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Ladies, let’s set the record straight: Grilling is not just a guy’s game.
Sure, social stereotypes have taught us to view burgers and hot dogs as “dude food” – while small, dainty salads are considered the feminine norm – but it’s time to shake off that sexist notion, because it’s truly a bunch of bull. Not only do plenty of women enjoy plates full of messy, mouthwatering meats, many of us even enjoy cooking them to perfection, as we wield our greasiest grill gear with the machoest of men.
And now that summer is in full swing, there’s no better time to reign as Queen of the Grill. There’s only one small problem for us BBQ lovers who live in sultry climates: with extreme heat waves becoming the new norm, it can feel insufferable to stand outside, much less slave over a fiery grill – and that goes for the girls and the guys.
— SimpsonsQOTD (@SimpsonsQOTD) July 19, 2022
But don’t worry, there’s still a way to salvage your upcoming summer celebration, no matter what the weather forecast portends. Bring the BBQ back inside, and fire up an indoor grill!
What Is An Indoor Grill?
An indoor grill, also known as a smokeless grill, is a grill that runs on electricity instead of charcoal, gas, or wood. Even though indoor grills don’t produce that signature BBQ smoke, they can put out some serious cooking power (and flavor!).
There are two types of indoor grill: open grills and contact grills. Open grills more similarly replicate the outdoor cooking experience, as they lay flat and require you to flip your food halfway through. Contact grills work more like a panini press, with two cooking surfaces that come together like a clamshell. In general, contact grills cook your food more quickly than open grills; the tradeoff is you may lose some of that coveted cookout atmosphere.
Why Use An Indoor Grill?
Of course, avoidance of extreme weather is an obvious benefit – but it’s not the only reason to invest in an indoor grill, says Paul Sidoriak, a two-time cookbook author and owner of Grilling Montana. Another primary perk is the convenience, he points out.
“Grilling is one of the most healthy and efficient cooking methods when it comes to meal prep,” Sidoriak says. “An indoor grill is incredibly convenient because you can cook and pack your food all from a single location in your kitchen, without having to go back and forth between your patio and the kitchen.”
Plus, let’s face it – not all of us have a backyard, balcony, or patio space to grill outdoors. Indoor grills tend to be more compact and portable than traditional alternatives, so you shouldn’t struggle too much to fit one on your countertop.
How To Choose The Best Indoor Grill
Ready to splurge on your next snazzy appliance? While the specific cooking and cleaning features abound, Sidoriak suggests considering two main factors when purchasing an indoor grill: temperature and material.
When it comes to temperature, “it’s important to purchase an indoor grill that hits at least 400℉, but 450℉ is even better. This will help assist with the food browning quickly, which makes it more flavorful,” he says.
As for material? “Cleanup can often be messy for indoor grills, so look for one that has a durable, nonstick coating,” Sidoriak recommends. “I prefer a ceramic coating for the internal components,” he says.
The Best Indoor Grills
Okay, gals, it’s time to don your swaggiest apron and channel your inner Grill Mistress, all from inside your home! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless kitchen options, or if you’d prefer to shop from the comfort of your couch (without, ahem, being grilled by a store employee), choose from our picks of the best indoor grills below:
Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Quart Air Fryer
This 5-in-1 grill sears, sizzles, and air-fries with temperatures up to 500℉! The intuitive digital display makes performing any cooking function a breeze. “My favorite indoor grill is the Ninja Foodi by a long shot,” Sidoriak says. “Some models come with a built-in thermometer probe so you can set meat (or even veggies like baked potato) to your desired doneness, and the machine will cook it perfectly.”
SHOP ON BED BATH AND BEYOND – $229
George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press
This best budget grill and panini press features a 4-serving grill area, removable plates, 35% faster heat-up, and tough nonstick coating. Said one reviewer, “Sure, you don’t get that delicious true BBQ char on the outside that you get from an open flame, but this thing still leaves nice marks and cooks meat all the way through. For a cheap, small countertop grill, this thing really gets the job done.”
T-fal GC7 OptiGrill Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill
This self-adapting electric grill customizes its grilling cycles to food thickness and features six automatic cooking programs for burgers, poultry, and fish. Plus, it’s easy to clean with die cast aluminum and removable nonstick plates. One reviewer raved, “The thing I love the most about this grill is it automatically cooks different kinds of food to the right temperature (rare, medium rare, medium, etc.), and it lets you know when they get there via a colored light and an audible beep.”
Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill
This high-performance electric grill features modern elements that are both functional and fun: a large grip handle and control knobs, ergonomic side handles, sturdy front and rear cradles, and 1560-watt power. Made of porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body, you can’t beat the durability. As one reviewer exclaimed, “This thing gets hot! Preheat to 650 degrees within 20 minutes. Highly recommend for anyone wanting or needing an electric grill.”
Blackstone 8001 Griddle
This 22 inch electric tabletop griddle comes with 1200 watts of heating technology in sleek and portable steel. The ceramic titanium-coated griddle surface and patented grease management system make both cooking and clean-up easy and discreet. Said one reviewer, “Worth every dime! Split temp control for grilling is a bonus. Quick seat on high heat and place on lower temp side. Plenty of space to cook for a group of 10.”
Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler
This multitasking cooker functions as an open grill or contact grill, panini press, or griddle – so you can whip up everything from breakfast to burgers on interchangeable nonstick plates. Raved one reviewer, “Love this fabulous machine! Easy cleaning, quick heat-up. Adjustable griddle and 2 sides of cooking!”
SHOP ON WILLIAMS SONOMA – $99.95
Power Smokeless Grill with Tempered Glass Lid
This power smokeless grill features 1500-watt performance with an indoor grilling surface large enough for your whole BBQ party! The plastic and ceramic powerhouse has all the temperature precision and cleanup functionality of the other grills, plus a turbo extraction fan to capture smoke while you transform your kitchen into an open grill. One reviewer exclaimed, “Great grill! This is perfect for when you do not want to go outside. It is easy to use and clean. I’ve used it for burgers, pizza, and pineapple, and they have all come out tasting great – I couldn’t tell they were not made on a regular grill!”
Zojirushi Indoor Electric Grill
This stainless steel grill comes with a double nonstick coating of titanium and ceramic, variable heat settings from low to high, a 1500-watt heating element, and extra-large cooking surface to feed the whole family. Said one reviewer, “I like my new grill – the beef was evenly cooked. Easy to clean while it’s still warm – wipe with a paper towel, then wash.”
SHOP ON CRATE & BARREL – $130.95
Gourmia FoodStation 5-in-1 Smokeless Grill & Airfryer
This smokeless grill and air fryer features five one-touch cooking functions: grill, air-fry, bake, roast, and dehydrate! Don’t miss the Fryforce 360° technology that targets food with fast, heated air for delicious frying with little to no oil. Raved one reviewer, “This is a wonderful product. It makes food quickly (preheating is a lot faster than the regular oven), and the most important feature – it shuts itself off. The food comes out crunchy and great.”
GreenPan Ultimate Gourmet Grill
This versatile electric grill is the perfect solution for countertop or table cooking, no matter what food is on the party menu! The nonstick-plate appliance features a combination griddle and grill on one side, eight pancake wells on the other, and an area under the grill for broiling and making Swiss raclette. According to one happy reviewer, “Taco Tuesday just got better! Beans and cheese in the personal pan dishes, and chicken, steak, peppers and onions on the grill up top! It cooks slow and low, so no splatter. Love it, and our friends were very impressed with dinner.”
SHOP ON WILLIAMS SONOMA – $149.95
Are you bringing the barbecue inside this summer? Do you have a favorite indoor grill – or even a favorite dish to fire up? Share your suggestions in the comments below!
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