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The Mid-West is currently experiencing intense heat, but it’s predicted to soon become rainy and chilly. As a result, I’ve chosen to address a prevalent query for those who prefer or have to stay indoors: which indoor electric grill is deemed worthy?
First, here’s the list:
- ⭐ The Best All-Round Choice: Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill
- 👛 The Budget Choice: George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor Grill
- The Even Cheaper Pick: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- The Hibachi: Techwood Raclette Grill
Two Problems of Indoor Grills
Whatever your reasoning for choosing an indoor grill (shout out to folks living in apartments!), choosing one is a challenge — for two reasons.
First: smoke. Obviously, you can’t use propare or charcoal as fuel indoor, but there are great electric grills like the Weber Q1400 that are not suited for indoor use because of how much smoke they produce. You’ll be amazed at how fast they will smoke up your home and set off fire alarms in the whole building. So, a good indoor grill needs to have a way to remove or contain smoke.
Second is, well, taste. Electric heating is very different from gas or coal and produces very different results with different kinds of meat. There is usually browning and almost no caramelization, and you won’t get that “smokey” flavor and smell without using liquid smoke (which is no bueno). But if you’re shooting for that grilling experience or throwing a burger party, you will get the craved grill marks, and overall the taste and experience are miles better than using a toaster oven or wall oven.
My Recommendation
There is little choice on the indoor grill market if you’re looking for quality, so I’ve singled out four very different kinds of grills.
Based on your preferences, I recommend either:
The Best All-Round Choice: Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Grill
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Yes, this is basically a slow cooker, but whereas a slow cooker is mediocre at everything and good at nothing in particular, the Ninja Foodi suprisingly is a very capable grill. It produces very little smoke, is also easy to clean: the cooking pot is non-stick and easy to clean, and all the accessories are dishwasher safe. Its biggest drawback is in the design department: it’s bulky and not pretty. If you can live with that, you are getting the best you can get in terms of indoor grilling. It’s also a very capable air fryer.
Pros
- Fast (steak is done in 15 minutes)
- Excellent at grilling
- Versatile (can also air fry, bake and dehydrate)
Cons
- Large (at 17 in x 14 in x 11 in)
- Suprisingly small interior for and appliance of such size
- Ugly (sorry)
The Budget Pick: George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor Grill
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Compared to other grills, a George Foreman is very hot and fast. It’s great for chicken breasts and other kinds of white meat, Grilled patty melt is good choice for breakfast, it can easily dry out and make a good steak for dinner or party. Keeping that in mind, this grill does its job very well, and looks like a proper grill. You can remove the stand or keep it when grilling on the balcony.
Pros
- Very fast (steak needs 12 minutes)
- Great value at modest price point
- Sleek design, nicely sized
Cons
- Again, it’s fast (be careful not to dry out your meat)
- Harder to clean
- Cord is suprisingly short (just use an extension cord)
The Even Cheaper Pick: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
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Do not be fooled: while it may look like a glorified panini press, this actually a pretty solid grill. It can cook very well and it really sears the meat. It’s less powerful than the others here but it’s very capable and doesn’t take much counter space. You can also use it in an RV. This one produces more smoke than others though.
Pros
- Accurate temperature control with dial
- Pretty good results
- Small
Cons
- Less powerful than other grills
- Small (yes, it works both ways)
- Smoky
The Hibachi: Techwood Raclette Grill
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This one is a little quirky: have you ever thought of hosting a Korean BBQ party at your house? I haven’t, but you can do that with this grill. I don’t usually recommend off-brand appliances but I felt this one deserves a mention because of the idea. It’s a capable and easy to clean grill, as well. And it sounds fun.
Pros
- Fits a lot of stuff at the same time
- Easy to clean
- Grills nicely
Cons
- Generic brand. Warranty is probably out of question
- Limited use case
This is it. Like always, I hope I was helpful today, if not — let me know via email or on social media.
Thanks for reading folks!
Love,
G.
Grilled patty melt
Equipment
- 1 Electric Grill
Ingredients
- Large Onion
- Kosher Salt
- Cognac
- ground pepper
- Unsalted Butter
- Sliced sandwich bread
- Slice s Swiss cheese
- Avocado Oil
- granulated Onion powder Garlic
- ground beef
Instructions
- Heat your grill, one side on low heat and the other on medium heat.
- Melt butter over low heat with a cast-iron pan, add onions, salt, and pepper.
- Continuously toss the onions while switching between low and medium heat for about thirty minutes until caramelized.
- Spritz brandy or cognac on the pan to unglaze for 45 seconds and put the onions in a bowl, then wipe your pan.
- In a large bowl, add garlic powder, onion powder, and the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, then thoroughly mix with your hands.
- Divide the mixture into small balls, use a spatula to press until it’s thick and flat, then place on parchment paper.
- Coat the patties with a splash of avocado oil.
- Rub some oil on the grill rack, place your patty burgers on medium heat, cook for about two minutes on each side, and then remove and put on a plate.
- Slice your bread and spread with butter.
- On one slice of buttered bread, add two slices of cheese, a burger patty, caramelized onions, another patty, a slice of cheese, more onions, and another slice of cheese in that order.
- Lastly, put the other piece of bread on top.
- Place a cast-iron pan over medium heat and put your sandwich on the grill.
- Let the buttered side of the bread face down and cook each side for two minutes until golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the patty sandwiches, cut them into two, and serve with pickles or any other side dish of your liking.