Electric Grill Buying Guide

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For a healthy alternative to pan-frying that will save you time, turn to electric grills and griddles. Electric grills, like the George Foreman grill, help you cook with less fat, and indoor grills heat up fast, unlike an outdoor charcoal or gas grill. These appliances are a great addition to any kitchen because they are easy to use and to clean. Read on for helpful information on how to buy electric grills and griddles.

What you need to know
Common questions about electric grills
Ideas from Overstock.com
Buy electric grills here

What you need to know

Electric grill styles

Electric grills come in a few different styles with a few variations for cooks. Their non-stick surfaces and ability to give classic "grill marks" makes them popular with new cooks as well.

Panini grill: Panini grills are for making grilled, pressed sandwiches. The cooking plates on a Panini grill are flat and, like the other electric grills, they cook on both sides.
Clamshell style grill: This popular design has raised ridged to whisk fat away from foods and a slanted cooking surface to bring and juices or fat down to a drip tray. Heat is conveyed through both the top and bottom grill plates, allowing for fast, even cooking. Throw on vegetables and meats, as well as sandwiches for your own Panini or grilled sandwich. Comes in small (2 person), medium (3-4 person) and large (6-8 person).
Indoor/outdoor grill: An indoor-outdoor grill resembles a domed, standing charcoal grill. This electric grill can be converted for indoor or outdoor use. If you like the style of outdoor grills plus the ease of electric grills, this stand grill is a perfect grill for you.
Interchangeable grill plates grill: This is similar to the clamshell design. This one has the raised ridge cooking plates as well as plates for waffles, Paninis, vegetables, baking and a griddle plate. Depending on the model you choose there may be other plates included.

Variations on the electric grill

Electric grills have been such a revolution in the home, making it possible to grill indoors, that many variations have arisen from their design.

Electric griddle: Griddles are a breakfast miracle. These flat grills have a large cooking area which is perfect for cooking many foods at a time. Make pancakes, griddle cakes, French toast, eggs, bacon and sausage; there is enough room to make an entire breakfast. Griddles have a small catch bowl for any drippings and many are now dishwasher safe. Electric griddles have a variable temperature control meaning you can cook pancakes then turn up the heat for other foods. You can cook vegetables and quesadillas on your electric griddle as well.
Hot dog grill: You've seen them at the gas station, at ballgames and fairs; now you can have these handy grills make just for hot dogs. Instead of the plates the other grills use, a hot dog grill cooks using heated rollers that continually turn the dog, cooking it slowly and evenly on all sides. Many styles have bun warmers included. Perfect for watching the game at home? Yes it is!
Ridged griddle/grill: This electric grill resembles an electric griddle but has the raised ridge cooking surface to reduce fat. Flip the plate over and you have a flat griddle. These combination kitchen appliances are good for someone who want the benefits of both electric grills and electric griddles but doesn't always have room for two separate appliances.

Easy electric grill clean-up

Most electric grills made currently have removable plates that can be dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up a snap. For the electric griddles and grills that aren't dishwasher safe, cleaning up is still an easy thing. Don't use and abrasive cleaning pads; you don't want to scratch the non-stick surface. Use a soft sponge or towel, and for cooked on foods, dampen a kitchen towel or paper towel and rest it on the cooking surface of the grill after it is turned off and cool enough to handle. Let it sit for just a few minutes to loosen foods and then clean off.

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Common questions about electric grills

Will food cooked on an electric grill taste as good as food cooked on a charcoal grill?

Electric grills don't take as long to heat up as a charcoal grill but their closed design is very similar to a charcoal grill. You will also have grill marks, just like your outdoor grill. Whether they taste as good or not is really up to you and the recipe you use. If it tastes great on a charcoal grill, it will also taste great on an electric grill--just remember it won't need to cook for the same amount of time.

Is there anything special I need to do to my electric grill to make sure food doesn't stick?

Most electric grills and electric griddles already have non-stick cooking surfaces. To ensure that they remain non-stick, just remember a few tips:

Use low heat: Protect your non-stick surface by using a lower heat setting because high heat can damage the surface. (Slow cooked meats are juicier!)
Metal is a "no-no": never use metal kitchen utensils to turn foods or remove foods from your electric grill's non-stick surface. Metal can scratch the surface; instead use wooden spoons/forks or silicone coated tongs to remove or turn your food.
Hand wash: Although most electric grills and griddles are now dishwasher safe, washing by hand will prolong the life of your electric grill.

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Ideas from Overstock.com

Make room

It seems that there are so many appliances for the kitchen that are vital to the success of cooking. With so many great small appliances you may be running out of room to store it all. For storage solutions (and so you don't need to get rid of your favorite appliances) browse our kitchen storage department. There you will find great space saving and space creating kitchen items.

Try something new

Many people are excited about their new electric grill, only to find that they are stuck in a cooking rut. You don't need to be a master chef to try out new recipes. All you need is a little help. You know there are time saving kitchen appliances and now is a good time to get them. Make grilled tomato salsa with your electric grill and a food processor. Make perfect grilled chicken and pasta with your grill and a set of new pots and pans, including tall pasta pots. Make a spectacular presentation with new dinnerware and serveware. Don't be afraid of new things. Find wonderful recipe books and give things a try. All you need is your electric grill and daring! Try specialty appliances for real eye catching treats! Grilled peaches and ice cream anyone?

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