Electric Grills?

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07-03-2012, 10:04 AM
AppleTree

Electric Grills?

Does anyone have an electric grill? I want to get a new grill for summertime, and want a smallish one...and was thinking about this rather than the propane or charcoal.

Do they work well? Easy to use? Give food a nice cooked out flavor, or is it like using your indoor oven, in which case I wouldn't bother.
07-03-2012, 10:22 AM
shootingstar

I wonder if anyone has a stovetop gas grill. I have one embedded into my stove but truly hesitate to use it. For fear/hassle of splattering oils, grease all over the kitchen wall, stovetop, etc.
07-03-2012, 10:32 AM
indysteel

I've used an electric grill in the past; now we use gas. Electric grills are easy and convenient to use, but from a flavor standpoint, they don't offer much unless you also use a wood smoker box.

I still think there's an ease of use with an outdoor grill that beats using the oven, broiler or cooktop, especially in the summer.
07-03-2012, 11:09 AM
GLC1968

Quote:

Originally Posted by indysteel

I still think there's an ease of use with an outdoor grill that beats using the oven, broiler or cooktop, especially in the summer.

This, 100%.

We had a grill attachment (electric) for our modular stove that we used once. Even with the down-draft vent fan, our house stunk after using it. I've also used a George Foreman on occasion as well but again, prefer to use the outdoor grill. An electric grill works OK, but I can't believe that it's very efficient. We just bought a nice, small outdoor propane grill (there are only two of us) and it heats so quickly and so evenly!

I love food cooked over wood or charcoal, but that's just not practical in my life (who has that kind of time?!).
07-03-2012, 11:14 AM
indysteel

All things considered, I prefer gas, too, as charcoal and wood can be so unpredictable. DH has a "health" contest at work and if he hits certain targets--which he undoubtedly will--he'll get a sizeable GC to Home Depot, and we already have our eye on a much nicer/bigger grill than we currently use. We can always use a smoker box for a bit more authenticity, but we don't typcially even bother with that. I'd probably only opt for electric if space and safety was a concern.
07-03-2012, 11:37 AM
Blueberry

We use a stainless gas boat grill. Works on a standard gas tank, or little cartridges. It's just big enough for us:)

Added benefit to gas: if the power's out, you have a way to heat water/cook if needed (we now have a gas stove, but haven't always).
07-03-2012, 11:49 AM
Eden

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLC1968

I love food cooked over wood or charcoal, but that's just not practical in my life (who has that kind of time?!).

Lump charcoal and a chimney starter - very little time from matches to cooking! (and no chemicals added). We don't do it super often, but it really isn't much of a time suck.
07-03-2012, 04:53 PM
malkin

When it is hot, anything that adds heat to the house is to my way of thinking a BAD thing.

Any kind of grill outside fits the bill.
We have one of these as well"
http://www.amazon.com/Global-Sun-Ove.../dp/B00286KQ1W
07-09-2012, 05:55 PM
Penny4

I got an electric outdoor grill at Lowe's a few year's ago and love it. They don't have my exact model anymore but it is similar to this one http://www.lowes.com/pd_186836-82210...RL=&facetInfo=

I can add cermic briquettes to the grill and that really helps transfer the heat evenly. I think it also helps give a nice grilled flavor. I found a cover that fits and I just leave it outside all the time, although I keep the cord part in my storage shed.
07-09-2012, 07:44 PM
AppleTree

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penny4

I got an electric outdoor grill at Lowe's a few year's ago and love it. They don't have my exact model anymore but it is similar to this one http://www.lowes.com/pd_186836-82210...RL=&facetInfo=

I can add cermic briquettes to the grill and that really helps transfer the heat evenly. I think it also helps give a nice grilled flavor. I found a cover that fits and I just leave it outside all the time, although I keep the cord part in my storage shed.

Thanks Penny... I like the idea of being able to put the ceramic briquettes in there to heat better...and that probably catches the drips and gives it a better "outdoor grilled" flavor too.

Thanks for all the feedback!
07-10-2012, 04:35 AM
OakLeaf

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootingstar

I wonder if anyone has a stovetop gas grill. I have one embedded into my stove but truly hesitate to use it. For fear/hassle of splattering oils, grease all over the kitchen wall, stovetop, etc.

We have a standalone cast iron griddle that sits over a burner on our gas stove. Sure it spatters some when DH overdoes it with the olive oil, but if you take the same precautions you would when you fry on any other surface, the spatter doesn't go any farther than the stovetop and adjacent counter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueberry

Added benefit to gas: if the power's out, you have a way to heat water/cook if needed (we now have a gas stove, but haven't always).

We made good use of our little camp stove last week! And having broken it out of the storage tub, we continued to use it for those few super hot days we had after the power came back. We have a gas stove, but without electric to power the range hood, there's no way to vent the exhaust (primarily NOx and nevermind the heat in the summer).

@Malkin, I keep thinking about a solar oven. How do you like yours? Do you feel the durability/efficiency is enough to justify the price over a homemade one?

Can't help with an electric grill, sorry.