Indoor Grills Buying Guide

Indoor grills  are a great way to get a wonderful, char-broiled taste without having to break your budget. They are great for low-maintenance cooking because you can make a few choice meals on these models and they won't take up lots of space in your kitchen. They also require less cleaning and care than large outdoor grills. Many people are familiar with one particular line of indoor grill -- the well-advertised George Foreman grills . However, there are a wide variety of indoor grills available from other manufacturers as well (and many cost a lot less). Read on below to find out more information!

Electric vs. Propane

• Electric grills  may not give you the same taste as propane  since they are cooking your food differently.
• Electric grills can be easier to operate since they just need to be plugged in.
• Propane grills allow you to control heat by offering more settings.
• Propane grills can be more expensive to run than electric because they use more watts.
• Concerned about gas emissions? While electric grills (obviously) do not produce any, propane also produces very little.

What to Look For in an Indoor Grill

• Size: Yes, it matters! If you want to cook for more than one or two people, get a larger grill. However, keep in mind that while a bigger grill is usually better, so consider the space you need to store it. Do you have the shelf/cabinet/closet/counter space to store a large grill?
• Cleaning: Are any removable parts that are dishwasher safe? Ease of cleaning will make using the grill more convenient. Are the surfaces non-stick?
• Keep in mind that grills with removable plates don't heat as evenly as ones with built-in plates.
• Dishwasher-safe accessories, like a grease pan  and scraper , are still a plus.
• Features: Watch out for features you may not need, like a timer or adjustable temperature. Food will cook best at the highest setting in almost all cases, and you can just as easily use your watch or the kitchen timer  instead of a built-in one!

Indoor Grill Models

Open Grills  Glass gets hot so watch out!! This type of grill has a cover similar to what you would put on a regular outdoor grill. Usually the covers are glass so that you can see what you are cooking. Use caution when opening -- steam can cause burns! Good for cooking foods that could break from a contact grill or aren't evenly shaped like vegetables , or foods that need to be turned frequently. Fine for cooking larger items such as chicken legs  or thick items like steak  -- contact grills often have trouble with items more than an inch thick.

Contact Grills  Chicken  and skewers are good to go in a flash! This type of grill has a second grilling surface that, when the grill is closed, presses down on top of the food. Cooks food faster than other types of grills since both sides of the food are in contact with a cooking surface. Works best on foods of even size -- if different pieces are different thicknesses, they will not cook at the same speed. Great for grilled sandwiches , especially if you want something more versatile than a devoted sandwich press.

Major Manufacturers

• George Foreman 
• Hamilton Beach 
• VillaWare 
• Toastmaster 
• Presto 
• Krups 
• T-Fal 

Recommendations

A few choice indoor grill models to check out.

Black & Decker Indoor/Outdoor Bar-B-Que  This grill can go indoors or outdoors and features a dome cover and large surface area to cook just about any meal. It's portability and electric powered style make it easy to take just about anywhere.	Black & Decker 4 Burger Grill w/2 Plates  This flat press grill is has just enough space to fit 4 burgers . It is scratch-resistant and non-stick, while featuring the George Foreman name you've come to trust.	GF GRP106QPGR Indoor Grill-Red  The round shape of this grill accommodates foods like pizza and quesadillas, making it easier to heat and cook them. It also has 5 removable cooking plates for convenience.	George Foreman GRP54G Next Grilleration Standard Grill  This is the George Foreman grill you have come to know.  A non-stick cooking surface and space enough to make a sandwich or a burger. Also, try the George Foreman GRV80 Contemporary Indoor Grill for a larger, square cooking surface.	GF GRP99 Next Grilleration  This George Foreman grill has a larger cooking surface in addition to drip trays and removable grill plates. The LED indicator lets you read and adjust temperature and timers easily.

Related Guides

Grills	Waffle Makers	Sandwich Makers	Ranges	Toaster Ovens