Are you planning to buy a quality grill for your home, but have not yet chosen a brand? The sure-fire option is an electric grill from Tefal! Devices of this brand operate silently, do not smoke and are distinguished by a wide range of culinary functions. Our review presents 8 Tefal grills that are most often purchased in 2021. Read and choose an option for your home or cottage!
Supergrill GC450B32 - compact and fast
The model provides simultaneous frying from above and below. Using the control knob, one of 4 operating modes is determined.
At maximum temperature, products acquire a crispy crust. By tilting the top cover 180ᵒ, you can use the barbecue device.
Advantages:
- Speed of work. Beef steak cooks in 10 minutes, chicken in 7 minutes.
- Convenient grease collector. Fat collects in the tray at any grill position.
- Small dimensions. The width of the device is only 36 cm, the height is 14 cm.
Flaws:
- Unreliable panel coating. Due to friction during washing, the Teflon peels off.
- Smoke. When frying in the open state, the device smokes heavily.
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Health Grill Comfort GC306012 - simple and convenient
The second model from the GC series is designed for cooking meat, hot sandwiches and vegetables.
The device operates in 3 positions - grill (lid closed), barbecue (turned 180ᵒ), oven (distance between plates 10 cm). Control is carried out using 1 button and a regulator with 3 divisions.
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Pros:
- Clear control panel. The modes are indicated by numbers and pictures.
- Removable parts. The plates and fat tray are removable and washable.
- Possibility of cooking without oil.
Minuses:
- Instructions. The text is incorrectly translated into Russian.
- There is no sound signal about the end of work.
Is the tray built-in or external?
The tray must be removable, or even better, built into the body.
That is, so that it does not protrude outward and does not take up extra space. Separate troughs that are placed in the corners are very inconvenient.
Although some people think differently.
Mistake #23
After cooking, you can simply forget to take out the inner container and, when rearranging the device, fill all the insides with fat.
And this, by the way, is one of the reasons for refusal of repairs under warranty!
Mistake #24
Such a container for collecting liquid should not be small.
Otherwise, when cooking a large amount of meat, the fat will simply spill directly onto the table.
Mistake #25
The experience of housewives also shows that the most successful location of the container is in the front of the device, and not at the back.
Especially with a narrow tabletop. Otherwise, the hot grill will have to be turned around each time to get this container out. And when turning, you can accidentally spill the contents.
It’s even better if the built-in drip tray protrudes slightly from the back of the grill. This way, all drops and drips from the top panel, when it is opened, will fall not onto the table, but into the protruding container.
Another useful attachment is a waffle iron.
In this case, both panels are dismantled, and others with large squares are put in their place.
Minute Grill GC2050 - stylish and ergonomic
The third sample from the GC series is suitable for preparing hot appetizers, steaks and barbecues. Products can be fried on top and bottom or with the grill position open on one side.
Using the regulator, one of 3 temperature modes is selected. Teflon coating and grease drain ensure no burning or smoke.
Advantages:
- Cooking speed. Chicken fillet is fried for 4 minutes, sausages - 8 minutes, vegetables - 10 minutes.
- Convenient storage. The grill can be placed on the edge or the back panel.
- Beautiful design. The body is made of silver aluminum.
Flaws:
- The case gets very hot during operation.
- No timer.
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GC241D38 - durable and inexpensive
The model is completely made of cast aluminum, which ensures long service life. There are 2 heating options - closed (top and bottom) and open (bottom).
The heating element has a power of 2000 W, which is optimal for frying large portions of meat and fish.
Pros:
- Possibility of preparing hot snacks. By fixing the top panel 10 cm from the bottom, you can cook paninis and hamburgers.
- Fast heating. The plates heat up in 3-5 minutes.
- Non-stick coating. With proper care of the panels, burning is eliminated.
Minuses:
- Design. The panels are not removable, which makes cleaning the device difficult.
- Lack of temperature controller.
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What criteria should you pay attention to when choosing an electric grill?
For your information! An electric grill is a universal device with which you can diversify your menu by frying meat and steaming food.
Devices can be of different types:
- Closed, open and universal. The first are similar to a press; cooking is almost the same as in the oven. The latter differ in the location of the working surface - it is located above the heating element. In models of the third type, you can choose the cooking method.
- Contact and non-contact . The difference is in the direct contact of the products with the heating element or its absence.
- Stationary and portable. The first ones are ideal for those who want to use an electric grill only in the kitchen, the second ones are for those who like barbecue in the country.
The working surface of electric grills also differs . It can be steel, glass-ceramic or cast iron .
Metal models with a non-stick coating are considered the most durable; their main advantage is reasonable prices.
The advantage of glass ceramics is that cleaning such a device will not be difficult, but such electric grills are easy to break - they are quite fragile.
Pay attention to models with a stainless steel body - they will last longer than devices made from plastic.
You should know! To choose a high-quality and inexpensive product, use the following tips:
- Typically, the power of electric grills is from 1.5 to 1.7 kW. However, it is better to buy devices with ratings from 2 to 2.5 kW if you plan to cook meat and want to fry it well.
- A smooth working surface will make using the product easier.
- It is better to choose models with a removable tray so that after cooking you do not have to worry about cleaning the device.
To understand in more detail the issue of choosing such a device , read our separate article on this topic here.
Optigrill GC702D34 - high-quality and technologically advanced
The main feature of the model is the automatic determination of the degree of roasting using a special sensor.
Control is carried out using the temperature regulator and buttons located on the handle of the device. The cooking phases are indicated by light indication.
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Pros:
- Availability of 6 programs. They calculate the time and temperature for specific products.
- Safety. Automatic shutdown prevents the device from overheating.
- Sound notification. The grill signals the end of the program.
Minuses:
- It is difficult to cook several servings in a row. Leftover food begins to burn.
- No flat panels included.
Tilt and drain fat
But a really useful option is the ability to adjust the angle of inclination of the working surface. The optimal tilt angle is 7 degrees.
At large angles, vegetables simply begin to roll until you press them with the top lid.
In non-tilted ones, you have to place separate containers on the sides, or artificially place something under the body.
In factory models, all this is done using adjustable legs.
Thanks to this, all the fat will flow by gravity into the pan.
As a result, there will be no smoke in the kitchen and the dish will not burn. True, when adding the next portion, the remaining drips still begin to burn and smoke quite well. For some reason, review bloggers are silent about this.
To avoid this, after each filling you will have to wipe the gutters with paper towels, or turn on a good exhaust hood.
Optigrill+ GC712D34 - small and functional
The device is equipped with a sensor that monitors the readiness level. The push-button control panel helps you select one of 6 modes, including a defrost option.
Each mode has a pre-programmed temperature and cooking time. Color indication indicates changes in operations and completion of work.
Advantages:
- Features of the plates. They are located at an angle of 7ᵒ to drain fat and are equipped with a relief for fixing products.
- Cooking 2 products in 1 cycle.
- Possibility of frying with or without oil.
Flaws:
- High price - starts from 19,900 rubles.
- Splashing of fat during frying.
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Optigrill XL GC722D34 - powerful and multitasking
The second option from the Optigrill series is equipped with 9 programs for different products, including sausages, snacks, vegetables, fish and meat.
The 2000 W heating element evenly heats large portions. Frying sensors monitor the thickness of the pieces and automatically set the temperature.
Advantages:
- Hygiene. The panels are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
- Increased plate size, optimal for large portions.
- Color and sound notification about cooking stages.
Flaws:
- System errors. When opening the lid, the auto mode settings are sometimes lost.
- Quality of beef preparation. Red meat often becomes dry.
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Steak Grill Secrets
For those more interested in cooking steaks, take a look at models with built-in sensors for meat thickness and current temperature.
Such helpers allow even a non-professional to make himself an excellent steak of any roast - Well Done or Rare.
However, often such “automation” periodically breaks down and blows your mind, requiring constant calibration, which is not so easy for the average user to do.
How to calibrate a broken grill (using the example of Tefal OptiGrill).
Do not forget that after frying the meat should “rest” for 3-5 minutes.
During this time, the heat inside the surface evenly penetrates to the center, and the meat continues to cook without overcooking and remaining juicy. Plus, during these minutes, the pressure inside is equalized and when cutting the steak, the juice will not leak out.
If you don't let the meat rest, it will remain soggy and the juices won't distribute evenly throughout the piece.
Another option for automatically cooking a steak using a temperature probe is not always convenient and too expensive.
Family Grill TG803832 - large and practical
The device is intended for use during picnics and outdoor parties. The design is open, heating is carried out only from below.
The extensive frying surface can accommodate 10 servings at a time. It is possible to cook 2 dishes at once on a corrugated and smooth panel.
Advantages:
- Energy saving. If the grill overheats, it turns off automatically.
- Temperature adjustment. It is possible to select a separate mode for each plate.
- Low smoke level.
Flaws:
- No top cover.
- Short power cord. Its length is 1.2 m, which is not enough for street use.
When choosing a grill model from Tefal, it is important to focus on the needs of your family. The GC series is suitable for casual dinners and small friendly parties. The Optigrill line has wider functionality, but the price is correspondingly higher.
Control – mechanics vs electronics
The controls can be electronic (knobs) or electronic (buttons).
Electronic is intuitive and simple. You select the circle with the desired picture, click and go about your business.
First you have to study the mechanics thoroughly. Such grills have only two rotary switches.
One is responsible for time, the other for temperature. However, there is often no temperature scale in degrees.
There are only inscriptions: minimum-maximum or numbers 1-2-3. Guess for yourself how hot the surface is.
Mistake #21
Therefore, if you buy a mechanical one, buy only with a clear temperature gradation and avoid any “simplification”.
Electronic ones, by the way, can also have knobs. But in this case they have a display on the panel with all the necessary information.
Most of us prepare new dishes according to recipes from the Internet, but they don’t say “turn on the meat mode,” but they tell you how much to cook and at what specific temperature.
And in such models you can set different heating temperatures for the top and bottom panels.
This is especially convenient when you unfold the grill 180 degrees and simultaneously cook different dishes on different halves.
Just be careful when operating the grill open.
Mistake #22
In this case, it is not recommended to fry on only one surface, leaving the second one turned on at maximum.
Separate temperature control of the panels is not done in vain. If you constantly fry on the lower surface with the top open, the upper part of the grill without food will periodically overheat and quickly become unusable.
For some reason, many manufacturers are silent about this, and people then complain that they got an unsuccessful model.
