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Whether it's burgers, flame-broiled veggies, fish, or something totally different, barbecuing is one of America's favorite leisure activities. There are numerous scenarios where getting your grill on outside is simply not possible.
Whatever the hurdle, indoor barbecues enable you to bring your grilling inside. With the noteworthy amount of models available, it may be difficult to figure out which is best for you.
That is why we have pulled together some much-needed information on 8 of the best indoor grills for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Indoor Grills
- OUR TOP PICK: Ninja Indoor Electric Grill
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Maxi-Matic EMG-980B
- Zojirushi EB-DLC10
- Hamilton Beach
Comparison of the Best Indoor Grills
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Perks of Getting a New Indoor Grill
When you are getting ready to make an investment, it is always good to know what benefits you can achieve by doing so. The benefits of adding a new indoor grill to your kitchen setup are:
Quicker Cook Time
Cooking with a grill indoors gives you the option to cook quickly, rather than take hours on an outdoor grill. This means you can guarantee your sumptuous feast is prepared in a shorter amount of time.
Requires Less Space
Indoor barbecues are not very large in size. Thus, they need less space to be set up to cook all your delicious food.
Low Price
Outdoor barbecues are costly. Indoor grills give a similar outcome as open-air barbecue grills but at a lower cost.
Simple Cleaning
An outdoor grill traditionally needs a lot of set up. This means that cleaning is very tedious and hard. On the other hand, tidying up an indoor model is simple. The vast majority of the indoor unit is dishwasher safe. What's more, any parts that do need manual cleaning are simple to clean.
What Should I Look For When Buying an Indoor Grill?
When looking for an indoor barbecue, odds are you will decide on either an open or shut top, as opposed to a stovetop. The electric-fueled grills produce less smoke than the stovetop option, and they give a substantially larger surface for more effective cooking. That being said, there are a few features that you should consider when buying a new indoor grill.
Surface Size
You have to consider the size of your family while assessing the surface capacity of the grill. Open-top grills, as a rule, have a smaller surface capacity than the closed-top options. Be sure to choose one that works for your family’s needs.
Overall Size
In the event that you have a lot of kitchen space to work with, you may want to go with an open-top indoor grill. For those with little kitchens, the alternative option of a shut-top version will take up less counter space.
Materials
Metal is the best material for barbecue grills, as it can deal with those high cooking temps without being harmed. There are some models that use plastic components, and they tend to be more fragile. For the grill plate itself, you need either cast iron or a non-stick surface.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Indoor Grills
Here are the top 3 best indoor grills:
Review of the Best Indoor Grills
Now that you know what to look for, let's take an in-depth look at our choices.
Best Overall:
Ninja Indoor Electric Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
When considering this indoor grill, you will be astonished by the versatility, as well as the quickness of preparation. Although it has a limited capacity, it is so easy to clean that it won’t even matter.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Choosing this as the best overall indoor grill was easy when we looked at what it brings to the table. Simply look at the cooking temperature range and how well it rapidly sears your food.
Who Will Use This Most
This Ninja Foodi Grill is ideal for individuals living in lofts where utilizing outdoor grills is simply not possible. It is small and lightweight, so users living in a loft or apartment will not have to worry about storage, either.
Bottom Line
Any admirer of grilled food will adore the Ninja Foodi because of its proficiency and quality cooking capacities. It offers adaptability and high-quality grilling results. That is why it is easily the best indoor grill on the market today.
Best for the Money:
Maxi-Matic EMG-980B
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The size of this grill brings a lot to the table. However, it is also something people are not necessarily fond of. For those that have a larger family, it is great. If you are dealing with limited space, though, it's not so good.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The features that you get for the budget-friendly price is what stood out the most to us. A durable, nonstick coating, the 5-setting thermostat controller, and the cool touch technology are all things you would expect to pay much more for.
Who Will Use This Most
The Maxi-Matic EMG-980B has a 14-inch surface for grilling, and that is why choosing this option is an incredible decision. This is especially true for those grillers that need to cook for a large group. It is also excellent for those who need to cook a wide range of food.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a grill to use indoors but don’t have a large budget, you are in luck. This grill gives you all the functionality of a high-end competitor at a fraction of the price. That is why it is our choice for the best value for the money.
Best Indoor Electric Grill:
Zojirushi EB-DLC10
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Grilling doesn’t have to take a long time. In fact, with this grill, the cooking times are quite fast. That, coupled with the large size, gives this unit a leg up over many of the other models out there. The durability of certain components seems to be questionable. However, this is an overall outstanding choice for an indoor grill.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you want an electric grill, you will inevitably want to look at the power behind it. With this model, the 1500W heating element gives it a temp threshold that is perfect for cooking any type of food with precision.
Who Will Use This Most
The size and heating capacity makes this a perfect choice for people who like to hop in the car and see the country. Many will argue that when in the wild, you should cook outdoors. If the weather doesn’t permit that, any RVer would love to have this grill as a good backup plan.
Bottom Line
You may be limited to just grilling with this option, but there is still so much you can do with it. Plug it in and give yourself some Korean BBQ. Slap some steaks on it and go with a good old steak and potatoes meal. No matter what you choose, we know you will love this indoor grill.
Best Indoor Smokeless Grill:
Hamilton Beach
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The last thing you want is a grill that is difficult to use. Thankfully, the controls on this unit are simple to use. Plus, the drip pan helps streamline the cleanup. Some users have experienced the Teflon beginning to flake after excessive high-temp use, though.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Part of the reason some go with an indoor grill is that these grills claim to be smokeless. Though there are some inconsistent claims out there, this unit does not disappoint. The water-filled reservoir is the thing that makes this happen. It is actually the feature that drew us to this model.
Who Will Use This Most
There are a lot of benefits that come with this choice. Small families that live in apartments will get the most out of this option. Many apartment buildings will not let you have an outdoor grill, so this is the next best thing. The size of this grill makes it great for a family of 3 or 4 people.
Bottom Line
Living in a small space or apartment is hard enough without choking on smoke. This grill's water reservoir decreases the smoke significantly, if not altogether. That is why this is a great option for those looking for a truly smokeless grill.
Best Indoor Grill for Steaks:
Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This grill offers a lot of versatility in food preparation and comes with a nice drip tray that will help keep the cleanup quick. There are some pieces that are less durable due to being constructed in plastic. On the whole, though, this unit is a great option for your grilling needs.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There is nothing like a good grilled steak. Unfortunately, not all indoor grills get hot enough to give you that. This grill is optimized to withstand high temps that are required for giving you the perfectly cooked steak.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great choice for those in a residence at school or parents who have a child who is leaving for college. Many times dorms don't have full kitchens, or the students aren't permitted to have kitchen tools like an outdoor grill. Why not gift them this amazing indoor grill to make sure they are eating properly?
Bottom Line
Its flexibility alone is definitely a plus, despite the cost. If you are searching for something that gives you plenty of power, then this may not be the choice for you. However, if you want a compact indoor grill that will get the basic job done, then this grill is a great choice.
Best Indoor Grill for Korean BBQ:
IWATANI Smokeless Korean Barbecue Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
It is illegal to ship this grill with its gas canisters internationally. Aside from this fact, the grill itself is a nice, family-sized option that offers superior heating capabilities.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Korean BBQ is one of the most enjoyable experiences when it comes to having a dinner party. It takes a long time to slowly cook your food. That is why the ability to cook for up to almost three and a half hours is such a great feature.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great grill for a lot of reasons, and it would benefit a lot of different people. If you are someone who likes to have their friends over for dinner parties, this is the perfect option for you.
Bottom Line
Having all the features necessary to give you a good indoor grill is essential. When looking at this Korean BBQ indoor grill, it has all the features you could possibly need. If you like to cook your own meat as you spend time with your friends, this is the right option for you.
Best Indoor Grill for Chicken:
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
You have to love a good sear, and that wouldn’t be possible if this unit didn’t work so well. You have to unplug it to turn it off, which might be slightly inconvenient. Other than that, though, you can’t go wrong with adding this item to your kitchen.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There is a lot we could rave about when it comes to this grill. However, the thing that we love the most about this comes down to the space allotted for cooking. The large 118 square-inch cooking surface makes this a great option for anyone.
Who Will Use This Most
The individuals who need to flame broil indoors will inevitably get the most from this unit. This is especially true for those that live in high rises or apartments where the rules don't allow any outdoor grilling. This unit won't make your place smoky. Also, you will have the option to cook rapidly, as it has a high burning temperature capability.
Bottom Line
This indoor grill offers productivity and affordability. With the exception of some minor issues, this grill is an ideal decision for everyday use. It can be used to cook a wide variety of foods, including chicken, which needs special care when cooking. With all its amazing features, we knew this had to be one of our choices.
8. Kitchen Academy Indoor Infrared Grill
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Those that have invested in this grill have a lot to say. They absolutely love the technology used in its design, as it is completely smokeless and offers superior results. Though it is a little on the larger size, they love the fact that it isn't too heavy when you pick it up.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The use of infrared technology is what sealed the deal in this being our runner-up. This technology offers true smokeless grilling, as well as an amazing rotisserie option. Having this technology built-in gives more complete and thorough cooking than many of its competitors.
Who Will Use This Most
This is a great choice for almost anyone. However, those that live in areas of the world that deal with harsh weather patterns will get the most from this option. This is especially true for those that have a large family who loves to get together for football. This will allow them to give that tailgate feel to any party, even though they are stuck inside.
Bottom Line
Are you looking for a truly smokeless option because you live in a small space or deal with respiratory problems? If so, this unit is the one for you. The infrared tech that it is designed with is innovative and provides superior cooking results.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?
There are a lot of things that could be good to know before making a final decision. Here are a few topics that we think are the most important to discuss;
Type
Indoor grills come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and types. They can be separated into three principal classifications:
Stovetop – Uses the stovetop's gas or electricity to heat the grill plate
Open Top – Uses a heating element or gas, but is open-air designed
Closed Top – Usually has a press or a hood that can be used to cook 360 degrees at the same time.
Budget
Knowing how much you are willing to spend will let you focus on the features that you need to have in your indoor grill. This will help you narrow down your choice while still staying within your budget.
Intent/Space
Lastly, you need to know what you will want to cook and why you are looking for an indoor grill. It would also be beneficial to really understand the space you have available for both storage and cooking.
Conclusion
All things considered, indoor grilling can be as pleasant (and delectable) as traditional outdoor grilling. It just requires the correct instruments. Hopefully, you are able to use our best indoor grill round-up to help assist you with narrowing down your options.
People Also Ask
Even with all that information, we are sure that there are still some unanswered questions left. Therefore, we pulled together a few of the most commonly asked questions and answered them below.
Can I Grill Indoors?
You may think that indoor grilling couldn’t be as good as grilling outdoors. We are here to tell you that it is very easy to grill indoors. Not only that, but the results can have just as much flavor and tend to be juicier.
Can Electric Grills Be Used Indoors?
One of the most appropriate inquiries posed by anybody hoping to purchase an electric grill is whether it will produce smoke. They do create smoke. However, the smoke produced is next to nothing when compared to the smoke of an outdoor grill. This makes this option perfect for grilling indoors.
Is Indoor Grilling Healthy?
When all is said and done, grilling is a vastly improved method of cooking. Grilled food usually uses fewer oils and is often cooked more evenly. This leaves the nutrients intact and ready for your body to take advantage of them.
