Does the prospect of having to juggle charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid leave you feeling less than enthusiastic about grilling? Well, if it does, then you might want to consider turning away from your charcoal grill, and instead turn towards the best outdoor electric grill. These grills have vastly improved over the past few years and they’re now not only one of the most reliable grilling options, but many of them contain features that make the grilling process a lot easier. And that’s why we’ve decided to take some time out of our busy schedule to look at some of the models that we feel offer our readers the best combination of performance and features.
Quick Summary of Best Outdoor Electric Grills
Reviews
Editor’s Choice: Weber Q1400 Electric Grill
When we first saw this outdoor electric grill, we knew that it was going to be a good one because it’s made by Weber. What we didn’t know, however, was how good it was going to be. During our review, we realized that this grill not only had the features that we were looking for in an electric grill but also grilled foods almost flawlessly.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the features that can be found on this model and see why this grill stands above the other grills that we’ve reviewed. And we’re going to start this review with a quick look at its dimensions before moving on to its other features. With the lid closed, this grill is approximately 14.5-inches by 27-inches and is 16.5-inches. More than big enough for the needs of most people.
The next thing we’d like to talk about is how these grills are constructed. They are manufactured with an aluminum lid and body for durability and have porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates. This grill also has a 6-foot ground cord, a removable catch pan, and a glass-reinforced nylon frame. When this grill is removed from its box, it’s fully assembled, so the consumer doesn’t have to worry about putting together a kit before they begin grilling—which is fine by us.
It also should be mentioned that this grill’s grate is 188 square inches, which is large enough to hold up to 6 standard size burgers at a time. That makes it the perfect choice for most households for their grilling needs.
The last thing that we’d like to mention about this grill is that it can not only be used outdoors, but it can also be used indoors. It’s portable enough for a person to use it inside or out, so this grill can not only be used during nice weather conditions but can be used all year round.
- This product grills amazingly well.
- This product is easy to clean and use.
- This product is portable.
- This model costs a little more than other electric grills.
Also Recommended: George Foreman 15-Serving Electric Grill
We think that most people are familiar with George Foreman’s grills since the first one was released in the mid-1990s. Since that fateful moment, this company has produced several different types of grills and most of them are similar in design and function. This outdoor electric grill is a little bit different, however. This model sits on a stand that more accurately simulates the charcoal grills most people use with the only difference being this one is electric. The stand that it comes with can be used indoors or outdoors, or if the consumer just wants to put the grill on the counter, they can remove it from the stand and just use it.
This grill has a round grilling surface that provides 240 square inches of grilling space, which is big enough for people to grill 15 servings at a time. This makes it great for grilling for parties or large family functions, but it also means that it takes up a bit of counter space. This can make it difficult to use in homes that have limited space for the large footprint of the grill, either as a freestanding unit or as a counter grill. For outdoor use, however, most people are going to have enough space to use this grill if they have any type of backyard at all. These are just some of the things the consumer is going to want to think about, however.
It’s also worth mentioning that this grill has a nonstick coating on it that makes it easy for the grill grate to clean. And speaking of the grill grate, it can be easily removed and washed in the sink—although we do have to say that its large size might be a bit awkward to clean in a sink.
Other features that can be found on this electric grill include five different heat settings that allow the home cook to get the best cooking results possible. This is just another reason that consumers might want to look at this outdoor electric grill more closely.
- This high-quality product grills very well.
- It can be used indoors or out.
- It’s extremely easy to use and clean.
- Its footprint might be a bit large for indoor use.
Also Consider: Char-Broil Patio Bistro Infrared Electric Grill
The last outdoor electric grill that we’d like to talk about is this one from Char-Broil. This company that manufactures this grill has been making high-quality grilling products since 1948. It’s an American brand that knows that consumers want their grills to be simple to use and to do the job they were designed to do. And fortunately, they got both of these things right when they designed this particular model. It’s a model that allows people to grill their favorite foods and do it without having to worry about hooking it up to a gas line, attaching a propane tank, or adding charcoal to it. All they have to do is plug it in and it’s ready to go.
Because this grill uses an infrared cooking surface, it cooks food more evenly and food actually ends up being juicier. It features a porcelain-enameled grate that’s easy to clean and is rust-resistant for added durability. This grate provides 240 square inches of primary cooking space, but this grill also comes with a removable warming rack that adds an additional 120 square-inches of space to hold foods that have already been cooked. The primary space is large enough to hold up to 12 standard burgers, while the warming rack can hold approximately 4 to 6 burgers.
The last feature we’d like to talk about is this grill’s pull-out grease tray. This feature greatly simplifies the process of cleaning up and prevents grease from cooking food from being discharged onto the person’s patio or lawn. It’s easy to remove so that it can be emptied and cleaned, so the consumer doesn’t have to worry about doing more work than necessary for cleanup.
- This grill has a reasonably sized cooking area.
- This grill works extremely well.
- It costs more than comparable grills.
A Guide To Outdoor Electric Grills
Once a person takes some time and goes over our list of outdoor electric grills, we can see how they could become excited and buy the first one that strikes their fancy. And if that’s the case, then feel free to just choose the one that most fits their style. After all, we do think that either of the three that we selected would be great for a person’s home.
On the other hand, some people might feel the need to do a little bit more research on the subject to make sure they buy the best outdoor electric grill available. We can understand that as well, and that’s the main reason why we’ve decided to write this guide on the subject. It’s our sincere hope that this guide will give all of our readers the information they need to make the best-informed choice possible.
The Benefits That Outdoor Electric Grills Provide
Before we go over some of the features we believe that our readers should look for when buying a new outdoor electric grill, we would first like to talk about why a person should choose these types of grills over propane, natural gas, or charcoal grills. Below are some of the reasons why some people are going to want to choose an electric grill instead of one of these other choices.
More Precise Temperature Controls
One of the first reasons to choose an electric grill for outdoor use is that it has more precise control than any other grill. Although propane and natural gas grills come close to precision temperature control, they simply can’t match the precision of electric grills. Most of these grills have 5 temperature settings that allow the consumer to dial in the precise temperature they want. You can’t do that with wood or charcoal grills.
The Cost Of Fuel Is Less
Another thing that makes electric grills handy is that electricity is usually cheaper than wood or gas. In some areas, it might even be cheaper than charcoal, which is more than enough of a reason for a person to fire up their electric grill to grill those pork steaks, ribs, or hamburgers.
They’re Easy To Move
We’d also like to mention that not only can most outdoor electric grills be used outdoors, but that they can usually be brought indoors. That makes them very versatile and portable.
Safer Than Other Grilling Methods
The last thing that we’d like to talk about is the safety of electric grills. While wood and charcoal grills emit carbon monoxide and other fumes, have an open flame, and often require the consumer to use a flammable fluid to light them, electric grills usually have built-in safety features that make them safer to use than any other grilling method.
Choosing An Electric Grill
Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why a person should buy an outdoor electric grill, it’s time to turn our attention to looking at some of the features that consumers should consider before purchasing a new grill.
Temperature Controls
Temperature controls are the first thing that people should consider when buying a new grill. Does the grill have several different settings that allow for more precise control? Although there are some grills that only have either an on/off temperature setting, most of the quality ones provide at least 5 different settings.
Grill Size
The next thing that the consumer is going to want to think about is the size of the grill. The grill should be large enough for the amount of food the consumer needs to cook but not so large as to make it difficult to clean and/or move. Most grills with a size of about 200 square-inches can accommodate approximately 10 burgers. Something to think about when a person is looking for a new grill.
A Nonstick Surface
A nonstick surface is another must-have in our opinion, and fortunately, most of the quality outdoor electric grills we’ve seen do have a nonstick surface. However, just because most of them do so doesn’t mean all of them actually do it, so the consumer should be sure to do their homework before purchasing a new grill.
A Built-In Timer
The next thing that consumers might want to think about when purchasing a new electric grill is whether it has a timer or not. Some models do and some models don’t, so it’s up to the person buying to decide whether they need this feature or not.
The Grill’s Price
The last thing that we’d like to talk about is the price of the grill. Most of these grills cost under $250, but of course, there are exceptions to that rule. Anyone searching for a new outdoor electric grill should weigh the features they need against the price tag of the grill they’re thinking about buying. If they do that, then they should have no problem finding a grill that fits their needs and fits in their budget.
