To decide whether you need an electric grill in your kitchen, it’s essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of this household appliance. The main benefit of using an electric grill is the ability to cook grilled meat and vegetable dishes without the use of an open flame, making it completely safe for home use.
Advantages:
- Fast Cooking Time: The grill’s heating plates can reach temperatures of up to 270°C, ensuring quick meal preparation. Additionally, the grill is spacious enough to cook several dishes simultaneously.
- Versatility: This appliance is suitable for preparing healthy steamed dishes without the need for oil.
- Multifunctionality: An electric grill can also be used like a microwave to defrost food. It can bake fruits, cook fish, or even prepare dough.
- Portability: The grill is easy to take with you on trips or to the countryside, functioning anywhere with a power source.
- Affordability: Electric grills are relatively inexpensive.
Disadvantages:
The main downside of a home grill is the need for thorough cleaning after use. However, if the grill’s plates are high-quality, cleaning them won’t be too challenging.
Electric Grill: How It Works
A home electric grill is a valuable kitchen appliance used to grill meat, vegetables, and other foods without an open flame.
The grill’s operation depends on its heating surfaces, the placement of the heating elements, and the design of its body.
- In non-contact grills, food is cooked through cyclical heating while it rotates relative to the heating elements.
- In contact grills, cooking is done via a heated cooking surface positioned directly above the heating element.
Types of Heating Elements in Electric Grills:
- Electric tubular heating elements (TENs)
- Metal coils
- Halogen tubes with coils
Halogen heating elements are considered the most efficient as they heat up quickly, reducing cooking time. However, halogen glass tubes are prone to mechanical damage. TENs are highly durable and reliable but heat up slowly. Metal coils are most commonly found in air fryers.
How to Choose an Electric Grill for Your Home
Choosing the right electric grill depends on your family’s needs and how you plan to use the appliance. For example:
- For steaks, a two-sided tabletop grill is ideal.
- For outdoor trips, compact models are more convenient.
When selecting a home grill, consider the following features:
- Power: Higher power ensures faster cooking but also increases energy consumption. A medium-power grill (1.2–1.5 kW) is the most practical choice.
- Cooking Chamber Volume: This determines the amount of food the grill can cook in one session. Standard sizes range from 10–12 liters, with smaller models at 3 liters and larger ones at 18 liters. Choose the volume based on your family size.
- Lid Type: Grills with removable lids are usually cheaper but can be less convenient as you’ll need to find a place to set the lid and may risk burns. Grills with hinged lids are more user-friendly.
- Plate Type: Non-stick coated plates make cleaning quicker and easier.
Accessories and Features:
Pay attention to the grill’s included accessories and functions. For instance, the appliance may come with additional upper, middle, and lower grates. Air fryers may include an extension ring. Other accessories might include skewers, tongs, or mesh trays for drying fruits or mushrooms.
Modern grills should offer additional functions, such as:
- Self-cleaning mode
- Timer
- Auto-cooking programs
- Auto shut-off
- Preheating and heat maintenance features
Adjustable plate angles can transform a contact grill into a barbecue setup.
To determine if an electric grill is right for your kitchen, consider the appliance’s pros and cons to see how it fits your household’s needs.