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Meal times can be a real challenge in many homes. Many people have little time to cook, and dinner time become monotonous and repetitive. You may want to prepare something different but can’t find the time to do so. To break free of the same boring meals there are a few things you can do, such as get an electric grill.
This appliance gives you the opportunity to try another way of cooking which is quick, easy and clean. If you feel like you need to invest too much time if you want to prepare something different, you will love this alternative. To help you find the best electric grill for you, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Our recommendation: The best electric grills on the Australian market
- 3 Shopping Guide: What you need to know about electric grills
- 3.1 What is an electric grill and how does it work?
- 3.2 How do you use an electric grill?
- 3.3 Is an electric or gas grill better?
- 3.4 Is cooking on an electric grill healthier?
- 3.5 What extra features do electric grills have?
- 3.6 What should you keep in mind before buying an electric grill?
- 3.7 Why buy an electric grill?
- 3.8 How do you clean an electric grill?
- 3.9 What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric grills?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- With an electric grill you can easily cook meat, fish, seafood or vegetables. They also usually have a fat collection tray to make cleaning easy.
- They help to enhance the flavour of the food. You need to add very minimal seasonings, oil, salt or herbs.
- They let you quickly and easily prepare food for you and your family, and equally for guests. Electric grills are very useful for people who don’t have much experience with cooking. You’ll enjoy healthy, tasty food.
Our recommendation: The best electric grills on the Australian market
Before buying any product you need to know which are the best options on the market. Knowing their different features will help you decide which is the right one for you. We’ve compiled a list of the five best electric grills on the market, and their key features, to help you make the right decision.
- TEFAL OptiGrill+
- George Foreman Electric Grill
- Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler
- Sunbeam Sandwich Compact Grill
TEFAL OptiGrill+
Although not the most compact or sleek electric grill, the Tefal Optigrill+ is packed with features. It has temperature control with four different temperature settings, making it perfect for grilling for any results from extra rare to well done on its extra large 600 cm squared cooking surface. It uses automatic sensor cooking, meaning that it adapts the temperature and cooking cycle to the amount and thickness of the food you put on the grill.
The grill comes with an LED cooking level indicator, meaning you don’t have to open the grill in order to know when it has finished cooking. It also comes with six specific programmes to make optimal cooking super simple: burger, chicken, bacon, sausage, red meat and fish.
George Foreman Electric Grill
The George Foreman Grill has been extremely popular for years now. It was one of the original electric grills designed for those on a diet or wanting to eat healthier. Its slanted design means the fat from the food drains away while cooking, and is caught in the drip tray, which can be easily cleaned by throwing it into the washing up or the dishwasher.
This is the classic model George Foreman grill, with a cooking surface size of 510 cm squared, which can cook up to 5 servings. The cooking plates are cooked with PFOA-free non-stick coating, meaning cleaning is as easy as wiping down the plates after cooking. It also has a floating hinge design to allow you to cook food of various thicknesses.
Cuisinart GR-1 Griddler
This lightweight grill is designed primarily as a sandwich maker and panini press. It was two non-stick cooking plates which are a decent 28 by 18 cm. These non-removable cooking plates are coated in non-stick material, making them easy to clean as well as easy to keep clean.
The grill comes with helpful indicator lights, so you know when it is pre-heat and ready to cook, as well as when your sandwich has finished cooking, without needing to open the grill. It also has a floating hinge meaning it can grill sandwiches and foods of different thicknesses.
Sunbeam Sandwich Compact Grill
Another grill which is geared towards grilling sandwiches and smaller meals is this compact Sunbeam Compact Cafe Grill. With a stainless steel exterior, the cooking plates are coated with Durable EasyClean coating meaning you can cook with minimal or no oil, and making them easy to clean.
With a ribbed top cooking plate and a flat bottom plate, you can use the grill to cook sandwiches, meat and other times. Food is cooked on both sides at the same time, meaning it is ready in half the time. The grill is also designed to maintain even pressure on your food for even cooking and toasting.
Shopping Guide: What you need to know about electric grills
In this section, we will help you to learn everything you need to know about electric grills. We’ll cover the different aspects and features of this handy household appliance, starting with exactly what it is and how it works.
What is an electric grill and how does it work?
This compact device usually has plates that come with non-stick coating. Most models have a removable tray to collect grease and fat, making cleaning easier.
How do you use an electric grill?
Start by cooking the foods with the least flavour first, and those that require more cooking time. Keep an eye on each food to make sure it doesn’t burn. Of course, you must also make sure you leave it long enough to make sure it is properly cooked. Once ready, remove all food from the grill taking care not to burn yourself.
Is an electric or gas grill better?
On the other hand, with an electric grill you only need to plug it in to a powerpoint. Both types of grills deliver similar results. As electric grills are more common, they are cheaper in general. With these advantages over gas grills, electric grills are arguably the best option.
Is cooking on an electric grill healthier?
An electric grill cooks food in its own juice, which is not only healthier, it also improves flavour. This appliance is a great option for anyone who is on a diet, or who simply wants to take care of themselves.
What extra features do electric grills have?
| Feature | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| Temperature gauge | Most grills have a temperature gauge. It is handy because you do not have to open the lid to know if it is ready to cook. |
| Temperature | It is true that with an electric grill you can cook all kinds of food. But in order to properly cook meat you’ll need a grill which will reach 300 degrees. |
| Temperature recovery | The best grills will quickly recover their temperature each time you open the lid. This will avoid wasting energy and maintain an optimum cooking temperature. |
What should you keep in mind before buying an electric grill?
| Aspects | Reasons |
|---|---|
| Exterior | If you want to use the grill outdoors, check local council rules first. This will help you to avoid potential problems later. |
| People | think about how many people you will be cooking for. If you need to cook for large numbers of people, you don’t want a grill which is too small. |
| Storage | Most people want a tidy and organised kitchen. This being the case, check how big it is and if it can be stored vertically, which is much more practical. |
Why buy an electric grill?
- Safety: They are very safe. You only need to be careful that your kids don’t burn themselves, otherwise they are not generally a source of domestic accidents.
- Year-round cooking: You can enjoy grilled food all year round, as you can easily use it indoors.
- Cleanliness: Stains less than other appliances and cleaning the grill plates is not complicated. Some can even be put in the dishwasher.
- Variety: There are various models to choose between so you can always find one which is perfect for your needs.
How do you clean an electric grill?
Clean the plates gently with detergent and water, avoiding using scouring pads that could scratchthem. Some models can even be put in the dishwasher, making cleaning incredibly simple. Clean the rest of the grill with a damp cloth. Of course, also check if the grill has specific cleaning instructions from the manufacturer.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric grills?
Shopping Criteria
There are a number of things that you should keep in mind when purchasing your electric grill in order to make the best possible decision. Otherwise, you may buy a model which does not fully meet your needs. This would be a shame, as you will miss out on buying a grill which will let you cook healthy, delicious food while making your life a lot easier.
Power
The power of the electric grill is one of the key factors. For basic uses a model with less than 1000 W is ok. But if you really want to cook you should look for something with more power for the best results. Above all, you need decent power if you are going to use it to cook meat.
Cleaning
One of the advantages of an electric grill is that you can cook in a short time. But if you then have to spend a lot of time cleaning the appliance, this somewhat defeats the purpose. Therefore you should look for a device that is easy to clean, with removable, non-stick plates made of aluminum or stainless steel.
You can even find some electric grills that have plates that can be cleaned in the dishwasher. This last option is very practical, as it greatly simplifies the entire cleaning process.
Size
There are models of various sizes available on the market. When choosing the best one for you should take into account two key aspects. Firstly, think about how many people you will usually be cooking for, as well as how much room you have to store it. Balancing both factors will help you choose the right size.
Plates
The plates are fundamental in any grill, since they are where the food is cooked. The best type are ferromagnetic contact, which means that they activate when the two plates come into contact. This helps to avoid burns and accidents. They also have better heat distribution and better overall cooking.
Quality
On the market, you will find an endless number of grills, each with a different price and of a different quality. Of course, brand impacts greatly on the value and benefits you will find. But you should also consider if it is worth paying more just because one manufacturer is better known than another.
You must also be clear on what you are going to use the grill for. If you plan to use it frequently, it is worthwhile investing a little more for a model with better features. If you are going to use it sporadically, a more basic device may suffice. It’s up to you.
Summary
An electric grill is a very useful appliance that allows you to cook quickly and easily. You can prepare different foods, such as meat, fish, seafood or vegetables. You do not need to use anything else, other than a little oil and some seasoning. They also allow healthier cooking, with hardly any fat.
There are many factors that you should keep in mind when making your purchase. For example, the grill’s power, how it is cleaned, its size and its price. You must also be clear about what you are going to use it for and how often. Consider the different characteristics of each model. This will help you to buy the best electric grill for you.
Did you find the information in this guide useful? Then please do share it on social media do help others too!
(Source of the featured image: Richard Semik: 13380110/ 123rf.com)
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