Best Electric Grills of 2020: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
Grilling meats is something that many of us want; after all, it is quick, produces tasty food, and doesn’t heat up the entire house.
During summer, there may be no reason not to use your traditional backyard grill, but what are your options when the weather isn’t favorable?
Whether you wish to grill indoors or just want something that doesn’t use gas or charcoal, what you need is the best electric grill.
Fortunately, the market offers a vast sea of options, and to help you out, we narrowed them down to the best five models that boast a long list of desirable features.
Read through each one to learn more about them and decide for yourself which grill is going to be ideal for your home.
Best Electric Grills Comparison Chart
Best Electric Grills Reviews
1. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
Of course, everyone has heard of George Foreman, but you may only know of him because of his grills.
Foreman was a boxing champion and is quite well-known as being a cunning businessman.
His grills are manufactured by Spectrum Brands, which makes a lot of other similar products, as well.
Primarily, Foreman just promotes the product, but he does own shares in the manufacturing company.
Since it was introduced back in 1994, more than 100 million of these grills have been sold.
With all that success, it’s no wonder that the product line branched out from the original Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine (George Foreman Grill) to many others.
You can find these grills in a variety of department stores and online from third-party e-commerce websites.
Product Highlights
This striking stainless steel electric grill from George Foreman shows the manly side while still looking good in the modern kitchen.
You get 240 inches of grilling surface, so you can cook up to 15 servings of food at one time; this makes it ideal for large groups of people.
Plus, this product is designed to be used in small spaces, such as an apartment unit.
The system is fully electric, so you can get high-quality grilling power without using propane, charcoal, or experiencing flare-ups.
We all know that perfect heat is the secret ingredient when grilling, and this grill features a temperature control that is adjustable.
With an easy-to-use temperature probe, you can choose between five heat settings and get the results you want regardless of the food you’re trying to cook.
Of course, it comes with a nonstick coating, which is essential for any electric grill.
With this, you are going to find that clean-up is easy, the coating is durable, and you won’t need oil or butter when grilling; this means you can cook in a healthier way.
As with the original George Foreman Grill, this device features the fat-removing slope.
It can help you remove almost 42 percent of fat from your meats, ensuring a tasty, lean, waist-friendly meal.
The drip tray is included to collect extra grease and fat, and this also makes clean-up easier; the tray can be put in the dishwasher, too.
What We Like
We are very impressed with the removable stand that is in this electric grill.
Thanks to this feature, you can keep the unit outside (covered) on the patio fully erect or remove the stand when you need or want to cook indoors.
What We Don’t Like
While we liked the adjustable temperature knob, we felt that it wasn’t sufficient.
It uses numbers from one to five on the label, but there is no indication of the specific temperature used.
PROS
CONS
2. Charles Oakley Indoor Smokeless Grill
Those who like grills made by sports stars are sure to want to know a bit about Charles Oakley.
He’s a basketball legend who played for a variety of teams in the NBA, and more than that, he is also a natural entrepreneur, so it is no wonder that he came up with his own version of the indoor electric grill.
Oakley believes that all home kitchens need the searing and grilling capabilities that his restaurants produce.
Therefore, you can now have a reliable grill right in your kitchen.
It’s possible to find Oakley products at a variety of retailers and through third-party e-commerce websites.
Product Highlights
Those who are looking for a reliable electric grill to use indoors are going to like the Charles Oakley Smokeless Grill.
With this, you can enjoy your favorite grilled foods, including steaks and ribs; burgers and pork can also be cooked all year long.
You can get the same flavors and taste as you do outdoors, but inside.
Plus, the grill is designed to provide grill marks and char-grilled texture right from the kitchen countertop.
In fact, your family isn’t going to know you didn’t barbecue outside if they stay out of the kitchen.
Of course, the compact design is suitable for most kitchens, even if it is small.
You can plug it into any regular outlet and use it in the backyard, your kitchen, or while camping and eating at a picnic area.
Just hook it up to an available power source, and you’re ready to start grilling your favorite foods without the hassles of smoke and charcoal.
It also features a drip tray, making clean-up a breeze; with this addition, you can catch all the excess oil, fat, and other liquids.
Plus, this electric grill has removable parts, so it is easier to put in the dishwasher or wash by hand.
You’re going to like that it is non-stick, as well, which means that you don’t have to scrub or soak the drip tray or grill grates to clean it.
This device runs at 1200 watts and allows for even heat distribution without using too much energy.
With its advanced airflow technology, you improve cooking efficiency while reducing smoke.
What We Like
We like that there are two cooking surfaces with this grill; you get a flat griddle plate and the non-stick grilling grates.
The griddle is ideal for restaurant-grade cooking and is multi-purpose; make eggs, pancakes, and more.
Plus, you can use it to get the best sear on your fish and steak.
If that wasn’t enough, it also doubles as a Panini press.
What We Don’t Like
While you can adjust the temperatures and get actual temp settings (up to 450 degrees), it might be inaccurate.
It might be best to use an infrared thermometer to test the grill’s temperature the first few times you use it.
In that way, you get a better idea of how it is going to cook.
PROS
CONS
3. Techwood Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
Techwood is a newer manufacturer on the market and provides portable kitchen appliances to make it easier to live life comfortably.
What’s great about this brand is that every product it produces is certified by ETL.
You can find its products offered in third-party e-commerce websites.
Product Highlights
Those who want a stand-style electric grill that can be used indoors and outdoors are going to like this one from Techwood.
It features 240 inches of grilling space to make up to 15 servings of food at once.
There is also a warming rack that is foldable to provide more space to keep food at the right temperature.
This device has a temperature regulator and indicator, both of which are removable.
Thanks to these, you can easily set the right heat levels for your food.
Plus, it features cool-touch handles, so you don’t burn yourself if you have to move the grill inside quickly.
While it does require some installation, the parts are all listed, and the instructions are included.
What We Like
The shape is quite intriguing, but more than that, it is stable enough to use outside.
You may fear that the entire thing is going to topple, but the weighted base prevents this issue.
What We Don’t Like
Though it comes with a stand, it is only about 2.5 feet tall.
Therefore, taller home chefs are going to have to stoop to use it effectively.
PROS
CONS
4. Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill
Char-Broil is a well-known brand that focuses on products for roasting, smoking, and grilling; in short, the company focuses on living well.
You can easily make enjoyable memories while enjoying great food with its products.
It’s possible to find these items at various retailers and third-party e-commerce websites.
Product Highlights
If you dislike gas and charcoal or live in an apartment where you can’t use a traditional grill, the Char-Broil Electric Grill is ideal.
Just plug it into your standard 120-volt outlet, and you can start grilling.
With this model, you get the patented TRU-InfraRed technology, so there are few flare-ups and more even cooking.
Plus, there are 240 inches of cooking space.
The grates are coated with porcelain to prevent rust, and they are quite easy to clean.
It also features a warming rack and sides where you can set tools and prepared food.
The sides of the grill fold down, making it easy to customize it to your particular needs that day.
Of course, the temperature control is easy to use; it’s a knob similar to that on an oven.
Plus, there is a light ring that illuminates when the cooking surface is warm and ready to go.
What We Like
When it comes to an electric grilling system, this one is excellent.
We are impressed with the folding side shelves because many of the products featured had no storage space.
What We Don’t Like
While it features a lid, you lose a lot of heat when you open it; then, it takes time to come back to temperature.
Therefore, we found that the temperature controls aren’t quite sufficient here.
Also, there isn’t a safety mechanism to prevent the burner knob from being turned on accidentally.
PROS
CONS
5. Kenyon All Seasons Portable Electric Grill
Kenyon has been around since 1931, creating marine and aviation instruments.
Throughout the years, it developed ceramic glass cooktops for marine vessels.
Its popularity on the open sea made it in high demand for shore-side products, to which it provided.
You’d be glad to know that all of the products it produces are made in America.
While it is possible to find the brand at select retailers, most of its sales are through third-party e-commerce sites.
Product Highlights
If you want to grill indoors or outside, no matter the season, the Portable Electric Grill from Kenyon is a great choice for you.
It features marine-grade stainless steel with digital controls for heating, and you also get a nonstick grate that provides grill marks on the food while sealing in juices and flavor.
The electric element is concealed for safety and to prevent grease flare-ups; plus, there is little to no smoke produced by the grill.
The insulated lid can be removed for cleaning and prevents you from getting burned.
Along with that, the grilling surface is double non-stick coated and can be put in the dishwasher.
You’re going to find that this grill pre-heats itself in just about seven minutes.
What’s more, the temperatures can reach over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to cook whatever you want.
Again, it is designed to be used indoors but can also be used outside.
You get a GFCI power cord to protect the appliance from power surges.
Lastly, the plug is a three-pronged version and can be used in most homes.
What We Like
While most people don’t think about it, this product contains an automatic shut-off feature.
Therefore, if you forget to turn it off, it does so automatically within 90 minutes.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, we weren’t too impressed with the temperature control.
While you just press it to turn it on and hit the plus or minus buttons to raise or lower the heat, there is no indication of the actual temperature.
PROS
CONS
Buyer’s Guide
Electric grills are very beneficial because they don’t use open flames or charcoal; plus, they are designed for mobility, as many of them are portable.
We understand that you may have concerns about how to choose the right electric grill for your home.
Lucky for you, our buyer’s guide is full of helpful information so that you can choose the right options.
1. Cooking Area
Of course, the cooking area should be factored into your purchase.
Do you often cook for a large group, or is it primarily you and your spouse?
While the overall size of the grill should be taken into consideration, you need to know how much food you can safely cook at once.
For example, the product could be quite large but only fits three or four hamburger patties.
It is also important to note that the bigger the grill and the less cooking area you have, the more energy you are going to use to heat up the entire surface.
2. Non-stick Surface
When it comes to choosing an electric grill, buying one that has a non-stick surface is essential.
The grates and other accessories should be non-stick because that means your food isn’t going to fall apart while you try to remove it.
Plus, it is going to make it so much easier to clean the grill when you are done cooking.
3. Cooking Timer
A timer on your electric grill is imperative; with one, you can monitor the timing to ensure that the dish is cooked to perfection.
Some grills offer preset timers for popular food items; others allow you to set any time in one-minute increments up to 59 minutes.
However, it is important to note that most of the grills we reviewed did not have timer functionality.
In case you buy one that doesn’t have a timer, you can still time your cooking by using a traditional or digital timer or by using your smartphone.
4. Temperature Control
Temperature controls are essential here because you need to be able to set it correctly to cook the food up to a point where it is safe for consumption.
As such, you would want to look for models that have temperature gauges.
Often, this comes as a knob that you turn to get the right temperature settings.
Another option for temperature control is to focus on products with a built-in warming tray.
In that way, you can keep food warm while preparing different items.
5. Cooking Power
Cooking power goes hand in hand with temperature control.
More often than not, the wattage on these electric grills can range from 1200 to 2000.
As earlier mentioned, the more wattage you have, the more powerful your grill.
Higher wattages also mean that you can reach higher temperatures, and the heat is more evenly distributed.
6. Power Cord Length
You need to be aware of how long the power cord is because you have to use your home’s electricity to power the grill.
Short cords can work for indoor grills, but you need a longer cord if you want to use it outdoors.
It’s also a good idea to decide where you are going to put the grill and measure how far away it is to an outlet.
Of course, you can use an extension cord, but many electric grill manufacturers do not recommend this.
The extension cord might cause the grill to lose a bit of its power and can be dangerous if not used correctly.
7. Design (Indoor/Outdoor)
In most cases, the design comes down to whether you can use it inside or outside the house.
Many of the products we reviewed earlier are suitable for both, which means the design is streamlined.
You want something that is small enough to be portable and stored easily, but you also need the electric grill to be large enough to accommodate the amount of food you often cook.
It’s also important to consider whether or not you have a safe place to put the grill if it doesn’t have a stand.
Keep in mind, though, that you can find indoor/outdoor grills with a stand, as well.
8. Storage Areas
When cooking indoors, you may not worry as much about storage areas because you can use your countertop.
However, when cooking outside, storage becomes a primary concern.
It’s important that you have plenty of options for hanging towels and cookware, such as tongs.
Electric Grill FAQs
1. Are electric grills any good?
Yes, an electric grill is a good investment, but it might take some getting used to because most people grew up on charcoal and gas grills.
Therefore, it can take a learning curve to figure out how to prepare foods using an electric grill.
Plus, you have to note that the taste is different than that from a gas or charcoal grill.
2. Does food taste good on electric grills?
In a sense, the food you cook on an electric grill tastes the same as if you prepare it in the oven or on the stove.
It doesn’t have that smoky flavor that a gas or charcoal grill offers.
Still, you can find ways to add a smoky taste to the food you’re cooking if that is what you like best about grilling.
3. Can you use foil on an electric grill?
Yes, it is safe to use foil with your electric grill.
However, if the grates are removable, do not wrap the foil around them.
Instead, place the foil on the cool grill and allow it all to heat up as you normally do.
After that, add your food and cook it to your desired doneness.
Just remember that your food isn’t going to have grill marks because of the foil covering the grates.
4. How much electricity does an electric grill use?
On average, a small electric grill (indoors) uses about 1400 watts for power.
This is just shy of 20 cents an hour or a little over $5 a month when using the grill one hour each day.
5. Can an electric grill catch fire?
There is a risk of fire with any electrical appliance, but if you follow the directions for use and ensure that the grill is in proper working order before cooking, the risk is very minimal.
Conclusion
When it comes to grilling, you may be limited because of your residence.
After all, we all know that most apartment and condo buildings do not allow traditional gas or charcoal grills on terraces and patios.
Nevertheless, if you still wish to grill, we’ve got just the right solution for you—electric grills.
All in all, we think that the best electric grill is the Charles Oakley Smokeless Grill.
This model features the grill plates you find in traditional grills, and it also comes with a flat griddle accessory.
With these, you can cook a bigger variety of foods.