Comparison electric Grills

General device type.

Among the kitchen appliances related to electric grills, nowadays there are such varieties: pressure grill, open grill, raclette grills, barbecue, electric frying pan, pizza maker and grill oven. Here is a more detailed description of each of these varieties:

— Зressure grill. The most common type of electric grill is the contact grill, which consists of two heated horizontal surfaces that open like a book to load the food. The clamping of the food between the surfaces ensures efficient heating and fast cooking. Contact grills offer advantages such as speed, efficiency, and versatility, allowing one-sided heating and open operation like a barbecue grill (see below). However, they have limitations in cooking thicker pieces of food and the inability to check the food's condition without opening the grill. Nonetheless, these drawbacks are not usually significant since contact grills are primarily used for smaller food items, and many models compensate with features like thermostats or autocooking functions (see "Functions").

— Open grill. Another name for this type of grill is "barbecue grill," which accurately describes its main characteristic. Unlike contact grills, open grill...s have a single working surface where the food is placed. This allows for continuous monitoring of the cooking process, and it can accommodate thicker food items. However, this design lacks the close contact with the heating element found in closed grills and heating is only done on one side, requiring the food to be flipped. As a result, open grills are less popular than contact grills due to these limitations.
Also note that at some points barbecue grills are similar to electric frying pans, but these are still different types of electrical appliances; see below for details.

— Grill oven. There is a unique category of grills designed in the form factor of a small electric oven. These grills consist of an oven with open access from the outside, inside which an electric heating grill is installed. They typically feature baking sheets and grates with guides, allowing for cooking at multiple levels simultaneously. These devices are specifically designed for cooking a variety of foods such as juicy steaks, casseroles, grilled vegetables, and even pizza.

— Raclette grill. These appliances were originally designed for making raclette, a Swiss national dish based on melted cheese. They feature small individual pans in which the cheese is melted. These pans are placed in special recesses, beneath a solid surface with a heater where vegetables, potatoes, ham, and other ingredients are placed. While these devices are primarily used for raclette, they offer additional functionality. Most models can also function as traditional open grills on the upper surface and the individual pans can be used for cooking other types of food, not just cheese.

— Barbecue. These specialized devices are primarily used for cooking barbecue but can also be used for other dishes like grilled chicken, shawarma or fish. In a classic barbecue design, skewers are arranged vertically on a swivel stand. This swivel design ensures uniform cooking as the heater covers only one side of the vertical skewer "tower." Another variation of this design features two rows of skewers with a heater placed between them, allowing individual skewers to rotate. Some models have a horizontal arrangement of skewers and a heater, often accompanied by a removable plate, making it possible to use the device as a barbecue grill as well. However, these horizontal kebab models are less common nowadays as they are more challenging to maintain and clean due to the dripping of fats and liquids onto the heater. Vertical kebab designs are more prevalent in the market.

— Electric frying pan. Electric frying pans are the electric counterparts of traditional stovetop frying pans commonly used in kitchens. In their classic form, these devices resemble frying pans with high, even sides and incorporate a built-in heating element. However, this category also includes more specialized types of kitchen appliances. For instance, some models are essentially miniature electric stoves that come with small portioned pans or saucepans. These "electric stoves" have special recesses that serve as burners, allowing complete dishes to be placed on them. In certain models, the recesses themselves can also be used for cooking purposes, such as frying pancakes or hash browns.

— Pizza maker. Pizza makers are primarily designed for cooking pizza and are characterized by their round worktop and a tightly fitting hinged lid with a built-in heating element. While the lid does not necessarily come into direct contact with the food during normal operation, the additional heat ensures even cooking and creates ideal conditions for making pizza. However, pizza makers offer more than just pizza cooking capabilities. They can also be used to cook meat, omelettes, pies, cake layers, and more. Additionally, many models can function as traditional contact grills, providing versatile cooking options beyond just pizzas.

Rated power of the device — that is, the maximum power consumed during normal operation. With a low intensity of heating, energy consumption may be lower, but it is worth focus on this indicator.

The larger the surface area of the electric grill, the more energy is required for its efficient operation. In addition, for different cooking tasks, the intensity of heating (and, accordingly, the required power) will also be different. Therefore, only devices of the same type (see above) with a similar size of the working surface (see below) can be compared by this indicator. And in such a comparison, it is worth proceeding from the fact that higher power provides faster heating and more stable temperatures, but significantly affects the cost of the device. In addition, appliances more than 2 kW can create problems for old, “weak” wiring.

However, more than 2 kW is a high power for modern electric grills. Most of them have power consumption of 1,5 – 2 kW, quite a few models are in the range of 1 – 1,5 kW, and in the most low-power devices, this figure does not exceed 1 kW at all. At the same time, it is worth emphasizing separately that low power in itself does not mean low efficiency — often it turns out to be quite sufficient, taking into account the type and capacity of the grill.

Nowadays, among electric grills, you can find models with metal, ceramic and stone surfaces, as well as devices using both metal and stone. Here is a detailed description of each of these options:

— Metal. Metal is the most popular plate material used in electric grills across all types and price ranges. It is cost-effective and can be easily molded into smooth or corrugated shapes. Metal surfaces are known for their durability, reliability, and minimal thermal inertia. They heat up and cool down quickly, responding rapidly to temperature adjustments. To enhance convenience, metal plates can be coated with a non-stick coating. While these coatings require careful handling and should avoid contact with metal utensils, they make cleaning easier and often enable cooking without the need for oil. Moreover, metal surfaces can be designed as removable, adding to their convenience and practicality.

— Stone. Stone work surfaces are found mainly among barbecue grills and raclette grills (moreover, they can be square, round, rectangular, oval); there are other types of devices with this feature, but there are very few of them. In general, metal is a durable, reliable, and practical...material for electric grills. It possesses inherent non-stick properties and can tolerate contact with metal utensils like spatulas and forks. On the other hand, in open grills and raclette grills, stone plates are often used. These plates are massive and have high thermal inertia, which can be both disadvantages and advantages. The significant weight adds stability and reduces the risk of the grill moving or tipping. The ability to retain heat after turning off the grill can be beneficial in certain situations, such as in raclette dishes where the food on the top plate can remain warm throughout the meal. However, there are some drawbacks to using stone plates. They are more complex to produce and relatively expensive.

— Metal and stone. Grills equipped with two types of work surface at the same time — metal and stone. Almost all such devices are raclette grills (see "Type"). These devices offer the versatility of both materials, as described in detail above. The combination of metal and stone surfaces can vary in format. The most popular configuration is a combination surface with a part made of stone and another part made of metal. In this case, the stone surface is typically smooth, while the metal surface can be either smooth or corrugated (see "Surface of the plates"). This combination allows for simultaneous frying of different types of food. After cooking, the food can be placed on the stone surface, which cools slowly and effectively keeps the contents hot. Another variation is raclette grills with two interchangeable plates, one made of metal and the other made of stone. These grills are similar to the first type but do not allow for simultaneous use of different materials.

— Ceramics. Ceramics and glass-ceramics can be found in contact grills, although there are some other devices with plates made from these materials, including barbecue grills. Ceramics offer good non-stick properties and are resistant to sharp objects. However, they are susceptible to damage from impacts and temperature changes, which can result in chips and cracks. Additionally, ceramic surfaces tend to be more expensive. Due to these factors, ceramics and glass-ceramics are relatively rare in modern grill designs.

The number of individual plates in the device delivery set.

For operating the contact grill (see "Type"), two plates are needed, for other types of grills, one is enough. So if the characteristics state more such parts (4 or more for contact models, 2 or more for the rest) — this means that the device has removable plates (see "Functions") and is equipped with several types of plates that can be changed to your discretion. Most often, such replacement parts differ in the shape of the surface (see "Surface of the plates"); in addition, the set may include specialized devices for waffles, for pancakes (see below), etc.

A separate case in this regard is represented by pizza makers (see "Type"): although they use two-sided heating, but only one complete plate can be indicated in the characteristics. In such cases, we are talking about a removable plate that is attached to the upper half of the device (lid): when this part is installed, the pizza maker actually turns into a contact grill, and without it there is free space under the lid, which is convenient for cooking pizza and other similar dishes.

The presence of plates for waffles in the grill delivery set.

Most often, such plates are intended for the preparation of Belgian waffles — we recall that they are distinguished by rather larger and deeper “cell” notches than most other types of waffles, as well as a rather significant thickness. The preparation of such a dish is not the main purpose of the electric grill, so waffle attachments are found exclusively as an additional accessory in models with removable plates (see "Functions"). Only contact grills are completed with such accessories (see "Type")

Additional features of the electric grill.

Features such as thermostat, off timer and < a href="/list/43/pr-21604/">auto-cooking, can be found in all types of grills (see “Type”); removable plates are also very popular, they are not found except in electric frying pans; and here is fixing the height of the top plate, opening 180° and separate temperature control are relevant mainly for pressure grills (with rare exceptions). Here's a more detailed description of each of these features:

— Thermostat. Regulator that allows to automatically maintain the set temperature of the working surface. To do this, a special sensor monitors the temperature of the grill, turning off the heating when it reaches the desired value and turning it on again when it cools down by a few degrees. This allows to maintain the required cooking mode without any extra effort. Thermostats are very simple in design and inexpensive, and therefore are found in most modern electric grills.

— Timer. The timer that turns off the heating after a specified time. This feature saves the user from having to keep track of time: it is enough to set the desired value on the timer. Among other things, due to this, the risk of overcooking or “burning” the cooked dish is s...ignificantly reduced: such a nuisance can only occur if too much time was chosen for cooking. Note that the capabilities of the timer depend on the type of control (see "Control"): with mechanical control, the time, usually, is set quite approximately (sometimes with an accuracy of up to a minute or two), with electronic control — with an accuracy of up to a second.

— Autocook. The presence of auto-cooking programs in the grill — one or more. This feature differs from the timer described above in greater convenience and functionality. So, the user does not need to manually set the grill temperature for the operating time — usually, it is enough to select the type of product and the desired degree of roasting/warming up. A specific set of auto-cooking programs may be different, it should be specified separately; among the most popular options are “meat” (often with a choice of degree of roasting), “poultry”, “fish”, “burgers”, “sandwiches”, “sausages”, as well as a defrost mode.

— Removable plates. Possibility to remove the grill plate(s). The main purpose of this function is to make it easier to wash and clean the work surface after use. So, removable plates can be washed without problems in a kitchen sink, and often even in a dishwasher, while such features are not available for a non-removable design. In addition, some devices with this feature can be equipped with interchangeable plates of different types (see "Plates included"); and if the removable plate is damaged, it is enough to buy a similar part for a replacement — you do not need to change the entire grill or take it to repair.

— Plate height auto-adjustment. In grills with this feature, the top plate is mounted on a special hinge, which allows it to automatically adjust to the height of the food to be cooked. In this case, you do not need to make any additional settings — just lower the lid, and it, clinging to the contents, will itself take the optimal position. This height auto-adjustment differs from another similar function — manual height adjustment (see below). The disadvantages of this design, compared with the manual height adjustment, include the fact that the top plate must necessarily be in contact with the contents, there is no possibility to heat the products from above in a "non-contact" way. However, this moment is not so often critical; in addition, there are a fairly large number of models where the hinge is combined with manual adjustment.

— Fixation of the height of the plates. Possibility to manually adjust the height of the top plate. The user can select the position of the plate below which it should not fall. This complicates the setup somewhat, but provides some advantages and additional capabilities. First of all, this is the possibility of “contactless” cooking - when the top plate is not adjacent to the food, and heating from above occurs only due to thermal radiation.

— Opening 180°. A feature found primarily in contact pressure grills, as well as individual pizza makers (see “Type”). When the lid is opened 180 degrees, such a device actually turns into a barbecue grill with two separate working surfaces. Thus, this feature allows you to grill not only in a “closed” but also in an “open” way. And some similar models provide separate temperature control (see below), further expanding the functionality.

— Separate temperature control. In grills with this feature, the work surface is divided into two parts, and the temperature of each of them can be adjusted independently of the other. Most of these models are contact grills with the ability to open at 180° (see above) — they can separately adjust the temperature of the main surface and the lid. In the "open" format of work, this allows you to simultaneously cook dishes that require different temperature conditions; and when the grill is closed, due to separate adjustment, it is possible to provide different intensity of processing from above and below — for example, to brown the bottom half of the burger and only slightly heat the top. There are also open grills, in which the working surface is divided into two independent temperature zones; however, this possibility significantly complicates the design and increases its cost, so that very few such models are produced.

The presence of the tray for fat in a set of delivery of a grill.

As the name suggests, this tray is used to collect fat and other liquids released during cooking. It is removable and performs several functions at once. Firstly, such equipment greatly simplifies cleaning: it is much easier to remove and wash the tray than to clean the non-removable parts of the device from fat. Secondly, in many models, the tray also protects the heating element from contamination — and this not only facilitates cleaning, but also prevents the appearance of fumes and unpleasant smells that among other things can spoil the taste of ready-made dishes. Thirdly, the collected fat can be useful for cooking purposes, as an ingredient in some recipes.

Note that the specific design of the tray may be different, depending on the type of grill (see above). For example, in some barbecues, instead of one common container, separate bowls are used for each skewer.

The main material from which the body of the grill is made.

— Metal. Metal is currently the most popular material used in grills across all types and price ranges. This is primarily due to its high reliability and durability, as well as its heat resistance and fireproof nature. Metal cases also offer a stylish appearance, scratch resistance, and easy cleaning, making them highly desirable. While metal cases may be slightly more expensive than plastic ones, the additional cost is often justified by the advantages mentioned above.

— Plastic. Plastic is another commonly used material in grills. It is generally cheaper than metal but is considered less reliable. Plastic cases are prone to scratches, and a strong impact can cause them to crack, unlike metal cases which are more likely to bend. Additionally, different types of plastic have varying heat resistance, although grills typically use heat-resistant varieties. However, plastic cases are more susceptible to damage from overheating compared to metal alloys. Despite these limitations, these shortcomings are not usually critical in normal everyday use. As a result, while plastic cases are still less common than metal ones, many grills are produced with plastic cases now.

— Glass. All-glass cases are not commonly used in grills due to their high cost and fragility. Instead, glass is often combined with metal or plastic materials as a protective case. It is found mainly in barbecues, where the glass case surrounds the stand with skewers, allowing for easy monitoring of the cooking process without removing the protection from the device. However, glass cases are more fragile compared to metal ones. They can crack or break not only from strong impacts but also from temperature changes, such as washing the case with cold water while it is still hot. In other types of grills, glass is primarily used as a decorative coating for a metal or plastic body, rather than as the main material for the case.

— Wood. While wood can provide a pleasant and unique aesthetic to a grill, it is not as practical as metal or plastic cases. Wood is not well-suited to high temperatures as it can char or even catch fire, requiring careful consideration of thermal insulation in such devices. As a result, grills with wooden cases are extremely rare and primarily found in designer models that prioritize unconventional appearances over practicality.