The best smokeless indoor grill lets you prepare healthy meals with authentic barbecue flavor indoors while limiting toxic emissions. This is an appliance that will allow you to enjoy the incomparable grilled food taste right inside your home with practically no smoke. It also ensures you do not break the local fire code regulations for residential buildings.
We reviewed 6 of the top products in the markets and selected T-fal OptiGrill XL as our Editor’s Choice based on its technology, power rating, temperature range, and user feedback from verified buyers. It is a bestseller on Amazon that incorporates advanced infrared technology and maintains consistent heat of up to 446 °F.
Some of the features we reviewed during our research are the cooking area, temperature range and dimensions. A spacious cooking area allows you to grill large pieces of meat or several dishes simultaneously while a broad range of temperature is ideal for various cooking styles. We looked at the dimensions to provide you with compact options that will not take up much space in your house. We also considered the number of cooking programs and the accessories included for greater convenience and versatility. Our review consists of a comparison table and a detailed analysis of the features of each grill. This is followed by a comprehensive buying guide that breaks down the key factors that you should prioritize when looking for the best smokeless indoor grill. The article ends with an overview of our top three picks.
More features: 9 auto cooking programs; auto thickness measurement technology
Our Editor’s Choice makes the best smokeless grill with an ample cooking surface of 135 square inches and 9 automated cooking programs for red meat, burger, fish, bacon, poultry, pork, shellfish, sausage, and sandwich. You can also opt for manual mode with 4 temperature options, or frozen mode for defrosting.
T-fal GC722D53 features audio alerts as well as yellow, orange and red lights to indicate rare, medium and well done cooking respectively. A flashing purple indicator light is also displayed after preheating so you can start grilling.
This indoor smokeless electric grill comes with a power cord measuring 0.8 meters long and a book with a myriad of recipes.
The control panel is positioned on the handle for easy access. The handle is made of thermoplastic to protect your hands from burning while the brushed stainless steel housing and the nonstick die cast aluminum grill plates distribute heat efficiently and prevent buildup of burnt food. The plates and the tray are dishwasher safe.
This 1800-watt model is one of the most popular products on Amazon. Buyers like the convenience of the numerous pre-programmed cooking settings, including the auto thickness measurement technology and the automatic sensor that detects the number of items you are preparing and adjusts the temperature accordingly. They also appreciate the ability to set the level of doneness for different pieces of meat.
According to a couple of customers, some grills stopped operating in auto mode after a while. Also, the grill has to preheat each time before grilling. This is inconvenient when making several batches of food.
More features: removable drip tray; built-in fan system
The best indoor smokeless electric grill such as Techwood Indoor Smokeless Grill eliminates the toxic fumes and messiness associated with propane and charcoal grills. This particular model incorporates advanced airflow mechanism and an integrated fan system that reduces pollution in your house. The cooking area of 135 square inches is ideal for grilling steak, sausages, burgers, bacon, pork chops, fish, and chicken. You can enjoy the traditional barbecue flavor and char-grilled texture of dishes evenly cooked in steady temperature ranging from 220° F to 450° F. This is facilitated by an accurate LED digital temperature control. Built-in overload protection protects this 1500-watt smokeless grill from damage by shutting it off automatically when the set internal temperature is exceeded. The manufacturer recommends preheating the grill at maximum temperature prior to cooking and then setting your target temperature.
The built-in fan and the digital temperature are controlled independently so you can opt out of either depending on your needs when cooking.
Both the cast iron grill plate and the removable dish tray can be cleaned safely in a dishwasher.
Buyers will benefit from a 60-day money back guarantee period so they can test out the product before committing themselves.
Unfortunately, it does not come with a lid to seal in heat and flavor. Despite this, this is the best rated smokeless grill on Amazon for indoor and balcony barbecues. Owners like its capability for high temperature and the convenient integrated fan.
More features: 217-minute continuous burning time
This is a compact smokeless grill with a cooking area of 66 square inches. It is ideal for making chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetables for up to three people. The Japanese grill is fueled by butane gas so you do not have to miss your favorite Korean barbecue during a power outage. You have to buy the gas canister separately.
Since it does not require electricity to operate, you can take it with you to the beach, park or camping site for outdoor grilling.
IWATANI CB-SLG-1 yields up to 217 minutes of continuous burning in a single grilling session for even cooking. The smokeless grill reaches a maximum temperature of 482 °F. Before you start grilling, add water to the aluminum drip tray to absorb smoke.
In terms of construction, it features a body made of powder-coated steel, a plate and burner made from heat-resistant aluminum die-casting to maximize heat retention.
Customers who have purchased this smokeless grill are pleased that it does not set off their fire alarms, transfer flavor to their food or splatter grease. They find it easy to use and clean although the instructions are in Japanese.
You may have to slice your meat into smaller pieces since the flame is not strong enough to cook large pieces quickly. The non-stick bottom of the plate may also be harder to clean.
More features: cool-touch handles; water-filled base
Hamilton is a reputable brand that has been making quality household appliance for more than 100 years. Their products include blenders, toasters, air purifiers and indoor smokeless stovetop grill such as Hamilton Beach 31605N.
The adjustable temperature control of this smokeless grill accommodates a wide array of cooking styles, from warming to searing with temperature of up to 446°F. It features a cooking area of 125 square inches that fits up to 8 servings of your favorite grilled food.
Owners clean it without a hitch because the grill plate and the water pan are dishwasher safe. The grill plate is made of nonstick Teflon and the tray eliminates spillage of oil and grease for mess-free grilling. Simply add one cup of water to the base to cool the dripping fat and avoid flare-ups.
The budget-friendly Hamilton Beach 31605N comes with a removable power cord and cool-touch handles that protects your hand when making hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken kabobs, seafood, and lean meat.
Chicken breasts take approximately 12 to 15 minutes to be ready. The ultra-health conscious could also prepare their Keto and Paleo diets with this indoor smokeless electric grill.
The temperature dial has variable settings ranging from 1 to 5. The flexible temperature is convenient in keeping your buffet warm on low setting or searing thin steaks at the highest setting.
Since this model takes time to cook food evenly, users wish it came with a lid to speed up the grilling process. Customers had to use their electric skillet lids. You have to unplug the appliance once the food is ready since it does not have an option to turn it off.
More features: see-through silicon-sealed glass lid; non-stick ceramic surface
PowerXL Smokeless Grill comes with a non-stick ceramic surface and a removable grill plate that makes cleaning a breeze. The bestselling smokeless grill on Amazon is equipped with an LED smart temperature control that regulates even and constant temperature of up to 450°F to give you a wide range of adjustable cooking options for diverse dishes.
You can prepare several dishes on the roomy cooking area of 108 square inches. This space is can hold up to 6 burgers, 8 pieces of chicken or 4 large steaks. You can also interchange the flat grill surface with a griddle plate to make paninis, pancakes, cheese and egg recipes. The griddle top and cook books are included.
The electric grill consumes 1,500 watts and the heavy-duty die-cast aluminum construction optimizes heat retention.
The see-through silicon-sealed glass lid allows you to monitor the grilling meals without removing the lid to limit heat loss.
The built-in turbo smoke technology at the base uses electric fans to extract smoke and odor that is then absorbed by the water in the tray.
The smokeless indoor grill comes with a detachable power cord that is approximately 24 inches long and a removable tray to catch any dripping grease.
Owners of this indoor smokeless electric grill like its ability to char like a traditional grill and the tray which lets them infuse wine, herbs and stock into their grilled food to season it.
Unfortunately, a number of customers report that the fan stopped working and the grill could not reach the advertised maximum temperature.
More features: dishwasher safe parts; infrared technology
Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill is a 1660-watt indoor smokeless stovetop grill that is capable of temperature of up to 446 °F. You cannot adjust the cooking temperature, but there is a Keep Warm option.
Instead of conduction where you place your food on a sealed heating system, this grill utilizes infrared technology powered by a 120V outlet to quickly distribute heat to the grates.
The cooking area of 84 square inches would fit steaks, shrimp, kebabs, burgers or chicken for 2 to 3 people. Remember to preheat for 8 minutes before grilling.
Other notable features include die-cast aluminum grate that is dishwasher safe, a removable drip tray and non-slip feet to secure the smokeless grill in position.
We like the stylish design and the curved edges which minimizes messy spattering.
Users say that it heats up quickly, cooks evenly and closely replicates the flavor of meat smoked outdoors. It is a compact appliance that allows you to make barbecues in condos, apartments and locations with no open spaces because it produces very little smoke due to the special deflectors.
While customers appreciate the removable and dishwasher safe parts, removing grease splattered in the interior walls of the grill is quite a task. You can purchase a scraper separately to ease cleaning. Also, the glare from the bright orange infrared lights hinders visibility and makes it difficult to check your food’s progress.
This guide breaks down the key factors you should keep in mind before buying the best indoor smokeless electric grill that can prepare diverse dishes, produce little to no smoke, and accommodate a wide variety of temperature and cooking styles. We have also included safety tips and an FAQ segment with useful information on making medium steaks and cleaning the cooking surface of a smokeless grill.
To avoid the confusion arising from the large number of varied models in the market, we will explain what you need to know when looking for the right indoor smokeless stovetop grill that will meet your needs.
One of the most essential features to consider when choosing the best smokeless grill is the cooking surface area. This refers to the size of the grates where you place your food, and is expressed in square inches.
The ideal size will depend on your cooking demands and your grilling style. Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill would be suitable for a couple but a larger family may need Techwood Indoor Smokeless Grill which has a cooking area of 135 square inches or Hamilton Beach 31605N that fits up to 8 servings. With a spacious cooking surface, you can grill large pieces of meat and reduce the number of batches you need to cook.
To diversify your recipes, consider a smoke grill with a broad range of adjustable temperature that can accommodate a variety of cooking methods since dishes differ in their recommended cooking temperature. For instance, searing sizzling steaks with grill marks require very high temperature that can only be achieved by grills such as IWATANI CB-SLG-1 that are capable of temperature of up to 482 °F.
Another way you can accomplish this is by investing in products like Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill that uses infrared technology. Infrared models generate intense heat through radiation. Since this process heats food directly instead of through convection, it cooks evenly by eliminating hot and cold spots. This mechanism also prevents meat from drying out.
Most of the best indoor smokeless stovetop grills feature grates made from aluminum or cast iron. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat while cast iron excels at heat retention, rust-resistance and durability. Pricier grills are made from stainless steel which is the most durable and easy to clean material. It is also resistant to corrosion.
Almost all grill grates come with nonstick coating for convenient cleaning. Porcelain is the most common finish used for smokeless grills because you can easily wipe it clean.
The best indoor smokeless electric grills are compact because they are designed to give you an outdoor grilling experience in a limited space such as an apartment or condo where there might be restrictions on smoke and open flames. The suitable size of the appliance will be determined by the amount of food you need to prepare and the space available to use the grill. Fortunately, all the grills we have reviewed take little space with the largest one measuring only 21.9 x 16.9 x 7.5 inches.
Grilled meat is considered healthier than meat cooked in other styles because the fat drips as it sizzles. This results in meals with lower calories. However, a downside of this is the mess and flare ups caused by the dripping grease. Indoor smokeless stovetop grills avoid this by including a drip tray that catches the melting oil and grease, and absorb them in the water placed in the tray to reduce smoke when cooking fatty meat. This keeps the rest of the grill clean and dry, and since the trays are removable, you can slide them out afterwards and clean them quickly.
Some owners place an aluminum foil under the drip tray as an extra precaution.
Weight matters, particularly when purchasing indoor smokeless stovetop grills that are placed on stoves. You can easily move a lightweight model around and use it with other kitchen appliances without damage.
Indoor smokeless electric grills are plugged into a power outlet. They typically have wattage ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 watts although Premium products like T-fal GC722D53 have wattage of 1,800 to match their advanced features. A high wattage model is preferable for meat searing which requires high temperature because it is faster and hotter.
Since not all indoor smokeless stovetop grills use electricity, we have included IWATANI CB-SLG-1 in this review to give you more options. It uses butane canister that is bought separately. This also makes it an ideal choice for outdoor grilling in enclosed spaces such as camping tents.
The general warranty period for indoor smokeless electric grills is one year. Some brands allow for a trial period for buyers to test the product. For example, Techwood Indoor Smokeless Grill offers money back guarantee for 60 days.
Established brands will provide a good warranty to protect you from unforeseen damages and customer support to guide you on how to use the product.
Auto programs: These are preset cooking programs that are integrated into the grill for greater convenience. This is one of the features that make T-fal GC722D53 one of the best indoor smokeless stovetop grills. It comes with 9 automated cooking programs for red meat, burger, fish, bacon, poultry, pork, shellfish, sausage, and sandwich. All you have to do is select the program for the dish you are grilling and the appliance will automatically operate using the optimal settings for that specific dish. Besides that, this grill includes sensors that automatically detect the number of items you are cooking and their thickness to select the best cooking temperature. Other useful settings are manual mode and frozen mode.
Design: Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill features curved edges that prevent sizzling meat from spattering fat and oil on the counter. Additionally, it is equipped with deflectors that direct heat precisely for even heat distribution and divert smoke for a clean atmosphere. A poorly designed product may result into flare-ups or inconsistent temperature.
Accessories included: PowerXL Smokeless Grill provides more value by including pamphlets with diverse recipes and a girdle top that can be interchanged with the grill grate. Accessories may also be in form of gas canisters or grill brushes although, more often than not, they have to be bought separately.
Dishwasher safe parts: The smokeless grills we have reviewed come with grates and drip trays that are removable and dishwasher safe. This makes them easy to clean.
Notification alerts: These are convenient features that let you tend to other tasks nearby as your food is cooking and notify you when your target settings are achieved. T-fal GC722D53 indicates the degree of doneness by flashing lights; yellow for rare, orange for medium and red for well done meat.
Non-slip feet: This is a feature found in Philips Smoke-less Indoor BBQ Grill to stabilize the grill.
Power cord: Indoor smokeless electric grills with long cables offer you more range to plug them into your preferred outlet. Our Editor’s Choice even comes with onboard cord storage.
Our best overall pick is T-fal GC722D53 which comes with 9 preprogrammed cooking settings, 4 temperature options and modes for cooking frozen food and operating the grill manually. There are sensors to detect the number and size of the items you are grilling, and light notifications for various doneness degrees. Buyers of this indoor smokeless electric grill will also get a long 0.8m power cord and a recipe book.
We chose Techwood Indoor Smokeless Grill as our second pick mainly because of its accurate temperature control and the 60-day money-back guarantee that makes for a confident purchase. The indoor smokeless stovetop grill also features an ample cooking area of 135 square inches and an adjustable temperature range of 220° F to 450° F.
Our Best Value is IWATANI CB-SLG-1. It yields up to 217 minutes of continuous burning in a single grilling session for even cooking. The smokeless grill reaches a maximum temperature of 482 °F.
