My father would be turning in his grave at the thought of me recommending electric grills—he already thinks I have betrayed my Spanish heritage with a gas grill! However electric grills are a convenient choice when you live in a zone which forbids open flame grills, or you just want a quick start-up no-mess grill midweek.
Although many of us may own one of that famous boxer’s indoor grills, which look like large sandwich toasters, it seems not many people are using electric outdoor grills. The 2017 State of the Barbecue report by HPBA found that only nine percent of outdoor grills are electric.
Let’s take a look at what you should consider in the best electric grill, followed by some electric grill reviews. Forgive me father, for I’m about to sin!
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Electric Grills For 2023
Are Electric Grills Allowed on Balconies?
Let’s start by getting the most obvious use of the best electric grills out of the way—YES you can use them on a balcony or where open-flame fires are forbidden. Many states, or even just apartment complexes, have strict rules about the use of grills on balconies.
Virginia for example even ban propane grills on wooden balconies or patios and within 10-feet of any combustible buildings—in other words, anything not made from brick. Electric grills are seen in comparison as much more controllable, with less chance of wind blowing flames and causing fires.
Can You Use an Electric Grill in the House?
There’s no reason you can’t consider using an electric grill indoors, many are even designed for that purpose. Just be cautious about using in a confined space, as foods can still give off smoke while they cook—always try to keep a window open.
At least with electric, you won’t get the huge billowing clouds of smoke that you do with charcoal, or those, sometimes suffocating, fumes that can be a by-product of propane. Electric, by comparison, is a clean fuel (well at the consumer end anyway, we won’t mention how it’s produced!) which we all use in some form in the kitchen anyhow.
How Hot Does an Electric Grill Get?
Perhaps the most important part about cooking is achieving that perfect temperature. Although electric grills may offer more control than charcoal or gas grills, especially with a good thermostat, can they reach the temperature needed for a good sear?
A lot depends on the power of the heating element and the material used on the grill plates. The best electric grills may never reach the charcoal temperatures of 700 degrees Fahrenheit plus, but some we look at in the electric grill reviews below will hit between 450 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit easily.
In the following YouTube video, chef Richard in the kitchen shows how you can cook a quality steak on the best electric indoor grills.
How Does an Electric Grill Work?
Electric grills have one or more heating elements embedded into the cooking surface, or more commonly, below the grill plates. The wattage of the element will determine how hot the element gets, with many of the best electric grills having built-in thermostats for better temperature control.
New technologies like infrared can also be built into the plates for more efficient heat distribution and quicker preheat times. Electric grills which only have one, normally the bottom layer, of heat are known as open grills. By contrast, a contact grill has two heated surfaces and can be ideal for grilling steaks, burgers and toasting sandwiches.
What To Look for in the Best Electric Barbecue?
Does the best electric barbecue grill really exist? Well, it seems many people are slowly jumping on board the best electric outdoor grill bandwagon so let’s take a look at what the most important features are.
Size
Consider carefully where you intend to use the grill most. If it’s an indoor electric grill, ensure it will fit your chosen countertop or table surface. An extra lid or clamshell-like design can be handy but can need larger storage space.
The best rated outdoor grills will normally have a smaller footprint when they use electricity and don’t need the extra clearance space of a propane or charcoal grill. Only the element will get hot and very little heat tends to radiate from the body of the best electric outdoor grill.
The other advantage is that you don’t need any extra storage space for a propane tank or extra bags of charcoal.
Portability
We’re not talking about something you can throw in your backpack—where are you going to find a power outlet halfway up a mountain? However, the convenience of moving the party indoors when it starts to rain is a big advantage of the lighter outdoor electric grills.
Some campsites now do offer hookup points so taking your best electric grill on the road with you isn’t completely out of the question. A smaller more portable model can also be useful for taking around to the neighbors or even loaning to them—don’t forget to get it back though, unlike my drill, BOB, if you are reading!
There’s also the inverter option. This is a device which hooks up to your car battery to convert DC power to AC so you can plug in anywhere you have a vehicle if you really want to use the best electric grill on the go.
Unfortunately, to run an electric grill from your car battery, you would need a pretty powerful inverter, one that exceeds the wattage of your grill—if you don’t already own one it would probably cost the same or more than the grill itself.
Cooking Capacity
As with all grills, think about how many people you want to cook for at the same time. Being smaller than most other grills, the best electric barbecue grills will normally feature a smaller cooking area.
The grills we look at below in the electric grill reviews range from just over a 100 square inches to nearly 300 square inches in the more premium models. At around 72 square inches of cooking surface per person, they will feed between two to four diners.
Of course, cooking indoors you will probably have access to other kitchen facilities like a stove top, steamer or oven for doing the side dishes. In this case, an electric barbecue grill with a cooking surface of just 100 to 200 square inches would be ample for cooking just the meats.
The Power of an Electric Grill
Just as you should carefully note the BTUs when purchasing a gas grill, you need to look carefully at the wattage of the heating element in the best electric grills. For grills with a cooking area under 300 square inches, it is recommended you choose a grill with at least 1500 watts of power.
The hottest electric grill will also depend on better quality heated plates as well as the strength of the heated element. Infrared technology which uses infrared radiation or cast iron cooking surfaces will normally transfer the heat better for a more even cook.
Cheap electric outdoor grills may often use lesser quality plates of thin metal which will quickly lose their temperature if the lid is opened. Remember that unless it is a dual-sided contact grill, you are going to need to flip that meat mid cook which means that opening the lid is a necessity.
What Are the Best Electric Grills in 2023?
Still not convinced about electric grills? I was the same too, but when looking at some of the features of the best electric barbecue grills I was tempted to change my mind. Of course, the other big bonus is electricity is cheap when compared to other alternatives—even my father would agree with that one!
Here are my choices for the best electric grills in 2023.
With 240 square inches of cooking space and an additional 80 square inch warming rack, this best electric outdoor grill can easily cope with backyard parties. The neatest thing about the Char-Broil Infrared Electric Patio Bistro is from a distance you can’t even tell it’s an electric grill—unless you spot the power cable of course.
Employing a traditional kettle design, the sturdy trolley has side shelves which fold out for extra work surface, and a chrome rack for extra storage. A temperature gauge in the extra deep lid offers a better way of monitoring the heat without opening the lid.
A large oven-like knob with a bezel which illuminates when the grill surface reaches temperature makes this electric grill simple to use. Using Char-Broil’s patented TRU-Infrared technology, this outdoor electric grill heats up faster and more evenly, reducing the chance of flareups.
Porcelain-coated cast iron grates are not only excellent for quick preheat and retaining that heat but are also simple to clean. A removable grease tray is porcelain-coated too and easily accessible at the front of the grill.
At 54 pounds in weight, it’s not the most portable of electric grills but you’re going to be near to a powerpoint anyhow. The sturdy wheels on the bottom of the trolley, however, make it a breeze maneuvering around your patio, and a cord management system at the back of the unit prevents trailing wires.
Pros
- Quality design with strong construction.
- Compact footprint, with side shelves that fold down when not in use.
- TRU-Infrared technology for quicker heat up and more even heat distribution across the grilling surface.
- Powerful 1750 watt element for 280 square inches of cooking surface.
- Easy to clean with non-stick grates and porcelain-coated grease tray.
- Simple to control with large front-mounted temperature knob and illuminated bezel.
- Assembly is straight forward.
- Available in a choice of five colors—chocolate graphite, blue, red, gloss black, and graphite grey.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Very short power cord at just over 4-feet.
- Can struggle to hit higher temperatures with the lid open.
- Loses heat very quickly when the lid is opened—check the temperature gauge in the hood rather than open the lid where possible.
Best Value for Money Electric Grill—George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
George Foreman is a brand ubiquitous with those electric grills which are often sold as “health grills”—large panini style grills used in the home. This George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric grill employs the same design as many kettle grills for a more authentic barbecue experience.
The full waist height stand allows for comfortable grilling in just about any location, standing about two-and-a-half feet tall. You can also remove the grill top from its stand if you want to use it on a table or countertop.
A large grilling surface of 240 square inches uses 1600 watts of power with five heat settings for that perfectly grilled food. With a sloped surface, the non-stick grate features a center channel to allow grease or fats to drip into the dishwasher safe drip tray.
The thing I liked best about this George Foreman grill was the quick heat up time which was just a matter of minutes—no more waiting for the charcoal to turn grey. The adjustable grilling temperature stays consistent with none of the hot spots you find on similar gas grills.
Like a George Foreman on steroids, this compact grill is ideal for use on a smaller patio, apartment balcony or even indoors. At just 21 pounds in weight, you won’t need to be a bodybuilder to move it either.
Pros
- Affordable price.
- Lightweight and compact.
- The powerful 1600 watt element is quick to preheat with five heat settings.
- Patented non-stick grate design with grease management built-in.
- Large 240 square inches of cooking area.
- Grill plate and grease tray are removable for easy cleaning and dishwasher safe.
- Detachable from the stand for use on a tabletop or indoors—just make sure to open those windows.
Cons
- A lightweight grill but the lid is heavy and can make it top heavy—be careful when using in windy conditions.
- A short power cord at just 6-foot long.
- No temperature gauge in the lid.
Most Durable Electric Grill—Weber 55020001 Q2400 Electric Grill
Straight out of the box you can tell this is a Weber grill, it has the same eye-catching design of their popular charcoal and gas grills. The Weber Q2400 also features the usual build quality of Weber grills with a cast aluminum body that will endure those outdoor elements for longer.
Despite a compact footprint of 31.5 inches by 25.1 inches, this electric barbecue grill offers an expansive 280 square inches of primary cooking surface. Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates retain the heat of the powerful 1560 watt electric heating element better for perfect sear marks.
What I really liked about this compact grill was the use of the same Infinity Heat controls as Weber’s larger gas grills for more precise temperatures. The aluminum liners on the cookbox retain heat for an oven-like effect when the lid is closed—perfect for succulent chicken.
It may look portable, with large handles either side of the grill, but at over 40 pounds you won’t want to be carrying it too far. A better option is the optional trolley stand available at extra cost, for easily moving it around your backyard.
Unfortunately, being a Weber, this grill already cost over five times more than the George Foreman, even without the trolley. It will last you years, but is it really five times better?
Pros
- Stylish design with a glass-reinforced nylon frame for added durability.
- Cast aluminum lid and body with aluminum heat retaining liners.
- Power 1560 watt heating element with Infinite heat control settings.
- The design of the grate allows you to add wood chips for that smoky flavor and aroma.
- Porcelain cast-iron cooking grates retain heat better and are easy to clean.
- Removable and disposable catch pan for easy cleanup.
- The 5-year warranty is the longest of any of the best electric grills I have looked at.
Cons
- Expensive—call it the Weber tax.
- Too heavy to be easily carried. You will need a strong surface to support it and the trolley is an extra cost.
Best Indoor Electric Grill—Hamilton Beach (25361) Electric Indoor Grill & Searing Grill
If you want to enjoy that barbecue taste in the colder winter months, a compact indoor grill like this Hamilton Beach model can give you that without going outdoors. A stylish stainless steel design, it will look good on any worktop, and weighing less than 10 pounds, it’s just as easy to store in a cupboard too.
The stainless steel lid features a large viewing window so you can keep an eye on your steaks while they cook. No need to open the lid until ready and prevents more smoke than necessary escaping into your indoor environment.
A large temperature dial on the front of the grill has 11 different heat settings for temperatures ranging from 200 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You could easily sear a steak, although being an open grill it only has one set of cooking plates rather than the two of a contact grill.
The stainless steel body not only retains heat better but is super easy to clean. Removable grill grates and a wide drip tray are dishwasher friendly for a speedy cleanup. The non-stick coating on the grate prevents food from burning onto the grill plate, which is a feature that will extend its life.
Although this electric grill may have a smaller cooking surface, it will easily cope with two people, maybe even three at a push. It’s an efficient grill and so easy to clean that you may be using it every day.
Pros
- An affordable compact indoor electric grill.
- Lightweight at under 10 pounds.
- Stainless steel exterior is easy to clean, durable and heat retaining.
- Observation window in the domed lid for viewing your food as it cooks.
- Wide temperature range with 11 different settings rather than just low, medium and high.
- Easy to clean with removable grill plates and a wide drip tray that runs the entire length of the grill—dishwasher safe.
- The domed lid can be removed for cleaning too.
- Non-stick grates.
Cons
- The very small cooking surface of just 115 square inches.
- No flat area on the grill plates for use as a griddle.
- Heat can be inconsistent with some users complaining it took up to seven and a half minutes to sear a burger.
Best Budget Indoor Electric Grill—Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
The Delonghi BG-24 is one of their most popular electric grills and it’s not hard to see why. With a compact footprint of just 21.8 inches by 14.4 inches, it features a large cooking area of 150 square inches in a stylish design.
A large glass lid enables this tabletop electric grill to reach 450 degrees Fahrenheit with its 1500 watt element, while you watch the food cook. Be warned however that the glass lid is rather shallow and won’t cope with larger items like chicken portions on the bone and some thicker cuts of steak or chops.
The heating element which is embedded in the actual grill plates of this indoor grill ensures a more even temperature across the entire surface. A thermostat which attaches to the plates can be removed for easy cleaning.
Clean and simple use are two of the areas where this top-rated electric grill excels. In addition to the removable thermostat and non-stick heating element/grate, a splatter shield around the grill prevents grease dripping onto your countertops as you cook.
The stylish design of this grill and it’s clean operation mean you could even use it in the center of your dining table at your next dinner party. Why not try a steak and kebab party rather than the done to death fondue?
Pros
- Very affordable budget indoor electric grill.
- Compact size and not too high for easy storage inside or under a kitchen cupboard.
- Weighs less than 11 pounds—take around your neighbors for that next party.
- A cooking surface of 150 square inches is ideal for three to maybe four people.
- A 1500 watt element allows the grill to reach a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit—just enough to sear a steak.
- An integrated drip tray is easy to remove for cleaning.
- Glass lid keeps moisture in your food and you can watch as it browns.
- Cool touch handles for safe moving about the counter.
- Could even be used as a food warmer at lower temperatures.
Cons
- Very shallow glass lid with only 1.5-inches of space between the grill surface and top of the lid.
- You will struggle to fit thicker cuts of meat or even some larger burgers under the lid.
- The tempered glass lid can also get very hot when cooking—only use the heat-resistant handle to remove—although tempered it will smash if dropped.
- The thermostat only has five settings with no temperature guidelines—plenty of trial and error to get it right.
Conclusion
Although we all know names like George Foreman when it comes to the best electric grills Char-Broil has really outdone themselves with the Char-Broil 17602047 Infrared Electric Patio Bistro, 240 Red.
Looking like any traditional outdoor grill, the only thing that gives it away is that large temperature control knob, and a cord plugged into the wall. Char-Broil’s infrared technology means it can reach temperatures the other best outdoor electric grills can only dream of and with less chance of a flare up too.
It’s going to take a lot to persuade me to switch to electric grills full time, but they do have their uses when open flames are prohibited—there’s no heavy propane bottle to lug about either. If you are missing that smoky flavor which only comes with charcoal grills you can always add a little liquid smoke to your meats as you grill.