The Best Grills For Indoor Grilling

When Old Man Winter arrives we say goodbye to many of the joys of summer. Outdoor activities are curtailed and no longer do we enjoy warm weather, outdoor swimming, wearing shorts and fun in the sun. Leaves fall from trees and the gentle sough of the wind turns to howling and stinging frozen rain. Sure, winter offers us beauty as well, but it will be many months before the sun warms us again or we fire up the outdoor grill.

And there's the rub. For many, the onset of winter signals one loss that eclipses all the rest: No more outdoor grilling. True grilling aficionados will bundle up and brave the weather for an outdoor grill session, but the vast majority simply say goodbye until the following season. But that need not be the case. There are many great indoor grills that can do the job right in the kitchen, and by choosing the model of indoor grill that fits your needs and budget you'll continue grilling great steaks, chops, seafood, chicken, vegetables, and anything else you commonly grill.

Whole the George Foreman may have brought indoor grills to the attention of the American public, there are many other players on the market. Here are the best indoor grills. Many also allow for making grilled sandwiches and paninis, and even breakfasts and pancakes. We've all heard of the George Foreman Grill, but there are many more. Take a look at the grills offered below and the features and qualities of each. There's sure to be one or more that fulfills your indoor grilling purposes.

Most users agree the Sanyo Smokeless Indoor Grill is a good value and performs well. It's an open  electric grill without a cover, and adding water to the drip pan prevents smoking. The temperature control is adjustable and the cooking surface is large at 200 square inches. It's easy to clean with removable dishwasher-safe drip pan and many say it sears meat well. Some users lament that it doesn't have a cover, and since it can't double as a griddle it can't grill sandwiches or make paninis. It's also cumbersome to store. Overall consumers rate this grill positively, citing good value.

This open style indoor grill is compact and powerful with 1,300 watts of power so it heats up quickly. Temperature has a fine adjustment. It cooks with little to no smoke, and with the non-stick cooking surface, foods are easily released. Fat drips through to drip tray for low-fat cooking. Heats evenly with no “hot spots.” Some parts are dishwashable, and those that aren't are easily cleaned with a damp cloth or soapy water. Overall users rate it as a good product, with some citing the short electrical cord as a detriment.

The die-cast aluminum non-stick cooking surface, measuring 12” x 16”, is high-quality, long lasting and easily removable for dishwasher-safe cleaning. The heating element is embedded and provides a very uniform heat. The thermostat is detachable and adjustable for cooking different foods. It features a splatter shield and glass lid that keeps moisture in. The no-stick drip pan is also easily removed and can be put in the dishwasher. The large cooking surface allows cooking for an entire family. The handles stay cool and an indicator light shows when unit is on.

The Minden Master Range Top Grill sits on the top of the burners on your stove. It is not electric. Of that style of grills, this one is very durable and sits higher above the flames so as to prevent burning. At 100 square inches, the cooking surface is small, adequate for 3 – 4 hamburgers or 2 small steaks. The heavy duty grates are porcelain-coated steel and the included lid keeps in the heat and prevents splatter. The stay-cool handles make it easy to handle, and the entire unit is dishwashable. Drawbacks are that it can't be used with a ceramic or glass-topped range and its small cooking surface. If you're only cooking for one or two people and are looking for a range top grill, this is one of the better ones available.

The Cuisinart Griddler is a contact grill – meaning the lid cooks also for Panini Sandwiches – is possibly the most versatile contact grill on the market. The cooking surfaces are reversible with one side grated for steaks and the other a flat griddle for pancakes, eggs, paninis, etc. Users like its adjustable hinges to accommodate varying thicknesses of paninis, and dual thermostats control both sides separately. The grill plates are dishwasher-safe and are easier to remove thanks to recent design modifications. Some owners say the thermostat isn't accurate and the grease cups are too light, allowing them to spill easily. Overall, very positive reviews from users.

Some of the features of the West Bend Heart Smart Indoor Grill are easy assembly, adjustable heat control with 1500 watts of power, double-sided grill with both ribbed and flat surfaces, and a large 15' x 11” non-stick surface. It also has a glass lid and heat-resistant handles. It's virtually smokeless with the water pan underneath, and both the grill and drip tray are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. The indicator light tells you when it's on. Some users cite it's lack of depth as a slight hindrance. It can do chicken, steaks, chops, etc., but nothing thicker. Still, a majority of users rate it positively.

The Krups Universal Grill and Panini Maker is a contact grill with floating-hinges that adjust to the thickness of the food you are cooking. It can be used for grilling, but functions best as a panini maker. With a cooking surface of approximately 160 square inches (16” x 10”) it can accommodate burgers, chicken, fish, steaks and Italian-style sandwiches. The top and bottom grilling plates are non-stick for easy cleanup, and the locking latch allows for upright storage. Cool-touch handle. Comes with Recipe book. Some users say the heat output is not very adjustable.

Thanks to the endorsement of Foreman and the advertising budget of the Salton Company, this is the best selling indoor grill. A contact grill, it comes with 5 interchangeable non-stick plates for versatility and easy cleanup. The included plates are grill, steak grill, bake, griddle, and waffle maker. Surface is 84 square inches, large handles and quick and even heat up. This is the latest Foreman Grill and features many improvements over the earlier models. Few complaints from customers, including short power cord, but overwhelmingly positive reviews.

The Hamilton Beach MealMaker Express Grill is a dual function grill. Used as panini/sandwich press, the surface is 60 square inches, but open the lid all the way and double the size to 120 square inches. It is powerful and heats up quickly for fast grilling. Cooking surfaces are removable and dishwasher-safe for easy clean up. The grid lets fats drip away for healthier cooking with a secure drip tray. Features a timer with auto-shutoff for added safety and convenience. Some users complained of poor teflon coating, the location of the power cord, and problems with grease drainage, but very few. A vast majority report only positive results.

The Breville Indoor BBQ and Grill is both a contact grill, but can be folded open for a whopping 370 square inches of cooking surface. If you are a serious “griller,” then this is the unit for you. It is extremely well constructed and made of die-cast aluminum and high-grade, brushed stainless steel. It is one of the largest of the indoor grills, very versatile, and is great for parties and family meals of everything from breakfast to dinner to midnight snacks. The cooking plates are non-stick and professional-grade aluminum. Top plates are ribbed and the bottom is a flat griddle surface for searing. It has a locking system for storage and everything is adjustable: heat goes from 350 degrees to 450 degrees with built-in thermal heaters for maintaining consistent heat; the height and tilt of the unit; and it's all controlled from a central control panel. A light indicates the unit has reached the desired cooking temperature. Overwhelmingly positive reviews from users.

Now that you've looked at the best indoor grills on the market, only you can decide which is best for your needs. Will it be the ubiquitous George Foreman Grill? Or perhaps the professional Breville indoor grill or one of the others? Which ever you choose, you'll soon be grilling steaks, chops, fish, chicken and making paninis right in your kitchen.