How We Tested Indoor Grills
Hi, I’m Sharon Franke, and Ive been reviewing kitchen equipment for more than 30 years. Before that, I womaned the grill in New York City restaurants for seven years. Its been a long time since I lived in a house with a backyard, so an electric grill is my best bet for burgers. And as those of you who have read my other reviews know, Im a pushover for anything crispy. If theres one on the menu, Ill always order a grilled cheese sandwich.
We tested nine grills including those with wide-open surfaces and others with lids that close down and cook the food from two sides at once. In each, we toasted bread to see the evenness of the grills heating pattern and then grilled hamburgers to see how long it took to cook if it left distinct grill marks, and how evenly it browned. In the closed grills, which are often called contact grills or panini presses, we cooked a thick ham, cheese, and tomato sandwich on sourdough bread. At that point, we eliminated products that we thought had serious drawbacks. In the remaining five grills, we made chicken breasts and salmon filets.
Testing included grilling up burgers, chicken, and salmon.
Best Indoor Grills For Steaks For 2022
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Indoor grills are an amazing addition to any kitchen. With an indoor grill, you enjoy all the benefits of grilled food. But unlike an outdoor grill, you can use an indoor grill year-round.
You can use indoor grills to cook all your favorite foods and dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, vegetables, and much more!
Indoor grills are also good for steaks. In fact, grilling is many peoples favorite way of cooking steaks.
But what is the best indoor grill for steaks? To choose the best indoor grill for steaks, consider the size, type, and ease of cleaning of the grill. Additionally, consider the temperature control settings, cooking functions, as well as the price and safety features of the indoor grill.
Continue reading to learn why its worth buying an indoor grill, how to choose one, and what are the 9 best indoor grills for steaks!
Best Budget: Elite Gourmet Maxi
Dimensions : 17.5 x 16.5 x 4 inches | Cooking Area: 14-inch diameter | Weight: 6 pounds
A high searing temperature of 450 degrees will lock in flavor and an adjustable temperature knob will customize your cooking with this pan-like indoor grill. Your veggies, burgers, and fish will come out deliciously on the 14-inch round grill .
This comes with a large, slightly domed lid to let you cook without splashing grease or oil, and that came in handy during our testing. After a quick set-up, our tester started prepping for a burger dinner. Setting the temperature dial to 400 degrees, it’s questionable if the grill pan got that hot. An infrared thermometer didn’t register the same temperature once the grill’s indicator light went on. Trusting the grill, the burgers went on and when some sputtering happened, the lid prevented a mess. With medium-cooked burgers, the romaine test happened. Set to sear, this performed less well than an outdoor grill. The leaves wilted and tasted great, but there were no sear marks. This all said, our tester enjoyed cooking on this, especially since the lid stopped a greasy mess and smoke in her kitchen.
Simply Recipes / Siobhan Wallace
Dimensions : 19.25 x 14.5 x 9 inches | Cooking Area: 192 square inches | Weight: 16.5 pounds
If youre going to forgo the steakhouse for your own kitchen, youre going to need a grill that delivers a serious sear, great flavor, and gorgeous grill marks.
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What Temperature Should I Cook Steak On The Grill
Cooking steak on the grill can be a challenge. Some people recommend cooking it at a low or medium-temperature, while others recommend higher temperatures for better results. Here are some tips to help you decide what temperature to cook your steak at:
-Check the size of your steak. A smaller steak will take longer to cook than a bigger one, so start by cooking it at a lower temperature and work your way up.
-Think about how rare your meat needs to be. If its very rare, you wont need as much heat since it will start cooking quickly on its own. On the other hand, if your steak is closer to medium-rare, you may need more heat to get it cooked through completely.
-Try cooking it in different directions.
How Do You Clean An Electric Grill
To clean an electric grill, start by unplugging it and allowing the grates to cool down. If your grill has removable nonstick grates, you can take them off and wash them in your sink with soap and water, the same way you would a piece of cookware. Some electric grills even have dishwasher-safe grates . For grills with cast iron grates, use a wire brush to remove particles as needed, and wash with soap and water, drying thoroughly after.
Each time you use your electric grill, you’ll also want to clean the grease tray and wipe down the exterior as needed.
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Hamilton Beach Searing Grill With Window
If youre dead set on an open grill, our first choice is the Hamilton Beach Searing Grill with Lid Window which is big enough to cook six hamburgers at a time. Burgers, chicken, and fish came out with deep grill marks closely resembling the ones you get from your outdoor grill. The lid doesnt press down on food but rather, it helps to hold in heat to speed up cooking a little and also contain smoke and cooking odours. The grill grate and the drip pan go in the dishwasher and the lid comes off for hand washing.
Tracking Down The Best Indoor Grill For Steaks
Do you like eating a delicious steak from time to time? After a long week of being abused at work, you truly deserve to sit down and splurge. You deserve to take a break and enjoy the life of luxury for a change. Of course, it is essential to realize that a steak needs to be prepared correctly you need a grill that can get the job done right! You cant just use any grill, you need the best indoor grill for steaks to get that sear just right. Lucky for you, weve reviewed some of the top selling grills on the market today. See what we think of this years top sellers below.
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George Foreman Gr2144p 9
George Foremans grills tend towards being simple and minimalistic. They try to make the grilling experience easier, straightforward, and quicker. Most of their grills have minimal controls but a large cooking capacity. It is a contact grill and can be used as a grill and a panini press as well.
It has all the basic features an indoor grill should have. The grill has a large grilling surface of 144 square inches that can prepare 8 servings at once. You can grill enough steaks for the whole family. If you are hosting a party, you can accommodate the whole crowd by cooking in batches.
This model also has the George Foreman patented slope design. All the excess fats and oil will drip down in the drip tray, turning your food healthier. The grilling taste and texture are perfectly captured while the fats are removed.
The grilling process in this grill is easier and faster because its a contact grill. It is capable of grilling the food from both sides at the same time. This speeds up the cooking process and removes the need of flipping the food. The grill does require some preheating but that time is covered by the double-side cooking. Just like all George Foreman grills, this model also comes with removable grilling plates which makes them easy to clean. You can wash the plates yourself or put them in the dishwasher after your done cooking.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Up to 40% fat reduction.
- Large grilling surface to prepare steaks for the whole family.
- Sleek and attractive design
The Best Indoor Grills
There are a lot of options to choose from when shopping for the best indoor grill. Look for a dependable electric grill, one that has user-friendly controls, and a strong, consistent heat source. From there, think about the extra features youd like to try, and always carefully consider your space. Some are small enough to fit anywhere, others may need a lot of counter space.
The Ninja Foodi indoor grill rises to the top of the list thanks to its five-in-one versatility. Its a fantastic grill, but thats just the start. Its also a great air fryer, perfect for cooking fries and veggies. The Ninja Foodi grill can also bake, roast, and dehydrate, but grilling and air frying are its two best features. The grill heats up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for searing steak and does a good job at eliminating smoke. That said, the Ninja Foodi grill isnt cheap. Its a versatile kitchen tool thats worth the money, but only if you plan on using all its features.
Runner up: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
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Best Indoor Grill For Steaks Buyers Guide
Of course, as with any purchase you make, you need to know what type of grill youre after so heres your guide to finding the perfect one for you.
First, you need to decide what type of grill youre looking for as the market offers two popular choices an open grill or a contact grill. An open grill consists of a single grill plate that cooks your food on one side, you then flip it to cook the other side, giving you that proper outdoorsy feeling. A contact grill consists of two plates, one on the top and the other on the bottom.
This is a more compact choice that will cook your food faster. If your catering to a bigger group and want more of a compact grill, the contact grill is the best option for you. The handle allows you to close it whilst it cooks, looking in the flavor.
Then there are many other features that you need to consider, a significant factor being the size of the grill as this can vary. You can opt for smaller, compact grills or bigger ones that tend to be more of a standout feature along your kitchen worktops. We would also recommend a grill with removable, non-stick grill plates making it easier to clean and temperature gauges to allow you to select the best temperature for the foods you are cooking.
Depending on the type of food you plan to make, explore all options available. We are here to help you with our reviews of:
Is Indoor Grilling Healthy
There are many benefits of indoor grilling. Indoor grilling is healthier than the other traditional method of cooking. The smoke from the grill doesnt contain the carcinogens that come from burning wood or charcoal. Additionally, indoor grilling is a great way to cook food without adding any extra fat or calories.
Overall, indoor grilling is a great option for those looking for healthier and more flavorful food. However, there are a few factors to consider before making the decision to invest in an indoor grill.
First, wood or charcoal grills are typically more expensive than electric grills.Second, indoor grilling can be difficult to do well. Unless you have a lot of experience and know-how to use your grill effectively, you may end up with unevenly cooked food or no food at all.
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Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- Special Feature Viewing window, Removable non-stick plate
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches
This is one of the best electric indoor grills weve seen, and its priced reasonably. The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill can easily take over the role of your outdoor grill and its built to last. There are two parts to this system the indoor grill itself, and the drip tray that sits underneath.
The drip tray catches the juices from whatever youre cooking and redirects them into the tray, where they collect and dont fall onto the floor. The tray is removable and dishwasher-safe, so you can simply rinse it out and put it back into the oven.
The indoor grill itself is made of stainless steel, which is hard-wearing and will stay rust-free for many years. It can heat up to 450° F , which is perfect for searing and grilling. Its easy to use and has a control panel with an LED display that shows the temperature of the grill and the time remaining.
Youll also find a few useful features like a built-in timer, a nonstick grill plate, and a removable drip tray, making it easier to clean and store. All in all, this is a very well-built system that will give you years of hassle-free cooking.
Cosori Indoor Grill Electric Smokeless Grill
- Special Feature Programmable
- Is Dishwasher Safe Yes
As the name suggests, this is a great grill that you can use indoors, and it does a really good job at that. Its made from nonstick ceramic and will be able to handle a lot of grilling, roasting, and other types of cooking. Its pretty easy to use too, and you can also get a great variety of recipes on the free app.
You can customize your cooking options, and you can even buy a whole bunch of different accessories from the app too. The thing we like the most about this grill is that it doesnt produce any smoke or odors, which makes it ideal for those who want to eat healthily. It has a fan and a charcoal filter, and it can heat your food up to 510°F.
Its also incredibly easy to clean, and you can cook with it for hours without worrying about it being messy. It comes with a nonstick ceramic grill grate, a cooking pot, a basket, and a recipe book. You can also buy more accessories from the app, and the whole setup comes with many-year warranties. Overall, this is a great grill, and youll love how it looks and how easy it is to use.
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In A Hurry This Is Our Winner
- ENJOY OUTDOOR FLAVOR INDOORS. Grill your favorite foods year-round in any weather with this Hamilton Beach indoor grill….
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- EASY-TO-CLEAN NONSTICK GRILLING PLATE. The nonstick grilling plate keeps food from sticking to this indoor electric…
- VERSATILE GRILLING TEMPERATURES LET YOU GRILL EVERYTHING: From quick grilled shrimp and scallops to mushrooms, peppers…
The Two Types Of Indoor Grills: Open Grills And Contact Grills
You have two choices when shopping for an indoor electric grill. Open indoor grills resemble a traditional grill, with one cooking surface that faces up and out to the world. Contact grills use two surfaces, top and bottom, to press the food between the grill plates.
When using an open grill, youll need to flip the burgers and steaks for even cooking. They dont cook as quickly as a contact grill, but open grills are simple gadgets and give you the feel of outdoor cooking. They can also be easier to clean and store.
Contact grills launched into popularity in the 1990s thanks to the iconic George Foreman grill. But theyve come a long way since those lean, mean grilling machine days. New contact grills offer greater heat control. And many can be opened up completely to provide two separate, flat cooking surfacesessentially turning the contact cooker into two open grills.
One slight drawback: Contact grills can be tough to clean if the cooking plates arent removable. Most models have removable plates, but always check first or else get used to scrubbing at awkward angles. Contact grills are also bulkier and hard to store in a tightly packed cabinet.
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Types Of Indoor Grills
Open grills – Grills that come with a lid or are without it are called open grills. The lid traps smoke and moisture resulting in a juicier piece of meat. On the plus side, this type of grill holds more food, plus it ends up juicier. On the other hand, it takes up more space, plus takes more time to cook food.
Contact grills – Contact grills have a floating lid. This option cooks food faster by cooking both sides at the same time. This type of grill also acts as a panini press, so it’s quite versatile. Also, it takes up much less space than an open grill, making them ideal for small kitchens. But due to their compact size, you can cook less food in one session.
Are Pellet Grills Electric
Pellet grills burn wood pellets as their main fuel source, so they’re not technically electric grills. However, pellet grills do need to be plugged into an electrical outlet, as they have several componentsâincluding the control panel, auger, and fanâthat require electricity to run.
The Spruce Eats / Morgan Hunt Glaze
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