Grilling out is one of the best parts of summer. But, what do you do if you don’t have a backyard or patio suitable for grilling? One solution is buying an indoor grill.
Indoor grills are small enough that you can fit them on your countertop and are simple to use. These handy little units will cook your food evenly and quickly and even leave sear marks on your steaks. Here are a few tips and reviews to help you find the best indoor grill for your needs.
Considerations When Choosing the Best Indoor Grill
Grilling surface
If you are cooking for only one or two people, you should look for a cooking surface up to 80 square inches. When feeding three to five people, you will want an area of 100 to 150 square inches. And, if you need to cook for a larger group, keep in mind that cooking surfaces on an indoor grill cap at about 150 square inches.
Open Grills vs. Contact Grills
An open grill is similar to an outdoor grill design, so it won’t have a lid. You will also have to flip your food for it to cook evenly.
With a contact grill, you will have a lid, so the top and bottom of your food will cook simultaneously. Some of these models will allow it to open up flat so you change out the grill with a griddle plate giving you more versatility.
Heat Adjustability
On some models, you will have an adjustable heat feature, so you can set your preferred cooking temperature. However, there are others that cook within a specific range. Either way, if you like having a good sear on your burgers or steak, make sure the grill you choose goes up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Features to Look for in the Best Indoor Grill
Construction
On an indoor grill, you will find two main components that include the grate and the heat source. Make sure the heat source can heat up quickly and provides both direct and efficient temperature control that is also easy to use.
Easy to Clean
Typically, indoor grills have a nonstick coating on the cooking grate. This should make cleaning easier, especially if you are handwashing. Plus, many of these models can withstand a dishwasher, which makes cleanup even more easy.
The drip tray is another consideration since this is the place the food and fat drippings are caught. Make sure you get a large and deep drip tray, so it won’t overflow as you cook. You also want your drip tray to be easy to remove and dishwasher safe.
Safety
Safety is always a priority with any type of appliance. With an indoor grill, make sure it has a cool to the touch surface, insulated handles, and a lid cover. You want to make sure it has protection from the heat as well as an electricity fail-safe mechanism. Other features to look for are a long power cord, a kill switch, and an automatic shutoff.
Best Indoor Grill Reviews
Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill
Featuring an easy to clean nonstick plate and viewing window, the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill is large enough to make six servings and comes with an extra-large drip tray. Grilling tasty veggies and meats, this searing grill is used inside, so you no longer have to stand out in the rain or scorching heat to get grill a juicy burger. Featuring a high searing temperature, this grill will lock in juices and includes an adjustable temperature knob that allows you to customize your grilling experience.
This is an easy to use indoor grill that uses indicator lights to let you know when the machine is on and when it is ready to be used. The window in the lid of the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill allows you to watch your food as it cooks, and the lid is also removable making cleanup easier.
Offering a nonstick cooking surface, you get a large enough area to cook several food items at the same time, plus it has an extra-large drip tray that catches the excess grease and juice. The Hamilton Beach Searing Grill is super convenient and easy to use. You can either hand wash the grill cover or thrown the drip tray and grill surface in the dishwasher.
Allowing you to enjoy great-tasting, restaurant-quality food all year long, the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill is perfect for grilling fruit, vegetables, pizza, fish, burgers, and chicken. Serving up to six portions on a 118 sq. inch grilling surface, this grill will even give you those signature grill marks you look for in a great steak.
Pros
- It has a nonstick surface that makes cleaning super easy
- This is an easy to use grill that can sear at a high temperature
- It doesn’t create a lot of smoke
Cons
- The power cord is short so limited in location for use
- There is no off switch, you have to unplug it to shut it off
Philips Smoke-less Grill
Created to cook amazing food, the Philips Smoke-less Grill allows you to grill food inside allowing you to enjoy grilled steaks, burgers, and chicken in the wintertime. Using innovative grill features, this inside grill features infrared heating technology that will cook your food perfectly while also reducing how much oil and smoke is created when fat burns. Making tasty grilled food all year long, this grill comes with an aluminum grid with a nonstick surface that creates almost no smoke.
Using special reflectors, heat is guided to the grid to make evenly grilled food. The Philips Smoke-less Grill also comes with a drip tray under the grill that stays cool so you don’t have to deal with smoke. Heating up to a consistent 446-degree Fahrenheit, you won’t need to adjust the heat on this grill since it remains at an optimum temperature to sear or cook your favorite fish, meat, or poultry.
As your food cooks, the grill ensures that food is not cooked in its own fat and grease. This is an easy to set up grill that comes with 1660 watts and non-slip feet to make sure your grill stays in place. The Philips Smoke-less Grill also features an on and off switch and cord storage.
Pros
- You don’t have to deal with smoke
- It has a design that is super easy to clean
- There is almost no set up, and it stays really stable as you cook
Cons
- It’s on the expensive side
- There is a red light that can make it hard to see as you cook
PowerXL Smokeless Grill
Equipped with an interchangeable griddle plate and a tempered glass lid, the PowerXL Smokeless Grill uses turbo speed smoke extractor technology that can grill meals with almost no smoke. Able to regulate grilling temperatures, this smokeless grill provides a constant, even temperature across the entire grill surface preventing rare centers or burned spots from forming. There is also less prep work and cleanup with this grill thanks to its nonstick coating.
This is an easy to use grill that doesn’t require propane tanks or charcoal bags, you just plug it in and it warms up. You won’t need to add oil or butter on the PowerXL Smokeless Grill thanks to the advanced nonstick coating, plus all the oil and fat will drain right into the removable drip tray for easy clean up. Equipped with a built-in smoke extracting fan, this grill will pretty much get rid of all that smoky, hot air.
Featuring an LED smart temperature control, you can adjust the temperature up to 450-degree Fahrenheit. The PowerXL Smokeless Grill is made of heavy-duty die-cast aluminum and gives you 1500 watts of power. The heating element comes with a detachable power for easy storage, and the glass lid allows you to watch your food as it cooks.
The included grill and griddle combo features interchangeable surfaces to give you more versatility as you cook. The griddle surface is a great option for grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled paninis, pancakes, and eggs. The nonstick surface also allows food to release easily and helps delicate foods to stay together instead of breaking or sticking.
Pros
- It has interchangeable surfaces, which is handy if you take it camping
- The drip tray is easy to remove and clean
- The smoke extraction fan helps give your food a smoky taste
Cons
- It needs a nonstick surface
- It’s too big to clean in the sink
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
This 5-in-1 grill can handle everything from grilled cheese to steaks. The Cuisinart GR-4N is simple to use and super versatile. This is an easy to clean grill that features simple controls that let you adjust the temperature and indicator lights when it has reached your preferred temperature.
Featuring five different cooking modes, you can also use the reversible griddle and grill plate to add more variety. The Cuisinart GR-4N can work as a full griddle, full grill, half griddle and half grill, a panini press, or a contact grill. With dual temperature controls, you are ensured that everything is perfectly cooked each time you use it.
The removable cooking plates are nonstick, and you can wash them in the dishwasher. The Cuisinart GR-4N is constructed with a brushed stainless-steel housing and includes a sturdy panini-style handle. Plus, you can adjust the floating cover to fit the thickness of the food you are cooking.
This BPA-free product allows the grease to drain away with the integrated drip tray. Plus, it also includes a scraping tool and gourmet recipes to use with your new grill.
Pros
- This is a sturdy grill that is simple to use
- You get five different ways to cook adding a lot of versatility
- This is an easy to clean grill
Cons
- The grill doesn’t sit evenly
- The draining feature needs to be improved
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Electric Grill
The Ninja Foodi is an extremely versatile indoor electric grill, so you can use it as a four-quart air fryer, a roaster, dehydrator, grill, or you can bake with it. This grill allows you to sizzle, sear, and air fry, plus you can brown and char steaks without burning them. This is an almost smoke free grill that includes a splatter shield and a cool-air zone that reduces smoke and keeps it out of the kitchen.
Using unique cyclonic grilling technology, the Ninja Foodi Electric Grill has a 500-degree Fahrenheit rapid cyclonic air that circulates around your food to provide an amazing searing experience. It also gives you char-grilled marks and all the flavor you love without the smoke. Plus, with the air fry crisper, you can enjoy fried food without all the guilt.
Providing 1760 watts of power, this grill comes with a digital control panel that allows you to easily choose which cooking function you need and allows you to adjust temperature and time. You also don’t have to worry about flipping your food since it won’t stick or fall apart. The Ninja Foodi Electric Grill has all the BTUs of an outdoor grill along with the great flavor.
This is an easy to clean grill thanks to its nonstick, ceramic coating. With the Ninja Foodi Electric Grill lets you enjoy quick and healthy meals every night of the week.
Pros
- It makes great healthy meals easily and quickly
- This grill doesn’t create a lot of smoke and is easy to clean
- The air fryer features is a great addition
Cons
- It needs a cover for storage
- It’s too large to get in most cabinets
And The Winner is…
The winner of the best indoor grill is the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Electric Grill. This is an extremely versatile indoor electric grill that works as a four-quart air fryer, a roaster, dehydrator, grill, or you can bake with it. This is an almost smoke free grill that includes a splatter shield and a cool-air zone that reduces smoke and keeps it out of the kitchen.
Using unique cyclonic grilling technology, the Ninja Foodi Electric Grill has a 500-degree Fahrenheit rapid cyclonic air that circulates around your food to provide an amazing searing experience. Providing 1760 watts of power, this grill comes with a digital control panel that allows you to easily choose which cooking function you need and allows you to adjust temperature and time. You also don’t have to worry about flipping your food since it won’t stick or fall apart.
This is an easy to clean grill thanks to its nonstick, ceramic coating. With the Ninja Foodi Electric Grill lets you enjoy quick and healthy meals every night of the week. The definite winner of the best indoor grill is the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Electric Grill hands down.