EmailTypes of electric grills
The best electric grills offer consumers a decent barbeque experience indoors. There are two main types of indoor electric grills: contact grills and open grills. Contact grills sandwich the food between two hot plates, shortening cooking time because you don't need to flip foods during the cooking process. These grills also allow you to press sandwiches between two plates to make a panini-style sandwich. Conversely, open grills have just one cooking surface, so cooking takes a bit longer and food must be turned. Some users prefer the faster cooking time of a contact grill, while others think the open style is more versatile. Some contact grills can also be used as open grills or griddles. Check to see if a contact grill has an adjustable hinge; otherwise, thicker foods will not fit properly between the two heating plates and will likely cook unevenly.
Additionally, some barbecue purists may recoil in horror at the thought of grilling over anything other than wood or charcoal, so if you insist on charbroiled taste, you may not be happy with an electric grill. Electric grills also can't compete with your oven's broiler, either. While a broiler typically preheats to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit, most indoor electric grills reach only 200 degrees to 450 degrees. However, if you need or want an alternative to an outdoor barbecue or a way to grill small amounts of food, there are several electric grills that perform admirably. Another plus to electric grills is that they enable cooks to fix petite portions without heating up the whole oven. Other helpful shopping tips:
- Choose a grill with at least 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Anything less and experts say you won't get proper browning and grill marks, because the grill may not get hot enough. In Prevention magazine's review, Steven Raichlen, the host of "Barbecue University" on PBS, says higher-wattage grills offer a more outdoor-grilled flavor.
- Consider cooking area. Electric grill cooking areas range in size from 38 square inches to over 200 square inches, and some contact grills open to double the surface. For best results, decide how much you are planning to cook prior to purchase. If you typically cook petite portions, a smaller unit may be a better fit for you.
- Critique its size and weight. Lighter grills can be more convenient for users to store, while some grills, such as the DeLonghi Indoor Grill and Panini Press, can be stored in an upright position, saving your counter space.
- Plan ahead for your drip pan. Rendered fat can collect quickly and may overflow. Depending on what you're cooking, it may be necessary to replace the drip pan with a new one during the cooking process. To head off hassles, Steven Raichlen, author of "Raichlen's Indoor! Grilling," suggests placing the entire grill on a rimmed baking sheet to prevent and collect messy spatters.
- Go for good grill ridges. Look for grills with ridges that are wide and closely spaced. This ensures that a greater amount of cooking surface is in contact with the food.
- Cold grills can be hard to clean. Caked on, cooked-on foods can be difficult to remove on a cold grill. To make clean up more convenient, wipe yours down while it's still warm or reheat your grill slightly before cleaning.
- Floating hinges can enhance your cooking experience. This helpful feature allows for more even top and bottom grilling.