Unfortunately, lighting a traditional charcoal grill is not always possible, especially if you plan to set it up in a public area. The solution to this problem can be an electric grill, which is considered an inexpensive and, most importantly, a healthy alternative to a charcoal grill. So, check out the TOP 10 best electric grills of 2021: which one should you choose for your home and garden?
There is no use hiding! Grilling is our national sport. After all, how can you resist this unique taste and aroma of grilled food? Crispy, juicy sausages, tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork neck or delicious aromatic kebabs? And good weather beckons you to relax “in the open air.” Impossible to resist!
With sunny spring weather, barbecue season is approaching, and it's worth taking advantage of. However, the weather is not always conducive to this, so an electric grill comes to the rescue - both at home and in the garden. This device allows you to grill in any conditions - in the kitchen, on the balcony and in the garden. A good electric grill will last a long time and will allow you to grill not only in spring and summer, but also in other months of the year. This is the perfect solution for barbecue lovers. But which electric grill should you buy?
Learn about the different types of electric grills and tips for making the right choice. See also the rating: the best electric grills for your kitchen, balcony and garden. What to look for when buying an electric grill? Which electric grill to choose? You will find out in today's guide.
Electric grill or traditional grill?
The traditional barbecue lit in the garden is, of course, a symbol of picnics and summer barbecues. However, this type of grill requires the right weather conditions to light it. The traditional grill that reigns supreme during barbecue season is usually the charcoal grill. Rising smoke gives cooked meat, fish and vegetables a unique taste and aroma. Therefore, this type of grill has many supporters, but more and more people are leaning towards the electric grill, which allows you to grill all year round!
Classic charcoal grill for the garden
There are popular disposable and reusable grills. You will find both small and large models. People often choose portable grills that can easily be placed in the trunk of a car and taken with them to friends or on a hike. However, charcoal grills should not be used indoors due to the smoke they create. Placing them on the balcony would also not be the best idea if there are neighbors around. However, they are ideal in the garden or any other place where barbecuing is not prohibited.
However, traditional charcoal grilling requires a bit of fun - you have to light the charcoal first, then control the temperature and add charcoal if necessary. Therefore, this is not a device that will allow you to cook food quickly. Meetings on such a grill have their own atmosphere, but cooking food over coals requires much more work than on an electric grill.
Electric grill for the kitchen and balcony
In turn, an electric grill can be used not only in the spring-summer season, but all year round! Thus, this is a great device for big grilling enthusiasts who are looking forward to the barbecue season during the colder months.
Unlike a traditional charcoal grill, it does not need to be lit for several minutes. There is also no rising smoke, preventing the possibility of grilling in rooms and on block balconies . An electric grill heats up quickly, so feel free to put meat and vegetables on it, even if you're really hungry and only cooking for one person.
However, this grill requires a power source to operate. This, on the one hand, is a disadvantage of the device, and on the other, an advantage - it does not smoke, so you can grill in the kitchen or on the balcony. Whether it's raining or windy outside, you can fire up your electric grill at any time and cook delicious meals. It is worth choosing an electric grill with removable heating plates, because this device is also much easier to keep clean than a traditional grill with a grate on which grease accumulates.
The best expensive electric grills for home with removable panels
Expensive models of electric grills with removable panels are distinguished by the presence of an informative display, automation of cooking, and the ability to control the device from a distance. Additional baking plates can diversify the functionality.
De`Longhi Multigrill CGH1030D
pros
- attractive design
- electronic display
- auto shutdown
- waffle panels
- heating regulator
- timer
- smart control
Minuses
- unclear instructions
- short cord
An excellent model that can work as a frying pan when unfolded. Prepares barbecue and waffles, heats and fries, and automatically turns off. The grill looks stylish and is easy to clean and drain grease. The set includes corrugated and smooth plates. The tray is removable and easy to clean in the car. A mobile application is downloaded to your smartphone, allowing you to control the grill remotely. For its qualities, this model has become a sales leader in 2021.
KITFORT KT-1640
pros
- 2,000 Watts of power
- display
- temperature adjustment
- self-shutdown + timer
- metal case
- grease tray
Minuses
- short cord
- no thermal protection
The Russian company KITFORT has made a reliable metal grill, which took an honorable second place in our rating. Buyers like the automatic adjustment of temperature to the thickness of the piece, as well as the ability to use the grill as a frying pan. The timer signals the end of time with a sound, but does not turn off the device. The set includes a spatula.
KITFORT products take leading positions in reviews of the best models of electric grills for the home.
Electric grill - is it worth it?
You already know how a traditional charcoal grill differs from an electric grill. Of course, it is impossible to say unequivocally that one device is better than another. It all depends on what you care about most. The traditional garden grill creates a unique atmosphere and facilitates meetings in large groups. Gives dishes a characteristic taste and aroma. However, it can only be used in good weather and outdoors. The situation is completely different with a home electric grill! So is it worth buying an electric grill? It's worth it! Just look at its advantages.
Electric grill - advantages:
- safe to use,
- does not require coal for ignition,
- heats up very quickly - allows you to cook quick meals,
- it can be heated even for 1-2 people,
- does not produce choking smoke
- can be used indoors and on the balcony,
- easy to clean,
- can be used all year round, regardless of weather conditions,
- it can be placed on the table during a house party.
Flaws:
- Electrical connection required.
Grill Surface Separation:
Electric grill with barbecue
Made from a heater with a grate installed on it. Its appearance is reminiscent of a traditional charcoal garden grill, so it should appeal to the biggest grill enthusiasts. Melting fat from the meat drips onto the heater (in the case of a traditional charcoal grill), which is then difficult to clean. On the other hand, this type of grill has a large grilling surface, which allows you to cook different dishes at the same time. Some models are equipped with an adjustable thermostat that allows you to set the grill temperature to the appropriate temperature.
Advantages:
- resembles a traditional charcoal grill,
- large grill area.
Flaws:
- grease drips onto the heater - it is difficult to keep it clean,
- grilling on both sides is not possible.
Electric grill with hob
It consists of a heating plate on which you can place grilled food and a powerful heater. This type of stove is coated with a non-stick coating - most often Teflon or ceramic. Unlike a grill with a grate, melted fat does not flow into the heater, but through special gutters into a drip tray. This is a great convenience and makes the electric grill with hob very easy to clean. Not every model is equipped with such a tank. However, you can disassemble the hob and clean it thoroughly.
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Advantages:
- equipped with a plate with a coating to which food does not stick,
- The melting fat does not flow into the heater, but into the grooves,
- very clean benches,
- Models with a large grill area are available.
Electric raclette grill with mini frying pans
Multifunctional device of round or rectangular shape. There's a plate at the top for grilling, and space at the bottom for mini skillets for melting cheese and frying eggs. This allows you to cook different dishes at once. Such a grill is most often placed on a table around which guests gather - each of them can create their own casserole, which they place in a small frying pan, usually coated with Teflon. In turn, the grill plate itself is often made of stone. The fat does not drip onto the heater, but remains in the trays.
Advantages:
- multifunctional appliance - the ability to cook different dishes at once,
- some models are also equipped with a fondue function,
- the fat melts in the grooves,
- easy to keep clean.
Rating of the TOP 20 best electric grills of 2021
Place | Name | Price |
TOP 5 best electric grills in price/quality ratio for 2021 | ||
1 | REDMOND SteakMaster RGM-M805 | Find out the price |
2 | Kitfort KT-1627 | Find out the price |
3 | Tefal GC306012 | Find out the price |
4 | Tefal Optigrill+ GC712 | Find out the price |
5 | Kitfort KT-1602 | Find out the price |
TOP 5 best electric grills with replaceable panels | ||
1 | Tefal Optigrill+ XL GC722D34 | Find out the price |
2 | REDMOND SteakMaster RGM-M807 | Find out the price |
3 | De'Longhi MultiGrill CGH 1030D | Find out the price |
4 | Kitfort KT-1639 | Find out the price |
5 | Tefal Optigrill GC706D34 | Find out the price |
TOP 5 best electric grills with non-stick coating | ||
1 | REDMOND Steak&Bake RGM-M803P | Find out the price |
2 | Tefal GC205012 | Find out the price |
3 | REDMOND SteakMaster RGM-M801 | Find out the price |
4 | De'Longhi MultiGrill CGH 1012D | Find out the price |
5 | Tefal Optigrill Elite GC750D30 | Find out the price |
TOP 5 best electric grills with automatic shut-off | ||
1 | Tefal Optigrill+ XL GC722834 / GC722D16 | Find out the price |
2 | Kitfort KT-1630 | Find out the price |
3 | REDMOND Steak&Bake RGM-M806P | Find out the price |
4 | Kitfort KT-1652 | Find out the price |
5 | GFgril GF-100 | Find out the price |
Size classification:
Electric tabletop grill for kitchen, home
The device is smaller in size, which allows you to install the grill on a table or counter. Designed for home use, in your own kitchen, with a small group of guests. They do not take up much space in the kitchen. In the market, you will find an enclosed electric grill that resembles a sandwich maker and one with a tempered glass lid that protects against hot grease splashes.
Advantages:
- small, compact size - takes up little space,
- ideal for use in the kitchen,
- the closed grill toaster allows you to grill food on both sides at the same time,
- Suitable for grilling in a small group.
Flaws:
- small grill area.
Electric grill with legs, garden
They are larger in size than a tabletop grill, providing a larger cooking surface. They are equipped with a grill or hob. They resemble traditional charcoal grills with legs. They can be used in the garden, on the plot, on the terrace and balcony. However, you will need an extension cord that will allow you to plug the grill into an outlet.
Advantages:
- large grill area,
- looks like a traditional barbecue,
- can be used outdoors,
- ideal as an electric balcony grill,
- Suitable for grilling in a large group.
Flaws:
- takes up more space at home.
How to choose an electric grill or what to look for?
Deciding on a specific type of electric grill is not enough. To choose a really good electric grill, you need to pay attention to its parameters and additional functions. Each device offers different features that may or may not be useful to you.
Electric grill price
How much does an electric grill cost? It all depends on the model and the functions that the device offers. You can buy a good electric grill for about 1,600 rubles.
- Electric grills from a lower price category (from 1,600 rubles) will be made of less durable material - plastic. Recommended for people who are just starting their grilling adventure and don't care about professional appliances.
- Mid-range electric grills (3000-5800 rubles) - you will find raclette grills with stone grates, open grills with ceramic coating and closed toasters with adjustable temperature.
- High-end electric grills (6,000-16,000 rubles) are grills from well-known, reliable brands, often equipped with additional functions. These can be a raclette grill with fondue function, an electric toaster with a digital display and a grill with a thermostat.
Electric grill - what power?
The power of the device is one of the parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing an electric grill. The higher the power, the faster the grill element heats up, and thus the grilled food becomes ready to eat faster. Of course, each dish will require a different heating temperature, but the power is worth it. The best electric grill is one, the power of which is 1500-2200 V. There are also grills on the market with a lower power of 400-1200 W.
Good electric grill with switch
Contrary to appearances, not every electric grill comes with an on/off switch, so don't take it for granted! Only some models have a corresponding button that allows you to turn the device on and off. However, grills without such a switch can only be turned off by removing the plug from the outlet. And this is not a very convenient solution and can be dangerous if you forget it!
Electric grill - with or without a lid?
An electric grill may or may not have a lid. What will it be equipped with and what task does the cover perform? Tabletop grills for the kitchen, which require getting close to the grate or cooking surface when grilling, are most often equipped with a lid. The lid not only speeds up the process of grilling ingredients, but also protects against grease splashes. The lid must be adapted to the size of the grill and is most often made of tempered glass.
Grill temperature control
Keep in mind that each ingredient requires a different cooking temperature to achieve the desired flavor, juiciness, and browning. Therefore, it is worth having a home electric grill equipped with such functionality. The temperature is usually adjusted using a knob, but can also be set on the digital display.
Is the electric grill closed or open?
An electric grill can be completely open and even without a lid, but it can also be a double-sided electric grill, closed like a sandwich maker.
- Electric open grills without a lid are devices with a larger grilling surface, usually intended for use in the garden, on the balcony or at home for preparing raclette.
- Enclosed electric grills + toasters are smaller devices designed to be placed on a countertop and used in the kitchen. They allow you to grill ingredients on both sides at the same time. You can also use sandwiches to make grilled sandwiches with a variety of ingredients.
Easy to clean grill
Clearing the grill of congealed fat and burnt-on food remains is, of course, not the easiest task. When buying a barbecue, you should pay attention to whether the model you choose is easy or difficult to clean. Electric grills with a heating plate coated with a non-stick coating will not be as complicated as electric grills with a grate that allows melting fat to drip onto the heater. On some models, individual parts can also be removed and washed in the dishwasher, which makes cleaning the device much faster.
How to choose an electric grill for your home and what to look for?
First, let's determine what you should look at when choosing: which lines in the description you can ignore, and which you must read. And most importantly, what is hidden behind this data.
Price
The first thing you need to decide on. How much money are you willing to spend without feeling regret? You can buy a device quite inexpensively, or you can spend an amount comparable to large household appliances. There are offers for every budget.
Device size
Or more precisely, for what purpose are you buying this device. If we are talking about periodically preparing meals for a small family at home, these are the same models. If you need a powerful assistant for a large company (for example, for corporate events) - others.
Multifunctionality
Are you looking for just a grill function or do you want options with removable panels for sandwiches or waffles? By the way, in the electric grill I chose, I cook waffles without panels)
When you have answered these questions for yourself and roughly understood what you want, you can move on to discussing how to choose the right technique.
Additional functions of an electric grill - which ones to choose?
Professional electric grills also offer a number of additional features that make grilling easier and more enjoyable. Of course, they are not necessary, but they are an interesting and practical addition to the device. An electric grill may have features such as:
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Readiness level indicator
A home or garden electric grill can be equipped with an indicator showing the degree of preparation of the dish. In addition to the temperature control function, the grill should also have this useful function. This is especially important for closed grills, where, unlike open grills, you do not have the ability to constantly control the degree of browning of the food. When you throw them on the open grill, you can see with the naked eye if they are cooked properly.
Once the grate is closed, you will no longer have this option. You can, of course, raise the grill lid, but don't do it too often as it will lower the temperature of the grill. This indicator shows how cooked the meat is: light, medium or firm. The device is equipped with a color-changing LED, but it can also generate sound signals at each stage of cooking.
Measuring meat thickness
Now it's clear that each ingredient requires different grilling times. But how do you choose the right time to roast a pork neck, chicken breast or other cut of meat? After all, it cannot be damp or too dry. This is where automatic measurement of the thickness of a piece of meat comes to the rescue. Some electric grills come with this feature. The device measures and automatically selects the appropriate grilling temperature and cooking time.
Electric grill with replaceable plates
You can also choose an electric grill that has removable plates that you can change depending on your needs. The plates can be used not only for grilling, but also for toasting sandwiches and baking waffles. So this is a 3 in 1 electric grill - a regular grill, a toaster and a waffle iron.
Adjusting the position of the top plate
The ability to adjust the position of the top plate is a very useful feature for lockable electric grills. It allows you to adjust the distance between the product placed for grilling and the upper heating plate. The right combination will allow you to grill the ingredient to the right degree and at the right time.
Overheat protection and lid lock
It is worth it if your home electric grill has a thermal fuse that protects the device from overheating. This feature significantly extends the life of the device, so the grill will last in your kitchen for a long time. Another practical feature is the lid lock, which not only makes storing the appliance easier, but also protects against burns when using the grill in the presence of children.
Inclined surface and grease removal system
There is no real grilling without fat, that's for sure. Each ingredient should be greased using a silicone brush before placing on the grate or cooktop. This will prevent food from sticking to the grill and at the same time give it a distinctive taste and aroma. However, problems may arise with melted fat, so it is worth making the frying surface slightly inclined so that the fat begins to flow into special drip containers. If the electric grill does not have an inclined surface, it is worth having a fat removal system.
Automatic grilling programs
Choosing the temperature and cooking time for a specific dish on your own can be difficult, especially for people who are just starting their grilling adventure. Some electric grills solve these problems and offer automatic grilling programs. All you have to do is place the specific product on the grill or plate and select the program . The grill will select the appropriate temperature and time for cooking the dish itself. Depending on the model you choose, you can select a program for grilling red meat, poultry, fish, hamburgers and vegetables.
Middle segment (from 2,000 to 10,000 rubles)
More expensive electric grills with removable panels are distinguished by increased power, expanded functionality and safety of use, as well as greater capacity. Such models are suitable for a small company.
Breville G360
pros
- 1,800 W
- grease tray
- temperature selection
- Can be cooked unfolded
Minuses
- no thermal protection
- wire is a bit short
This powerful model is suitable for preparing kebabs, sandwiches and scrambled eggs. An excellent idea were reservoirs for draining grease into the corners of the panels. By adjusting the temperature, the degree of roasting is selected.
Russell Hobbs 20840-56
pros
- You can cook thick slices of meat or multi-layer sandwiches
- 1,300 W
- grease tray
Minuses
- plastic housing
- temperature is not regulated
- the lid opens 90 degrees
A stylish grill that, thanks to the articulated movable connection between the base and the lid, can cook thick sandwiches. Plastic is an unreliable material for a case, as it is fragile. This is a minus, as is the fact that the lid does not open 180 degrees. Fries evenly, there are no foreign odors. The removable tray comes out without effort and is easy to clean.
ENDEVER SkyLine AG-131
pros
- design
- 1,400 W
- power regulator
- grease tray
- size 42.5*43.8*38 cm
- halogen heating element
Minuses
- plastic housing
- no overheat protection
This model looks like a space dish. A wide temperature range (600-2400) allows you to evenly heat or quickly fry food. The grill heats up instantly thanks to the halogen heating element. With thermal protection, there would be no price for it, because during long-term operation the plastic can overheat.
Best electric grill - TOP 10 rating 2021:
An electric grill can have different functions, so which one should you buy to best perform the task? It all depends, of course, on the conditions in which you want to grill (in the kitchen, on the terrace or balcony?) and at what level of development you are. We have collected various electric grills for you and compiled a small rating, which includes open and closed grills. It's impossible to determine which device is best, but we have a few favorites that might interest you.