The scintillating aroma of grilled food can be hard to resist. Whether it’s chicken, pork chops, brisket, steak, kebabs, or even vegetables, every BBQ meal has its own special deliciousness. But let’s be honest. Not everyone has the space, time or cost to own and maintain a traditional gas or charcoal grill. Electric grills have emerged as one of the best inventions in terms of cooking appliances. Choosing the best electric grill allows you to enjoy the authentic grilling experience without battling the elements of flame or smoke. Electric grills are also very convenient to use, compact, affordable, and require very little maintenance.
To reduce your research time and help you make an informed and hassle-free decision, we have taken an in-depth look at some of the best electric BBQ grills in the market. We selected these top five electric grills based on our checklist of important features including temperature range and control, size, ease of use, power, warranty, and extra features they have. We paid special attention to cooking area, ease of cleaning, and overall grilling experience. While the electric grills in our review shine above the rest in the market, the Weber Q2400 Electric Grill is a class apart. With its large cooking area, temperature range, compactness and portability, it is easily our top recommendation as the best electric grill.
Our meticulous research process included several dozen hours of testing indoor and outdoor electric grills, exploring customer reviews, reading articles from industry experts, and getting valuable insights from different manufacturers. All our research results are presented to you, our readers, in our comparison table, detailed product reviews, and in-depth buying guide, to help you choose a model to suit your needs.
More features: infinite heat control settings, 6-foot grounded cord, cast aluminum lid and body, removable catch pan
Taking our Editor’s Choice spot is the Weber Q2400, a sleek and modern, yet powerful electric grill. Weber has consistently produced some of the best grills over the years, and the Q2400 Electric Grill is no exception to the company’s unwavering sense of innovation and quality.
With an impressive cooking area of 280-square inches, the Q2400 can be used to cook for a group of 4-5 people at once. The grill also boasts a massive 1,560 watts of power and can achieve very high temperatures up to 600°F – more than enough to cook up a variety of food including vegetables, chops and steaks, burgers, fruit and fish. The unit also comes equipped with infinite heat control settings that allow you to dial-up your desired temperatures for your food.
The Q2400 has a sturdy build, with a glass-reinforced nylon frame and an exterior made of heavy cast aluminum that makes it extra-durable, corrosion-resistant, and requiring little maintenance even with rigorous use. The grill’s cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron which prevents food from sticking to the cast iron grates, making cleaning easy and straightforward. Also, the use of aluminum heat retention liners allows for better distribution of heat, preventing cold or hot spots.
The grill is also easy to assemble and comes with a removable grease catch pan that can be replaced for a new one or cleaned for reuse.
The only major downside of the Q2400 is that it’s unsafe for indoor use because of the amount of smoke it produces. Some may also consider it expensive, but if you’re truly serious about grilling, this has to be your top choice for an outdoor electric grill.
More features: 8 servings, 9 cooking programs and 2 cooking modes (manual and for frozen food); automatic thickness measurement technology, dishwasher-safe drip tray and plates
The T-Fal OptiGrill XL has all the features you would expect from a grill in its price range and size, but it goes a step further with the addition of several unique and innovative features.
The OptiGrill XL has a sleek and stylish design, with the look of a panini press at first glance. Made of brushed stainless steel, the grill uses a clamshell design and hinge mechanism. Two ridged grilling plates form the upper and lower half of the clam, with a sturdy handle connecting both plates. The chunky handle also functions as a control panel, with a set of membrane buttons and indicators arrayed on it.
The grill gives you a cooking area of 124-square inches for 6–8 servings, and a heating component of 1,800 watts capable of delivering high temperatures, which makes it one of the best electric grills for steak. What sets the OptiGrill XL apart is its customizability. The grill comes equipped with nine different cooking programs, including burger, sausage, bacon, sandwich, red meat, fish, seafood, poultry, and pork. It also features automatic sensor cooking which allows you to simply place your food between the grates and select the type of meat you’re cooking. The grill will automatically sense its size and thickness, and cook it to your desired level of doneness.
The OptiGril also features two cooking modes: the Frozen food mode for cooking food directly from the freezer, and the manual mode with four adjustable heat settings for grilling fruits and vegetables.
The grill also comes with an instruction manual, and despite being packed with lots of features, it is surprisingly easy to clean. It may not be able to handle every type of meat, but the innovative design and automatic cooking features effectively makes it one of the best outdoor electric grills in the market.
More features: 15+ servings, George Tough nonstick coating, adjustable temperature control, fat-removing slope, removable stand
It’s hard to ignore the insanely popular George Forman grills when reviewing reliable and high quality electric grills. The brand, which was endorsed by former boxing champ, George Foreman is one of the pioneers of indoor grilling and is synonymous with fat-reduced and delicious BBQ dishes. Just like other George Foreman models, the GF0240S lives up to the company’s standards.
The GF0240S boasts an expansive cooking area of 240-square inches, giving you enough room to cook for more than 15 people at once. The grill is capable of achieving a maximum temperature of 500°F and has an adjustable temperature control feature that lets you choose from five preset temperature settings to achieve your desired cooking result.
The standout feature of the George Foreman GF0240S is the company’s patented fat-removing slope surface. This is one of the reasons why it is popular among health-conscious consumers. The slope is designed to allow excess fat and grease drain off from your food and into the drip tray so it doesn’t make a mess. The grilling surface itself is made of the classic George Tough nonstick coating which makes for effortless cleaning and reduces the need for oil or better when cooking.
Unlike most electric grills, the GF0240S can be used both indoors and outdoors because it doesn’t throw up as much smoke. It also comes with a sturdy removable stand which lets you use the unit on a patio or deck.
With its sturdy design, unique features, and ease of use, you have a grill for every occasion and certainly a great kitchen addition for everyone.
More features: 5,120 BTU burner and porcelain-enameled coated grill grate
The Cuisinart CEG-980 is one of the best electric BBQ grills in the market that ticks all the boxes for functionality, design, and quality. Like most Cuisinart products, this particular model has a stylish design, but don’t be fooled, you’re looking at a hardy machine.
With 1500 watts of power and 5120 BTUs, it can handle anything you throw at it. It heats up quickly and evenly, so you can get cooking right away. The integrated telescoping legs make it easy to set up and take down, and the fold-out design means it takes up minimal space when not in use.
The CEG-980 gives you a 145-square-inch warming rack. That’s more than enough space to get the job done for 8 servings of hamburgers, steak, and more. The grilling plates are made of cast iron with porcelain coating making them durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. It includes a lid latch that helps to keep the lid closed and prevent spills, as well as a spill-resistant drip tray for catching oil and grease.
The grill’s convenient carrying handle makes it simple to transport from place to place, and it’s compact enough to store in a drawer or cabinet when not in use.
The Cuisinart CEG-980 comes assembled so you don’t have to worry about it and messing with manuals.
For a mid-priced electric grill, the Cuisinart CEG-980 electric grill comes with several features that set it apart from other grills. Aside from a few flaws and drawbacks, the Cuisinart CEG-980 is a very functional and excellent grill despite its mid-range price.
More features: Control Master heat control, cool touch base, slide-out drip tray, fully dishwasher safe
The final product in our review is the Presto Cool Touch. The grill is a simple indoor electric grill with basic, yet effective grilling functionality. Despite being moderately low-priced, it provides authentic grilling experience and delivers tasty and healthy food. It has an open-style and compact design and can be placed on a countertop or in a cupboard.
This tabletop electric grill features a cooking area of 13 x 19.25 x 3 inches, with a non-stick grilling surface, capable of cooking almost every type of food without hassle. The warming tray allows for even distribution of heat, coupled with a maximum temperature of 400°F and six adjustment levels, it can handle almost every cut of meat.
The grill has two cool-touch bases on its sides which prevents heat from getting to the surface of the table. The cooking plate is a little raised to allow fat drip away, and its non-stick surface means you can grill without adding butter or oil. It also features a removable drip tray which collects excess grease and juice from your food. The slide-out design of the drip tray allows for easy cleaning and the entire unit can be put in the dishwasher, albeit, after removing the heat control.
The Presto 09020 is one of the best indoor electric grills on the market, and is perfect for anyone with a small budget, but still want value for their money. It comes with outstanding features that sets it apart from other grills in the same price range.
While there can be no question about the benefits of electric grills, choosing a model that suits your particular needs can be a real challenge. This guide will assist you in making the right choice by helping you identify the important factors you should consider before buying one. We have covered everything from cooking area, power, and temperature range, to ease of use, cleaning times and assembly times. Our FAQs section will also provide you with insightful answers to commonly asked questions and help you overcome any obstacles in your purchasing journey.
When grilling first became a trend decades ago, the only options people had were charcoal grills and gas grills. Fast forward to today and you have electric grills equipped with better features and functionality. An electric grill provides an inexpensive, time-efficient, and hassle-free way to prepare healthy and delicious BBQ dishes. Another benefit of electric grills is their convenience of use. They are compact, aesthetically designed and portably sized for use in even the smallest of spaces. They are also easy to clean as they mostly come with removable grill plates that can be washed in the dishwasher or simply cleaned with water and a clean dry cloth.
Electric grills such as the George Foreman GFO240S can be used both indoors and outdoors, bringing added versatility compared to charcoal and gas grills. This is because most electric grills do not emit large amounts of carbon monoxide and hazardous fumes. Reducing the intake of such compounds can also be beneficial for your health.
Apart from their versatility and environmental friendliness, electric grills optimize energy use and don’t take too much electricity to operate, making them an energy-efficient and cost-effective way to cook.
Electric grills come in different designs and sizes, and whether you’re a professional chef or just an outdoor BBQ enthusiast, your choice of product will depend on your specific needs. With that in mind, here are the important factors to consider when purchasing a new electric grill.
If you’re on the hunt for the best electric BBQ grill, it is important to know that there are two main types of electric grills – Open grill and Contact grill. There are advantages and advantages to both, and the type of grill that works for one person may not work so much for another.
An open grill uses a single grilling plate on which your food is placed and cooked. It works more like the traditional outdoor grill where you flip your food over to cook its other side. They are usually bigger in size and can be used to cook a huge variety of foods, including large cuts of meat and oddly shaped vegetables. The Weber Q2400, and George Foreman GFO240S employ this style in their design.
In contrast, contact grills are in contact with the food and presses against both sides. A contact grill employs two grilling plates – one bottom plate and the other acting like a lid – which allows for faster cooking and better distribution of heat. They are capable of achieving excellent grilling results and usually come in compact sizes. A good example of a contact grill would be the T-fal OptiGrill XL.
It is important to consider energy consumption since all electric grills use a heating element. Basically, your cooking time is determined by the wattage of your grill – the higher the wattage, the more the capacity to produce high temperatures and distribute heat more evenly. Small indoor electric grills are usually around 1,200 watts with the larger models designed close to 2,000 watts. The Presto 09020, which has 1,300 watts, is ideal if you only need to heat a small amount of food at once. If you’re after high-heat cooking, then you’ll need a more powerful electric grill such as the Weber Q2400.
There are lots of options in terms of the cooking area offered by electric grills, and it is obviously an important determining factor in whether or not a model is right for you. If you regularly host a large group or family, you’ll want to look for a model such as the Cuisinart CEG-980 which offers a surface area of 145 square inches. This will allow you to cook enough food for everyone at the same time. Depending on how much food you’ll be cooking, you could opt for an electric grill such as the Presto 09020 indoor electric grill capable of cooking for smaller groups of two to four people at once.
Your choice will also hinge on your cooking intentions and the amount of space you have for storing your electric grill. The dimensions of each product vary according to the model and manufacturer. Most electric grills have their exact dimensions listed on their package. Before settling in on a model, you need to consider your existing kitchen setup and how much space you can devote to an indoor electric grill.
This is an area often overlooked but having a good warranty on your product means you can rest assured your electric grill will perform to your expectations. With a reliable warranty such as that of Weber Q2400 with a 5-year warranty, you can focus on making tasty BBQ dishes instead of constantly worrying about the state or condition of your grill.
Electric grills are a great way to enjoy the goodness of grilled food, and while they are easy to use, maintaining one can be challenging if not properly done. Regardless of the model you purchase, you want it to last for several ears. Here are some important cleaning and maintenance practices to carry out to keep your electric grill in fine working order:
In our hunt for the best electric grills, we came across several products that are worthy of being in this review. However, the Weber Q2400 kicked the butt of every other product in the market. With its sturdy build, the Q2400 is designed for durability and functionality. It has a large cooking area and can grill even the thickest of chops.
Behind the Q2400 is the T-fal OptiGrill XL at a 9.6 rating. What we liked most about the OptiGrill is its unique design and features. The grill features automatic sensor cooking and comes preset with nine different cooking programs. It comes several other amazing features, and is one of the best indoor electric grills in the market.
The ever popular George Foreman is another contender for the best electric barbeque grill at a 9.5 rating. The GFO240S offers plenty of versatility as it can be used both indoors and outdoors. Its unique fat-removing slope is worth a mention, and overall, delivers authentic grilling experience.
