If you’re a fan of summer cookouts and BBQs, having a high-quality portable electric grill is essential. Not only are they perfect for use at home, especially if you’re limited on space, but they also make a fantastic companion for all your exciting summer escapades.
You can enjoy your grilled meats and veggies while on a road trip, relaxing at the beach, camping amidst nature, enjoying picnics in the park, or even cheering on your favorite team at a tailgate party. These versatile portable electric grills enable you to savor your favorite flavors no matter where you find yourself this summer.
But with countless options available, you might be wondering which portable electric grill is worth investing in. Don’t fret, we’ve done the work for you and carefully curated a list of the best portable electric grills that will serve you well throughout the year.
So without further ado, let’s dive right into our selection of must-have portable electric grills.
Portable Electric Grills
Electric portable grills are great for those who want something low maintenance that will produce less smoke; however, you will need access to an outlet or an electric generator.
Here are the best portable electric grills on the market:
Best Multipurpose – Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill
The Ninja Woodfire 7-in-1 Outdoor Grill is a compact and versatile electric grill that offers a range of cooking functions, including grilling, smoking, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, and dehydrating. It doesn’t require gas tanks or charcoal, making it convenient for those with limited outdoor space.
One of its standout features is the ability to infuse woodfire flavor into your food by using wood pellets, providing an authentic BBQ experience.
Pros:
- Versatility: The grill offers seven cooking functions, including grilling, smoking, air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, and dehydrating.
- Multiple cooking capacity: The grill is designed to cook multiple items simultaneously.
- Authentic woodfire flavor: The Ninja Woodfire grill imparts a woodfire flavor to your food by using wood pellets, recreating the authentic taste and aroma of traditional BBQ grills.
Cons:
- Learning curve: Due to its multifunctionality, mastering all the cooking techniques and settings may require some time and experimentation to achieve optimal results.
- Price: The Ninja Woodfire grill may be priced higher compared to standard portable grills due to its advanced features and capabilities.
Best On a Balcony – Weber Q2400 Electric Grill
Weber, renowned for its charcoal grills, also excels in the realm of electric grills. Their flagship model, boasting a generous 280 square inches of grilling space, showcases their commitment to quality. The grill comes equipped with a 6-foot grounded cord that connects to a temperature controller, ensuring precise heat control for optimal cooking results.
Crafted with durability in mind, the grill features a cast aluminum lid, removable cast iron cooking grates, and a removable bowl liner, making cleanup a breeze. While the sturdy construction adds weight to the grill (over 40 pounds), it remains portable, although assistance may be required to move it. A removable catch pan, coupled with a disposable aluminum drip pan, simplifies the management of drippings. It’s worth noting that the grill does not include a stand, which can be purchased separately if desired.
Pros:
- Easy setup and user-friendly operation: The grill is straightforward to set up and use, allowing for a hassle-free grilling experience.
- Efficient cooking time: The grill cooks food relatively quickly.
- Precise temperature control: With the included temperature controller, you can achieve and maintain the desired temperature.
Cons:
- Heavyweight: The grill’s sturdy construction contributes to its weight, making it relatively heavy to move. Assistance may be required when relocating it.
- Stand sold separately: It’s important to note that the grill does not come with a stand, which means you may have to buy it separately.
- Food sticking to grates: Some users have reported issues with food sticking to the grates, which can make cleaning more challenging and may require extra care during cooking.
Best Overall – George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
George Foreman grills have carved a niche for themselves in the world of countertop grilling, catering to those who are mindful of reducing excess fat in their cooking. The newer model stays true to its roots, featuring a classic nonstick surface and an integrated drip pan for convenient fat drainage.
It excels as an outdoor grill and by eliminating the complexities associated with gas or charcoal grills, it offers a straightforward grilling experience. This makes it particularly well-suited for preparing items like bacon or a batch of steakburgers.
Pros:
- Nonstick surface: The grill’s nonstick surface ensures that food doesn’t stick during cooking, making it easier to flip and remove items without hassle.
- Removable grill plate: The grill plate can be easily detached from the base, simplifying the cleaning process and allowing for more thorough maintenance.
- Easy to clean: Thanks to the nonstick surface and removable grill plate, cleaning the George Foreman grill is a breeze, requiring minimal effort and time.
- Ideal for cooking fatty meat: The grill’s design and features are well-suited for cooking fatty meats, as the integrated drip pan helps to collect excess fat and promote healthier cooking.
Cons:
- Exaggerated serving capacity: While advertised as suitable for 15 servings of food, some users may find the grill’s actual capacity to be smaller, potentially leading to multiple cooking batches for larger gatherings.
- Lack of smoky flavor: Unlike traditional grills that use gas or charcoal, the George Foreman grill doesn’t provide the characteristic smoky flavor associated with outdoor grilling.
Best Budget – Starfrit The Rock Smokeless Electric BBQ Grill
Starfrit’s The Rock Indoor Smokeless Grill has gained a strong following due to its exceptional grilling capabilities. It allows you to expertly cook a wide range of foods, from veggie kebabs to steak to bacon. Despite its impressive cooking performance, it weighs a mere 5 pounds, making it effortless to set up and requiring minimal space, while still providing a generous 160 square inches of cooking area.
Beneath the nonstick, cast aluminum grates, you’ll find a water-filled drip tray designed to capture any dripping oil or grease, effectively reducing the amount of smoke produced during grilling (although not eliminating it). The heating element is cast directly into the grate, ensuring even heat distribution and eliminating concerns about hot or cold spots. The grill’s temperature can be easily controlled using the adjustable dial on the plug, with the ability to reach temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features a convenient warm setting to keep your food at the desired temperature after cooking. When you’ve finished grilling your burgers, veggies, or other delectable items, any removable parts of the grill are dishwasher safe, giving you an easy cleanup.Â
Pros:
- Impressive grill marks: Starfrit’s The Rock Indoor Smokeless Grill leaves attractive grill marks on your food, enhancing its visual appeal and giving it that authentic grilled look.
- Even heat distribution: The grill’s design ensures that there are no hot spots, allowing for consistent and uniform cooking of your food.
- Small footprint: With its compact size, the grill takes up minimal space, making it suitable for various countertop setups.
- Easy setup and cleanup: Setting up the grill is straightforward, and cleaning up is a breeze, especially with dishwasher-safe removable parts.
Cons:
- Considerable smoke: Despite its “smokeless” designation, some users have reported a noticeable amount of smoke during operation. While the water-filled drip tray helps reduce smoke, it may not eliminate it.
Best Luxurious – Kenyon B70082 Floridian Electric Grill
The Kenyon Floridian grill is a suitable option for individuals who are adept at utilizing hot spots on traditional grills to their advantage. It boasts a rapid heat-up time, reaching temperatures of up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit in approximately 10 minutes. However, it is worth noting that the grill weighs 24 pounds, which can feel heavier than expected when moving it around your backyard to find an appropriate spot.
The grill offers eight temperature settings, allowing for some level of heat control. However, a limitation to be aware of is that there is no built-in temperature indicator, making it difficult to determine the actual temperature of the grill without using an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the grates.
Pros:
- Impressive sear marks: The Kenyon Floridian grill is capable of leaving attractive sear marks on your grilled food.
- Juicy and tender results: Users have reported that burger patties and chicken cooked on this grill turned out juicy and tender.
- Dishwasher-safe grill rack: The grill rack is designed to be dishwasher-safe, making cleanup more convenient and hassle-free.
- Disposable drip pan: The inclusion of a disposable drip pan simplifies the cleaning process, allowing for easy disposal of drippings.
Cons:
- Heavyweight: The grill’s weight of 24 pounds can make it challenging to move or transport, potentially limiting its portability and flexibility in placement.
- Noticeable hot spots: Some users have reported the presence of noticeable hot spots on the grill, which can result in uneven cooking if not properly managed.
Factors To Consider When Buying Portable Electric Grills
When selecting an electric BBQ grill for your outdoor kitchen, several factors should be carefully considered and compared. Among these features, three stand out as particularly important:
1. Cooking Surface Temperature:
The ability to achieve and maintain the desired cooking surface temperature is crucial for successful grilling. Look for a grill that offers accurate temperature control and a wide temperature range to accommodate various cooking needs.
2. Consistent Heat in the Cooking Area:
Avoiding hot and cold spots on the cooking surface is essential for even and consistent grilling results. A well-designed electric BBQ grill should distribute heat evenly across the cooking area, ensuring that every part of the grill surface cooks your food uniformly.
3. Type and Quality of Steel Used:
The type and quality of steel used in the construction of the grill impact its durability, heat retention, and overall performance. Look for a grill that uses high-quality stainless steel or other heat-resistant materials that can withstand the rigors of outdoor cooking.
Final Verdict
In summary, selecting the right portable electric grill for your outdoor grilling is a significant decision. And with this guide, you can make your choice of electric grills that fit your needs/preferences. Make sure to take into consideration the major factors before buying your grill.
Happy grilling!
