The Beginner's Guide to Electric Grills - Pros, Cons and Features

Electric grills have been around for decades, but as more people are looking to move away from traditional gas grills and charcoal grills due to the rising costs of propane and natural gas, they are a great choice. They're easy to use and do not require any kind of special maintenance - just plug it in! But with so many different brands on the market, what is the best electric grill?

The Different Types of Electric Grills

There are many different types of electric grills on the market. Some have a base and grill, so you can place them on any surface; others need to be mounted to a counter or brick surface. You also want to find out if they come with a timer. The timer will automatically lower the heat after cooking for X amount of minutes. This is excellent for food that is prone to burning or drying out, like shrimp, scallops, and steaks.

Today, there are many different types of electric grills available to purchase or rent. Char-Broil, Cuisinart, and George Foreman are just a few of the top brands in the market. The most common type is an open coil grill with grids that may vary between two sets of three or four. Most often these grills have three heat settings: High, Medium, and Low. There are also electronic models which offer either one temperature setting or several with a choice of cooking options such as rotisserie and toast functions.

There are also electric grills which look like traditional charcoal grills but use electricity instead of charcoal to cook meat or vegetables on a metal grid above a drip pan. This type has a heating element underneath the grill surface and a temperature gauge on one side.

The first type of grills are open coil grills with grids that may vary between two sets of three or four. They have either three heat settings- high, medium, low- or just electronic models which offer several cooking options.

Other type of grills are the ones that look like traditional charcoal. These have a heating element underneath the grill surface and a temperature gauge on one side. They usually only have one heat setting or several with choice cooking options such as rotisserie and toast functions.

The different types of electric grills have different pros and cons. For example, the open coil will produce less smoke than a closed model since it has an exposed heating element and there is no enclosure to trap vaporized grease from cooking meat or vegetables on a metal grid above a drip pan.

How to Choose the Right Electric Grill for You

A few years ago, I bought an electric grill so I didn't have to constantly build and manage a fire. It was a smart decision because it saved me time and money in the long-term. Now, I'm ready to buy another one and don't want to make the same mistake twice.

The first thing you should consider is what size of grill will fit on your deck or patio. Most grills are built for about 250 square inches of space, but some newer grills are designed for larger decks and patios. Keep in mind that larger grills can take up to 2 hours to heat up before cooking starts, so be sure you have enough patience or time on your hands!

The next consideration is how you're going to use your grill. If you live in a windy area, like I do on my deck, then an electric grill is not for you because it does not have any way of shielding the flame from gusts.

The other consideration that might make or break a purchase is how easy the controls are to operate and clean.

What Features Do You Need in a Electric Grill

There are several different types of electric grills on the market, we recommend using a grill that can be used both indoors and outdoors such as an outdoor gas or charcoal grill because they tend to offer more features than standard indoor electric models. These include things like temperature gauges, grease catchers/drip trays, and sometimes even rotisseries.

Some good brands to look for are Weber, Char Broil and Cuisinart. These three offer durable electric grills that will last you years without issue.

One of the most important things is to make sure it comes with a warranty so if anything does go wrong with your electric grill, you can have it fixed or replaced without any problems.

Weber, Char Broil and Cuisinart all offer durable electric grills that will last you years without issue. They also come with a warranty so if anything does go wrong with your electric grill, you know that the company is going to stand behind their product.

Durability:

You want to make sure that the electric grill that you purchase is durable. You don't want to buy a grill and then have it break in a year, which would be pretty pointless. For this reason, we recommend buying an electric grill with stainless steel components.

The Heating Element:

An electric grill should have a good heating element. A typical one is made out of coils of metal wire which are encased in insulation material such as ceramic or porcelain-enameled steel pipe. This will create heat for your food while cooking.

Features:

These are the features that you should be looking for in an electric grill. Some of them include a drip tray, which will catch any grease and fat from your food as it cooks. There is also usually a temperature control dial or knob so that you can adjust the heat to what works best for whatever type of meat/vegetable/food you are cooking.

Some electric grills have a digital read-out that displays the temperature to help make sure it is as close to what you want as possible without having to constantly check on it.

These features vary from grill-to-grill so be sure and look at all of them before making your purchase.

Quality:

You want to buy an electric grill that is of a high quality. You don't want it to break down on you in the first year and then have nothing but trouble from there. Look for grills with stainless steel components, which are more durable than other materials such as plastic or porcelain-enameled steel.

The best brands to look for are Weber, Char Broil and Cuisinart. These three offer durable electric grills that will last you years without issue.

Once again we recommend buying an electric grill with stainless steel components because they tend to be more durable than other materials such as plastic or porcelain-enameled steel.

Grill Type:

You Will Want to Buy an Electric Grill That Has the Following Features:

titanium coated electric elements for even, consistent cooking. Titanium is an element that resists corrosion and is not susceptible to scratches. It also provides for fast heat distribution and this allows you to cook items evenly on your grill.
4 tier porcelain-coated grid to allow searing and smoking of meat and other foods at the same time. The 4 tiers on the grid allow for more space and more flexibility in terms of what you are cooking. Porcelain is durable, easy to clean, non-sticky, non-porous, oil free and it can also be used at high temps.
thermostatically controlled heating element keep heat at safe levels. This will prevent overcooking of the food you are cooking and will also allow for even, consistent cook time across all grates on your grill.
more than 800 square inch grilling surface for plenty of space on the cooking area. The more that there is to cook with, the better off you will be and the more you can cook. This allows for cooking a variety of foods at once, not just one or two items.
rotary knob with adjustable settings: off, low, high for your desired level of cook time and temperature control. The rotary dial makes it easy to set the heat that you want- from very low to high for grilling.
temperature control knob for your desired heat level, from low to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important so that you can cook at the best temperature possible and get even cooking across all items on your grill grate surface. You do not want unevenly cooked food or burnt spots on certain foods when you are grilling.
The best electric grills are the ones that have a heating element in the lid, as well as one under the grill. This means you can cook with both indirect and direct heat at once for amazing results. A good example of this type is very similar to my gas grill- it has two heavy duty burners which sit on top of a stainless steel base with a heating element in the lid.

Pros and Cons of an Electric Grill

Pros of an Electric Grill:

Electric grills are easy to operate. People with limited mobility are able to easily use an electric grill because there is no need for heavy lifting and maneuvering of food. The cooking time is also shorter on an electric grill; this is a plus for people who don't have the time to spend on the barbecue. There is less maintenance required on an electric grill because their parts are not exposed to extreme heat, unlike with gas grills. Electric grills can be more economical for those who like to cook with charcoal because they can use it as a supplementary fuel source.

They are easier to clean than charcoal grills, and electric grills on average require less work to use. Electric grills also give you the opportunity to cook at two different temperature levels with no hassle. This means that you can grill or sear a steak at a high heat, or cook it more slowly and evenly using indirect heat.

Your food is nice and juicy.
You don't have to worry about flare ups or add moisture with water.
The grills are getting better and better so they're more versatile than ever before.

Cons of an Electric Grill

The downside is that electric grills currently have a lot of restrictions in terms of size and shape which means that they might not be able to accommodate bigger items and thicker pieces of food. They are also not as versatile with the types of foods that can be grilled and have a limited cooking space which may take longer when grilling multiple items at once.

Electric grills don't sear the meat as well as coal or gas grills do, and they don't produce enough smoky flavor during the cooking process. You're also limited by where you can place an electric grill because it's not safe to be near anything flammable when operating these devices.

There are gas emissions that can produce smoke and other pollutants into the air if not sufficiently ventilated.
Grills will sputter when turning lean meat.
It takes longer to heat up your grill, meaning your wait time in between cooks is longer than with an open grill (though this should improve as new electric charcoal grills are coming out soon).
You can't get that delicious smoky flavor with an electric grill.

How to Clean and Care for Your Electric Grill

The best way to clean your grill is to use a wire brush (to get off any caked-on food particles), and then some oven cleaner sprayed right into the cracks and gaps. Leave it for a few minutes, and the best way to wash off any excess is with a hose, after spraying the oven cleaner again. Use soap if you need to clean your cooking grates.

You should also do this on a regular basis to help prevent grease buildup. Grease builds up as you cook food, so if you don't keep brushing it off when you're cooking over time, this will be harder to do while cleaning.

When you are done cooking, turn all of the knobs on the electric grill off, but leave the lid open. This will allow any excess grease to cool and drip down into a tray where you can collect it and dispose of it later.

A good electric grill has non-stick cooking grates, which are easy to clean with just soap and water (and oven cleaner if necessary). You may want one that allows for either direct or indirect heat, which is a nice feature depending on what you're cooking.

The Best Foods To Cook On An Electric Grill

The best foods to cook on an electric grill are usually meats and vegetables. You can cook a variety of meats and vegetables on the electric grill. These foods often cook in less time than they would if you were cooking them on a stovetop, which makes them perfect for people that have busy schedules but still want to eat delicious food.

The best foods to cook on an electric grill are usually those that have a high fat content. This includes: hamburgers, bacon, and chicken.

The fat helps prevent the food from sticking to the grate. It is important not to use metal utensils on electric grill cooking surfaces, as this can scratch and damage them in a way that makes it harder for proper heat transfer.

Here are some of the best things to cook on an electric grill:

Chicken Breasts
Steak
Salmon Steaks
Shrimp Skewers
Cherry Tomatoes
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Potatoes

In addition to cooking regular meats on your electric grill, you can cook a wide variety of foods. Vegetables and legumes, as well as fruits and even pizza crusts, are all delicious when cooked with an electric grill.

Tips for Cooking with an Electric Grill

Cover the grill while not in use.

Keep all combustible material, such as paper, plastic, and matches away from the cooking area. A wire brush is recommended to clean the grill of stuck on food debris.

Use foil or a metal wire to keep the temperature in check. This will help prevent food from over cooking.

It is best practice to cook on low heat when grilling up something like hamburgers or hot dogs. If you want something that's fried, then try medium heat for high-heat if you're looking for something like steak or corn on the cob.

Make sure to oil the grill when you put food on it. This will make for easier clean up and also keep your food from sticking.

Avoid placing any frozen meat onto an electric grill as this can cause a short in the appliance or even start a fire.

Keep away from children while grilling, both the grill and the food. Make sure to keep pets away as well, not only for safety reasons but also because some of the oils can be harmful if ingested by your pet.

Let's get grilling!

If you're new to grilling, electric grills are a great option for your first time. There's less hassle and mess in the kitchen since there is no open flame or need for gas- just plug them into an outlet! These benefits also make it easier on busy families who want healthy meals but can't always dedicate hours of their day to cooking. Electric grills have many features that will help any novice cook succeed including non-stick surfaces, temperature controls, and even timers. You'll find plenty of delicious foods that work well with this type of grill from hamburgers to salmon steaks to cherry tomatoes and zucchini slices. Now get out there and start experimenting with what works best for you!