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What do you do if you want to BBQ but live in an apartment with no yard?
If you have a balcony, we have a solution - use an electric grill. It may not taste the same, but it is much better than not having a BBQ at all.
Here, we will discuss some of the best electric grills, along with some things to watch for.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Electric Grills
- OUR TOP PICK: Weber 52020001 Q1400
- Techwood
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Hamilton Beach Steak Lover's Electric Grill
- Zojirushi EB-DLC10
Comparison of the Best Electric Grills
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Best Budget Option  |
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What is an Electric Grill?
With an electric grill, you grill your food the same way as you would on a traditional open-fire grill. The difference here is that you use electricity instead of an open fire or gas to cook your food.
This is done with an element that is installed below the grill. When heated, it will cook your food. The whole cooking process begins when you switch on the power after it is plugged in. It works the same way as all your electric cooking appliances.
How Does an Electric Grill Work?
The basic premise here is that electricity heats up the electric element in order to cook or grill your food. These electric grills may come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit many different needs or uses.
With other cooking methods, the juices are cooked out of the food and may make a mess. Thankfully, that is not the case with this type of item. The electric grill has a drip pan at the bottom to catch the grease. These are quite popular because they are mobile, convenient, and can be easily used on small balconies.
Why Did These Electric Grills Make Our List?
All of the following electric grills made this list because of certain specifications they complied with. When you read the reviews, you will find that all the best features are mentioned. The following are basic features that were looked at to decide for or against a certain appliance.
Overall Quality of the Product
This is one of the most important features to consider when choosing a product. The quality does not always tell you about a product, but it will tell you about most of its features. The overall quality will determine the greatness of other features.
Techwood
The Price of the Product
Price always makes a difference when purchasing any type of appliance or device. Price may, in some cases, tell you the real value of a product. However, sometimes, you may pay more just for a name. As you will see, it is not always the name that makes a product better.
Extra Features
This may also determine the value of the product. Small extras may or may not add value to the product. This will all depend on whether it enhances the overall value. This also depends on the product itself.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Electric Grills
Here are the three best electric grills:
Review of the Best Electric Grills
If it is your intention to get one of these electric grills, read this review to help you make an informed decision.
Best Overall:
Weber Q1400 Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This little electric grill is quick to set up, easy to use, and will get to the desired level of heat very quickly. The Weber electric grill is a beautiful grill that is very easy to clean after being used. This grill exceeded our expectations, and is perfect for a small family.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This electric grill stands out because of the speed at which it heats up. Also, it will retain the heat inside the cooking dome. Finally, this electric grill is not just functional, it is also beautiful.
Who Will Use This Most
For those living in a condo where there is no space, you can use this grill on the balcony. It is also suitable for camping and for cooking your food in an RV. The Weber Q1400 Grill is suitable for anyone who needs it.
Bottom Line
The Weber electric grill offers overall good value for your money and is a great addition to your appliance collection. It is portable, will heat up quickly, and is also very easy to use. This is our pick for the overall best electric grill for many reasons.
Runner-up:
Techwood Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This electric grill heats up very quickly, so you will not have to wait long to cook your food. Also, there is no smoke when you use this grill. This electric grill is beautiful and has a nice color. Plus, it is very easy to clean after it has cooled down.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Techwood Electric Grill has quite a large grilling surface, which allows more food to be cooked at the same time. The very quick heat-up time of this electric grill makes it a perfect replacement for a traditional BBQ. Along with that, you don't have to worry about too much smoke with this grill.
Who Will Use This Most
Anybody that wants a quick BBQ inside or outdoors can use this electric grill for a quick meal. Anything you can do with a normal open-fire or gas grill can be done with this handy grill.
Bottom Line
This great electric grill is perfect for family gatherings or for having a BBQ with friends. This will even work great for parties, as the large cooking space allows more food to be cooked at the same time. You can cook effortlessly while everybody socializes around the grill.
Best for the Money:
Hamilton Beach Non-Stick Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This grill is great for everyday, indoor grilling. It is easy to use, and offers good value for your money. This is a great electric grill that can replace an open fire for a good price. It is also easy to clean this electric grill after use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The fact that you do not need to flip the food because it is grilled on both top and bottom is excellent. Plus, you get a very quick and easy-to-use electric grill for a very good price. Thick slices of meat and thick sandwiches can be grilled thanks to the floating hinges.
Who Will Use This Most
This grill can be used by anyone who loves to grill their food, especially meat lovers. It is also perfect to use by people who are on a Keto or Paleo diet. Finally, if you love to make a large sandwich and want it roasted, this grill is for you.
Bottom Line
As you may have noticed, this Hamilton Beach Non-Stick Electric Grill comes at a very low price. This gives the grill great value for your money and makes it affordable for someone on a tight budget. Overall, you get good quality and quick meals at an affordable price.
Best Indoor Electric Grill:
Zojirushi DLC10 Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a must-have indoor electric grill for all the city dwellers who do not have a yard. This grill is very good for cooking your food quickly and easily. With a quick-heating element, you can be grilling in no time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The safety of this electric grill and the fact that it is designed to be used indoors make it a great grill. The high-temperature range and quick-heating element give you a far greater variety of food options. It is also a very healthy, low-fat cooking device.
Who Will Use This Most
This is mostly suitable for city dwellers who have no other way to get a nice, homemade BBQ. Despite all the rules and regulations around having a grill in a condo, you will be safe with this electric grill. It can be used by any meat lovers who want their food prepared quickly.
Bottom Line
We can easily name this electric grill the best option for a quick and easy indoor BBQ. There is no argument that, with this grill, you can have your favorite grilled meal regardless of the weather outside. Overall, it is a sturdy electric grill that works very quickly.
Best Small Electric Grill:
Giantex Electric BBQ Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a great electric grill and is very easy to use for BBQ and other types of food. There is no need to get wet when it starts raining. You can just move indoors until the rain stops. The grill works nicely on a small balcony.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The even distribution of the heat inside the hood helps maintain the heat for better temperature control. This feature, combined with the different sections of the grill plate, allows for much better control. With this electric grill, everybody will be jealous of your cooking skills.
Who Will Use This Most
For all the meat lovers out there, this is the perfect replacement for the traditional barbecue grill. This item will be great for anybody who wants an electric grill that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Bottom Line
With this electric grill, you have mobility and diversity. Don’t forget, there is also a low price tag attached to this grill. Overall, this electric grill is just what you need to prepare a quick, easy meal on the go.
Best George Foreman Electric Grill:
GGR50B Indoor and Outdoor Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This grill will work well in a small apartment or on a small balcony. It is lightweight and easy to move around. It looks very well-built and seems quite strong. This electric grill will make your life much easier, as it is convenient and easy to use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The large cooking surface allows you to prepare much more food at the same time. Plus, you get great control over the final outcome of your food with the vent situated on the lid. It is a great electric grill for both indoor and outdoor use.
Who Will Use This Most
This is the perfect indoor and outdoor electric grill for a large family or someone with a lot of friends. The GGR50B grill is also well-suited for outdoor functions and family barbecues, as well as for parties. In fact, this electric grill is the perfect excuse to have a party.
Bottom Line
This electric grill from George Foreman is great for any type of grilling and any size meal. The great control you have on this electric grill will make you feel like a professional chef. Overall, this is the best indoor and outdoor grill by George Foreman.
Best Char-Broil Electric Grill:
TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Electric Grill From Char-Broil
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This is such a lovable and easy-to-use electric grill. Steak tastes just as good on this grill as on a gas grill. The electric grill from Char-Broil does the work it is intended to and gives you well-cooked, delicious food. This is a good grill, and is quite sturdily built.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A very large food cooking surface is what stands out with the Patio Bistro from Char-Broil. Excellent temperature control is another one great feature of this electric grill. The extra working surface with two shelves on both sides of the grill makes this an excellent and great appliance.
Who Will Use This Most
Anyone who wants to have a mobile and quick place to prepare an excellent meal will benefit from this electric grill. It is well-suited for home patio use, as well as for a city condo or apartment balcony space. Furthermore, anybody that needs a grill, in general, can benefit from this unit.
Bottom Line
Now, this electric grill comes with a high price tag, but you get lots of extra features. A large grilling surface is one of the features, as well as extra working space to prepare the food. Overall, this electric grill offers great value for your money.
Best Tabletop Electric Grill:
Infrared Grill From Kitchen Academy
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
It is very nice to have an indoor grill without all the smoke that most grills produce. This grill is lightweight and looks well-made, strong, and very sturdy. The rotisserie feature is great, as you do not need to turn your meat around.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The light weight of this grill, together with a compact design, makes it perfect to use on a counter or tabletop. It is completely smokeless due to the infrared technology that it uses to heat up the food. All these features make it an outstanding indoor electric grill.
Who Will Use This Most
This grill can be used by anyone who wants a grill but can not have one in their apartment. It can also be used by small businesses, schools, or churches. Overall, it can be used by anybody at any time.
Bottom Line
This electric grill is the perfect tabletop solution to have a quick and easy meal ready when needed. You can barbecue, make a nice kebab, or even a whole chicken in a short amount of time.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying an Electric Grill?
There are quite a few things you need to know before you buy an electric grill for your home.
There is a difference between an electric grill and a gas grill. There is also a difference between a gas or electric grill and an open-flame grill. The first two will just never taste the same as an open-flame BBQ grill.
Electric grills are available in many sizes, but they are all used in the same manner. They all use an electric element to heat up the grill plates that cook the food. They come with grilling surfaces of different sizes to prepare less or more food.
Another thing you need to look for in an electric grill is at what speed the grill heats up. This will determine how long you are going to wait before you can start cooking your food.
Another question is, can the grill be used indoors or outdoors or can you use it in both areas to grill your food? This is a good feature to look for. You do not want your grilling to be stopped by poor weather, but you do not want to always grill inside, either.
How to Clean an Electric Grill
Below are some very easy steps for cleaning your electric grill. Just follow the steps in the order mentioned below.
- Splash water all over the grill plate. You may use a brush to do this.
- Now, close the lid of the grill and switch it on. You will have to wait for about one minute for it to heat up.
- When it is hot, you may switch the grill off at the wall plug and remove the plug from the outlet.
- Take some paper towels or tissue and wipe the grill plates clean. Be careful with the hot grill plates.
- You can switch the grill on again after you are done wiping away the dirt. Splash some more water on the plate before you heat it up again. After it is hot and you have switched it off at the mains, wipe it clean again with some tissue. Remove the plug from the wall outlet again.
- That is it. It is as easy as that. You just wipe away the dirt and your electric grill will look brand new again.
For complete instructions on how to follow the steps mentioned above, please refer to the following YOUTUBE VIDEO.
Conclusion
We have listed all the main features, as well as the pros and cons of each electrical grill in this review. It is important to look at the best aspects and compare them with each other. This way, you will be able to choose the electric grill that best meets your needs.
People Also Ask
There are a number of questions asked regarding the use of electric grills. It is important to get answers to these questions for a better understanding of electric grills. This knowledge may influence your final decision. Below, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions.
Are Electric Grills Healthy?
Cooking on an electric grill is actually quite healthy. It is, in fact, healthier to cook on an electric grill than on a gas grill or an open fire. The reason for this is that there are chemicals present in the gas. Also, with an open-fire grill, you may be exposed to chemicals.
Does Food Taste Good on an Electric Grill?
It will taste just as good as on any other type of grill. When you are heating the food, the juices will fall on the hot elements. The smoke that comes from it will put that taste back into the food. This way, your food will still taste just as good.
Can an Electric Grill Catch on Fire?
In general, electric grills are much safer than gas or open fire grills. However, there still are risks involved with electricity. If you use your grill with a low current extension cord, there is a small risk of fire. However, as we said before, there is a much lower risk of fire than with a gas grill or open flame.
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Grill Use?
The average electrical grill uses around 1,400 watts of electricity. There are some that may use more and then others use less. On average, your electric grill uses much less power than the conventional oven.
Can You Use an Electric Grill Inside?
Electric grills can very easily be used inside as well as outside. It will basically be the same as using a pan on the stove-top to fry your food. The same amount of heat and smoke will be produced with your electric grill. It also depends on what you cook.
Do Electric Grills Smoke?
Your electrical grill will produce a certain amount of smoke when you prepare your food. However, it will not produce as much smoke as with other types of grills, such as gas or charcoal. Then again, it may also depend on what you cook and the amount of heat used.
Can You Use Wood Chips in an Electric Grill?
You may use wood chips in your electric grill for smoking your food if you use the included smoker box. If your electric grill does not come with a smoker box, you can make your own. Just put the box with smoking wood chips on the cooler side of your grill.
Can You Put Foil on an Electric Grill?
You can put aluminum foil on the grill plates of your electric grill. This can be used on any electric grill and may actually give you a cleaner grill plate. One drawback is that you will not get the grill marks on your food.
