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Having an outdoor grill is awesome. Unless it's raining. Or it's too hot. Or too cold. Or your massive grill hogs all of your yard space. Or you run out of gas. Actually, on second thought, maybe investing in an outdoor grill isn't always the right call. Luckily, you don't need a big, heavy grill to enjoy juicy steaks, charred veggies, kebabs, or whatever grill-marked creation your heart desires. That's where an indoor grill comes into play.
We've found some of the best indoor grills on the market, so you can save time shopping and spend more time grilling. Make sure to check out some of our picks for the best grill gloves and grill cleaners.
Our Top Picks
Pros
- Six cooking options
- Easy to clean
- LCD screen
Cons
- Takes up space
The Cuisinart Griddler Elite has six (yes, six!) cooking options, including a contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, a half grill/half griddle, and a top melt. Reviewers note that while it takes up a lot of space, relatively speaking, the pros outweigh the cons.
One reviewer writes, "I can fine-tune the temp setting, it's much, MUCH easier to clean than my old contact grill, and the reversible plates mean I don't have to find extra storage."
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Pros
- Easy to clean
Cons
Many reviewers point out how well the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill approximates an outdoor cooking experience, minus the smoke. One notes that "I've grilled steaks, burgers, and chicken so far, [and it all] tastes like I did it outside on [a] gas grill." The nonstick grilling plate is also removable for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Removable plates for cleaning
Cons
- Small
What, you really thought we'd make a list of indoor grills and not include a George Foreman grill? The George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill, which has an iconic full title of "The George Foreman Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine," has certainly received an upgrade since it first debuted in 1994. One feature that's never changed, though: Fat drains off cooking meat thanks to a sloped griddle design.
De'Longhi Reversible Grill/Griddle
Pros
- Large cook space
Cons
If you're feeding a large crowd—especially a burger-loving crew—the De'Longhi Reversible Grill/Griddle's large surface will keep your gang full and happy. As one Amazon reviewer explains, "This is definitely a family-sized appliance," said a reviewer. It will cook four hamburger patties or three chicken breasts at a time... if you and your family enjoy grilled meats and sandwiches or pancake breakfasts, you will definitely find this a useful kitchen tool."
Pros
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Only four temperature settings
Complete with both a grill and griddle option, the Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill packs four different heat settings. One Amazon reviewer offers a helpful tip for getting the best results: "As long as you remember to add some water in the bottom, it cooks perfectly, with practically no mess and is COMPLETELY smokeless indoors," said one reviewer. "The house did not smell like a grill pit afterwards."
New to the world of grilling? The T-fal OptiGrill Electric Grill makes things easy thanks to a sensor that measures the weight of items on the grill plate and adjusts cooking times accordingly. "It automatically cooks different kinds of food to the right temperature (rare, medium rare, medium, etc.) and lets you know when they get there via changes in a colored light and an audible beep," said one reviewer.
Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill + Griddle
Separate cooking zones with independent heat controls make the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill + Griddle great for cooking sides and main dish together—or feeding two dining companions with very different tastes. Nonstick surfaces mean clean-up is a breeze.
PowerXL Smokeless Grill with Tempered Glass Lid
Thanks to the "turbo smoke extraction" device on the PowerXL Smokeless Grill, you'll get a practically smokeless experience. But that's not the only perk. "The best feature on this is the tray below, where you can add liquid to infuse [flavor into] your food," said one reviewer. "I have put wine, herbs, stock, and liquid smoke in there and it does a beautiful job flavoring all of the food."
Presto Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill
Pros
- Affordable
- Included spatula
Cons
Hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon agree: You don't need to spend a fortune if you want an excellent indoor grill. While the Presto Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill doesn't have the temperature control of some of the more expensive models, its easy-to-clean plate and reliable performance make it a winner.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great for small spaces
Cons
If you're living in a dorm, city apartment, or anywhere else without counter space to spare, the DASH Mini Portable Grill is the perfect choice for you. At less than $15, it's priced for those on a budget.
Pros
- Scratch-resistant and easy to clean surface
- Dishwasher safe removable plates
Cons
- Pricey
The big selling point for the Breville Smart Grill & Griddle is its so-called Smart Element IQ technology, which Breville says detects any drop in surface temperature and speedily restores it. Also great? The machine can be used three ways—as an open grill, flat griddle, or panini press—and its removable plates are dishwasher safe for quick cleanup.
What types of indoor grills are there?
There are two different types of indoor grill: open grills and contact grills.
Open grills mimic outdoor ones in that they feature an open grilling surface. For even cooking, you'll have to flip your food halfway through. (Unlike most traditional outdoor grills, however, there's no flame. Head outside for that.)
Contact grills, on the other hand, have two cooking surfaces—one on top and one on the bottom. Food is cooked on both sides at once, which speeds things up quite a bit.
What should I look for in an indoor grill?
Size: Grill surfaces typically range from 60- to 200-square inches, but bigger isn't always better. It all comes down to how many people you're feeding. An 80-square-inch grill is perfectly fine for a one-to-two person household, while 100-square-inch-plus machines can comfortably grill enough food for families of three to five. Of course, you can always feed larger parties with smaller grills—you'll just need to whip up more batches.
Power: A solid range packs 1300 to 1800-watts. Some smaller and less expensive grills only reach 800 watts, which is adequate for many dishes but not ideal for cooking thicker cuts of meat.
Heat: It's always better to opt for an indoor grill with an adjustable heat range. More versatility means you can both sizzle vegetable kabobs on low heat or sear a thick ribeye at 500 degrees.
Grill Plates: Contact grills are often used as presses (hello, paninis!), but many are designed to also function as open grills. Simply open the lid so that it lays flat, which essentially doubles the cooking surface. Another feature to look for: removable grill plates. They make cleaning up so much easier—especially if they're dishwasher safe!
Filter: Despite their small size, many indoor grills can produce a lot of smoke if you're not careful. If your kitchen isn't well-ventilated, a grill with a built-in filter can cut smoke levels way down.
