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When it comes to grilling, there is nothing like the taste of food that has been cooked outdoors. However, sometimes weather, or other circumstances do not permit outdoor grilling.
That is where indoor grills come in handy. But with so many different options on the market, which one should you buy? In this blog post, we will help you decide what the best indoor grill to buy is for your needs.
Best Indoor Grill Review
There are a lot of different indoor grills to choose from. So, which is the best one to buy? In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of the most popular indoor grills on the market. After reading this post, you will be able to make an informed decision about which grill is best for you.
What is an indoor grill?
An indoor grill or alternatively known as a stove top grill, stove top griddle, electric skillet or also called a sandwich maker. It is a panini press that can be used to cook anything you want in a little time. The only difference between the two is the fact that an indoor grill does not need oil to cook on it.
There are various brands out there with different prices and features, so if you are thinking of buying one, I would advise you to read online reviews for the best indoor grill to help you decide which one will be most suitable for your needs.
General Electric Company was the first manufacturer of electric grills back in 1919. As for why it was invented, people back in the early 20th century were tired of having to wait quite a long time to get their food so this appliance reduced cooking time drastically.
Since it is such a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to cook anything, you can use an indoor grill to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a variety of dough-based recipes such as pizza. It is also a great appliance for college students because you do not have to worry about finding a stove or an oven to cook your food, so it saves you money from buying other appliances that can do the same job.
Why use an indoor grill?
What do you get when you combine a small kitchen, limited countertop space, and the desire to eat healthy grilled food?
An indoor grill! Indoor grills are not just for dorms or studios anymore. Many models are sleek with stylish designs that will look great in any setting.
If cooking on an outdoor grill is not possible, an indoor grill is the next best thing. It uses a similar cooking method to mimic grilling on an actual grill.
These appliances are perfect for small apartments or houses where outdoor space is limited, and they also have several other benefits as well:
Features to Look for in an Indoor Grill
- Grill Size – Make sure you have enough counter space to accommodate the grill.
- Power – The higher the wattage, the faster it will cook.
- Warming Rack – Some indoor grills come with a warming rack, so your food stays warm after being grilled.
- Non-Stick Coating – Indoor grills can be messy to clean, so look for one that has a non-stick coating.
- Plates – Look for plates that are removable and dishwasher safe.
- Prices – Vary depending on the size, wattage, features, power source, and design of an indoor grill. The average price ranges from $30 to $60. You can find them online or at many discount retailers.
There are some downsides to owning an indoor grill, though. Because they are electric, some models get extremely hot while others take a while before reaching the desired cooking temperature.
Also, you will need to purchase some form of cooking oil or spray for your food not to stick. That is an added cost on top of what you have already paid for the grill itself.
And if you live somewhere where rainfall is common, an indoor grill might not be a clever idea.
They can rust and corrode when left damp or wet for too long. Also, make sure you clean it after each use to prolong its lifespan.
Factors To Consider When Purchasing An Indoor Grill
It can be tough to narrow down what you want out of your grill, especially when there are so many options available. With so much to choose from, it is important that you find the one that will work best for your lifestyle and your needs.
Here are some things to keep in mind while shopping:
Price
You should always consider how much you are willing to spend but try not to base this solely on price alone. It is true that cheap grills are less expensive upfront, but if they break easily or do not last exceptionally long it may wind up costing you more overall. On the other hand, spending too much can make choosing a grill frustrating since there is a wide range of prices when it comes to indoor grills.
A good rule of thumb is to spend just enough on a high-quality and durable product that will last several years. For example, the simplest grill made by Cuisinart costs $300, while the one with all the bells and whistles can reach up to $700. You may think that investing in a grill at this price point is ridiculous, but if you are going to use it every day for five years or more, you will get your money’s worth.
Size
Make sure you consider how much space you have available in your home before buying an indoor electric grill. You should also keep in mind how often you plan to use it and how many people you plan on cooking for. For example, if you like to cook food in bulk, you may want to buy a grill with extra space so that it can accommodate more meat and veggies at once. On the other hand, if you do not think you will use your indoor grill very often or if there is only one person eating most of the time, then buying a larger model is not necessary.
Power level
When browsing through different indoor electric grills look for one that will give off enough heat (measured in BTUs) for what you plan on grilling.
For instance, if you are looking to grill large boneless cuts of meat like steaks or chicken quarters, consider purchasing an indoor grill with at least 5000-8000 BTUs. This will be more than enough to sear the outsides while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Whereas if you plan to grill smaller, quick cooking pieces of meat like shrimp or vegetables, an indoor electric grill anywhere from 1500-3500 BTUs should be sufficient since these foods cook much faster.
Size of plates
If you are looking to do more than just cook meat inside (i.e., toast sandwiches, make quesadillas, etc.), then it is wise that your purchase comes with removable plates that are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
On the other hand, if you are only using your grill for meats like chicken thighs or steaks, then the size of your plates may not be important. In this case, you can focus on buying a model that has at least one grill plate and one griddle plate to have options when it comes to cooking different types of foods.
The best indoor electric grills come with reversible plates that will allow you to clean them quickly and easily in a dishwasher without worrying about ruining the surface or plate holder.
Covers
It is always smart to buy an indoor grill with a lid because it traps all the steam from cooking, so the food stays moist. This means less fussing, overturning pieces around or checking up on things while they cook since there is a minor risk of overcooking.
Plus, lids are great for catching drips of grease, so you do not have to worry about removing them later.
TO SUM UP
Price may be your biggest concern when buying an indoor electric grill, but you should never let that be the only factor in decision-making. What good is buying a grill if it is just going to collect dust on top of your cabinets?
So, when considering how much to spend on an indoor electric grill, take into consideration all the features and accessories beforehand so that you can get more bangs for your buck.
Faqs About Indoor Grill To Buy
An indoor grill is a small appliance, for cooking for between 1 and 4 people. They are popular because they offer many benefits:
- Great for cooking at home (in contrast to outdoor grills which are not allowed in most places).
- Most models can be moved around easily; some can even be stored inside kitchen counters, making them great for small kitchens.
- Great for grilling foods like seafood and vegetables which can fall through outdoor grills’ grill grates (or worse – get burned).
- All indoor grills are 100% electric – meaning they do not overcook the food while waiting for it to heat up or cool down.
- Some models offer indoor oven capabilities (such as baking bread) – making them triple-threats.
Yes, they are not perfect. The biggest downside is that most commercial indoor grills do NOT sear food like high-end outdoor or professional grills do.
If you are looking for that ‘charred’ look and aroma, you will not get it with an indoor grill. The high-end grills (like the Broil King Signet line) do sear food well, but at a much higher price than other models.
As mentioned earlier, both home ovens and industrial ovens cannot match the heating power of an indoor grill – making them ideal for cooking ‘fast & hot’.
- Only use it on a solid, level surface – never mount your grill on an exterior wall or above another appliance.
- Always unplug the grill before touching any of its parts (including the power cord).
- Keep the grill away from flammable objects (like drapes and loose paper).
- Allow it to cool down completely before storing or transporting
Most definitely. Just make sure you secure a secure hose from the propane tank or build a DIY charcoal grill grate for your indoor grill.
If you already have an indoor grill, then you can use it as a hot plate for your favorite mug or bowl of ramen noodles without worrying about burning yourself. You could also do what I do and place your ham sandwich inside the grill to make it crispy before eating it.
Another alternative is to use your indoor grill as a waffle maker to make eggo waffles or any other brand of pancake mix you want.
The list goes on and on so it is up to your imagination how you can use an indoor grill to cook anything.
There are two different types of indoor grills, electric grills, and stove top griddles.
An electric indoor grill is better for those who want to cook a variety of food using the same appliance and if you do not have access to electricity, then this indoor grill would come in handy. All you need to do is plug it into an electrical outlet and wait for it to heat up.
On the other hand, a stove top griddle needs to be placed in the middle of your stove for it to heat up. This will come in handy if you have a gas-powered stovetop because all you need to do is light the fire and turn the knob to cook your food.
If you are looking for an indoor grill that can be used on a flat surface, then electric griddles are perfect for you. If you want an indoor grill that can be placed on top of your stove to cook food faster, then the stove top griddle is the way to go.
There are various features that would come in handy when buying an indoor grill, but the first feature you should look for is temperature control. This would be important if your food needs to be cooked at a certain temperature or if you do not want it to burn.
Another feature that I would advise looking for is whether it has a non-stick surface so that all your food will come off easily and all you will have to do is clean the indoor grill once it is cooled down.
Another useful feature would be a removable base so that it can be easily stored away in your cupboards, especially if you do not use an indoor grill very often.
If you are looking to buy an indoor grill, then I would highly advise that you spend the least amount of money possible because you do not want your food to burn or heat up too quickly.
For example, if I were to use $100 as my spending limit when buying an indoor grill, then it would be best for me to go with a grill that has a temperature control and a lockable lid because this would ensure that my food is cooked properly.
A stove top griddle would also be a great alternative because you do not have to spend too much money just to get something that cooks your food faster.
Remember, it is always better to go with the cheaper option when buying an indoor grill because the last thing you want is for you to spend too much money on something that heats up your food way too quickly or cooks it at its own pace.
There are various brands of indoor grills out there, but I would go with T-fal, because they are known for making products that cook food exactly right and it does not come out half burnt.
Another brand I would recommend would be Cuisinart because they make all sorts of kitchen appliances including indoor grills.
The best place to buy an indoor grill would be online because you can get a lot of discounts on websites such as Amazon.
If you are looking for an indoor grill that will not break your bank account, then I would go with electric griddles because they heat up food at a fixed temperature so it does not burn but if you want to cook food faster, then a stove top griddle would be your best bet.
The best place to go for information is on the manufacturer’s website, the sales team of the store you are buying from, and online review sources. It is also helpful to read customer reviews at Amazon.
Conclusion
Indoor grills are great for when you want to eat healthily, cook indoors, or when you do not have access to an outdoor grill. These appliances can range in price depending on the size and features available. Make sure you consider all the factors before purchasing one for your home.
Read more:
- Are Nugget ice makers worth it?
- How does the KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker work?
- What cut of steak is the best?
- How to choose the best espresso machine under 100
- What is the best espresso machine under 200?
- How to choose the best espresso maker under 500
- Which coffee beans are best for espresso?
- Do you need special coffee beans for a French press?
- What is the best coffee bean for cold brew?
- Is coffee maker for camping worth it?
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