It is difficult to imagine a modern picnic without aromatic barbecue cooked on charcoal. Thanks to modern technology, you no longer need to get a grill and wait for suitable weather. Electric grills allow you to cook tasty meat at home with minimal cost. What are the features of electric grills and how to choose a quality device?
Content
Electric grill - what is it and why is it needed
An electric grill is a household appliance with which you can fry food on a hot surface or grill located above the heating element. It is used as an alternative to coal and barbecue. The operating temperature of this device can reach 270 degrees Celsius.
An electric grill cannot be called an essential item, but it will be an excellent assistant for fans of a healthy diet. Thanks to the non-stick coating, you can cook without adding vegetable oil and fat. In addition to frying, the grill allows you to stew, heat and thaw foods. All grilled dishes acquire a golden crust and a special aroma.
Types of electric grills
Modern models of electric grills have increased functionality and can combine several devices at once. So, barbecue grills, mini-ovens and barbecue are considered popular. According to the type of design, contact and non-contact devices are distinguished.
Contact devices are those in which cooking takes place directly on the frying surface. They are single-sided, working on the principle of a frying pan, or double-sided, where cooked foods are clamped between two hot surfaces. Double-sided devices are considered more convenient and versatile, since the food in them is fried evenly on both sides. Some models can be laid out, transforming into one-sided surfaces. They are called combined electric grills.
In non-contact electric grills, food is fried on a grill directly above the heating element. Such devices are not suitable for home use, as Leaking fat forms a harmful smoke when ignited. If you decide to opt for a contactless device, buy vertical models or take care of a powerful hood.
How the device works
Most electric grills for the kitchen are made of non-stick stainless steel. The food is heat treated with one or more heating elements. Such devices use electric current instead of the usual coal and bonfire. With its help, you can cook any kind of product, regardless of hardness and consistency. There are even special systems for smoking, which also apply to electric grills.
As a rule, electric grills are used at home, but sometimes they can be found in public catering, restaurants, cafes and small fast food outlets. Devices of this type are used not only for frying meat, but also for cooking fish, vegetables and flour products. There are a huge number of recipes for such devices.
Specifications
When choosing a grill for your home, you should pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to the technical characteristics, including: power, work surface size, the ability to control the temperature, as well as the presence of the function to maintain the set temperature. Now consider them in more detail:
Device power
Not only the amount of electricity consumed, but also the speed of cooking dishes depends on the maximum power of the grill. The more powerful the device, the faster it will warm up to the desired temperature. It is better to choose models from 1800 to 2500 W, because they do not consume much electricity and have an optimal temperature for frying. Electric grills with a power of up to 1800 watts can cook meat for 1.5-2 hours. During this time, it will lose its taste and cease to be juicy. Do not take professional models for the house, as They are designed for a large number of dishes, but consume a lot of electricity.
Work surface size
The larger the work surface, the more products you can grill at the same time. If you have a large family, choose combined models with two or more heating elements. They are compact and, if necessary, can be transformed into one vertical platform for frying.
The ability to control the temperature
A tabletop electric grill must have at least three temperature conditions - low, medium and high. This is useful for preparing solid foods that need gradual processing. In addition, this way you can adjust the amount of electricity consumed. This also includes the function of maintaining a given temperature. It is needed so that the dishes stay hot as long as possible.
Functionality
Some electric grills combine the functions of barbecue, ovens, crepe makers, as well as barbecue devices. Hybrid models are more expensive but more versatile. If your kitchen does not contain several household appliances at once, such electric grills can be a useful solution.
If you choose an electric grill not for home use, you should pay attention to devices with wind protection and heat-resistant handles. A good addition to the main functionality can be a light temperature indication. There is no clear answer to the question which grill is better, so focus primarily on your own preferences.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any home appliance, electric grills have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most basic ones:
Benefits:
- electronic grills can be used not only for frying, but also for defrosting, heating and stewing;
- thanks to the closed design of some models, they do not allow unpleasant odors and do not create smoke;
- devices with large work surfaces allow you to cook several dishes at once;
- thanks to the non-stick coating, it is possible to cook food with a minimum amount of vegetable oil or without it at all;
- an electric grill is suitable for preparing any kind of dishes, from meat to flour products;
- reasonable price, unlike other household appliances.
Disadvantages:
- an electric grill cannot replace a full-fledged oven with an oven;
- high electricity consumption;
- most electric grills are not disassembled, so they are difficult to wash.
How to choose
Choosing an electric grill for a home without the help of a specialist can be quite difficult. Here are some tips to help you choose an electric grill:
- Type of device. Electric grills are divided into contact and non-contact. For home use, the first option is suitable, because during its work dangerous dangerous smoke is not emitted. Contactless devices are best bought for outdoor terraces or courtyards.
- Control. There are two types of control - mechanical and electronic. Mechanical is carried out using the regulator, switches or physical buttons, and electronic - using a special panel or LCD.The second option is more comfortable, but will cost more.
- Power. Choose devices with power from 1800 to 2000 watts. Despite the increased energy consumption, they heat up faster and cook food more efficiently. Avoid models with power up to 1500 watts.
- Body material. The body of electric grills is mainly made of durable stainless steel or plastic. It is better to give preference to the first option, because metal devices last longer.
- Work surface material. There are three materials that are most often used in the production of grills: non-stick coating metal, ceramic coating, natural stone and cast iron. They are quite durable and can withstand high temperatures. The most universal are considered non-stick metal surfaces. They are easy to clean and quickly warm up to the required temperature.
Rating of the best electric grills
What could be tastier than meat or grilled fish? Thanks to modern technology, you can cook your favorite food without leaving the kitchen. We have compiled a rating of the top 6 best electric grills for the home as of 2019:
REDMOND RGM-M806P - Steak & Bake Oven Grill
- Device type: 3-in-1 - grill-barbecue-oven
- Frying surface material: non-stick coating of panels and baking sheet
- System Management: electronic
- Auto power off: available
- The ability to control the temperature: certainly
- Maximum heating temperature 2400
- Ultimate Power: 2100 W
- Tray for draining fat and juice: removable
- Additionally: it opens to 180, can be used as an oven, heating elements are built into removable panels for perfectly even heating of surfaces.
- Weight: 4.5 kg
- 3 in 1 - grill, barbecue roaster, mini-oven
- 7 automatic programs
- The delivery includes a special tray for using the grill as an oven (in other grills, you must either buy a tray for a fee, or stew-oven in special foil forms)
- Automatic determination of steak thickness and cooking time
- Steak Cooking Indicator - Rare, Medium, Well done
- Detachable panels are dishwasher safe
- You can open it by 180 degrees, double the frying surface, and cook different dishes at the same time
- You can toast bread
- Probably the only negative is the rather high price
Kitfort KT-1627
- Device type: combined electric grill
- Frying surface material: non-stick metal
- System control: mechanical
- Ability to control temperature: yes
- Ultimate Power: 2000 W
- Fat collection container: yes, removable
- Device weight: 2.9 kg
- high quality materials;
- instantly fry large steaks;
- easy to disassemble;
- heats up quickly and keeps temperature for a long time;
- Thanks to non-stick coating, easy to clean.
- over time, foods begin to stick to the grill.
Tefal Optigrill + XL GC722D34
- Device type: combined electric grill
- Frying surface material: non-stick metal
- System management: electronic
- Auto power off: yes
- Ability to control temperature: yes
- Ultimate Power: 2000 W
- Fat collection container: yes, removable
- Optional: 9 automatic cooking programs, a sensor for determining the thickness of the steak, removable panels
- Device weight: 5.20 kg
- quickly fry thick steaks;
- easy to clean due to removable panels;
- automatic control greatly simplifies the cooking process;
- You can cook many dishes at the same time;
- several modes.
- large dimensions.
Tefal GC306012
- Device type: combined electric grill
- Frying surface material: non-stick metal
- System control: mechanical
- Ability to control temperature: yes
- Ultimate Power: 2000 W
- Fat collection container: yes, removable
- Optional: three positions of the device (3 in 1): barbecue, mini-oven, grill
- Device weight: 4.10 kg
- quickly warms up to the required temperature;
- has three operating modes;
- easy to clean from grease thanks to removable nozzles;
- good service in the company.
- when turning the upper grill, fat flows past the drip tray.
GFgril GF-130 Plate Free
- Device type: combined electric grill
- Frying surface material: non-stick stainless steel
- System control: mechanical
- Ability to control temperature: yes
- Ultimate Power: 1800 W
- Optional: press height adjustment, removable frying panels
- Fat collection container: yes, removable
- successful body design;
- easy to reach caramelized crust;
- quickly warms up to the required temperature;
- inexpensive.
- the surface of the case is easily scratched;
- unsuccessful form of a pan for collecting fat.
BBK BEG2001
- Device type: combined electric grill
- Frying surface material: non-stick metal
- System control: mechanical
- Ability to control temperature: yes
- Ultimate Power: 2000 W
- Fat collection container: yes, removable
- Additionally: automatic heating, removable frying panels
- Device weight: 3.10 kg
- heats up quickly;
- has a function of automatic heating;
- thanks to removable plates, it is easy to wash;
- high-quality assembly.
- grease does not drain into the pan.
Output
An electric grill is better and faster at managing hot than an ordinary skillet. It is universal and suitable for stewing vegetables, as well as for cooking shawarma or baking. When choosing an electric grill, you should focus on technical specifications and dimensions. Some models may combine the functions of a multi-baker, crepe maker, barbecue or barbecue.
One must take the Redmond steakmaster truly I say. There are three modes - grill, barbecue and oven. 7 automatic programs. You can set the degree of frying the steak; he likes medium; Opens at 180 - you can fry vegetables or shrimp. Bakers to bake. Universal weight. And at different prices, there are more expensive and more economical ones. I took my dear, finally high!