Electric grills for home: hundreds of great options – how to choose the best one?

A home electric grill is a device that can largely replace such seasonal cooking devices as: like a barbecue grill or a barbecue oven.

Based on the specifics of the intended purpose, The device must meet a number of requirements: The device must be both functional and compact, prepare a wide range of dishes and be easy to operate, easy to clean and emit a minimum of smoke.

The expectations from the device include the ability to diversify the daily menu, while it is also important to save time on cooking.

Types of Home Electric Grills

As a rule, home electric grills belong to portable type of devices (stationary units are intended for equipping the kitchen of a cafe, restaurant and other places where food is prepared in large quantities). Portable grill for home or summer cottage can be implemented in two variations:

1. Contactless models — the basis of such a grill is a grate on which the products are cooked, an open-type spiral, and a tray where the fat drains during frying. This type of grill is not very convenient for a home kitchen with poor ventilation, since the device actively produces smoke.

Photo 1. The process of cooking food on a contactless electric grill. You can cook several dishes at once, for example, meat and vegetables.

1. Contact — involve cooking food directly on the work surface. Such grills do not produce smoke. They are more compact and mobile, which is especially convenient when placed in a small kitchen area. Contact models are divided into subtypes:

• One-sided — the products are fried on one side and have to be turned over.
• Double-sided - both sides are used at once, which makes it possible to reduce cooking time.
• Combined models — suggest the parallel use of the functions of both subtypes, this is the most successful combination, since it makes it possible to optimally arrange products of different thicknesses for the required degree of roasting.

How to choose the right electric grill?

• Range of products. When the device is purchased for cooking seasonal dishes, a compact model with standard functionality will do. If the device will be used daily and for cooking a wide range of dishes, you should pay attention to multifunctional models.

Photo 2. The Cuisinart multifunctional electric grill with several operating modes allows you to cook a wide variety of products.

• Number of servings. Based on the volumes that are planned to be cooked, the dimensions of the working space of the device are determined. If in a family 5 people, there is no point in buying a device with an area less than 500 sq. cmIn this case, the best option would be a double-sided grill - this will speed up the cooking time.
• Kitchen area. In a spacious room with good ventilation, you can install a powerful and larger electric grill, however, such a device will be extremely inconvenient for a small kitchen area - in this case, it is better to opt for compact mobile models.
• Need for additional characteristics. Modern electric grills are equipped with a lot of attractive and useful functions: cooking process indicators, temperature controls, timers shutdown and delayed start, thermal insulation handles, special tray etc. These parts of the design significantly simplify the operation of the device, but are not critically important.

Photo 3. Contact electric grill for home with electronic control panel. Manufacturer DeLonghi.

• Power consumption. From 700 to 2500 W — the power potential of modern electric grill models varies in this range, which, accordingly, is reflected in energy consumption. The higher the power, the less time it will take to cook, however, the rate of energy consumption will also increase. It is important to take this factor into account if the task is to find an economical model.

What to look for when choosing: practical advice

Based on numerous reviews from electric grill users, we can highlight Here are some practical tips to help make working with the device easier:

• For use in the home kitchen, it is better to buy compact desktop grills. Floor models are suitable for a summer house or for cooking outdoors.
• If you plan to use the electric grill a lot and often, it is better to opt for double-sided models.

• Grills with replaceable work panels more functional in operation.
• Device with removable tray much more practical than without it - this will make the process of washing it easier.
• It's much easier to clean the grill with a non-ribbed working surface.
• When buying an electric grill, it is important to pay special attention on the heating element being closed to prevent fat from getting in there.
• Availability of additional technical characteristics useful in cases where they are really in demand. It is not worth overpaying for extended functionality if the grill will be given a standard set of actions.

Useful video

Watch the video, which talks about the benefits of electric grills, their types and choosing the best option for the device.

What should an electric grill for home be like? The best brands

Cooking needs and operating expectations are the main factors in choosing the best electric grill model.

For home use, you should choose a device that willt practical and compact, functional and moderately economical.

When frequently preparing food in large quantities, universal models with a wide range of functions will satisfy all the needs of the owners.

According to customer reviews, electric grills of such brands as have proven themselves well over a long period of operation: Tefal, Philips, Russel, Rolsen, Bosh, Gorenje, etc..