Grilling—it’s hotter than ever! Grilling is an activity that has become as synonymous with summer as hitting the beach in your swim suit or riding a roller coaster on a hot, sunny afternoon. But do you know what makes grilling even better than these activities? You can do it in all types of weather and at any time of the year! Yes, no matter how cold or rainy or wintry it gets outside, you can always break out the grill and barbecue up some juicy steaks. Of course, you can’t do this if you don’t have an indoor grill.
Owning the best indoor grill is like bringing summer inside all year ‘round. If you already have one, you know how awesome it can be to own one of these babies. If you don’t, you probably want one but have questions about how to purchase the best.
Indoor grills have many varied features, and this fact can make it tricky to choose the one that’s right for you and your family. Learning about the different types, temps, sizes, and fuel types can make your head spin. And that doesn’t even take into account the wide range of costs involved. Here’s a one-stop buying guide that will help you sort out the vast amount of information out there about the many indoor grills on the market today.
WHY YOU NEED AN INDOOR GRILL
Indoor grills are an ideal means of obtaining that authentic outdoor-grill taste – without the outdoors! This means you can get delicious, tasty, succulent grilled flavor in all your meats, fishes, veggies, and more any day of the week regardless of weather or season. It also means you can be confident in inviting over friends for a barbecue without having to worry what the weather will be like.
WHAT FEATURES TO LOOK FOR WHEN SHOPPING FOR AN INDOOR GRILL
When shopping for an indoor grill, ask yourself these questions:
What is my budget? We put budget first because most everyone has to consider price when purchasing anything. Figure out what you can spend, then shop accordingly. The wonderful thing about shopping for indoor grills is they can range in price from highly budget-friendly (around $40) all the way up to $500 or more. No matter what your budget, you’re likely to find an indoor grill that suits you just fine.
How big a cooking area do I need? After determining your budget, cooking surface area should be your next consideration. Are you a single person living alone or half of a couple? Then you probably won’t want to purchase one of the larger-surface indoor grills on our list. Remember that larger-capacity cooking surfaces mean more cleanup as well as countertop space. If you have a large family, or you’ll be grilling for parties or large get-togethers, consider purchasing a grill with a larger cooking capacity that will accommodate.
Do I want a gas or electric indoor grill? Many folks swear by gas, saying that foods cooked on indoor gas grills tastes more ‘authentic’ to outdoor grilling. This is probably true, but also remember that electric grills tend to be more safe to use than gas grills. Gas is trickier to use, especially since it can smoke more than electric.
How much cleanup am I willing to do? Most of us will probably answer that with something along the lines of, “As little as possible!” Indoor grills that have removable parts such as plates and lids are easier to clean, and many of these removable parts can be dropped into the dishwasher. Consider also non-stick surfaces, as these not only make for easier cooking but easier cleanup as well.
BEST INDOOR GRILL – A BUYING GUIDE
All of the indoor grills on our 5-best list are top-rated for user-friendly grilling.
1.MEGACHEF DUAL SURFACE REVERSIBLE INDOOR GRILL AND GRIDDLE WITH REMOVABLE GLASS LID BY MEGACHEF
Megachef is known for its versatile ‘kitchen essentials’ that are friendly to most budgets. They offer this dual-surface reversible indoor grill that also has a griddle for multiple functionality. Users can easily switch out the cooking surface from one side to the other, and they can do it while the grill is turned on! Cleaning is as easy as wiping down the cooking surface with a moist towel. The cooking surface on this product is 15” by 11”, which means you can cook enough for your whole family. Plus, the price is nice, coming in at lower than many others on our list of 10 best.
Pros:
- Highly versatile, given its dual-sided grill and griddle cooking surfaces.
- Non-stick, which makes it easy to cook on and easy to clean.
- Great for cooking everything from eggs to steaks.
- Excellent low price that can fit into nearly all budgets.
- Removable glass lid for safe and viewable cooking as well as easy cleaning.
Cons:
- A few reviewers state the handle gets too hot too quickly.
2. SWISSMAR KF-77045 CLASSIC 8 PERSON RACLETTE WITH GRANITE STONE GRILL TOP BY SWISSMAR
Swissmar is an international company that’s been making quality cookware and housewares for over 35 years. This impressive-looking, multi-functional grill is excellent for cooking enough for everyone in your large party. It has variable heat control with 1200 watts of power, a wattage consistent with what many indoor grilling experts consider to be the ideal wattage for indoor grilling. Plus, it comes with a recipe booklet, 8 heat-resistant spatulas, and 8 raclette dishes for multipurpose cooking.
Pros:
- 1200 wattage ideal for indoor grilling.
- Excellent size to grill for larger families and parties.
- Variable heat control for better user control.
- Add-ons include recipe booklet, 8 heat-resistant spatulas, and 8 raclette dishes.
- Great for melting cheese.
- Nice mid-point price that can fit into most budgets.
Cons:
- A few reviewers state the surface does not get hot enough for their liking.
- Larger appliance may be too large for some countertops.
- Larger cooking surface may be too large for one- or two-person families.
3. WOLFGANG PUCK ELECTRIC REVERSIBLE GRILL AND GRIDDLE BY WOLFGANG PUCK
The name ‘Wolfgang Puck’ is interchangeable in the cooking industry with deliciously cooked foods and high-quality products. This world-class chef offers what he dubs his ‘grand capacity’ reversible grill and griddle. It’s versatile because of its dual functionality, and it’s touted as being able to create ‘feasts for the whole family,’ thanks to its over-sized cooking surface. The premium non-stick surface and detachable cooking plate make for easy cleanup, especially since it can be dropped into the dishwasher.
It’s got high-powered wattage at 1800, and adjustable temperature control dial for accurate heating. Plus, the safety interlock system latches the cooking plate and grill base together as an added safety precaution.
Pros:
- Large capacity to cook large quantities of food.
- Versatile for its dual grill and griddle functionality.
- Integrated interlock system for added safety.
- High wattage heats up and cooks food quickly.
Cons:
- High price does not fit many consumers’ budgets.
- Some reviewers state the cooking surface does not heat evenly.
4. SECURA GR-1503XL 1800W ELECTRIC REVERSIBLE 2 IN 1 GRILL GRIDDLE W/ GLASS LID INDOOR OUTDOOR BY SECURA
Secura is a North American company that sells high-quality, top-rated small appliances, products as well as health-and-beauty and fitness products. Their kitchen products side offers this convenient portable electric grill. Its non-stick surface is excellent for flipping foods as well as for easy cleanup. The removable heavy duty cooking plate makes for quick heating and cooking. This product’s removable glass lid is an added safety precaution that prevents the splatter of hot grease, and it helps make cleanup easier. Removable adjustable thermostat controls and heating indicator light allow users more control.
Pros:
- Portable for easy take-along that fits in most areas.
- Highly versatile, given its dual-sided grill and griddle cooking surfaces.
- Non-stick, which makes it easy to cook on and easy to clean.
- Removable glass lid for safe and viewable cooking as well as easy cleaning.
- Nice lower price can fit into most budgets.
Cons:
- Some reviewers comment that cleanup isn’t easy because it leaks grease onto the countertop.
5. HAMILTON BEACH (25361) ELECTRIC INDOOR GRILL & SEARING GRILL WITH REMOVABLE PLATES AND VIEWING WINDOW BY HAMILTON BEACH
Nobody doesn’t know the name Hamilton Beach, a company that’s been around for over a century and is noted for its thousands of kitchen products. This high-quality indoor grill is no exception to their long list of quality merchandise. It has removable plates that are dishwasher safe, and the non-stick surface makes for easy cleanup. It has a lift handle, which is an added safety feature to keep fingers from burning.
The adjustable temperature knob on this one helps you customize grilling, and the indicator light lets you know when it’s ready to use. Lid window allows you to watch your food as it cooks. Plus, it has a large cooking surface, which makes it excellent for cooking for larger parties.
Pros:
- Hamilton Beach name trusted for over a century.
- Removable plates for easy cleanup.
- Large cooking surface for larger families and parties.
- Non-stick surface makes it easy to cook on and easy to clean.
- Removable glass lid for safe and viewable cooking as well as easy cleaning.
- Lift handle is a safety precaution against burning.
- Nice mid-point price fits into most budgets.
Cons:
- Some reviewers comment that it dries meat out.
Best Indoor Grill 