Contact grills: characteristics and overview of popular models

Many different kitchen gadgets have now been invented that greatly simplify the cooking process. For example, contact grills have appeared as a result of changes to the electric grill.

The grill is designed for roasting meat, vegetables, fish and even dairy products. The device is widely used not only in cafes and restaurants, but also in everyday life. This is a professional equipment that can handle frying in a few minutes.

The contact grill consists of two heat-resistant plates connected by springs. The body of the device is made of stainless steel, and the working planes are most often made of cast iron, there are instances of glass-ceramics or aluminum. The surface of the plate can also be coated with a non-stick compound.

The device is easy to operate. Place the food on the bottom plate and press the top one down. There is no need to use oil, so the products remain as healthy as possible. The spring mechanism reacts to the size of the food and allows you to create the necessary pressure for high-quality frying. The press heats the dish evenly from the top and bottom, which saves time and energy. The heating temperature of the plates is regulated by a special mechanism - a thermostat. Product readiness and operability are indicated by special light indicators.

Depending on the heat source, grills are divided into several types.

• Gas. Heating is carried out by gas burners.
• Coal. The source of heat is coal or wood.
• Electrical. They work when connected to a 220V network, heating elements act as heating elements.

Grills are divided into two types by design.

• Double-sided, which have two cast iron roasting plates. Such a grill is called a press grill or a pressure grill. You can cook on such equipment with the lid folded back.
• One-sided, with one frying plate.

There are devices with removable panels on sale. This turns the electric grill into a versatile appliance, as you can cook meat, waffles and sandwiches.

The frying surface of a contact grill can be different:

• smooth is intended mainly for seafood and poultry;
• grooved is recommended for roasting steaks and large pieces of meat;
• combined is suitable for various dishes.

Various materials are used for the manufacture of the frying panel.

• Non-stick metal. A distinctive feature is rapid heating and cooling.
• Cast iron. This material distributes well and maintains temperature, does not undergo deformation.
• A natural stone. This option retains heat for a long time, but is afraid of blows.

Everyone chooses kitchen appliances based on their needs, wishing that the price-quality ratio matches the appliance.

Rating of the most popular manufacturers of electric grills:

• Tefal;
• Philips;

• Zelmer;
• Gorenje;
• Maxwell.

These are the most successful and high-quality models, according to consumer reviews.

Double sided grill. The frying panels are removable and can be installed in one of three positions: oven, grill and barbecue.The grooved surface is coated with a non-stick layer, which allows you to cook on it without oil and is easy to clean the surface. The high power of 2 thousand watts ensures fast heating. Special stands allow the device to be stored vertically, which saves space. Among the shortcomings, one can note the absence of a temperature indicator and a timer, the impossibility of washing removable plates in a dishwasher due to the Teflon coating, and the absence of additional panels in production.

Electric grill with a power of 1800 watts. Equipped with two top separate frying panels and a one-piece bottom with a corrugated surface. The bottom and top panels have independent thermostats. The handles of the device are made of heat-resistant plastic. The body of the device is made of stainless steel, the frying panels are easy to clean. The top panel allows you to cook food of various thicknesses thanks to the self-adjusting spring.

Compact grill, well suited for a small cafe. Has one corrugated working surface. The body is made of stainless steel, and the frying panels are made of cast iron and covered with enamel.

Compact but functional device. It is characterized by ease of operation and high-quality non-stick coating of the embossed frying panel. Additionally, the complete set of the electric grill includes a container for collecting fat, which flows down specially designated grooves during cooking. And also the device is equipped with a timer and thermostat.

Has an electronic control panel, auto-off function. It differs from other grills by heating only the top plate.

The power indicator of the grill is 2 thousand watts, which makes it possible to cook in a wide temperature range. The removable panel is double-sided - on one side it is smooth, on the other it is corrugated.

The presence of a thermostat in this model of electric grill will allow you to select the required temperature for cooking various products. The instrument is also equipped with a power indicator. The high-quality non-stick coating of the frying plates makes them quick and easy to clean. The plates can be unfolded at an angle of 180 °, which increases the cooking surface. And also the electric grill has a tray into which fat and juice drips during cooking.

Powerful grill, perfectly roasts even thick cuts of meat, and ideal for sandwiches. It is possible to set different temperatures for the top and bottom plate. The non-stick coating is very high quality and will last for more than one year. The disadvantage of the model is non-removable panels.

When choosing a contact grill, you should pay attention to some parameters.

• The size of the working surface. Choose from the amount of food that will need to be cooked at one time. The large surface will save time during cooking.
• Power. The more power, the faster the dish will cook, and the meat will cook well, but will remain juicy. Low-power specimens are suitable for cooking vegetables and semi-finished products. For use at home, a device with an average power will be universal.
• Temperature regulator. Allows you to set the required temperature for cooking various products.

• Automatic adjustment of the top plate. This function allows you to cook foods of different sizes equally well.
• Overheating protection and automatic shutdown system. Options are required for security purposes.
• Timer. Facilitates cooking control.
• Removable panels. Essential for easy maintenance and efficient cleaning.
• Manufacturers equip the latest models with an electronic display. Simplifies instrument control, a useful but not so important addition.
• Several degrees of roasting. This function is essential for preparing delicious meals.

Any technique requires a certain amount of care, and a contact grill is no exception. If you want the device to serve for a long time and properly, you should pay attention to the operating advice offered by specialists.

The first step is to read the attached instructions.

All recommendations for safe use and maintenance must be followed without fail.

• The grill must reach a certain temperature. This will shorten the cooking time.

• After use, the device must be unplugged and allowed to cool.
• The hob should be cleaned after every grill. Use detergent, a soft sponge, and paper towels or towels. First, remove all dirt with a sponge and soapy water, then remove the foam with a damp sponge, and finally wipe it dry with a towel. It is important not to allow water to enter the heating elements under the frying surface. The device body is cleaned in a similar way.

• The grease receptacle is a small bowl that is located under the grill panels. It must be removed and washed after every cooking.

It is strictly forbidden to:

• use metal brushes, as they can damage the surface;
• lower the device into water;
• wash the grill connected to the network;
• cleaning hot panels, it can also damage the coating and cause burns.

Choosing a high-quality and reliable electric grill, you will receive delicious and healthy dishes, cooked with pleasure. There are many models on the market with different characteristics and at different prices, and each buyer will be able to choose the appropriate model.

See the following video for how to cook the perfect steak with the Tefal OptiGrill contact grill.