The 7 Best Indoor Grills That Add Flavor to Any Kitchen

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Best Overall Indoor Grill

Cuisinart GR-6S Contact Griddler

The Cuisinart Gr-6S Contact Griddler is our favorite indoor grill because of its simplicity and versatility. This specific model has several functions: As a grill, griddle and even as a panini press. We also like that you can use the grill and griddle simultaneously, thanks to the removable, interchangeable pans.

Always know the temperature of your grill with the help of an easy-to-read LCD screen that also displays the cooking time and the current function. Other notable features of this appliance include the grease drip tray, smokeless function and dishwasher-safe plates.

Pros

• Multiple cooking settings
• Useful drip tray
• Dishwasher-safe pans
• 500 degree sear function

Cons

• A little pricey

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Best Budget Indoor Grill

George Foreman 2-Serving Indoor Grill

Get a grilled taste indoors at a fraction of the cost, thanks to this George Foreman 2-Serving Indoor Grill. For just under $30, this indoor grill gives you the seared foods you desire without taking up too much counter space. Since this grill has enough space for two servings of steaks, burgers or other foods, it’s the perfect size for couples, individual use or apartments.

This grill sits with a downward slant to let the excess fat drip into the grease tray. Additionally, the non-stick-coated grates are easy to clean (thank goodness), so extreme elbow grease isn’t needed. If you want to dabble in making a panini, the top of the grill gives every angle of your bread the crispy sear you’re after.

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Compact size
• Easy to clean
• Fat-removing slope

Cons

• Might not be big enough for most families

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Best Small Indoor Grill

George Foreman 4-Serving Indoor Grill

Grills of any kind, whether indoor or outdoor, are known for taking up space. However, the George Foreman 4-Serving Indoor Grill would like a word. This indoor grill fits in compact spaces (as the longest side is just 13 inches) yet still holds enough food for a family of four.

Other notable features of this indoor grill include its fast heat-up time and the removable plates that are dishwasher safe. We love that the sloped surface helps remove up to 42% of fat from meats. The top of the grill has a red and green light feature to indicate when your food is cooked or when the grill has heated up and is ready to go.

Pros

• Compact size
• Fast heat-up
• Simple to use
• Cooking surface is non-stick

Cons

• May not cook bone-in meat well

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Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

Best Versatile Indoor Grill

Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill

If you want a grill capable of multiple cooking functions, consider the Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 Indoor Grill and griddle. Apart from the griddle and grill, this cooking device is capable of air frying, roasting, baking, broiling and dehydrating for endless culinary creations.

The built-in meat thermometer is a smart feature to assist in cooking food to your desired doneness. We tried this all-in-one grill, and the result is juicy burgers, pork chops and beautiful grilled veggies. Check out the full Ninja Foodi Smart XL Pro review here.

The 9-inch-by-13-inch grill grates offer plenty of room for four servings to cook at once, while the digital screen displays the temperature so you can cook your food to perfection every time. This countertop grill promises to bring the BTU cooking power you might see on one of the best outdoor grills. And best of all? It’s capable of searing meat from frozen!

Pros

• Plethora of cooking options
• Max 500 degree temperature
• Can cook and sear meat from frozen
• Smart thermometer included
• Space-saving design
• Audible reminders to add food, flip and done
• Open and closed-lid grilling

Cons

• Can’t use multiple cooking options at the same time
• Food can slide into the drip pan

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Best Indoor Grill for Burgers

Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Grill

You don’t have to wait for warmer weather to grill some burgers. Enjoy your favorite juicy meat (or veggies) all year with the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Grill. This grill contains a top and bottom with removable grill plates so you can close the lid and give both sides of your patty the perfect sear without flipping!

This indoor grill has enough room for six patties at a time, which is the perfect size for a family. The removable grease tray is dishwasher safe, and the nonstick plates make for a cleaner grill surface.

Pros

• Grills within 10 minutes
• Easy-to-read indicator lights
• Easy cleaning
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Plates are not removable

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Best Indoor Grill for Steaks

Hamilton Beach Steak Lover’s Electric Indoor Grill

Want to step up your entertaining game with a steak dinner? If so, the Hamilton Beach Steak Lover’s Electric Indoor Grill is the best indoor grill for steak grilling! This grill features a spacious surface area capable of holding up to four steaks at a time (or two steaks and a side if you’re cooking for two).

The high-searing temperature (it reaches 500 degrees) locks in the sear to your steak when the lid is closed to produce picture-perfect grill marks. Although there are so many food options you can grill, this indoor grill was crafted with steaks in mind to keep them tender and juicy without becoming dry or overcooked. Another notable feature is its fast preheat time and capability of putting dinner on the table in 10 minutes!

Pros

• Large surface area
• Convenient handle
• Quick cook time
• Good for travel

Cons

• Plates are not removable

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Best Smokeless Indoor Grill

Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill

Our pick for the best smokeless indoor grill is the Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill. This open-face grill prevents smoke clouds from forming without compromising the delicious grilled taste. Since this grill doesn’t have a top, it produces less smoke than other grills.

Even though this smokeless grill doesn’t contain a top, it does feature cool-touch handles to grip for sturdiness when you flip your meats. For added safety measures, this grill has an auto shut-off function that won’t allow your grill to overheat.

Pros

• Produces less smoke
• Spacious cooking area
• Dishwasher-safe grill plate
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Takes a while to cook thicker meats

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What to Consider When Buying an Indoor Grill

Buying a great indoor grill isn’t just about the grill’s quality—it’s also about preferences and safety. Indoor grills were made with convenience in mind without worrying about things like grill covers to enjoy the taste of grilled foods. With that being said, the best indoor grill should contain enough surface area for your preferred meats and sides while also being small enough to store away in a cabinet.

Indoor grills are also electric, which means they require the use of a plug. Most indoor grills are made with a lengthy cord so they can sit a good distance away to prevent overheating, so countertop space is another aspect to consider before purchasing an indoor grill.

Types of Indoor Grills

Contact grills: These grills feature a top that closes down on your food. The top of contact grills typically contains grill plates to produce a sear on both sides of your meats, so you don’t have to flip your burgers, steaks or chicken. These tops are also used as a panini press.

Open grills: Open grills mimic outside grills where the bottom surface is the only portion of the grill that contains plates and produces grill marks. In order to ensure even cooking time, food will have to be flipped halfway through.

How We Found the Best Indoor Grills

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

What can you cook on an indoor grill?

Indoor grills are just like outside charcoal and gas grills: They can be used for a variety of foods. Most people use indoor grills for meats such as burgers, steaks, chicken or kebabs, but they can also be used to grill fish or your favorite sides. The best indoor grills include a top with a grill plate that can double as a panini press to create a toasted sandwich.

What temp should you cook a steak to on an indoor grill?

Cooking steaks on an indoor grill is not cut-and-dry. There are several things to consider, such as the thickness of your steak, how long your indoor grill takes to preheat and cook, and your preferred finish. The recommended temperature by the USDA is 145 degrees for grilled steaks, which will take 8-10 minutes with a one-inch thick steak. If you prefer a more well-done steak, continue grilling until the temperature reaches 160-165 degrees.

What temp should you cook burgers to on an indoor grill?

Cooking burgers on an indoor grill is no different than grilling on an outdoor grill. Electric grilled burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees, which takes about five to six minutes per side.