Grills are any cook’s best friend. They are easy and quick to use and have been a lifesaver during the ten years I’ve been on a carnivore diet. Whenever I’m out of ideas for a meal, I just toss meat on a grill.
But, a big drawback is that you need outdoor space for a grill, which is why I wanted to find an indoor grill that creates the same results as outdoor grills.
I spent years trying indoor grills from different brands, and here’s my selection of the six best indoor grills you can get today.
The Best Indoor Grills
- Best Overall Indoor Grill: Hamilton Beach Searing Grill
- Cheapest Indoor Grill: Elite Gourmet EGL-3450
- Best Smokeless Indoor Grill: Zojirushi EB-CC15
- Indoor Grill With Largest Cooking Surface: Elite Gourmet EGL-3450
- Best Compact Indoor Grill: George Foreman
- Indoor Grill for Best-Tasting Meat: Zojirushi EB-CC15
- Best All-in-One Indoor Grill: Cuisinart 5-in-1
- Best Indoor Grill & Panini Press: George Foreman
6 Best Indoor Grills
1 - Hamilton Beach Searing Grill (Best Overall)
Hamilton Beach electric indoor grill is the best choice if you want quick indoor grilling. It heats up quickly, and most meals are done in 10 minutes.
You don’t have any temperature control as there’s only one temperature setting. However, this indoor grill produced juicy burgers and cooked bacon and sausage without drying them out.
The fats drain into a removable drip tray, and the surfaces are non-stick, so you can easily wipe them down as soon as the grill cools. This is one of the larger indoor grills, as it can fit up to six servings at once.
I also liked the power and preheat lights which let me know when it’s time to add the food to the grill for the best results. It’s a slight touch but very convenient.
- Cooks food quickly
- Fits up to six servings
- Indicator lights show the grill is ready for use
- Produces juicy food
- No temperature control
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 6.3 x 12.6 x 13.7 in
- Weight : 5 lbs
- Cooking area : 90 sq in
- Wattage : 1200 watts
- Material : Plastic
2 - Cuisinart 5-in-1 Panini Press Grill Pan (Best All-in-One)
This indoor grill by Cuisinart is my top choice because it functions as a panini press, contact grill, full grill, full griddle, and half grill pan/half griddle.
It has reversible and double-sided cook surfaces. One side is grill grates, and the other is a flat griddle surface.
You can use the Cuisinart as a contact grill or a flat-up open grill to get a double cooking area. I used it to cook chicken, panini, quesadillas, burgers, bacon, and more.
There are dials located on the front that make it easy to control the temperature.
I also liked how non-stick the surfaces are. Even burned food slides off easily, so cleaning this indoor grill is a dream.
There’s a drip tray that collects the grease during the cooking, and it doesn’t take away from the grill’s sleek appearance because it’s hidden.
- Dishwasher-safe cooking plates
- Affordable price
- Can be used as two separate grill surfaces
- Compact size
- No display
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 11.5 x 13.5 x 7.12 in
- Weight : 8 lbs
- Cooking area : 99 sq in
- Wattage : 350 watts
- Material : Stainless steel
3 - Elite Gourmet EGL-3450 (Cheapest & With Largest Cooking Surface)
Elite Gourmet EGL-3450 is an electric indoor searing grill that can reach a searing temperature of 445 degrees, locking in the flavors of your meat. It has an adjustable thermostat located on the side.
The dishwasher-safe drip tray and a cool touch safety handle make it easy to use, and I never had to worry about injuries.
This indoor electric grill can make a wide range of foods, everything from steak, fish, chicken, and more.
This is one of the larger indoor electric grills I’ve used — it has 120 square inches of cooking space, which is a good thing because it’ll fit more food, and you can cook for a large family. But it also means you need more space to use and store it.
- Large cooking area
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Reaches searing temperature
- Requires storage space
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 19.8 x 11.8 x 19.8
- Weight : 4 lbs
- Cooking area : 120 sq in
- Wattage : 850 watts
- Material : Plastic
4 - Zojirushi EB-CC15 (For Best-Tasting Meat & Best Smokeless)
Zojirushi indoor electric grill comes without a lid. This means the food isn’t cooked from both sides, and you have a grilling experience similar to outdoor grills.
This grill reaches 410 degrees. It has a cool-touch base and handles, so it’s safe to place it on the counter and move it after cooking.
The cooking surface is ceramic non-stick. There’s also a dishwasher-safe drip tray for easy cleanup.
This isn’t the quickest indoor grill, as it takes seven minutes to get to full heat. You also need to flip the food over and wait until the other side cooks. But I had good results. It created juicy burgers and charred vegetables.
Overall, you’ll need twice the time to cook with this grill compared to other indoor grills. However, even though there’s no lid, it doesn’t smoke a lot, so it’s a good smokeless indoor grill.
- Delicious cooking results
- Lid-free cooking resembles an outdoor grill
- The hot surface gives the good grilled flavor
- Takes longer to heat and cook food than other smokeless indoor grills
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 12.2 x 18.1 x 3.3 in
- Weight : 7 lbs
- Cooking area : 112 sq in
- Wattage : 1300 watts
- Material : plastic, aluminum
5 - DeLonghi America CGH1020D
DeLonghi indoor grill has five cooking functions: contact grill, panini press, open full grill, full open griddle, and half grill/half griddle.
The plates are interchangeable so that you can do various cooking tasks. I used it to make everything from waffles to salmon, bacon, eggs, and more.
Both the top and the bottom of the grill heat at the same time, which speeds up the cooking. It’s easy to use — just turn the dials for the top and bottom plates to reach the temperature you want, set the time, and place the food on the grill.
The display shows how much time is left until your food is done.
The grill plates are non-stick, so there’s no need to use oil, even when making waffles.
There’s also a hanging self-adjustable hinge, which I liked because it doesn’t crush sandwiches and large cuts of meat.
- Separate controls for top and bottom lids
- Has five cooking functions
- Dishwasher-safe grill plates
- Bulky design
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 18 x 14 x 7.5 in
- Weight : 20 lbs
- Cooking area : 9 x15 in
- Wattage : 1800 watts
- Material : stainless steel
6 - George Foreman (Best Compact & Best Indoor/Panini Press)
George Foreman is a household name in the world of indoor grills. This 4-serving grill has a removable grill plate with a slopped griddle design which George Foreman is known for. This means the fat drains off the meat as it cooks.
Even though the name says 4-serving grill, I found it fits only two burger patties. It heats quickly and cooks food in 10 minutes or less.
The indoor grill has a cool-touch handle at the front, so it’s easy to use and move. There’s no temperature control, but an indicator light on the top of the grill lets you know when it’s time to place the food on the grill grates.
Finally, you can set the legs on an angle so the grease slides out, or put it flat and turn it into a panini press. The hinges are adjustable, which comes in handy for thicker cuts.
- Adjustable hinges for larger food
- Can be left on the counter due to the small design
- Removable plates and drip tray
- Only cooks food for one or two people
Quick Facts:
- Dimensions : 5 x 10 x 12 in
- Weight : 6 lbs
- Cooking area : 78 sq in
- Wattage : 1800 watts
- Material : Plastic
Indoor Grill Buyer’s Guide
Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for an indoor grill.
1. Temperature Range and Wattage
Compared to outdoor grills, which can reach a temperature of 750 degrees and upwards, indoor grills usually run up to 500 degrees, with most having a maximum temperature of 450 degrees. This means you won’t get searing results on an indoor grill as you would on an outdoor one.
Electric smokeless grills also have different temperature controls. Lower-end models, such as George Foreman, have only one temperature option, while higher-end, such as Cuisinart 5-in-1, has knobs or thermostats that let you set the grill surface to a specific temperature.
Also, some indoor grill devices take long to heat. This depends on the wattage. The good wattage range is between 1300 to 1800 watts. For example, a smaller indoor grill can usually reach 800 watts which isn’t ideal for thick cuts of meat.
Overall, higher wattage means the food will cook faster, but it also means you’ll have to pay more, as an indoor grill with high wattage is expensive.
2. Cooking Surface
An indoor grill is much smaller than an outdoor one, which reflects on the cooking surface. Most indoor grills go from 40 square inches to about 130 square inches. This is much less compared to 400 to 500 square inches which an average outdoor gas grill and charcoal grill have.
An indoor grill’s cooking capacity is limited by wattage. 1800 watts and a 120-volt outlet can only supply a cooking area of about 100 square inches.
The larger the cooking area, the larger the grill size, which means you need more storage space. Think about how many people you usually cook, and if you want a small indoor grill you can keep on your counter or a larger one you can store in cupboards or a pantry.
3. Lid
Most indoor grills have lids, similar to gas and charcoal grills. Lids are usually tempered glass, similar to lids for pots and pans. A glass lid lets you check on the food without having to lift the lid, which cools the grill.
Some lids serve as the second burner, so when you press down on the food, both sides are cooked at the same time.
However, there are some grills without lids, such as Zojirushi, and you have to flip the food as on outdoor gas grills [1]. Overall, think about what style of cooking works better for you.
Also, grills that don’t have a lid are usually designed so that excess grease and oil drip or splatter into a grease catcher.
4. Grill Grates
A grill grate is used as a press, but many grills are made to work as open grills. You can open the lid so it’s flat, which doubles the cooking surface.
Tip: Always check if the indoor grill has removable grill plates. This makes cleaning much easier. Also, many of the grill grates are dishwasher safe.
Also Read: Stainless Steel Grill Grates vs Cast Iron
5. Maintenance
Most indoor grills are made so they are easy to clean after grilling. They have removable trays that catch the drippings and detachable cooking grates.
You can clean these by hand in the sink, but some are dishwasher-safe. Also, contact grills with removable drip trays are easiest to clean because you can dispose of the oil that accumulates.
Most indoor grills have parts that break down once the grilling is over, such as the lid griddles and more. You should clean these after every grilling session, so if you aren’t ready to do it by hand, make sure to get a grill with dishwasher-safe components.
6. Features and Price
Overall, an indoor grill is much more affordable than an outdoor grill. You can get an affordable grill with one temperature setting. Or, you can go for a high-end version with more features, such as an interchangeable griddle and settings that automatically cook the food to a preset temperature.
Also, more expensive models function as an air-fryer, oven, and more. Keep this in mind if you like to bake.
Finally, indoor grills can produce a lot of smoke, which can be an issue if your kitchen isn’t well-ventilated. In this case, you need a grill with a built-in filter that lowers smoke levels.
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FAQs
Is It Worth Getting an Indoor Grill?
Yes, it’s worth getting an indoor grill. An indoor grill is great for anyone who doesn’t have enough space for outdoor grills. Indoor grills are compact and easy to clean, and most cook food in under 10 minutes. The only thing indoor grills can’t do is create a smoky flavor.
Do Indoor Smokeless Grills Really Work?
Yes, indoor smokeless grills really work. These grills aren’t completely smokeless. Most of them are electric grills and use infrared heat, not direct, open flames. This creates a smokeless experience, which is great for people who live in apartments.
What is Better: An Air Fryer or a Smokeless Grill?
Whether an air fryer or a smokeless grill is better depends on what kind of food you like. Air fryers cook foods without oil and are versatile. A smokeless grill gives the food a unique, grilled flavor, and some of them require oil.
What Should I Look for When Buying an Indoor Electric Grill?
When buying an indoor electric grill, you should look for the temperature range and wattage, check the grill size and cooking surface, temperature gauge, ease of use, and cleanup.
Can You Cook Steak on an Indoor Grill?
Yes, you can cook steak on an indoor grill. Some indoor grills can even create grill marks.
What's the Best Indoor Grill for You?
If you’re after a quality indoor grill, you want one that won’t take up too much of your space but still offer easy maintenance, versatility, and good temperature control at the same time.
For that reason, my vote for the best indoor grill goes to Hamilton Beach. It cooks amazing food at an affordable price.
Moreover, it’s extremely easy to clean because the fats go into a removable drip tray you can clean in the dishwasher. The surfaces are non-stick, so all you need to do is wipe them down.
The preheat lights let you know when it’s time to start cooking, and your food will be ready in only ten minutes.
Check it out, and enjoy a seamless cooking process and delicious food.
Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill
- Dishwasher-safe drip tray
- Affordable price
- Cooks food fast
- Compact size
Hamilton Beach Searing Grill (Best Overall)
Our #1 Recommendation
- Cooks food quickly
- Fits up to six servings
- Indicator lights show the grill is ready for use
- Produces juicy food
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