The Secrets to Grilling Really Great Burgers Indoors
What do you do, when you want a delicious burger, sizzling-hot off the grill, but it’s raining or cold outside? Or maybe you live in an apartment building or condo with no outdoor grilling area. If you have a balcony or patio, open-flame cooking is probably prohibited. You’re craving a fresh, juicy burger – not fast-food fare - and if you order delivery from a local restaurant, it may be cold by the time it gets to you.
Anything that you cook on an outside grill can be made in your kitchen or on your balcony. Indoor grilling used to be a smoky, spattering adventure, but today’s new generation of electric smokeless grills offer a variety of features and price ranges to please any burger lover.
When searching on the computer for information and reviews, be sure to look for websites that are reputable and not product sponsored. They should use independent testing, expert advice, and consumer feedback and reviews. The following are three respected consumer product review websites that have featured indoor electric grills. They offer a comprehensive view of the newest innovations and products available in 2019.
Our Review of Top Rated Indoor Grills
There are so many styles and sizes to choose from, and at the high-end, you can invest in an indoor grill that comes equipped with a filter to minimize or completely reduce smoke and odors while you are cooking. We took a look at some of the leading brands, and what they offered for burger fans who want to grill 365 days a year.
T-Fal GC702 OptiGrill
This grill features an 1800W heating element with automatic thickness measurement and sensor cooking technology. The non-stick PFOA free cooking plates (top and bottom) are removable and dishwasher-safe. The manufacturer indicates 4 servings, but most reviews say the 14”x13”x6” outer dimensions are misleading, as the cooking plates are considerable smaller. T-Fal does make a larger model of the OptiGrill (8 servings) that features nine automatic cooking settings.
Hamilton Beach 25361
With a single non-stick grilling surface and cover with a window, this grill has received high marks for its reliability and ease of cooking. While it takes a little longer than others to heat up, it has a temperature range of 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and the lid helps to maintain an even temperature and reduce heat loss, retaining moisture and improving cooking time. The 118 square inch cooking plate can easily handle up to 6 servings.
DeLonghi BG24 Perfecto
This sturdy 1500W tabletop grill provides even heating with a fully embedded heating unit in its die-cast aluminum grill plate. The 12” x 6” cooking surface is non-stick, as is the removable drip pan, making clean-up easy. The heat is controlled with a removable thermostat allowing you to choose the perfect cooking temperature, and the sturdily designed base has cool-touch handles and a tempered glass lid that keeps food juicy and warm after cooking.
Zojirushi EB-DLC10
While this grill requires more counter space, with a base of 21” x 14.5”, its large 11” x 15” cooking surface and 1500W heating element have received rave reviews. The removable thermostat clicks when it is inserted correctly (and won’t work if it’s not) and has a range of 176 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill is designed to direct excess oils and fat away from the food and into the drip pan for healthy burgers, and it disassembles for easy cleaning.
George Foreman GGR50B
This best-selling and highly rated Indoor/outdoor electric grill has a domed lid and a detachable stand for outdoor cooking. The 240 square inch circular grilling surface can make 15 burgers at a time, and the sloped grill plate is “George tough” non-stick and directs fat down to the removable (and dishwasher-safe) drip pan.
Fun fact! George Foreman didn’t really invent the original George Foreman Grill! It was invented by Michael Boehm in 1994, and George Foreman has been the marketing face of the brand since 1999. Since then, they have sold over 100 million grills world-wide.
How To Grill Safely Indoors
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the number one cause of house fires between 2012 and 2016 was unattended kitchen appliances. Even if your grill has preset cooking times, stay close and check often. Smokeless does not mean smoke-free. A small amount of water in the drip pan can prevent or reduce smoking while grilling.
Here are a few more helpful tips from our test kitchen:
Always wash new appliances before using them to remove any bacteria or chemicals that they may have come in contact with during manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.
Do not use aerosol cooking sprays on your electric grill. They can create a chemical build-up that could result in an unpleasant odor, make your food taste bad, and reduce the efficiency of your grill.
Never use metal utensils on non-stick surfaces.
Experiment with your new grill. Try grilling fresh vegetables brushed with some cooking oil. Or grill ears of corn by peeling back the husk, brushing the corn with oil or melted butter, and closing up the husks. Wrap each ear in foil and place them on the grill for about 15 minutes.
If you marinate meat, be sure to pat it dry and remove visible seasonings that could burn, creating smoke and making the meat taste bitter.
If you have a grill with a lid (not a pressing grill), you can use wood chips for flavoring and aroma by wrapping some chips in aluminum foil, poking a few holes in it, and placing it on the grill. The smoke will circulate around the cooking area.
While you are out shopping for that electric grill, why not stock up on some delicious Sizzle King burgers? Made with quality meats and ingredients, Sizzle King offers their quarter-pound Signature Beef Burger, Turkey Patties, and three exciting flavor blends – Sweet Onion, Bacon and Cheddar, and Spicy Jalapeño . They’re available in the frozen foods section of your local grocery store or supermarket in 2 lb. and 4 lb. resealable packages.
Next time you’re craving a hot, juicy burger, plug in your grill and reach for a great new flavor, and start creating your burger masterpiece at home, with Sizzle King Burgers!