Modern cooking devices are designed to make life easier for the housewife and help ensure that the food turns out tasty and healthy. These include an electric grill, a device used for heat treatment of food. You can bake, fry, stew, smoke foods in it, preserving their beneficial properties.
What is an electric grill?
It is equipment for preparing food. An electric grill is a device that allows you to heat food without using oil, making it less greasy and harmful. With the help of the device, dishes get a beautiful, appetizing crust; they can be cooked to the desired condition. An electric grill can be built into a regular oven or microwave. It is often used as independent equipment, presented in a portable form.
Electric grill device
The equipment is a metal cabinet with horizontal placement. A network grill has an external resemblance to an oven; its doors are often made of heat-resistant glass, and stainless steel is used to make the working chamber. The working chamber is heated by tubular systems. Many electric grill models are equipped with illuminated elements, thanks to which you can control the food processing process.
When preparing food from rotating structures on which food is placed (on skewers or in special baskets), juice and fat flow into trays located at the bottom of the chamber. The front panel of the device is equipped with regulators, through which the backlight, electric motor, heating elements are turned on and the desired degree of power of the elements is selected.
The principle of operation of an electric grill
Heating elements are used to heat the products loaded into the working chamber. Electric grills for home use and models used on an industrial scale are driven by an electric motor. After turning on the device, the heating elements begin to heat up, which increases the temperature in the chamber and causes the food to cook.
What can you cook on an electric grill?
The device can be used to heat food. You can use an electric grill at home for heat treatment of the following products:
- Meat. It can be baked, fried. Any types of meat, poultry, sausage are used.
- Fish You can use the same cooking methods for it as for meat, but it is recommended to take fatty varieties or select a marinade that will make the fish juicy.
- Fruits, vegetables. They can be baked or fried. To obtain juicy dishes from nature's gifts, it is recommended to use foil.
- Flour products, baked goods - pizza, pancakes, pancakes, pies, cheesecakes. An electric grill is a device in which these dishes are cooked quickly and are less caloric due to the absence of oil.
- Kash. In this device they become crumbly, with an appetizing aroma and taste.
- Sandwiches, hot snacks with a crispy crust.
Pros and cons of an electric grill
The device has many advantages:
- Convenience and ease of use.
- Save time on cooking.
- Appetizing, rich taste, aroma of dishes.
- Multifunctional device. You can cook food in it (bake, stew, fry), defrost food, and reheat ready-made dishes.
- The ability to cook food without oil, thanks to which it can be consumed on a diet, in the presence of problems with the digestive system, or in the treatment of various diseases that require a special approach to nutrition.
- No unpleasant odors during cooking.
- Compactness of the device. It does not take up much space and can be stored away after use. You can take the device with you on a picnic or to the country house.
Even the best electric grill has some disadvantages:
- High level of energy consumption. Even a reduction in food processing time does not compensate for energy costs.
- Vulnerability of the device to voltage surges. A slight jump can cause equipment failure.
- The need to control the cooking process. Having a timer does not guarantee that the dish will not burn, so you need to constantly monitor it. Without control, it may remain uncooked.
- The electric grill requires constant thorough but gentle cleaning of the surfaces. In the absence of proper care, the device loses its performance properties.
Which is better, a grill pan or an electric grill?
To answer this question, you should compare two devices according to a number of criteria:
- Construction
. An electric grill is a more massive device compared to a grill pan. The latter can have a rectangular or square shape, which does not significantly affect the quality of food. There are floor and tabletop electric grills. The second is a more compact option, but the choice of device type depends on the user’s preferences. - Dishes
. The same recipes can be used for both devices. The quality and taste of the prepared food does not differ significantly. - Functionality
. An electric grill oven can perform more tasks compared to a grill pan. In the first, you can defrost food, and after preparing food, store it in the device for some time so that it does not get cold. With its help you can process a larger number of products. - Cooking process
. An electric grill makes it less labor intensive. The presence of a temperature and time regulator increases the chances of an optimal level of heat treatment. In the case of a frying pan, the cook requires more control and attention paid to the process. - Transportation
. It is more convenient to transport a grill pan than an electric grill, even if the latter is a compact model. - Smoke, smells
. When using an open type electric grill, in this criterion it is comparable to a frying pan. If it is closed, little smoke and foreign odors are released. - Care
. The grill pan is easier to clean. There are electric grill models with removable elements. Caring for them is easier compared to caring for solid structures.
Which is better, an air fryer or an electric grill?
Both devices do an excellent job of cooking. They differ in their design and application:
- In an air fryer, food is processed with warm air, which circulates in a glass bowl where the food is placed. The food turns out healthy and does not require the use of oil to prepare it. The available processing methods in the device are boiling, frying, baking, stewing, and steaming. At the same time, you should choose an electric grill for steaks if you are a fan of this dish. In it, food is processed with heat received from the surface of the device elements. Both devices perform the function of heating and defrosting.
- The smell, the smoke. When using an air grill, they are not present, but when using an electric grill, they can spread throughout the apartment.
- Degree of processing. In an air fryer, food is cooked evenly on all sides. In an electric grill, cooking may be uneven.
- Transportation. Both devices are cumbersome to move, but it is possible to do so. An electric mini-grill is easier to transport.
- Convenient cooking process. When using an air fryer, constant supervision from the cook is not required, but in the case of an electric grill, it is needed.
Grill cooking tips
Having figured out what a built-in grill is in an electric oven and why the corresponding function is needed, all that remains is to find out how to cook correctly using this kitchen appliance:
- Place food inside the oven only after it has warmed up. Some stove models have an alert that lets you easily know when the temperature inside the oven has risen to the desired level;
- Before turning on the grill function in the oven, you should install a sleeping tray inside, in which fat and other moisture, as well as food debris, will accumulate. In some cases, a baking sheet on which vegetables are laid out is used for these purposes. The oven remains clean, and the vegetables get the great taste and aroma of baked meat or chicken;
- Products are laid out on a wire rack or baking sheet so that they have “personal space.” In this case, frying occurs more evenly, and the finished vegetables, meat or fish look beautiful, they are easy and convenient to transfer to a plate;
- The meat is not salted before placing it in the oven, only before finishing cooking it must be lubricated with salted water. The dish will retain its juiciness, and its crust will be brighter and more appetizing;
- If a recipe requires whipped egg whites to be applied to the finished product, which is baked under the grill, the baking sheet must be lowered. Protein rises under the influence of high temperature and can leave marks on a hot grate;
- It is not recommended to open the door often, as this can lead to a longer cooking process and the absence of a crust - which is what the grill in the oven is for;
- The finished products are not immediately removed from the oven, but left inside for 10-15 minutes;
- The grill should always be kept clean and washed every time after cooking.
When purchasing a cooker with a grill function, you should approach it as responsibly as possible. The presence of an additional function greatly affects the final cost of the equipment and such expenses are not always justified. That is why it is recommended to carefully study the capabilities of the grill, think about what kind of dishes you will cook in it, and whether your family will appreciate this approach to cooking. For those who like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and come up with new interesting recipes, it is best to choose a multifunctional oven with manual settings.
If you don’t have a lot of extra time, but you don’t want to give up delicious dishes prepared in your kitchen, you should pay attention to ovens with automatic control.
Watch a video about the grill and convection mode in the oven
Types of electric grills
The device can be stationary or portable, floor-standing or tabletop. Home electric grill is divided into the following types:
- contact;
- contactless.
Contact electric grill
This device involves cooking food on heated surfaces. Thanks to this, food is processed faster and more deeply. Contact home electric grills come in the following types:
- One-sided
. A grate, stone or Teflon surface can be used as a heated element. The last two options can be divided into zones - corrugated (for fish, meat), flat (for vegetables, fruits, baked goods). - Double-sided
. In addition to the main surface, it is equipped with a press. The distance between these elements is adjusted depending on the dish being prepared. - Combined
. It combines single-sided and double-sided options.
Contactless electric grill
The principle of its operation is similar to the work of a kebab maker. Products are placed in the work cabinet in special baskets (vegetables, fruits) or skewered (meat, fish). In this form they rotate around the heating element. When choosing the best electric grill for your home, you can pay attention to this option, it all depends on the user’s preferences. This type of device has one drawback - the inability to cook baked goods in it.
Electric grill - advantages
An electric grill is an undeniably useful and functional gadget. Its use is much easier and less time-consuming than with coal-fired models. The main advantages of this device, of course, include the speed of cooking with its help. Meals cooked on an electric grill are also much healthier because the ingredients are baked without adding fat.
Another benefit of using this unit is that it eliminates the smoke produced when grilling on more traditional models. Thanks to this, you can safely use this gadget even in a limited space and prepare delicious dishes regardless of the time of year.
A big advantage of using an electric grill is also its ease of use. More advanced models are equipped with adjustment knobs that allow you to set a comfortable temperature, as well as on and off buttons. Most electric barbecues also have an LED that lets you know when the burners have reached the correct temperature and you can place food on them.
How to choose an electric grill?
During the purchase, a number of criteria are taken into account. There are recommendations on how to choose an electric grill for your home:
- Power. The optimal indicator is 0.7-2.2 kW. The higher this value, the faster the cooking process, but the energy consumption also increases.
- Dimensions. The quality of operation of the device and the amount of food processed do not depend on them, so they are selected according to the needs of the user.
- Materials. Inexpensive models use heat-resistant plastic, which is inferior in quality to stainless steel. It is advisable that the surfaces be equipped with a non-stick coating.
- Adjustment of time, convection, temperature, delayed start. The presence of these options makes the cooking process easier.
- Availability of a temperature maintenance function in a certain mode.
- The removable tray makes it easy to clean.
- The presence of thermally insulated handles allows you to move the device when it is hot.
Electric grill functions
The device has many useful options that need to be taken into account when choosing an electric grill:
- Lid height adjustment.
- Availability of trays for fat. It is desirable that these elements are removable.
- Timer.
- An electric grill with attachments that supports the “barbecue” option is popular.
- Temperature indicator.
- The presence of a delayed start function, thanks to which you can set the start time of cooking in advance.
Electric grill rating
The following models have proven themselves to be reliable and high-quality:
- Electric grill Tefal GC306012
. The device has high power (2 kW), removable panels, and large work surfaces. - Delonghi Multigrill CGH 1030D
. The device has an attractive design and is equipped with replaceable panels. It is possible to adjust the height of the lid and legs. - Tefal Optigrill+XL GC722D34
. A model that has sensors for operating parameters, replaceable elements that can be cleaned in a dishwasher. - GFgrill GF-100
. Compact electric grill with large working surfaces and fast heating elements. - ProfiCook PC-KG 1029
. Device with high power (2 kW), removable panels, tray.
Types of grills
To understand which option is better to buy, you first need to study what types of grills exist. Classification is made by fuel type.
Wood-burning
Food cooked in such a device comes out the most flavorful, because, in addition to the crust, it also acquires the unique aroma of natural smoke. Depending on what types of wood are used, the nuances of taste also change.
However, choosing a unit is justified only if you are a big connoisseur, since some problems arise during operation:
- firewood must always be prepared;
- you will have to wait until the logs burn out before starting the cooking process;
- equipment must be thoroughly washed from grease and cleared of ash.
Another obstacle to the spread of this option is the price - it is not encouraging. This can be explained simply: such objects are quite massive and complex; most often they have a pull-out table, shelves for dishes, and a box for logs. The shape of the structure can be different: round, square, oval, Russian stove. They are made from expensive metal - cast iron, so the cost is quite high.
Due to the bulkiness of the design, such furnaces are usually installed in a specific place and are almost never moved. The presence of smoke from combustion does not allow placing the equipment indoors. Only open spaces are suitable for it: a gazebo or terrace.
But such a model will serve more than one generation of your family and support the tradition of outdoor dining.
Take a closer look at such equipment manufacturers as: LappiGrill, Suomi, Norman, Scavora.
An “inexpensive” wood-burning model includes Suomi Grill. It is equipped with a grill, a kebab module and a compartment for cooking with wood chips. There are also wooden shelves on the sides: you can place dishes and ingredients on them. There is a convenient shelf for storing firewood, which is height adjustable. The firebox door made of heat-resistant glass will protect you from burns.
Cost – 47,400 rubles.
Carbonic
In terms of functionality, it is close to the previous device, but is more popular due to the fact that it does not require logs. To get heat, you just need to light the coals, which means the food will be ready much faster.
It is recommended to use specialized coals that burn longer and do not leave ash.
Another advantage over wood-burning ones is the wide variety of models. You can choose a fairly compact, inexpensive coal unit that can be easily removed from your home or barn. Or, conversely, there are entire kitchen units for several dishes at once.
The shape of the structure can be different: egg-shaped, round, rectangular. There are small items for installation on a table and full-size units with a height of about 80 cm. They have 3 or 4 legs, on which wheels are often installed for movement.
Separately, it is worth mentioning ceramic grills for the garden and at home. They have the following list of advantages:
- you can place large pieces of meat, since the temperature is maintained for a long time and processing is carried out thanks to the circulation of hot air;
- the resulting products are softer and juicier;
- cooking is not limited to frying: you can bake, stew, smoke in it;
- they are easy to clean.
But you have to pay for the pleasure: the cost of the devices is several times higher than the prices for steel samples.
Coal units are produced by the following manufacturers: Weber, Napoleon, Broil King, Char-Broil, OFYR, Kamado Joe.
An example of a good grill is GFgril GF-770 Grill-Barbecue for RUB 6,690.
Gas
Very popular outside the city, in cafes and restaurants. The convenience of gas devices is explained by the fact that:
- the device is ready for use just five minutes after switching on;
- no need to fuss with fuel, and, as a result, there is no soot and fumes;
- on large surfaces with three or four burners, you can set different temperature zones to process different dishes;
- The units are easy to clean.
The disadvantage is obvious: the need to connect to a gas pipeline or to a cylinder, which means that the equipment cannot be installed outside.
In appearance, such devices resemble a stove, only with unusual burners: smooth or corrugated areas. There are also small objects that consist of one heating zone. They are convenient to transport, for example, from an apartment outside the city and back.
Which company do you prefer? Of course, reliable, with a good history and an extensive network of services. For example, Napoleon, Char-Broil, Weber, Broil King.
One of the representatives of the group is the compact Weber Go-Anywhere. When folded, it does not take up much space and looks like a small suitcase with a handle, weighing only 6 kg. Despite its modest dimensions, its characteristics are quite good: one burner measuring 40.5 x 25.5 cm, ignition, ventilation flaps to control the heat level, porcelain enamel for reliability and cleaning, anti-corrosion coating for the grate.
You will have to pay 15,000 rubles for the “baby”.
You can learn more about charcoal and gas grills from the video.
Electric
So, we got to the most popular type now - the electric grill. Their popularity is due to several reasons:
- they run on electricity, which means you don’t have to worry about fuel or gas, a standard outlet is enough;
- the surface heats up quickly, and there is no need to wait for the wood or coal to burn out;
- you can cook without adding oil, while excess fat is rendered, and the dishes will be healthier than in a frying pan;
- Thanks to the non-stick coating, cleaning the surface is easy;
- the device itself is small and light, does not take up space, it can be put away in a storage locker or taken with you on trips;
- it can be installed directly in the kitchen, so you can enjoy the barbecue even in winter and rainy weather;
- A huge range of models allows you to choose a device that suits your wallet.
Heating is carried out using infrared radiation or a metal heating element. The first uses electricity more economically, fries more intensely, but lasts less than its metal counterpart.
There are equipment with a lid, without it and combined. Models without a lid are best used for frying thin pieces, but be prepared for splashes of fat to fly in all directions. In addition, the product must be constantly turned over.
Electric closed appliances ensure even cooking and prevent fat from splashing throughout the kitchen. Combination devices have a removable cover and are more expensive than the previous two varieties.
It is better if the trays on which the product is placed are removable: they are much easier to wash. There are models that have several panels: smooth, corrugated, with round recesses for some dishes. This significantly expands culinary possibilities.
The function of adjusting heating and shutdown will be useful. It’s good if there is built-in overheating protection, when the device turns off automatically when the permissible temperature is exceeded.
These units are produced by almost all companies involved in the production of small household appliances: Kitfort, GFgril, Tefal, Redmond, Scarlett, DeLonghi, Bork and many others. There is also a whole category of unknown Chinese items, but it is not recommended to purchase them due to their low quality. It’s better to choose a sample from a well-known brand of budget equipment. Luckily there are a lot of them.
If you are looking for an inexpensive, but reliable and functional electric grill, then take a closer look at the Vitek VT-2634. It is equipped with a lid, but provides the possibility of cooking without it. The non-stick layer on the surface eliminates the need to add oil, and cleaning the tiles after experiments is not difficult at all. A light indicator on the housing will indicate readiness for work. A convenient removable tray under the frying panel collects excess juice and fat.
Price – 3,000 rubles.
How to cook on an electric grill?
During this process, you need to follow a number of recommendations:
- When using the device, you need to turn on the hood or open a window.
- Do not use the device if it is placed on an uneven surface.
- Users are often interested in whether it is possible to cook in foil on an electric grill. This is allowed. The dish will turn out juicier and softer.
- When cooking vegetables, it is recommended to cut them at least 1 cm thick.
- For meat and fish, the optimal temperature is 200°C, for vegetables and fruits – 180°C.
How to wash an electric grill?
In this matter, follow these recommendations:
- Unplug the electric grill.
- It is advisable to clean the grill and surfaces while they are still warm.
- If the elements of the device are non-removable, use the spatula that should be included in the kit to clean them. After this, clean the surfaces with a damp cloth. If you are using a collapsible electric grill, a good option is to wash the panels in the dishwasher.
- If necessary, you can use detergent.
- Wipe the grill or surface dry.
- If drops of fat get on the heating element, they can be removed with a damp cloth or sponge.
What types of grills are there?
Electric grills can be of two types - stationary and portable. The first type is large devices with a permanent connection to a 380 W power supply; they are used in catering establishments. The second option is small devices, which are purchased for home use.
In addition, grills can be contact or non-contact. In the first case, the meat is placed directly on the heating element, and in the second, it is placed on a grid above an open spiral. The second option is convenient in kitchens with a good hood or where it is possible to cook outdoors, for example, in a country house. For an ordinary city apartment, it is better to buy a contact grill.
