Outdoor grilling is a stylish way for friends and family to bond, but certain conditions have to be right before you can grill outdoors. Scorching sun, snow, or even just a little drizzle can spoil your outdoor BBQ experience. However, with indoor grilling, you don’t have to worry about the elements as you will be adequately sheltered from them.
Additionally, you may feel like having a personal grilling experience and setting up an outdoor grill might be too much for you; this is why indoor grills have been made. They are designed to be smokeless as they wouldn’t be safe to use indoors if they produced too much smoke. To get value for your money, however, you need to know about the pros and cons of different models and brands of indoor grills on the market. This is why we have reviewed some of the best indoor grills on the market today.
See also: 8 Best Electric Smoker Reviews by Consumer Reports for 2020
Comparison Best Smokeless Indoor Grills 2021
PRODUCT NAME | FEATURES | EDITOR'S SCORE | CURRENT PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Hamilton Beach (25361) Electric Indoor Grill | LOCKS IN JUICES AND FLAVORS: Sear at 450 degrees or use adjustable temperature dial to grill at lower heat for optimal grilling results. | ||
Cuisinart gr-150 Griddler Deluxe | Six cooking options in one: contact grill, panini press, full griddle, full grill, half grill, half griddle, top melt | ||
George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill | 15+ Servings - It’s tailgate time! The 240 square inches of circular grilling surface lets you make over 15 servings for large groups of people ,Has Temperature Indicator Light | ||
T-fal GC702D53 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill | First electric indoor grill that cooks by adapting its grilling cycles to the thickness of the foods | ||
Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill | Distributes heat evenly for the best results due to the fully embedded grill plate heating element. The input power is 1500 watts.The frequency is 60 Hz and the voltage is 120 volts |
Contents
- 1 Top 12 Best Smokeless Indoor Grills by Consumer Reports
- 1.1 1. Hamilton Beach (25361) Electric Indoor Grill
- 1.2 2. Cuisinart GR-150 Griddler Deluxe
- 1.3 3. George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
- 1.4 4. T-fal GC702D53 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill
- 1.5 5. Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
- 1.6 6. Hamilton Beach 38546 3-In-One Grill/Griddle
- 1.7 7. Power Smokeless Grill
- 1.8 8. Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill
- 1.9 9. Presto 09020 Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill
- 1.10 10. Excelvan Portable 1120W Electric Barbecue Grill
- 1.11 11. Secura GR-1503XL 1700W Electric Reversible 2-in-1 Grill & Griddle
- 1.12 12. Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill
- 2 Things to Consider When Buying a Smokeless Grill
Top 12 Best Smokeless Indoor Grills by Consumer Reports
1. Hamilton Beach (25361) Electric Indoor Grill
This Hamilton Grill is very functional and affordable. It can reach high temperatures that will make your food sear; this means that you can effortlessly prepare your barbeque indoors and still get that taste and flavor you would get from other types of grills. It comes with a drip pan that slides out for easy cleaning, the dome-styled lid keeps the flavor locked in and is removable for easy cleaning.
This Hamilton Grill has a design that allows you see your food as it cooks through a windowpane and you can easily adjust the heat setting while looking at the preheat indicator lights that will glow as it reaches a particular temperature. If what you are looking for is an indoor grill that can still give you the quality of food that other outdoor grills give, you should check this one out.
Pros:
Removable and dishwasher safe drip tray
It is not expensive
The lid is designed to lock in flavor
Cons:
Non-stick grilling surface may be a little sticky
2. Cuisinart GR-150 Griddler Deluxe
With this deluxe grill comes six different cooking options; top melt, full grill, contact grill, half griddle, half grill, or even Panini press. The griddle plates, reversible grills, and dual-zone temperature control make it easy to control the temperature which can reach up to 500 degrees (Fahrenheit). The Cuisinart GR-150 allows you to cook two different things at different temperatures simultaneously; this is made possible by two independent controls. It is also designed in a way that the plates, drip tray, and scraper can be removed easily and cleaned with a dishwasher.
The top cover is adjustable and with six present positions to help you choose a suitable cover position depending on what you are cooking. If what you have on your mind is a smokeless indoor grill that you can use to make your burgers, pancakes, sandwiches and more, the Cuisinart GR-150 will work for you.
Pros:
Removable plates for easy cleaning
Dual control of cooking at different temperatures
It comes with an aesthetically pleasing design
Cons:
Buttons holding the grill grates may not last long
3. George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
George Foreman is a well-known brand in the world of grills. The George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill is a unique grill in that it can give you that enjoyable outdoor grilling experience and it is also safe to use indoors. Just like any good grill should, this grill comes with temperature control that lets you choose from five different heat settings depending on what you are cooking. It comes with a removable stand that is removable so you can either decide to put the grill on another surface or you can just leave it on the stand.
Furthermore, it is fitted with a drip tray that will collect excess grease and a removable grill plate for easy cleaning. The grilling surface comes with a little slope that will make the removal of fat from food easier. Being a smokeless grill, it makes your grilling experience cleaner and less messy.
Pros:
Sloping grill gets rid of oil and fat
Drip-tray is dishwasher safe
The grill comes with a tough non-stick coating
Cons:
Some customers have complained of irregular heating
4. T-fal GC702D53 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill
This is one of the more sophisticated looking smokeless grills on our list. Indeed, it comes with an “automatic sensor cooking” feature that automatically detects the number of foods on the grill surface. You can closely monitor your food through the high-precision system and make sure that it gets cooked just how you want it. Also, it has a frozen food function to defrost frozen food before cooking.
Another interesting thing about this grill is that it comes with six cooking options, the grill has been pre-programmed to provide six different cooking options (poultry, sausage and pork, red meat, fish, burgers, and sandwiches). Besides all these, the grill plates are removable and dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
Frozen food function to help defrost food
Auto cooking based on the thickness of food
Grill plates are dishwasher-safe
Light indicator show when food is done
Cons:
Customers have reported that the auto cooking feature malfunctions
More expensive than most other indoor grills
5. Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill
This Delonghi grill comes with a cooking surface that is made from die-cast aluminum and is larger than most other indoor grills. It is also lightweight, thus, easy to carry from one place to another. With the Delonghi BG24 Perfecto Indoor Grill, even heat distribution is ensured as the shape of the heating element makes sure that heat gets to every part of the grill plate. A very peculiar feature is the detachable thermostat that comes with the grill to help you control the temperature.
With the removable drip pan, tempered glass lid, and other essential features give this Delonghi grill simplicity and great functionality. If what you need is a simple and affordable indoor grill, this one will serve you well.
Pros:
Detachable thermostat for temperature control
Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
Tempered glass lid keeps flavor locked in
It is not expensive
Cons:
The non-sticky cooking surface may stick a little
6. Hamilton Beach 38546 3-In-One Grill/Griddle
The Hamilton Beach 38546 3-In-One Grill/Griddle is a very adaptable appliance; you can use it as an indoor grill, a griddle, or as a grill and griddle at the same time. It has two cooking sections that come with independent and adjustable heat controls. For grease and fat removal, the center grease channel is incorporated into the design. For easy cleaning, the cooking plates and grease pan are dishwasher-safe.
The grids that come with this appliance are double-sided, so they offer several cooking options. Also noteworthy is that when combined, the two cooking sections provide enough space to cook whatever you want to cook.
Pros:
Features different cooking options
Independent heat control for the two cooking sections
Cooking plates are dishwasher safe
It is not expensive
Cons:
Individual cooking sections may not be big enough for some people
7. Power Smokeless Grill
For so many people, bringing the outdoor grilling experience indoors is an essential goal, and with this Power Smokeless Grill, you can also recreate that unique grilling experience indoors. This grill provides even temperature across the cooking surface, so you can be sure that your food will not have burnt spots or uncooked portions. Also, it comes with interchangeable plates that make it function as both a grill and a griddle.
For an indoor grill, the cooking space is generous, and both the grill and griddle surface are non-sticking. It heats up quickly and can reach a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Though the silicon-sealed glass, you can quickly check to see if your food is cooked or not.
Pros:
It heats up quickly
Serves as grill and griddle
Removable drip tray
Non-stick cooking surface
Cons:
Customers have complained that the smoke-extraction fan stops working after a while
See also: Top 10 Power Smokeless Grill Reviews by Consumer Reports 2019
8. Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill
Philips is one brand that has integrity when it comes to appliances, and just like their other products, this smokeless grill is highly durable and functional. It comes with an infrared and reflectors technology that ensures even cooking and minimizes smoke. Detachable and dishwasher safe parts make for easy cleaning, grease, and fat is collected in the incorporated grease tray, and it provides constant heat to cook your food correctly.
The grill heats up quicker than most smokeless grills, and it can get to a temperature of 446 degrees Fahrenheit. Just like it should be, the aluminum grid is non-sticky, and the non-slip feet ensure that the grill is more stable. This is an excellent grill for people who like quality; it is very durable and functional, although, more expensive than most indoor grills.
Pros:
Dishwasher-safe and removable parts
Infrared technology ensures even grilling
Heats up quickly
Cons:
It is quite expensive
9. Presto 09020 Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill
The Presto Cool Touch Grill is a very simple and functional grill. Temperature is controlled automatically through the “control master” heat control; the grill is designed in such a way that the grid surface is raised, allowing the grease and fat to drip into the removable drip tray. As simple as this grill is, it has a wide cooking surface which is kind of hard to get when it comes to indoor grills.
Additionally, it heats up quickly, it is dishwasher-safe once the heat control is removed, and the cooking surface is stick-free. It is not as sophisticated or aesthetically pleasing as some of the grills on this list, but it will still give you that enjoyable grilling experience, and it comes with a free spatula.
Pros:
Very affordable
Cool-touch base
It can be cleaned with a dishwasher
Wide cooking surface
Cons:
It doesn’t come with a lid
10. Excelvan Portable 1120W Electric Barbecue Grill
This is another affordable and straightforward indoor grill that will give you a good barbeque experience. The Excelvan Portable 1120W Electric Barbecue Grill has a wide cooking area (15×10 inch), and you can cook your food exactly the way you want by adjusting the thermostat to your desired temperature depending on what you are cooking. The cool touch feature makes it possible to carry the grill immediately after cooking and not get burnt.
The cooking grill is non-sticking. Thus, it is easy to clean after use. Also, it comes with an oil drip tray that will keep your food fat and grease free. It may take a while to heat up, but you can be sure that this indoor grill will cook your food well. If you are looking for a simple, functional and affordable grill, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros:
It is not expensive
Temperature is adjustable
It is easy to clean
Cooking surface is non-stick
Cons:
The non-stick coat may come off after sometime
It has no lid
11. Secura GR-1503XL 1700W Electric Reversible 2-in-1 Grill & Griddle
The Secura Electric 2-in-1 Grill & Griddle is designed for both indoor and outdoor grilling. It has about 180 Sq. Inches of cooking area and the cooking surface is reversible to switch from grid to griddle. It also comes with a lid that locks in flavor and prevents splatter while cooking. The heating element is between the griddle and gill surface so you can sure of even heat distribution when you use either surface.
Additionally, it comes with a cool-touch feature that makes it possible to carry the grid around, and temperature control is ensured by the removable and adjustable thermostat. A removable drip tray is also included to make cleaning easier.
Pros:
Large cooking surface
Removable glass lid prevents splatter
Cool-touch handles
Cons:
Glass lid does not cover the back of the grill
12. Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill
This grill was designed to reduce smoke to the minimum. It has a non-stick ceramic surface that ensures that heat is heavenly distributed and prevents burnt spots and uncooked parts. It has a cooling drip pan to avoid smoke from forming from the drippings, and the grill can be easily disassembled for easy cleaning.
It comes with four different temperature settings (warm, low, medium, and high heat) that you can change easily, depending on what you are cooking. If you want to enjoy a pleasant BBQ experience and you don’t want to contend with the elements outside, this smokeless grill is just right for you. Better still, it comes at an affordable price.
Pros:
Ceramic surface for even heat distribution
Cooling drip pan to prevent smoke
It is quite affordable
Cons:
The griddle has to be bought separately
Things to Consider When Buying a Smokeless Grill
Some of the crucial things you should consider before purchasing a smokeless indoor grill include:
Temperature control
Grilling is a unique activity, and so everyone should be able to choose the temperature at which they want to cook their food. However, some grills have automatic heating without controls, these may not be the best for you, especially if you’re going to use your grill for cooking a whole lot of things.
Cooking area
This is another vital thing to consider, and it is dependent on what you want to use it for. If you are going to be using it for family and friend gatherings, then you know you need to get a grill with an ample cooking surface, however, if the grill is for personal use, you can get a smaller one
Power rating
It is also essential to check the power rating before buying any smokeless grill. The power will determine how hot a grill gets and how quickly it heats up. A majority of the grills on the market are rated between 1500W-1800W.
Philips Smokeless Indoor Grill Review