Electric grills: characteristics and selection criteria
The electric grill is a convenient solution not only for those who like to get out on a picnic, but also for all lovers of meat cooked on fire. There are many options with different characteristics, suitable for use in enclosed spaces or only in open spaces. To determine the main criteria that you need to pay attention to when choosing, you should study the issue in more detail.
Features and purpose
The electric grill is a modern alternative to the classic barbecue, grill or barbecue. The device is powered by a home electrical network, but the taste does not suffer compared to cooking on an open fire. Electric grills are not only intended for grilling meat or fish. They can also be used to cook vegetables, eggs, and some models can even cook side dishes.
There are many different electric grills for both home and public use: restaurants, bistros, stalls. Each of the species has its own specific features that must be taken into account when choosing. After all, a car that is suitable for restaurants and is designed for large volumes of cooking is unlikely to be a good option for the home.
It is imperative to take into account the purpose of the electric grill, the conditions in which its use will be most justified.
Varieties
Electric grills are available in many varieties. Each of them allows you to prepare food in a special way. Some of the types are more often used when preparing a large amount of food, others are optimally suited for domestic use. They also differ in convenience: some are washed mainly in the dishwasher, while others can only be cleaned by hand. To choose the best option, you first need to know which type is most preferable for you, what parameters an electronic grill should have.
Models of electric grills built into kitchen appliances (for example, an oven or a microwave oven) will not be considered, since they are not separate units. As a rule, the grill here is an ordinary grate or spit, depending on whether it is horizontal or vertical.
Closed
Models of this type are the most common. The unit is like a book, with the heating elements located on one and the other "page". In the process of cooking, products are placed on the stationary part, and they are pressed by the moving flap, like a press. It is believed that this cooking technology provides the best frying, the formation of a caramelized crust on the steaks.
Many people compare such an electric grill with a conventional oven. because of the effect that can be achieved. Despite the beautiful and unusual stripes, as during cooking on a traditional grill, the taste of the food is not much different from that made in the usual way without the use of special devices. Roughly speaking, it turns out ordinary meat from the oven, only with stripes.
Some closed-type units are suitable not only for cooking vegetables, fish or meat, but also for sandwiches.In these cases, they are equipped with special compartments, while there are no traditional strips.
Open
Unlike the previous version, here the food being prepared is not covered with anything on top. The heat is supplied from an infrared heating element located under the grill, as a result of which the food is cooked. Unlike closed ones, open models are most close to ordinary barbecues or barbecues. This necessitates constantly turning the food during the frying process, making sure that it cooks evenly.
Among other things, such electric grills have one more drawback. During cooking, food emits strong aroma, smoke and steam. All this mixes with the surrounding air, so it will be necessary to organize high-quality ventilation at the location of the electric grill.
As a frying surface, not only a cast iron or steel grate can be used, but also even stone slabs.
Rakletnitsa
Despite the fact that the raclette is somewhat larger than electric grills, it also belongs to small household appliances. Of greatest interest are devices with mini-trays instead of one large frying surface.
In essence, the raclette is the same electric grill, only with several tiers. As a rule, there are two baking trays: bottom and top, with the lower one having a higher temperature. This opens up more perspectives during cooking, because you can adjust so that products with different cooking times are fried at the same time.
Among other things, many electronic raclette holders must be supplied with a thermostat. This allows you to use not only the cheese of the same name intended for this, but also some other options in the process of preparing a traditional dish of raclette.
Convection oven
The airfryer is a type of electric grill that has a slightly different operating principle. Here hot air circulates in a glass tube. It is served with the help of special fans - heating elements. The owner can set any temperature mode at his own discretion. This also applies to the time during which the food will be prepared.
What is noteworthy is the settings for the heat supply system. If in classic electric grills heating occurs all the time, regardless of whether the unit is open or closed, then the airfryer automatically turns off, as soon as the lid is lifted. This is done in order to minimize the risk of burns, because the air inside the glass bulb is very hot.
Among other things, you can cook cereals, boil porridge, and make yoghurts in the airfryer. Also, the airfryer does not release the smell of cooking food outside the flask, so you can not be afraid that the aromas of food will scatter throughout the house.
However, air grills are usually larger than household electric grills, so keep in mind that they will take up a lot of space.
Types of structures
Classic electric grills differ in design features, which are important to keep in mind before making a choice. There are a lot of classifications: by type of dish, purpose, place in which the unit should be located. Each of these features guarantees maximum comfort and fit for the environment. So, there are electric grills for beginners and professionals, as well as electric grills with a waffle iron or a sandwich maker - there are a lot of options.
Among the whole abundance of types, it is especially worth highlighting only a few, knowledge of which is important for choosing an electric grill for household use. First of all, we are talking about the type of dish for which the unit is selected. Separately, it should be noted that almost all options are suitable for the preparation of related products, such as vegetables.
By the cooking mechanism
This refers to how food is cooked in an electric grill - using heat or direct contact with frying surfaces.
Contact
In this case, the product is directly placed on the grill, resulting in a beautiful crispy crust. In contact models, the products come into contact with heating elements, which are responsible for frying. There is no high temperature around as such, or it is not particularly important. Frying occurs due to the contact of the product with the hot parts of the electric grill.
The positive side of this method is the possibility of obtaining a beautiful crust, which "seals" the meat, and it remains juicy.
You can also note a beautiful pattern on steaks, fish or vegetables that are cooked in such an apparatus. Surfaces can be made of unusual materials (eg stone). Thanks to this, a special taste and the required degree of roast are obtained.
Negative feature is the need for constant overturning and continuous monitoring of the product so as not to overexpose or burn it. Also, the entire surface is heated, and because of this, you need to act extremely carefully during cooking for your own safety. However, for many, such disadvantages turn out to be insignificant, since they are occupied by the culinary process itself.
Contactless
Working with non-contact models is based on the injection of hot air surrounding the product being prepared. As a rule, skewers are used here to fix food. The most common example of this type of unit is a chicken grill machine, in which the chickens are rotated and cooked by the incoming heat rather than by contact with the surface.
A definite plus here is that the food is fried evenly. Non-contact type electric grills are mostly equipped with a system in which the spit rotates so that all sides of the product are roasted the same way. It is worth noting the beautiful crispy crust, if there is a goal to achieve it. Contactless models are both vertical and horizontal, in contrast to contact ones.
The main disadvantage is the accumulation of fat in the panlocated under the product being prepared. Burning fat will smoke heavily, producing odorous smoke, and the smell will not always be pleasant. Thus, it is important to provide good ventilation at the installation site of such an electric grill. Cleaning off burnt fat will also be difficult, so it is better to choose non-contact models with non-stick or Teflon parts.
By the type of dish prepared
You can cook a wide variety of dishes in electric grills, but there are models specially designed for this or that product. Electrical appliances differ in appearance, in the structure of frying panels, and in several other ways.
Burgers
Basically, electric hamburger grills are not purchased for the home. Much more often they can be found in catering establishments: fast foods, bistros, cafes, and sometimes restaurants. This is due to the fact that such a unit absorbs a large amount of electricity, which can significantly hit the pocket of the owners.
For hamburgers, only double-sided contact electric grills are suitable, since the cutlet itself needs to be fried on both sides. In this case, the plates can be either with characteristic stripes or smooth. The cutlet is made 2-3 cm thick, so the electric grill should be of impressive weight. Most often, large models are chosen for hamburgers, which allow you to simultaneously cook several cutlets at once.
Hamburger units have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, you do not need to worry about constantly turning the cutlets, as they are fried on both sides at the same time, forming a crispy, beautiful crust on them.On the other hand, hamburgers can quickly burn or overcook if left unattended.
Shawarma
Cooking shawarma or shawarma can often be encountered both on the streets and at home. The only difference is the size of the electric grills, as well as the number of skewers in them for roasting meat. As a rule, non-contact models of the vertical type are used, while it is important that the spit is surrounded along its entire height by parts that heat up to high temperatures. Here the meat is spun on a skewer by hand, ready-made pieces are gradually cut off, after which they proceed to their further processing: they are mixed with spices, crushed and added to the finished dish.
The material is usually stainless steel, because it quickly and strongly heats up, and it is possible to completely fry the meat. For shawarma, they usually take fatty varieties that need high-quality heat treatment, not only for their readiness, but also as a precaution: high temperature kills almost all harmful microorganisms.
Hen
Electric chicken grills are also common in fast food stalls and kiosks. These devices are classified as non-contact horizontal type, while the heating elements are located only on one side, and the rotation of the spit occurs automatically. The temperature inside builds up, and readiness can only be monitored through a special fire-resistant glass.
There are electrical units for home use. If large stationary electric grills are used mainly in the field of public catering, then desktop and portable varieties are suitable for domestic conditions.
What is noteworthy, in grill chicken machines, you can cook not only chicken, but also simply fry meat or vegetables. Of course, there will be no beautiful familiar stripes on the products, but you will get a kebab that tastes almost indistinguishable from the one that is cooked over an open fire. The meat will be juicy and crispy.
The main disadvantage is the inability to adjust the power. The electric grill runs at maximum all the time, no matter how many chicken or meat is loaded into it. This takes a heavy toll on your electricity bills.
Steak
Steaks are made not only from meat, but also from fish. Basically, it is a whole piece of food, well toasted on the outside, but juicy on the inside. Therefore, the apparatus must have suitable characteristics for this.
It should be in contact, preferably with a raised frying surface. This can be either a grate if a closed type electric grill is selected, or grooved surfaces on both sides if a closed type oven is used. It is best if a closed electric grill with a heavy lid is chosen, since additional pressure will make the meat juicier and the crust more crispy.
It is important that the electric steak grill allows you to fry them quickly, that is, it has elements made of materials that conduct heat well. Cast iron varieties are the ideal choice here. They will ensure that the steaks are evenly browned.
The unit must not smoke, otherwise the taste and smell of meat or fish will be spoiled. However, this precaution only applies to open electric grills. When working with closed models, smoke or soot does not occur.
By destination
Here we will consider not trivial electronic devices for domestic use, but those that can be used outside the home. It is also worth keeping in mind the analogue, which is most often bought for catering establishments, so as not to purchase such a home under the influence of persistent persuasion of sales consultants.
A restaurant
Models of electric grills for a restaurant perform not one function, but several at once. That is why they are usually wider and larger than units for the home.For restaurants, stationary heavy-duty machines with multifunctional surfaces of a combined type are usually purchased. This means that you can cook on them in both open and closed ways.
Electric grills for restaurants are usually equipped with many additional options. Among them is the equipment of a special container or pallet in which the dripping grease is collected in order to prevent heating parts from getting into it. This not only extends the service life of the elements themselves, but also prevents the fat from heating up and smoking or smoking, which allows you to preserve the taste and smell of the dish in the form in which it was intended.
For a home, such units are not suitable for a number of reasons. Firstly, they cannot be powered from a regular 220 W network. They need 380 watts. Secondly, such machines are heavy, so they can only be installed if there is a solid foundation. Thirdly, electric grills intended for restaurants consume a lot of electrical energy, which makes it impossible to save money. In addition, the models themselves are quite expensive.
Balcony
For use on the balcony, mainly portable models are used, since in Russian realities, due to the cold winter weather, it is not possible to store the device here on the balcony. We'll have to bring it into the house. Since the equipment is not used indoors, the smoke is not dangerous. You can safely choose open contact varieties.
Keep in mind that those who live in multi-storey buildings may have problems with such electric grills, since not all neighbors will like the smell of food. Be sure to check with them if they would mind if you install such a thing on your balcony. It is even advisable to take a written receipt from them. In order not to escalate the situation, choose a closed electric grill press.
Installing the grill on the balcony imposes certain restrictions. For example, the sockets should be near the balcony. Also, there should be a fire extinguisher in the accessibility zone, because an accidental fire is fraught with the fact that the fire will spread to nearby apartments.
Street
The use of an electric grill outdoors requires a special configuration of the device. So, it is important that it is equipped with a special stand or legs. Also, the device can be open, because there is a priori good ventilation on the street. The legs will allow you to place the electric grill anywhere in a suburban or suburban area, while the unit will be stable, and the risk that it accidentally overturns will practically disappear. Mobility is also important because you need power outlets near your electric grill.
When choosing, pay special attention to those street models that have a shelf or table in the design for laying all kinds of kitchen utensils and sauces. This is very convenient, especially if you do not plan to place a large table near the electric grill.
As a rule, the drainage of fat from street models is provided directly to the ground, which is both a plus and a minus at the same time. On the one hand, this is not very good for the environment, on the other hand, it is convenient in terms of care.
By location
Household or home electric grills can be positioned in different ways relative to table surfaces. So, there are table and floor models.
Tabletop
Tabletop options are usually bought for installation in small kitchens. Among them there are both contact and non-contact models. Contact is represented by one (more compact version) or two frying surfaces. Sometimes they are stacked on top of each other to make the tabletop grill smaller. As a rule, contact tabletop units are made open.
As for contactless machines, they are much smaller in size. They have one spit on which the products are placed. In the future, they are fried like a kebab, constantly scrolling a spit.There is no automatic scrolling in tabletop electric grills.
On the one hand, small tabletop grills have many benefits. Among them are a compact size that allows you to install this piece of kitchen equipment even in a small kitchen, ease of transportation due to its low weight, ease of maintenance, as well as a modern look that allows you to harmoniously fit the appliance into the surrounding interior.
On the other hand, electric table grills are limited in the amount of food they can cook. Rarely can you make more than one serving at a time. Also, open electronic devices give off a lot of heat, so it will be very hot in the kitchen. A good ventilation system is essential.
Floor standing
Floor options can be used both inside an apartment or house, and on the street. Everything is limited only by the area that is available. When choosing a floor-standing electric grill for your home, you need to pay attention to how stable its legs are. Accidentally overturning, such a unit will quickly provoke the ignition of surrounding objects. It will be necessary to adjust the height of the legs "for yourself" only once, then in the future you will always be comfortable while cooking.
Floor standing electronic models are much cheaperthan a real barbecue, which is why many use electric grills as an inexpensive alternative. What is noteworthy, floor-standing appliances have a longer warranty period than table-top options, so their durability also belongs to their advantages.
Among the disadvantages, one can single out a large absorption of electricity, since floor-standing electric grills are much larger than desktop ones. Their large size is also due to the inconvenience of storing them: you will have to allocate a special place for such a grill. The biggest difficulties arise during transportation. In the process of transporting the unit, you will have to completely disassemble it, including not only the racks, but also the frying surface itself.
Other parameters
There are a number of parameters that cannot be categorized, but they are also important.
Presser
Pressure models are also called press grills for their characteristic way of working. They are of a closed type and act like an electric waffle iron, when the flaps are compressed as much as possible, as if pushing the air out and distributing the product between the plates in a thin layer. Pressing electric grills allow you to cook various dishes, from classic steaks to such as omelet, pancakes, toasts. The stripes on the products are brighter, more pronounced and deeper.
Press grills are usually bought for restaurants or fast food establishments to "bring" a dish. For example, strips on shawarma are obtained precisely through the use of such a device. It warms up and roasts at the same time. The temperature of both work surfaces is extremely high, so care must be taken to avoid scalding or burning food. It is noteworthy that press grills are the most economical of all in terms of energy consumption, but they are bulky and heavy.
Removable panels
This type implies the presence of panels for cooking, detachable from the body. Many home models imply this function, making it possible to cook using both smooth surfaces and embossed ones. After removing the panels, you can wash them in the dishwasher, which greatly simplifies the maintenance of the unit.
An additional plus is the simplicity and low cost of repairs. If any of the panels break, you can replace it with a new one simply by purchasing another set. You don't have to contact a master or a special service, which will save you a substantial amount.
However, removable panels also have disadvantages. So, if you change the panels too often, then there is a high probability of damaging the fasteners on the case, and the planes will not be fixed as firmly as at the beginning of operation.Be sure to pay attention to whether there are additional panels on the free sale. Not all manufacturers provide this option.
Availability of attachments
Electric grills with replaceable attachments are called multigrills because of the ability to cook not only the usual dishes. Like the previous version, this one implies replaceable panels, only their shape is limited not only by smoothness or relief. In home grills, you can often find attachments for making waffles, toasts, sandwiches, and changing them is not particularly difficult.
In this case, the attachments are attached directly to the working surface of the electric grill., that is, the heating element is protected not only by the nozzle itself, but also by the rough surface on which the figured panel is fixed. The roughing plate is smooth and can be used to cook fish or meat in the usual way.
The disadvantage is the extremely small size. Because of this, very few foods can be cooked at the same time. Multigrills are tabletop models that do not have their own mount, which is also not very convenient.
Lid
Open varieties with one frying surface are equipped with a lid. Its presence allows you to diversify cooking, achieving the stewing effect, as well as even frying due to the heat build-up under the lid. Covered dishes are cooked in a short time compared to traditional grilling. Covers aren't just for cooking, however. They also protect you and the device from splashes of hot oil or grease, which are difficult to wipe off from the case.
The covers are available in several variations. There are transparent and opaque options. It is preferable to choose transparent lids, since through them it will be seen how well the dish has browned, which will simplify the control procedure. The materials for the manufacture are glass, metal or plastic. The most common combinations of these materials are a glass lid body, a metal rim, and a plastic handle.
Lattice
Interestingly, cooking on a sieve allows the electric grill to be classified as a non-contact variety, since the products do not come into direct contact with the heating parts. Lattice electric grill - the closest analogue of coal.
An electric grill with a grate has the same limitations as a charcoal one. You cannot work with him indoors, as this is fraught with smoke throughout the room. Grease dripping onto the heating elements will smoke heavily, therefore good ventilation must be ensured. Ideally, use the rack grills for outdoor use only.
Grill models deliver the smoky flavor you would expect from grilled food. At the same time, the prices for such electronic devices are quite reasonable. The only drawback is the difficulty in leaving. It is difficult to wipe off soot and grease from the heating elements, and also to wash out the bowl in the corners of the frozen oil. These units cannot be washed in a dishwasher.
Manufacturing materials
Frying surfaces or grates can be made from a wide variety of materials. Each of them has its pluses and minuses, has characteristic features and characteristics. Understanding the specifics of a particular material is especially important if you are planning to purchase an expensive model of an electric grill. It is important not to miscalculate and not to give money for some unknown reason.
By and large, the surfaces of electric grills are made either of metal or stone., however, recently there have been alternative options that also deserve attention. Some of them are much cheaper while maintaining similar qualities, others allow you to get an interesting taste of the dish, and others are easy to clean. However, the most common are five types of materials used in electric grills. It is worth dwelling on them in more detail.
Cast iron
Cast iron electric grills are rarely used within the home.Much more often they can be seen either when cooking in the street or in catering establishments. When working with cast iron, good ventilation is essential, otherwise smoke or an unpleasant burning smell may occur due to the fact that food sticks to the heating elements and burns.
Most often, gratings are made of cast iron. Solid plates are rare because they are not only very heavy but also quite expensive. The undoubted advantage is that when working with such an electric grill, you can use any paddles or slotted spoon. Cast iron surfaces are almost impossible to scratch, and minor damage does not affect the quality of the food.
Marble
Marble is great for cooking on the electric grill. Of course, they will not have characteristic stripes, but a beautiful crust is provided for them. The marble slab is evenly heated, which allows the dish to be cooked well without burning it. In addition, marble does not cool down for a long time, thus saving energy costs. Reheating food on these panels is easy.
It is noteworthy that before cooking, the marble electric grill must be well warmed up. Products should be laid out only on a hot surface, otherwise they will not come off badly. Difficulty turning over will arise, which will lead to the need for thorough cleaning in the future. Caring for the marble, on which it was prepared correctly, is simple, but adhering particles will not be easy to remove: you cannot use abrasive products.
Ceramics
In the production of electric grills, two types are used: conventional ceramics and glass ceramics. Both the ceramic material looks attractive and presentable. This is due to its color. If usually the frying surfaces of electric grills are dark, then ceramic ones are light. Caring for a device with ceramic surfaces is simple: just wipe the contaminated area with a sponge dipped in soapy water. It is important that only a completely cooled unit can be wiped clean. When hot, glass-ceramics are not “friendly” with water, and accidental drops will only ruin the coating.
You can not use ordinary shovels or slotted metal. Ceramic electric grills can only be used with soft silicone devices. The dishes should also be special. When buying, look for markings that it is suitable for glass ceramics.
Sawdust
An unusual and modern solution is the presence of a special compartment into which sawdust is loaded. Only a small part of electric grills are equipped with this function. During cooking, light smoking occurs, as a result of which the dish gains an interesting flavor. Food cooked on an electric grill with sawdust most of all tastes like the one that was cooked on wood.
Aggregates with a sawdust compartment are most often contact and closedas the sawdust dries up in the process and produces strong smoke. If desired, the edema can be filled with something else. Popular options include tea or spices. If necessary, you can leave the compartment empty and cook the food on the electric grill as usual. However, it should be borne in mind that models with the sawdust loading function are much more expensive.
Granite
Granite is the most common natural stone used in the production of electric grills. Its high popularity is due to the specific properties of the material itself: it is not porous and at the same time dense, due to which good frying of food is achieved while maintaining its juiciness. The stone does not absorb moisture or grease even when it is hot, so it is easy to take care of it.
Granite electric grills are expensive, and sometimes such an overpriced is unreasonable. Great care should be taken during operation. Although granite is durable, it can still chip or crack if the slab is carelessly moved.The boundary plates cannot be repaired: you will have to buy a new device.
Review of popular manufacturers
Today, many manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of electric grills. In this regard, difficulties arise with the definition of a truly high-quality unit. Below is a ranking of the most successful samples.
Tefal
The models of this French brand are in demand among buyers all over the world, and not only in Russia. Tefal strives to develop in all directions, to use the latest technologies in the production of its electric grills. So, all models are equipped with a non-stick coating that can be washed in a dishwasher, and some samples have up to a dozen automatic cooking programs.
Tefal electric grills belong to the middle price category. The price directly correlates with the functions of devices: the more there are, the higher the cost. Before buying, you need to evaluate which of the utilities are actually useful to you, and which are not needed. The most popular are closed contact press models for tabletop placement.
Vitek
Vitek came to Russia not so long ago - in 2000. Initially, the brand is Austrian. The product quality is also at a high level, despite the fact that most of the devices are manufactured in China.
The most popular are press grills. The company offers high power models that are able to fry a steak or poultry well. In this case, the electric grill is double-sided. It heats up both the static and the flap.
All electric grills are equipped with a non-stick coating, which makes it as easy as possible to maintain the equipment. Some have a temperature control function.
Of greatest interest are color solutions. There are not only classic black models, but also bright reds.
Philips
Products of the Dutch brand Philips have been in constant demand among Russian consumers for many years. Particular attention should be paid to the models of electric grills with a reservoir for sawdust, since Philips offers similar samples at the best price.
The warranty period for electric grills from this manufacturer is 1 year. Of course, such a period cannot be called sufficient, but a one-year warranty is quite standard for economy-class products.
All electronic units of the brand are made of combined materials: plastic and steel. Electric grills with stone or cast-iron cooking surfaces are not represented, since they do not fit into the company's pricing policy.
Electrolux
Electrolux is a Swedish brand offering high quality home appliances. Among the variety of models presented, you can find press grills, and multi-grills, and electric grills of closed and open types.
The company is focused on both home use and the use of models in catering establishments, which is why it offers such a wide range of electric grills. Regardless of their cost and type, they all have a non-stick coating and a dimmer to adjust the temperature. Despite the fact that the temperature is controlled manually, the electric grill has a built-in digital thermostat that "adjusts" the temperature to the set value if the electronic grill suddenly overheats or cools down.
Kambrook
The company produces high quality models of electric grills for home use. Basically, the brand products are contact or press grills on mechanical control. The company offers middle class electric grills. All of them have a non-stick coating, an automatic shutdown function, and are equipped with a special tray into which grease drips. The pallet is easy to pull out and clean after the unit has cooled down completely.
Some of the models presented are equipped with removable panels and an operation timer that allows you not to follow the cooking without interruption. All grills are high power and absorb a lot of electricity, which must be borne in mind before purchasing.
Josper
When talking about electric grills, models of this particular Spanish manufacturer are taken as a model. The company was the first to start the production of such equipment, we can say that it is a pioneer in the field of electric grills. Josper electric grills do not look like the usual ones, since they are more brazier ovens than grills in the standard sense. Electric grills from this manufacturer are not suitable for home use due to the high price and a number of requirements for the place of their installation. Among them - good ventilation and a large room for maneuver, since the electric grill will have to open and remove the grates with food from it.
Kitfort
The company specializes in the production of budget-class electric contact grills. Low cost is achieved through the use of inexpensive materials. The body is made of plastic and aluminum, the plates are made of aluminum with a non-stick coating. The units are equipped with removable plates (albeit only one set), which are suitable for both manual cleaning and washing in a dishwasher.
Electric grills from this manufacturer have a small temperature range: from 90 to 230 degrees, but this is quite enough for a household tabletop appliance. The models do not have any special bells and whistles. There is only the most necessary functionality.
GFgril
Another worthy representative of the budget segment. Despite the low cost, the units have many additional functions, including a variety of replaceable panels (including grilles) and a thermostat for automatic adjustment to the size of the prepared pieces of meat or fish.
Press grills from this manufacturer are small and great for tabletop use. Despite the fact that the bodies are made of steel, the weight of the electric grill is also quite acceptable. Thanks to the removable panels, cleaning is not difficult: the frying surfaces have a non-stick coating that repels burnt food pieces from themselves when exposed to water. Among others, GFgril products are optimal in terms of price and quality.
Steba
This German company offers high quality models at above average prices. Such a high cost is due to the good reputation of the company and the excellent quality of the goods for which it is famous. Electric grills do not have any specific features. The only thing that distinguishes them is the extended warranty period.
The most popular are multi-grills and press grills - waffle makers. These units allow you to evenly cook even thick meat steaks of 3-4 cm. Due to the large set of temperatures, you can choose the optimal one, suitable for a steak of a certain thickness. Unfortunately, there are no instructions on what temperature is suitable for which steak and how long you need to fry the meat to obtain the required degree (rare, medium rare, medium, medium done or well done), so this will have to be determined by trial and error.
Maxwell
Electric grills from Maxwell are very popular. The models do not have unnecessary functionality, the emphasis is placed only on the necessary functions. Desktop options for home use cost a little, but they please with reliability.
The only drawback that consumers highlight is the insufficient weight of the press when purchasing a press grill. Due to the fact that the top flap does not weigh very much, you have to press on it to ensure the best frying of food. Another drawback is the lack of a timer. When cooking using models from the manufacturer Maxwell, you will have to constantly monitor what is happening with the electric grill, control the culinary process. For many, this may not be very convenient.
Reviews
Most buyers speak only positively about electric grills, saying that they are much better than coal counterparts.Consumers are pleased with the speed with which it turns out to cook the dish, the uniform roasting of the products, and also the beautiful crust on the surface. Regardless of which electric grill is used, the food is juicy.
The owners note the large size of the structures as the main drawback.but this does not apply to desktop options. For many, buying an electric grill turned out to be a waste of money, since they achieved the same effect with an ordinary grill pan. The electric grill does not belong to the necessary kitchen equipment, like a gas stove, for example, so some do not understand the rationale for such a purchase.
Selection Tips
To make the right choice, you must adhere to several recommendations:
- Please read the technical specifications of the selected model carefully. It is important to pay attention to the power, heating time, temperature amplitude, as well as the material from which the frying surfaces are made. It so happens that the price turns out to be unreasonably high due to the eminent brand.
- Check if you need special utensils to work with the electric grill: a spatula or utensils. If there is such a need, then with ordinary metal appliances you can spoil the surfaces, as well as attract additional expenses.
- Read the reviews for the selected model. As a rule, you can find out about some shortcomings only during use. Use other people's experience to avoid mistakes.
Use and care
All the rules for using and caring for one or another electric grill are given in the instructions, but usually care is reduced to cleaning with a rag soaked in soapy water, and does not involve the use of abrasive products. Many models are dishwasher safe.
How to choose an electric grill, see below.
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