If you live in an apartment where you can’t have an outdoor grill like I do, then up have to improvise when it comes to the yummy grilled burger for dinner. And I have found that an indoor electric countertop grill can give you those grilled burgers that you crave. Sure, it’s not quite the same, but it will do in a pinch.
The great thing about an indoor electric burger grill for the kitchen is that not only do they cook burgers super fast, but they are incredibly easy to clean. Plus, they are fairly compact, which means easy storage.
Also, these little indoor burger grills are also great for when it gets cold out and you don’t want to deal with having to bundle up just to use the gas grill.
And don’t forget that you can also cook chicken or other meats on one of these countertop burger grills. You can even grill some veggies on them!
Why I Love Small Kitchen Burger Grills For Homemade Burgers
For me, there is nothing better than a juicy burger topped with mushrooms, grilled onions, and a slice of Swiss cheese. And for years I was making these on the stovetop in a frying pan, but they just were not as tasty as the ones that I got in restaurants.
And since I live in an apartment, I’ve never been able to own a charcoal or gas grill to get those really delicious burgers.
Luckily, someone gave me a cheap George Foreman grill for Christmas a couple of years back and I discovered that I can get pretty darn close to that grilled burger taste that I crave.
So, I test out a few different models to see which ones gave me the best results. Keep reading if you’re interested in the best indoor electric grill for your needs.
Best Countertop Burger Grill: Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
This is actually my favorite of all the available grill options – and the one that I currently own and have displayed on my counter. It looks great sitting on granite counter tops and really matches my stainless steel appliances nicely. In fact, I think it looked like a really high-end luxury grill, when it actually cost a reasonable amount at the time I bought it. Looks pretty good, eh?
One of the things that I really love about this one is that it is so versatile. I mean, I use it for burger as well as paninis, pancakes and even eggs and bacon! I actually think I end up using this little appliance more than my stove because it heats up quickly and the cleanup is a breeze. I also like that it uses less energy than the stove, which keeps my electric bill down and is good for the environment.
You can also use this awesome little kitchen grill to cook chicken, pork chops and steaks! I haven’t tried it with fish yet, but that is up next! You really can’t go wrong with this one. And it seems to be pretty durable, so I can’t imagine ever needing to replace it anytime soon.
Best Large George Foreman Grill: George Foreman Next Generation Grill GRP99
Years ago when I got my first apartment out of college, I bought myself a little George Foreman grill. It did not look no where near as nice as this one, but I loved that little thing. In fact, I used it almost daily and I cooked on it until it would no longer work properly. If I recall correctly, the coating on the grill plates wore off and then it stopped heating properly. Of course, I gave it a lot of abuse and used it for two meals a day on most days. When you consider that, it seems like this is definitely a high quality brand at a low price.
What I like about this one is that it has a good amount of grill space – much more than my old one had. You can get around 4 burgers on it, which isn’t as good as the Cuisinart but still decent. My big complaint with this one is that you cannot sear meat with it as it does not get hot enough.
And honestly, it’s kind of ugly and not something you want to leave sitting out on the counter.
Of course, if you do not need to do that, then this is a great countertop grill option for you.
Best High End Indoor Burger Grill: Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill
If money were no object, then you better believe that I would have one of these sitting in my kitchen! Just look at it! It truly is a work of art, but I honestly don’t think it works any better than the models above. The real benefit to this one is that it looks great and the grill plates work better.
One of the most appealing things about this grill, to me, is the grill plate technology where the plates adjust to the temperate of the cold food when you first put it on the grill. This is so that you do not end up with the outside being too done. And so that you get an even cooking on the meat. And, it is supposed to sear and BBQ better than any of the other grills on the market.
I would definitely put this on my wedding registry or the like, if I was getting married, just in hopes that I could get one at home to use! This is really the Ferrari of indoor grills.
Best Mid-Range George Foreman Grill: George Foreman Champ Grill GR10ABW
If you are on a budget, then this is the indoor BBQ product that I recommend for you. The only problem with this particular model is that it is kind of on the small side. While that may mean that it won’t take up a lot of space on the counter, it also means that you cannot cook a lot at one time. In fact, this is best for families of two – or one.
That being said, this is one of the best brands in terms of quality and value for money.
So, if you are watching how much you spend, then this is a solid choice.
Best Budget (Cheap) Countertop Grill: George Foreman Basic Countertop Nonstick Grill
For a no frills option that is less than the cost of a nice meal out, this product is your best bet. It is just a basic little burger making machine – so no frills or fancy features. In fact, it is quite similar to the very first indoor item like this that I ever had years ago.
It is high quality and a durable little appliance. Doesn’t take up much space in the kitchen and just the right size for a family of two (or even a single person).
Clean-up is super easy and it heats up and cooks quickly. Overall, a solid purchase for someone trying to spend as little as possible on on one of these little kitchen counter machines.
top image: Kim/Flickr