
- Lots of features and extras
- 500-degree maximum temperature
- 5 convenient fan speed settings
- 75-percent less oil required than a deep fryer
- Limited warranty
Cons:
- Not as much cooking surface space as other grills on our list
6. Philips Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill
Another great smokeless grill for indoor grilling-action is this sleek BBQ grill from the world-renowned manufacturer, Philips. It is a real grilling machine and is built to last from high-quality and durable components and materials.
The grill comes with a large drip tray that collects juices beneath the cooking surface to cut back on smoke. The smoke level is practically non-existent
This grill is perfect for folks whore looking for the most convenient automatic cooking features. There is no need to make heat adjustments while cooking because the grill maintains the optimal temperature for cooking and searing, 446-degrees.
The electric grill is easy to clean up as well. The top can be wiped down quickly and effortlessly. You can also remove the top and place it in the dishwasher if you prefer.
Oh yeah, it takes barely one minute to take out of the box and set up in your kitchen or dorm room.
Pros:
- 1660-watts
- Cooks at 446-degrees
- Reduces smoke to almost zero
- Collects juices and mess in bottom drip tray
- Dishwasher friendly and easy to clean
Cons:
- Is an automatic grilling machine, it always cooks at the same temperature
- Doesn’t offer as much space as some of the top picks on our list
7. Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill
A less well-known manufacturer that makes a great indoor electric grill is Zojirushi. We were so impressed with this indoor grill that we knew right away we needed to share it with our audience.
The EB-CC15 consists of a compact plastic and die-cast aluminum design. More importantly, it has a 12.5-inch by 9.25-inch nonstick grill surface that’s great for grilling everything from fish and burgers to steaks and veggies.
The girl comes with variable heat controls and cool-touch handles and casing. It’s also super easy to clean and maintain. You can even pop the top off and into the dishwasher.
It is a superb choice for college kids and bachelors as well as families that need a bit more cooking surface for special occasions.
Pros:
- Decent amount of cooking surface space
- High-end plastic and aluminum construction
- Heat controls that are easy to use
- Cool-touch handles and housing
Cons:
- Produced by a lesser-well-known manufacturer, albeit a seemingly good one
- Somewhat less aesthetically appealing design that other choices on the list
8. DeLonghi BGR50 Reversible Grill/Griddle
This fantastically useful reversible grill/griddle from Delonghi is our last but far from our least indoor grill choice for your consideration. It operates with an adjustable thermostat from 200-degree to 400-degrees.
If you are looking for a large and versatile indoor grill to aid you in preparing steak, burgers, fish, and other tasty grilled foods for your tribe, the BGR50 is one of the best indoor grills to take a closer look at.
It comes with a large reversible die-cast aluminum grill and griddle plate with embedded elements for heating. The plates are ribbed on the side for superior grilling-action. The plates also have a flat area which is perfect for cooking eggs, bacon, vegetables, and much more.
The plates are easy to clean and adjust as well as to remove and put in the dishwasher. No need to scrub the stovetop and skillets if you are using this grill to cook those burgers.
Pros:
- Adjustable temperature controls
- Large reversible grill and griddle plates
- Easy to maintain
- Big cooking surface
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Temperature range is 50 to 100-degrees lower than other grills on our list
- Produced by a less well known manufacturer than many grills on our list
Indoor Grill FAQs
Just in case we didn’t cover everything you want to know, here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about indoor grills we thought you might like to know about.
Are indoor grills worth my investment?
The answer to this question depends on the person asking it. Ask yourself, will you benefit from the particular indoor grill you are thinking of buying? Will it allow you more versatility in the kitchen? If the answer is yes, then an indoor grill is absolutely worth your investment.
What is the best indoor grill brand?
Depending on who you ask, the best indoor grill brand varies. Generally speaking, the top three indoor grill brands are Hamilton Beach, Ninja, and George Foreman(in no particular order).
If you ask us, we believe the best indoor grill brand is the one that best fits your specific needs and requirements.
Are indoor grills safer than outdoor grills?
Absolutely. Indoor grills run on electricity, a safe and clean power source. Outdoor grills, on the other hand, rely on harmful and outdated fuel sources such as propane and charcoal. Indoor grills do not emit carbon monoxide and the other harmful vapors that outdoor grills do.
Which Indoor Grill Is Best For You?
The best indoor grill for you depends on a few important factors including how much space you have for a grill as well as what sort of food you plan on making with a new grill. Hopefully our article helps you determine which grill fits your needs (as well as your kitchen counter space).
Do you currently use an indoor grill that you believe is the best of the best? If so, let us know in the comments section below (especially if it is a grill that isn’t on our list).
Good luck picking the best indoor grill!
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