Buying guide for best indoor grills
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No matter how much you enjoy grilling, the weather isn't always on your side. Plus, sometimes you don't have the energy or the inclination to mess around with the charcoal, woodchips, or gas canisters you need for a standard outdoor grill. With an indoor grill, you can just plug in and go, whatever the weather.
There are two main types of grills available — open grills, which are much like a standard outdoor grill but electric, and contact grills, which have plates top and bottom to cook both sides of your food at once. You'll also need to consider factors such as the size of the grill, what controls and preset programs it has, and the temperature range at which you can cook.
Our top choice is the versatile Cuisinart Griddler Indoor Grill, which can cook everything from pancakes for breakfast to burgers for dinner.
Editors’ picks
Cuisinart Griddler Indoor Grill
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 13.5" D x 11.5" W x 7.12" H | Cooking Area: 155 sq in | Weight: 11.5 lb | Temperature Range: 200 to 425 degrees | Open or Contact: Both | Removable Plates: Yes
Designed with a sleek, stainless steel finish, the small-but-versatile Cuisinart Griddler Indoor Grill has features that simplify grilling your favorite foods right from your countertop. Weighing just 11.5 pounds, it boasts a lid with a floating hinge so you can use it as an open or contact grill. This makes it possible to cook thick foods, and prepare paninis, grill steaks, fry pancakes and more.
The 155 square inches of cooking space of this grill provides room for large portions of food. Simple knob controls are also features home cooks love. They allow you to choose the cooking function, grilling intensity and temperature. With a heat range of 200 to 425 degrees, you’ll get perfect results no matter what you cook.
When it’s time for cleanup, this Cuisinart has features to simplify the chore. It offers removable grill/griddle plates and a drip tray that can be placed in the dishwasher. A scraping tool is included, and the grill/griddle plates are PFAS-free and stick-resistant. You’ll also appreciate the limited three-year warranty.
Hamilton Beach Panini Press & Electric Indoor Grill
Great Value
Dimensions: 11.6" D x 12.6" W x 4.5" H | Cooking Area: 80 sq in | Weight: 5.2 lb | Temperature Range: Single high-heat setting | Open or Contact: Both | Removable Plates: No
For consumers with limited space and a tight budget, the Hamilton Beach Panini Press is one of the best indoor grills on the market. It’s compact and weighs just 5.2 pounds, so it has a small footprint and is easy to maneuver. However, it’s versatile and effective at making a wide range of tasty meals. At less than $50, it’s an affordable option too.
This model heats up quickly and works as a contact grill for making sandwiches and paninis. Its floating hinge lets you press thick sandwiches with ease. Additionally, the top lid has a lock so you can use it as an open grill, which comes in handy for making food such as pizza and open sandwiches. It has 80 square inches of cooking space, which can accommodate two sandwiches at once.
The grill plates are stick-resistant and constructed without PFAS. Although they aren’t removable, they are easy to clean. Simply wipe them down with a damp cloth after they cool down, and the grill is ready to be stored until you need it again.
George Foreman Fully Submersible Grill
Easiest to Use & Clean
Dimensions: 11" D x 10" W x 4" H | Cooking Area: 80 sq in | Weight: 5.73 lb | Temperature Range: Single - 400 F | Open or Contact: Contact | Removable Plates: Yes
If you always seek kitchen items that are easy to clean, the George Foreman Submersible Grill is for you. Simply remove the control panel and place it in the dishwasher for fast, easy cleanup. What’s more, the grill plates are removable for times when the entire grill doesn’t need to be washed.
With a trim design and a weight of 5.73 pounds, this grill is great for small spaces and is a snap to move from place to place. It has 80 square inches of cooking space and can accommodate enough food for up to four servings. The three-quarter-inch hinge adapts to thick pieces of food, so this contact grill is great for cooking thick steaks, large sandwiches and more.
We also love how fast the Submersible grill heats up — approximately 30% quicker than comparable models. While the temperature isn’t variable, the grill reaches 400 degrees for excellent results. A drip tray to catch juices and oil is included. Once cooked, the food slides off the PFOA- and PTFE-free ceramic grill plates effortlessly for fast cleanup.
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill
Most Versatile
Dimensions: 14.9"D x 14.9"W x 11.02"H | Cooking Area: 100 sq in | Weight: 20 lb | Temperature Range: 105 - 510 F | Open or Contact: Contact | Removable Plates: Yes
More than an indoor grill, the Ninja Foodi offers five functions to prepare food in numerous ways. In addition to grilling, this comprehensive model also roasts, air-fries, bakes and dehydrates. These functions, combined with a variable temperature control and low, medium, high and max settings, make it a versatile option that’s perfect for repairing meals, snacks, sides and more.
This multicooker has 100 square inches of nonstick cooking space, which can fit large portions. Free of PFOA and PTFE, it reaches a maximum temperature of 510 degrees and delivers cyclonic grilling technology for fast, even cooking. When it comes to air-frying, you’ll get crispy food with up to 75% less oil than when using other cooking methods.
When it comes to cleanup, the Foodi has several removable parts that are machine-washable, including the grill grate, cooking pot and crisper basket. Fairly compact and weighing 20 pounds, this grill also includes a cleaning brush and recipe booklet for convenience and cooking inspiration.
Weber Lumin Portable Electric Grill
Best for a Smoky Flavor
Dimensions: 23.55" D x 19.45" W x 12.52" H | Cooking Area: 242 sq in | Weight: 36.5 lb | Temperature Range: 300 to 600 | Open or Contact: Open | Removable Plates: No
If you love grilled foods with smoky flavors, check out the Weber Lumin Portable Electric Grill. This model has a smoke infusion setting that allows you to add Weber wood chips that heat and create a smoky flavor during grilling. The 242-square-inch cooking surface is enough to grill food for several people.
It has settings for searing, steaming and warming and heats up to 600 degrees. An open grill, it makes food fast and cooks evenly. A durable lid helps it cook quickly by locking in heat during grilling.
Although the grill plates aren’t removable, they are easy to wipe clean. A removable grease tray catches oil and drippings while you cook, keeping messes contained. Weighing 36.5 pounds, it's portable and perfect for backyard gatherings, tailgating and more.
How we analyzed
When we analyzed indoor grills, we considered 30 models and narrowed down the list based on features, quality, ease of use and customer feedback. We looked at the differences between open and contact models, and factored in available sizes. Our research also included controls and temperature ranges to inform customers about what it’s like to cook using an indoor grill. We also explained key features, which includes displays, timers and removable plates versus fixed ones. Ease of cleaning a grill was also considered. Finally, we assessed prices, so readers could find the perfect indoor grill for their budgets.
Key considerations
Open vs. contact
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Open indoor grills are flat electric grills that give you a fairly similar experience to cooking on an outdoor grill. Since you cook your food on just one bottom plate, you have to flip it, just like you would on a regular grill. Some open grills are slightly sloped to let fat run off, whereas some have gaps between the ridges to let the fat drip into a tray below.
- Contact indoor grills have both a top and a bottom plate, which you press your food in between. The food cooks on both sides at the same time, which makes the cooking process quicker. However, it's more far-removed from a standard outdoor grilling experience, which puts some users off.
- Hybrid grills, like the Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler, work as both a contact and open full grill, panini press, full griddle and a half grill/half griddle for exceptional versatility. This allows you to make foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner with one comprehensive small appliance.
Size and weight
Check the size of any indoor grills you're considering. The main concern for the majority of buyers is the size of the cooking area. This should be large enough to cook for your whole household, otherwise, you'll need to cook in batches, which can be slow and frustrating. Compact grills may have between 80 and 100 square inches of cooking space; this is typically large enough to make between two and six servings of food at once. Large grills have 200 to 300 square inches of cooking space and are ideal for those who cook for a group.
You might also want to check the overall size of the unit to make sure you have room for it in your cupboard. Average indoor grills are sized so that they'll fit in a standard cabinet, but there are some exceptions. Any models that are too large will be awkward to store or take up too much counter space.
Weight is also a factor when considering an indoor grill. Models weighing as little as 5 to 12 pounds are available. They usually have less cooking space than heavier grills, but are easier to maneuver. Grills weighing up to about 40 pounds are larger and bulkier, so the tradeoff is a grill that has more cooking space but is also more difficult to move from place to place.
Controls
Extremely basic indoor grills may only have an on/off switch, with no other kind of control over the cooking process. The Hamilton Beach Panini Press and George Foreman Submersible Grill are examples of indoor grills with basic controls and no variable temperature settings. Models like the Cuisinart Griddler Indoor Grill have a temperature range that can be adjusted based on your needs for cooking various foods.
The most complex models, on the other hand, can feature a range of presets for grilling particular foods. For example, the Weber Lumin Portable Electric Grill has steam, smoke, sear, boil and warm settings, while the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill can grill, air-fry, roast, bake and dehydrate.
You'll also find models that let you manually adjust the temperature, cooking duration and other settings. The kinds of controls you require will depend on how you like to cook. If you want to be able to press a button and get decent results, a model with preset programs might be for you. Manual controls are better for people who like to fine-tune their cooking experience and have complete control over the outcome.
Temperature range
Some indoor grills have a single maximum temperature, which it will cook at once fully heated. This is generally around 450 degrees, which is considered the optimal temperature for searing. Other models allow you to control the heat of your grill across a temperature range, for instance between 200 and 600 degrees. Indoor grills with a wide temperature range are more versatile, as some foods are better cooked low and slow rather than at the highest temperature possible.
Features
Removable plates
Not all indoor grills feature removable cooking plates, but we'd highly recommend choosing a model that does. Grills with removable plates are far easier to clean, especially if you get any food stuck on them. If they're not removable, you'll only be able to wipe them down, rather than putting them in the dishwasher or giving them a good scrub by hand.
Embedded heating elements
The majority of indoor grills feature heating elements that sit below the bottom grill plate (and above the top grill plate in contact models). However, some high-end models feature embedded heating elements. This means the heating elements are embedded into the grill plate itself, so it can get extremely hot and heat more evenly.
LCD display
You can find some high-end indoor grills with an LCD display, which shows the temperature or lets you select between preset programs. While it certainly isn't essential to the performance of your indoor grill, it's a nice feature to have.
Timer
While we wouldn't recommend leaving your indoor grill completely unattended, you might want to undertake other kitchen tasks while your food is cooking, such as cutting bread or making sauce. Indoor grills with a built-in timer will remind you when your food is ready, so you won't end up with a burned dinner.
Indoor grill prices
Inexpensive
Basic indoor grills start at around $40 to $80. These are generally fairly compact in size and may not have a wide range of settings or the ability to control temperature.
Mid-range
In the $80 to $200 price range, you can find some excellent models, though they might not be as large or feature-rich as top-of-the-line grills.
Expensive
High-end indoor grills are priced from $200 to $400 or more. These are the best indoor grills on the market. They tend to have a range of presets or give you complete control over the cooking parameters.
Cleaning and care tips
- Find out whether your chosen indoor grill is dishwasher-safe. Obviously, you can't wash the whole grill because of the electrics, but if your model has removable plates, you might be able to put them in the dishwasher.The exception to this rule is the George Foreman Submersible Grill, which can be placed in the dishwasher after removing the control panel.
- Avoid using cooking spray on your indoor grill. The propellants and other additives can build up on the plates and leave an unpleasant residue.
- Use plastic or silicone tools on nonstick indoor grills. Metal spatulas, tongs, and other grilling tools can scratch nonstick coatings on the grill plate.
- Wash your indoor grill thoroughly before first using it. This will get rid of any dust, grime, and other contaminants that may have come into contact with the plates during the manufacturing and shipping process.
FAQ
Q. Can I use my indoor grill outside in dry weather?
A. Although indoor grills are designed for indoor use — as the name suggests — there's no reason you can't use them in an outdoor area, as long as the weather is dry and you have access to a power outlet.
Q. Are there any grills that can be used in both open and contact forms?
A. Yes, some contact grills let you fold them out completely flat, so they can also be used as open grills, giving you twice the cooking area.
Q. Will an indoor grill replace my outdoor grill?
A. Indoor grills are a quick and convenient way to grill food, but they'll never completely replicate the results or the experience of grilling outdoors.
Our expertise
Allen Foster has researched, tested and evaluated products for BestReviews since 2018. Before that, he sold outdoor equipment at one of the largest home improvement chains in the country. Consequently, he has in-depth knowledge of outdoor appliances and products, such as grills and deer repellents. As part of his training, Allen has attended seminars and workshops on a wide range of outdoor products so he can help customers find exactly what they need.
