We all love a good summer grill out. It’s an event that everyone looks forward to when it comes to the warmer times of the year.
The cold of winter has long since passed, the sun is beaming down on your patio or backyard, and you want to make an occasion out of it.
Get some good meats, and invite friends and family over (clean the grill maybe after using it last summer). It’s a great time all around for everyone.
That is, however, until it rains, or the cold returns.
Then, you’re once again stuck inside, missing the occasion of grilling, and having to wait until the next warm spell returns.
However, just because the sunny summer weather has gone, doesn’t mean that grilling a meal has to!
Indoor electric grills are an amazing way to get that classic platter of grilled meat ready, when the weather outside isn’t up to it, whether it is raining, or during the winter even.
However, many indoor grill manufacturers also know this, meaning that there is a massive variety of indoor electric grills out there on the market, and with a massive range of quality control to boot.
Because of this, it can be quite difficult to sort the greats from the not-so-greats.
This is why we have created this guide for you!
Here, we will take a look at some of the best examples of indoor electric grills, and what exactly makes them stand out from other models.
We’ll also go into a little detail on some of the other features that you should be keeping an eye out for when it comes to looking for the right indoor grill for yourself.
Best Indoor Electric Grills
1. Elite Gourmet EMG-980B
Starting off this guide, we have an indoor grill that is perfect for cooking pretty much all the foods you could ever want to grill, the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B.
When the weather is trying to rain on your grilling parade, this is the perfect grilling tool to keep your party going!
With a large 14-inch grilling plate used in this product, you’ll still be able to cook up a massive amount, pleasing the whole crowd. Salmon, steaks, medallions, even potatoes, and vegetables. Nothing is off the table with this device.
Plus, with its non-stick surface to boot, you’ll be assured that none of the food is going to be torn apart from just lifting it off the hot plate, even without any oil!
Plus, this grill is also dishwasher safe, which takes the hassle out of cleaning it. It is a win-win for pretty much everyone!
So, if you are looking for an indoor grill that is easy to use, gives you plenty of space to cook with, and is just a generally great all-around indoor grill, this is an easy recommendation and seal of approval from us!
Pros
- A large 14-inch plate gives you plenty of room to cook with.
- The non-stick surface leaves food intact and unspoiled, as well as makes cleaning easier.
- The grill plate is dishwasher safe to clean.
- The heating element used keeps heat evenly and quickly spread, and allows run-off fat to drip away from your food.
Cons
- Can create quite a large amount of smoke. Make sure you are using it in a well-ventilated space.
Also Available From: Walmart
2. Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe
If you were to ask us what option we would consider if money was no obstacle, we’d be pretty hard-pressed to think of a single option.
However, if you were to ask us what indoor grill we could get if money was not an obstacle, and that cooked your food quickly, then we would have to go with Cuisinart’s Deluxe Griddler model!
The plates of this closed model grill are perfect for getting your food not just cooked, but perfectly browned and crispy to just the right amount, and in next to no time at all!
Don’t think that you are just limited to the size of one plate, either.
When you open up the top plate of the grill, it functions just as well as an open grill system, letting you cook twice as much food as before!
Not only that, but each grill plate can have its temperature adjusted too, meaning that you can cook different items at different intensities.
If you find that having to take different items off the grill at different times annoys you, this feature will make grilling life so much easier for you!
So, if you’re looking for an indoor electric grill that can both cook tons of food, or cook your meal fast, and you have the cash, this product is one that we would highly recommend.
Pros
- The closed grill model allows you to cook your food incredibly quickly, and in a nice color too.
- The grill can also be opened up to allow for a two-plate system!
- Plates can be easily removed from the grill and hand-washed.
Cons
- The large size, whilst great for cooking lots of food, does also make it pretty heavy and cumbersome to move.
Also Available From: Walmart
3. Cuisinart Griddler FIVE
Of course, an excellent brand such as Cuisinart isn’t going to be content with just the one item under its belt.
This company sells a massive range of different indoor and outdoor grilling products.
Another one of these products, the Griddler FIVE, is one of their most popular, and for good reason!
The digital control system that this particular indoor grill uses gives you a level of temperature control for your food that few others can match, especially non-digital models.
Plus, like the Griddler deluxe before it, this model can also open up its closed grill to function as a second hot plate, allowing you to cook even more food than you otherwise would be able to, just like a classic grilling machine.
Plus, the hot plates that this model uses can also be removed from the grill to be cleaned, and are dishwasher safe too, just like the griddler deluxe.
So, if you love being able to precisely control how your food cooks, then this is a model that you are going to love!
Pros
- The digital dial over the heat of this grill gives you unmatched control.
- Hot plates can be removed for washing, and are dishwasher safe!
- The closed grill can be opened up as a two-plate open system too!
Cons
- The top grill plate tends to leak if you have been cooking greasy food.
Also Available From: Walmart
4. George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill & Panini Press
George Foreman is a name that is virtually synonymous with grilling, as the products that this company makes, both indoors and out, are used across the country.
And it’s pretty easy to see why, especially with this, the 4-serving grill and panini press, it is not hard to see why!
This model of panini press is perfect for grilling both sides of the food, as any good panini press should be, making it an ideal press to use for not just sandwiches, but for plenty of other foods too, such as quesadillas, burgers, and steaks as well.
What’s more, the grill plates are super heat conductive, meaning that they can cook food up to 30% faster than other similar-sized grills.
Plus, the plates can be easily removed for washing too!
When it comes to a pint-sized panini press that can contend with the best indoor grills, this is one to look out for!
Pros
- This indoor grill is compact and easy to transport.
- Hot plates can cook foods noticeably faster than their competitors.
- Plates can be removed for easy cleaning
Cons
- This indoor grill is relatively small when compared to other models.
Also Available From: Walmart
5. Hamilton Beach Searing Grill
Of course, these sandwich press indoor grills are fine, but a lot of people who love grilling want something that feels just like cooking a full-sized grill outside, rather than simply pressing down on a press and calling it a day.
If you want an authentic grilling experience transplanted from the outdoor world to inside your home, then you need to take a look at the Hamilton Beach searing Grill!
The lid of this particular model doesn’t press down on the food inside when closed, but instead encloses the food, just as you might find in a classic grill.
Plus, there’s even a window for you to view the progress of your food with.
If you want an indoor electric grill that can be used just as well as the outdoor variety, this Hamilton Beach grill will serve you very nicely.
Pros
- The grill closes on food just like an outdoor grill would.
- Can cook food in a remarkably quick time.
- Contains the smells of your food, adding to the authentic experience.
- The grilling plate can also be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher.
Cons
- Some customers state that the lack of outdoor smoky flavor isn’t present in tin food cooked by this product.
Also Available From: Walmart
6. George Foreman Contact Smokeless Ready Grill
Once again, we turn to George Foreman for their excellent range of different grill products.
This particular one, the Contact smokeless ready grill, is a perfect buy for customers who want to be able to grill food indoors while also being constrained by a tight budget.
For one thing, it can cook food in next to no time at all, thanks to its ability to seal tight while food is being grilled inside.
This tight closing mechanism also means that it is perfect for storage, as you can rest assured that the parts won’t jostle around whilst being placed in the back of a cupboard. It can even be stored upright!
Plus, this grill allows excess grease and fat to run off from the food, leaving you with food that feels less greasy to eat, and perhaps a little healthier too.
If you are short on space and money for your grill, this is an excellent option to pick.
Pros
- Very affordable option on a budget.
- A tight seal both helps food cook faster, and makes storing in a small space easier.
- A very easy grill to clean.
Cons
- This is a small grill.
Also Available From: Walmart
7. Ninja Foodi 5-In-1 Indoor Electric Grill
Grilling is all well and good, but having a product that can only grill does take up a lot of space.
Especially in a small living space or kitchen, you want an appliance that can fill more than 1 need.
Fortunately, this particular indoor grill does.
The Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 grill, as the name suggests, isn’t just a grill. It can also function as an air fryer, and a baking pot too.
It can even roast or dehydrate the food you are cooking too!
This ends up saving you precious countertop space and reduces the overall cost of buying multiple appliances.
If you have the money for the upfront cost of this rather hefty device, you may be saving yourself a pretty penny in the long run!
Pros
- Closing the lid seals in classic smoke flavors into your food, just like an outdoor grill would.
- This appliance can function as a grill, air fryer, roaster, baking pot, as well as a dehydrator!
- The compact size means that you’ll be saving space with this device too.
Cons
- The small size means that it has a relatively small cooking load.
Also Available From: Bed Bath & Beyond
Buyer’s Guide
Of course, we haven’t been able to cover every single electric indoor grill product on the market.
If none of the items we have listed here seem to be right for you, and you decide that you need to continue searching, try to keep in mind the following factors and features of the indoor electric grills that you are looking for.
Open Vs. Contact Grill
This is likely one of the main aspects that you will notice when looking to purchase an indoor electric grill.
Most products that you will find in this market will come in two forms: An open grill and a contact grill.
Contact grills will usually use two heated plates that press together to get their grilling effect on the food they cook, without needing to flip their food.
Open grills will usually have a single heated plated, whilst there will be a lid that doesn’t make contact with the food while it is closed.
This type of indoor model is virtually the same method that most outdoor grills use.
Think carefully when choosing which product to buy, as they can have quite different results.
Contact grills will usually coke food noticeably faster than open grills, but will often also lack that smoky grill taste or smell that you will get from an outdoor grill.
The open grill meanwhile will have a very similar flavor and smell to outdoor grills, as they cook food the same way, but will usually take a little longer.
Size
This is a factor that many indoor grills struggle with, as most will have a smaller cooking surface than most outdoor models.
Generally speaking, you want a cooking space of at least 80 square inches, for cooking for yourself and one or two other people.
If you plan on cooking for larger groups, you’re going to need to scale this size up as well.
A square inch space of around 150 inches can cook food for around 5 people, but not much more.
Versatility
Many grill designs today will come with many other extra features, such as interchangeable grill plates for different patterns, and even different foods, such as waffles!
Some grills can even serve as roasting or air-frying machines too, although these tend to increase the price of the product a little.
Control/Adjustability
Whilst a good grill should be able to get very hot (around 500 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimum for burgers), you also want to be able to adjust that temperature for cooking different foods, such as fish or vegetables.
Generally speaking, digital models will have greater temperature control than analog types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indoor Grills Produce Smoke?
Generally speaking, indoor grills will not produce much if any smoke when being used, certainly not as much as outdoor grills create.
However, if you are using ingredients that you think could produce smoke, make sure that you are in a well-ventilated room.
Are Electric Grills Better for Indoor Use Than Gas Grills?
Absolutely!
Considering that charcoal grills will produce more smoke than electric ones, there is a reason that electric grills are popular with people living in apartments.
Can I Use Metal Implements With An Electric Grill?
Make sure that you do not scrape the non-stick surface off with your cooking tools, and you should be fine.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of different options that are available to you when it comes to indoor electric grills.
Hopefully, this guide has helped narrow your choices down!