Electric grills: views, model overview, and tips on choosing

Virtually everyone loves to eat. This is especially true when it comes to meat roasted on a fire or grill. But we do not always have them at our disposal, but sometimes you want to pamper yourself with food with aromatic smoke. For this reason, for many people a household electric grill can be an excellent alternative. This solution will allow you to enjoy delicious grilled dishes, literally daily.

Electric grill is very easy to use. Thanks to this, even a beginner in the field of cooking will have a rich, savory and tasty dish. It is a compact home appliance that is convenient to use instead of a microwave, stove or a classic barbecue in nature. It processes food at high temperature using infrared heating. Instrument functions are:

• bakery products;
• extinguishing;
• frying

Through the use of such technology, you can easily get a barbecue at any time of the year, without waiting for the summer season, or make juicy and tasty steaks.

Now let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of this device in order to understand whether it is worth buying it. If you focus on the benefits of it, you should name a few important factors.

• Save time and the ability to cook large amounts of food. Today on the market it is easy to find models of electric grills, which have several compartments for products and make it possible to cook two or three dishes simultaneously in a short period of time.
• Preparation of dietary meals in the framework of proper nutrition. That is, you can stew, roast and bake food without adding oil or other fats, which will be especially important for people leading a healthy lifestyle and those who need to adhere to a strict dietary regimen because of their health characteristics.
• The absence of various kinds of odors during cooking in the models of the closed type. Unlike traditional barbecue, electric grill keeps all smells inside when food is being cooked. It will be extremely comfortable in the home kitchen, including a small studio apartment.
• Versatility. Such a device allows you to cook food from a variety of products: fish, poultry, meat, bread, eggs, vegetables, cereals.
• Noiselessness. Most models have a low noise level during cooking.
• Extensive functionality. In addition to cooking, the device can be used to heat and defrost food.

But it is necessary to take into account the disadvantages of this device, and whether its use is harmful to health.

• A small number of cooking methods. Electric grill can not replace the basic kitchen appliances. For example, unlike the same aerogrill, it cannot be steamed, it cannot be used to fully cook the first dish;
• The inconvenience of control cooking. Electric grill can not be left unattended. Even the presence of the timer off is not a guarantee that the dish will not be overcooked or, conversely, completed to the desired readiness.
• The need for cleaning. Given that there is a surface with non-stick properties, such a device requires careful care. If it is not cleaned properly or not too thoroughly, then it quickly loses its functionality and its effectiveness decreases.
• High energy consumption. Given the complexity of the task that the device performs, it has serious power. And this causes a fairly serious energy consumption, which is reflected in electricity bills. In addition, this device is very sensitive to voltage drops. Even with the slightest power surges in the mains, it can fail.

Often, people think that the convection oven and the electric grill are two names for the same device. This is a delusion, because these are two completely different devices and there is a huge difference between them. First of all, electric grill differs from aerogrill by the method of heat treatment of food. In the convection oven food is cooked using hot air, which evenly spreads through the container, due to which the product is cooked from different sides and is soft and juicy.

In the electric grill cooking is carried out according to the method of roasting on a grill, which is not a guarantee of uniform processing of food from all sides. But the food can get characteristic smell, as if it was cooked on a fire.

For example, in the convection oven you can not only fry meat, boil the first, but also defrost food, dry berries, make yoghurts, sterilize dishes and bake pies. And if there are several containers, then you can seriously save time, because he can cook several dishes at the same time. And due to the presence of the timer and the ability to auto-off a person does not have to be in the kitchen and monitor the operation of the device.

At the same time, electric grill can hardly be called a multifunctional device. Of course, he will be able to fry meat and vegetables, as well as heat and thaw food. But cooking dishes for a couple and sterilizing dishes - no.

When cooking in an electric grill, a person should always be there to prevent food from burning, as well as to control its readiness. Well, it is more difficult to wash it than aerogrill. Therefore, for those who are looking for a universal solution, it will be better to purchase a convection oven. And if you need a device that will fry foods like a campfire, then the best solution would be an electric grill.

There are a large number of models of electric grills on the market, and it is difficult for an inexperienced user to understand which solution is better. For this reason, you should familiarize yourself with the various categories of such devices. They are:

• open;
• closed;
• universal.

In the first case, the working surface is located above the special heating element of the infrared type. In the second case, the devices are made in the form of a press, which makes it possible to prepare food, as in a conventional oven.

In addition, the electro grill can be:

• contact;
• contactless.

If it falls into the first category, the food is in contact with the heating element. If the second - then no. For example, it can spin on a spit.

Electric grills also come in:

• stationary;
• portable.

Stationary solutions can be desktop or outdoor.

They may also vary according to the type of work surface. By this criterion they are:

• with ceramic coating;
• cast iron;
• metal.

The easiest way to use and care for models with a glass-ceramic surface.However, its strength is very low, which is why this option is not popular with consumers.

More reliable is a metal pan with a non-stick coating, which is quite affordable for the price, as are the same cast iron grilles.

Another criterion by which electric grills can differ is the material from which the casing is made. It can be either stainless steel or plastic. Higher quality models are made of stainless steel, because this material will be stronger and more durable. And if you are limited in means, then the inexpensive option in the case from plastic will be the excellent decision.

It should be said that today in the domestic market there are a huge number of models from a variety of manufacturers, ranging from such well-known as Tefal, Bork and Miele and ending with the products of Chinese brands. Let's try to talk about the most interesting models that really represent a great combination of price and quality.

The first model to be mentioned is an electro grill. Weber Q-2400. This manufacturer usually creates coal and gas grills. But there is an electric model. It differs in power, this indicator reaches the value of 1560 watts. This is a fairly large grill, and its weight is about 16.5 kg. The lid with the boiler is made of quality cast aluminum, and the inner surface of the lid is shielded with thin aluminum. This solution makes it possible to significantly increase the heating surface and reduces heat loss during the cooking process.

The maximum cooking temperature is about 260 degrees and can be adjusted. If we talk about the lattice for products, it consists of 2 compartments and is made of cast iron with porcelain enamel. This allows you to simplify the care of the surface.

The fat flows directly onto the heating elements with a special coating, and then into the pan under the grill. This allows you to make it possible to effect barbecue, which is not achieved on the grill with removable panels or with interchangeable grills.

Among the shortcomings should be noted the lack of an integrated thermometer. Also, the minus will be a long heating time - about 20 minutes.

Another model that deserves attention - Steba VG 500. This solution has an original design: a pair of heating zones with a temperature that is regulated separately - up to 300 and up to 250 degrees. One panel has a corrugated surface, and the other is made in the form of a lattice. Power device - 2400 watts.

The corrugated part has holes for draining fat that accumulates in a pair of individual pallets. The device can be controlled using two rotary switches, that is, each zone can be controlled separately.

The only drawback of the model may be the high cost and the fact that it is not so easy to find a sale.

Another model that will be interesting to many - Kitfort KT-1636. She appeared on the market recently. With it, you can cook vegetables, meat and fry sandwiches. It can be used in three modes. For example, you can close the lid, for which reason the dish is evenly fried on both sides. If you just need to fry a little dish, then it should be slightly opened.

And if you wish, you can decompose the panel 180 degrees, which will allow you to get a roaster with the possibility of cooking on both sides at once.By the way, here you can set the temperature for both halves separately.

The advantages of the model include electronic control, as well as the presence of a timer for each half. In addition, it features a good build quality and nice design. Another plus is removable work surfaces. But the disadvantage is that the spiral can not heat up the entire plane.

Another model that can even be categorized as professional is ProfiCook PC-KG 1029. Its power is about 2000 watts at the highest settings. The highest cooking temperature here is only 180 degrees. Note that there is the possibility of stepwise temperature control. The pitch is two degrees. In this model, the products are in contact with the heating elements.

Here also present non-stick coating applied to special plates that are removable. Thanks to it it is easy to wash them. If there is a need, the model from ProfiCook easily unfolds, like the previous model. In general, this is a great model with nozzles that every hostess will like.

The only drawback of the model, according to users, is a very short power cord.

No less interesting electric grill - Bork G802. Belongs to the category of expensive and has one distinctive feature - thermal probe. It will allow you to automatically set the required cooking temperature depending on the type of meat and the degree of roasting. At the same time, the integrity of the product is not violated. But if you wish, you can not use this device. Power model is 2400 watts.

Electric grill from Bork can be used as:

• sandwich press;
• barbecue grill;
• contact grill.

One of the panels here has a smooth surface, and the second is grooved. The inclination of the plates can be adjusted. The temperature range here is from 160 to 230 degrees, and the switching step is 5 degrees.

The only disadvantage of this solution is that The interface here is only in English.

Another model that is worth attention - Tefal GC306012. It is considered one of the best among those that are on the market. It has a power of 2000 watts. This solution allows you to translate the panel in three different positions, which makes it possible to find the most convenient position for cooking. And you can use it as:

• grill;
• stoves;
• B-B-Q.

There are several temperature modes that are mechanically regulated. The body of the Tefal GC306012 is made of composite materials. The panels are made of metal and have a non-stick coating. They are simply washed both manually and in the dishwasher.

Only horizontal solutions were presented in the rating, but vertical electric grill can also be found on the market. True, such options are rather an exception.

As you can see, there are just a huge number of models of electric grills on the market. Therefore, users have a question, how to choose a quality electric grill for the house. You can use the following tips:

• pallets with a corrugated surface are very inconvenient to wash, for which reason it is better to buy models with simpler surfaces;
• the tray must be removed so that it can be washed, otherwise it will take a lot of time and effort;
• the more power an electric grill has, the better it will work and faster to cook food;
• It will not be superfluous if the device has a light indicator that tells whether the device is on or not;
• it is better to buy a model of a closed type, this will allow you not to breathe smoke during cooking and will prevent the splashing of fat;
• it is better to choose a solution that can maintain the desired temperature, it will be an excellent option if your guests do not have time to come on time, and you want to please them with hot food;
• it will be good if there is a temperature regulator on the body that will allow you to smoothly adjust the temperature of the thermoelement for various dishes;
• the coating must have a non-stick surface, it is necessary if there is a desire to cook food without oil or steamed;
• another convenience will be the possibility of adjusting the height of the cover and legs;
• in addition, the device must be protected from overheating, in order not to cause a fire, almost all home models on the market meet this criterion.

How to choose electric grill, see the next video.

If you give advice on the use of such equipment as electro grill, then it should be noted that it is best to cook meat in it. You can make almost any, but the best solution would be beef steaks.

You can also cook the bird. It is best to take the chicken, as the meat with this method of cooking will not be overdried and at the same time get a cool crust. If we talk about vegetables, then they are grilled will be a great solution as vegetarian dishes or side dish.

If we talk about fish, then electric grill is an excellent solution for cooking fish steaks. It is best to give preference to fatty species of marine fish. For example, tuna and salmon. But pollock and pike are also great. To cook properly, cut the fillet. into pieces of two and three centimeters thickness.

Well and most importantly: for each type of product should be selected separate cooking time, because they all have different properties and texture. In general, electric grill is Great solution for any hostess.