You can’t beat the convenience of grilling outside. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, there’s nothing like the smell of barbecue smoke wafting through your neighborhood.
But what are you supposed to do if you don’t have access to a gas grill? Electric grills make it easy to get that same delicious taste without worrying about natural gas lines or propane tanks. And their small size makes them easy to store and clean up after use!
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about electric grills so that you’ll be well-prepared with the perfect dish the next time you’re invited over for dinner and need some ideas for what to bring.
Why Use an Electric Grill?
Electric grills have many advantages over charcoal, gas, and other types of grills. Here are some reasons why you should consider using an electric grill.
They’re Quiet and Simple: Electric grills are much quieter than their counterparts and simple to operate. You’ll only hear the crackling of your food as it cooks and getting going grilling is quick and easy. This makes them ideal for people who like to cook at night or in the early morning before everyone else wakes up.
They’re Easy to Clean: If you’ve ever tried cleaning a charcoal grill or a gas grill, you know just how messy they can be. After every use, you’ll spend hours scraping off the grease and gunk that sticks to the grill. With an electric grill, however, all you need is a damp cloth and some elbow grease (and maybe some soap) to clean it in no time!
They’re Portable: Electric grills are great if you want something easy to move around but still powerful enough to cook larger meals for a crowd! They work well for camping trips or tailgating parties because they can easily be packed into their storage containers without taking up much space!
Things to Consider When Buying Electric Grills
Suppose you’re in the market for an electric grill. In that case, you probably already know they’re much easier to use than their charcoal counterparts. But there are still a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you shop around.
Here are some things to consider when buying an electric grill:
Size
The size of your grill will depend on how many people you’re planning to cook for, how often you plan to use it, and where you’re going to store it. If you live in an apartment with a tiny kitchen, a small electric grill will be big enough for your needs. But if you have a large family and want something that can hold a whole chicken or roast beef, then you’ll need something larger, like a portable grill with side trays for holding food while it cooks.
Heat
You may think electric grills don’t use open flames or gas, so they must not get hot enough to grill food properly. While this is true for some models, it’s not true for all of them—and if you’re looking at one that doesn’t get hot enough, you’ll probably know right away when you try it out. You should also ensure your grill has an adjustable heat setting so that it can be set to whatever temperature works best for your cooking.
Electric grills generally offer more precise temperature control than charcoal grills, but if you want something that really gets hot (and fast!), then look for one with high BTUs per hour (the higher the number here, the hotter it will get).
Grates
There are a few things to consider if you’re in the market for an electric grill. One of the most important is the type of grate you choose.
Grates are what hold your meat and allow it to cook evenly. There are two main types: porcelain and cast iron.
Porcelain grates offer a smooth surface that won’t scratch off like cast iron can—which means they’re easier to clean and maintain. They also don’t retain heat as well as cast iron, so they’ll cool down faster after you’ve finished cooking.
Cast iron grates can be more difficult to clean because they are porous (meaning they have tiny holes that hold onto food particles). They heat up quickly and retain heat well, so your food will continue to cook even after you turn off your grill.
Power Consumption
The amount of energy used by your grill will be based on several factors: the size of the grill, how much food you’re cooking, and how often you use it. If you’re planning on using your grill daily, consider one with a higher wattage than usual.
However, if this isn’t going to be a regular occurrence for you or if you’re looking for something that can handle an occasional steak or burger, then something with a lower wattage may be more appropriate for your needs.
Temperature Gauge
When you’re shopping for electric grills, there are a few things to consider. One of the most important is the temperature gauge.
Most grills have a temperature gauge, which will tell you how hot your grill is at any given time. The gauge is usually located on the front of the grill and will change colors depending on how hot it is. When it’s red, that means it’s hot enough to cook foods like steaks or burgers—and when it’s green, that means it’s perfect for cooking vegetables or other foods that need less heat.
So if you want to know what temperature to set your grill at so that your food comes out perfect every time, look for a grill with a color-changing temperature gauge!
Cooking Versatility
When you’re deciding on the best electric grill for your needs, one of the most important things to consider is cooking versatility.
What does that mean? If you’re a beginner chef or want something simple, then an all-in-one grill might be perfect! But if you’re looking for more options and control over your cooking process, consider a removable grilling plate or side burner.
If you’re after more options, consider getting a grilling plate to let you cook multiple types of food at once. For example, if you have a large family and want to be able to cook chicken and ribs at the same time, this would be ideal. If you’re looking to do something similar but only have one type of meat or food at a time, then pick up some individual plates instead—they’ll give you more flexibility in terms of what kinds of food can go on them without having to switch out between different grills every time.
Construction
When deciding which electric grill to buy, one of the first things you should consider is construction. The construction of your grill should be sturdy and durable. This ensures that it will last for many years to come and makes it easier to clean.
Grills that are made from stainless steel are generally considered more durable than those made from other materials. However, you should also consider the material used outside your grill because this can affect how well it holds up over time. For example, non-stick surfaces tend to scratch easily and require frequent replacement. In contrast, stainless steel does not suffer from this problem as much.
Safety
Safety is a top priority when you’re shopping for an electric grill. You want to ensure that the grill you choose has safety features, like cool-touch handles, a locking lid, and an accessible power button. You also want to ensure that the grill has a low-temperature range so it’s easy to control and prevent food from cooking too quickly or burning.
Price and Warranty
The price is one of the most important things to consider when buying an electric grill. You want to be sure that you can afford it but also that it’s worth it for the features and quality of the product. Suppose you’re buying a grill with an extended warranty. In that case, that can be even more important if you’re concerned about durability or longevity.
A good warranty will help protect against any defects in the product’s design or construction. If something breaks within the first few years of owning it, you can get it fixed or replaced without paying for repairs yourself. But even after those first few years are up, having a good warranty can be useful because it gives you peace of mind knowing that at least some part of your purchase is protected by insurance against future problems.
Features to Look for in an Electric Grill
Electric grills are a great way to make your outdoor cooking experience more convenient and hassle-free. They’re also incredibly versatile, so you can use them for everything from searing steaks to grilling vegetables.
When you’re shopping for an electric grill, there are several key features you should be aware of before making your final decision. Here are five things that make a great electric grill:
Easy Starting
Easy starting is one of the most important features to look for in an electric grill. An electric grill should be able to start up quickly and easily, and it should also have a safety function that prevents the grilling process from starting if the lid is not closed fully. This makes it easier for you to cook your food without any fire or injury risk.
Non-Stick Cooking Surface
A non-stick cooking surface means that your food won’t stick to the grill and will cook more quickly, which means it’ll taste better. This is especially helpful if you like making things like veggies, which could easily burn if they were stuck to the grill. f you’re looking for an electric grill with a non-stick cooking surface, look for one with ceramic or porcelain plates.
Another bonus of a non-stick surface? It makes cleaning up easier! When you’re done with your meal, please turn off the grill and let it cool down before cleaning it. Then wipe away any residue with a damp cloth or sponge—no soap needed!
So next time you’re looking for an electric grill, remember to check out our non-stick options!
Filter
The filter is what keeps all of your food particles and grease from getting into the interior parts of your grill, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning them.
It also ensures that any smoke from your grill stays there instead of floating out into your kitchen.
There are two kinds of filters: paper and metal. Paper filters are usually made from cellulose (a plant-based material). In contrast, metal filters can be made from stainless steel or aluminum. Both types work well for holding in the smoke, but paper filters are less expensive and more common.
Cooking Timer
A timer is one of the most important features to look for in an electric grill. This feature is crucial because it allows you to set how long you want your food to cook, and it will notify you when that time has elapsed. This feature is especially useful if you’re working with multiple foods at once or want to use different settings on your electric grill, depending on what you’re cooking.
The cooking timer can be used with other features, such as temperature control or drip pans (which keep grease from splattering onto the floor). If you need access to these features, this would be a good time to invest in them!
Temperature Control
One of the most important features to look for in an electric grill is temperature control. To cook a steak, you must know how hot the grill is. Temperature control is also important for cooking vegetables because some vegetables like to be grilled at lower temperatures than others.
Some grills have built-in thermometers that make it easy to see the temperature of your food as it cooks. Still, if your grill doesn’t have one of these, you can use a remote thermometer instead. This way, you’ll be able to track how hot your food is without having to open the lid on your grill every few minutes!
Types of Electric Grills
Electric grills are great for tailgating, camping, and backyard use. They’re also a convenient way to cook indoors.
Here are the most popular types of electric grills:
1. Electric Grill with carts
When you’re cooking for a crowd, it’s hard to beat the convenience of an electric grill with a cart. With this grill, you can transport your food directly from the kitchen to your outdoor dining table—and back again—without ever having to worry about dirtying up a plate or cutting board.
The best part? Electric grills with carts come in various sizes to accommodate any number of guests. If you’re throwing a party, opt for something large enough to cook for 10-20 people all at once. If you’re grilling for yourself and your family, consider getting one that can cook at least 4-5 burgers at once.
For those who want a little less of an investment but still want the option of cooking multiple types of meat at once, consider an electric grill with a cart smaller than most other models on the market today. These are great for those who don’t mind cooking only one type of meat at a time but still have plenty of space left for vegetables or other side dishes!
2. Portable Units
A portable electric model is a great choice if you’re looking for a grill that will be easy to take with you. These grills are lightweight and easy to store, so they’re great for tailgates or camping trips. You can even take them on road trips! Portable electric grills are also great for small outdoor spaces like balconies or patios.
Some models come with wheels or handles, so you can easily move them around your house if necessary. If you want to cook something indoors without having to light the grill outside, this is the way to go! Portable electric grills also don’t require much prep time—plug them in and wait for them to heat up!
3. Built-in Electric Grills
These are designed to be installed into a countertop, so they can’t be moved around easily. They typically require special installation and electrical work that isn’t always available in the average home kitchen. As a result, these grills are best for people who have a lot of space in their kitchens or who plan on using them regularly.
If you are looking for an electric grill that will fit seamlessly into your kitchen decor, look no further than built-in electric grills. A professional can install built-in grills, so they require no maintenance—plug them in and use them!
Benefits of Having Electric Grill
It is easy to use
If you have ever used a grill before, then you know that it can be tricky to set up and use. The flames are hot, so it’s important to stay safe while using them. In addition, electric grills are very easy to understand and operate. There are no flames to worry about, so you don’t need to worry about burns or injuries while using an electric grill.
With an electric grill, you can still enjoy the flavor and texture of meat cooked over an open flame without worrying about flare-ups, grease fires, or getting burned by hot coals. You can even control the temperature so that your food is perfectly cooked without drying out or charring on the outside, making them great for novice and experienced chefs.
It’s portable
One of the benefits of having an electric grill is that it’s portable. You can take it camping or to a friend’s house for dinner. You can even take it with you on road trips!
This feature makes an electric grill a good choice for smaller spaces because it doesn’t take up as much room as other grills. It also makes it ideal for people with limited kitchen space who want to cook outside.
Electric grills are also great for people who don’t have access to natural gas or propane, which are often needed for more traditional grills. Live in an apartment building or rent your home. There may not be a place available for these appliances. Still, an electric grill can easily plug into any outlet and be used indoors or out.
It’s affordable
Electric grills are a great option if you’re looking for an affordable way to enjoy the benefits of grilling.
Electric grills are usually less expensive than gas grills and don’t require any propane or charcoal refills. When you factor in the cost of electricity, they can be even more affordable than traditional gas grills.
A typical gas grill can cost anywhere from $600-$1000 depending on its size and features, but an electric grill will only set you back about $250-$400 for a good quality model. This means that if you want to get into the world of grilling but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a grill, an electric option might be perfect for you!
You can cook indoors and outdoors with it
Electric grills are great for cooking indoors and outdoors.
Indoors, electric grills allow you to cook without the smoke and mess of a charcoal grill. They’re also much quicker to heat up than a full-sized gas grill, so they’re a great option if you need more time to get hot enough before you start cooking.
Outdoors, electric grills allow you to bring your kitchen outside without bringing any kitchen appliances. You can make grilled cheese sandwiches or cook burgers and steaks on an electric grill, which makes it perfect for backyard barbecues or tailgating parties!
It doesn’t pollute the environment as gas grills do
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly grill, don’t just look at gas grills. Check out electric grills, too!
Electric grills are a great choice if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint because they don’t use any fossil fuels to cook your food. They also have an energy efficiency rating of around 95%, which means they won’t cost you much in terms of electricity. You’ll only be paying the initial investment in buying the grill itself.
One of the biggest benefits of electric grills is that they don’t pollute the environment like gas grills—which is important to consider when choosing to cook outdoors.
You can control the heat level with it
The best part of having an electric grill is that you can control the heat level with it. This makes cooking much easier, especially if you like to cook at different heat levels. If you don’t have a gas grill, this is one of the biggest benefits of having an electric grill.
With a gas grill, you have to adjust the dials on top of your grill and hope that they give you the right amount of heat. With an electric grill, all you have to do is set your temperature and wait for it to come up to where you want it! It’s really easy and doesn’t waste any time.
Electric grills offer various temperature settings, meaning you can cook your food exactly how you want it. If you’re craving a juicy burger but don’t want to wait for it to cook on your charcoal grill, set the right heat level and time and pop that burger on!
Wrapping It Up
When you’re ready to get back to the basics and cook a meal with your grill, there’s no better way than an electric grill. It’s easy and convenient, and you don’t have to worry about propane tanks or charcoal. Electric grills are perfect for beginners or those who want something easy.
Electric grills are a great way to get started with outdoor and indoor cooking. They are affordable and easy to use, so they can be a great addition if you’re starting out in the world of grilling.
Aside from electric grills, there are also other types of grills to choose from. If you need help in what to pick, you may check out our Guide to Selecting the Right Grill for the best tips and recommendations.