The Basics: Countertop Grills

Since the 1990's, indoor grills, also called countertop grills, have been steadily growing in popularity. Although they can't offer the flame-grilled flavor of an outdoor grill, indoor grills have some definite advantages, and consumers have responded enthusiastically to the tune of billions of dollars in sales for these small yet eminently useful appliances.

There is something about a steak sizzling on the barbeque that makes our taste buds dance. From barbecued chicken to shrimp kebabs to grilled pineapple, America loves to grill. Whether it's the Fourth of July or the middle of February, some things just taste better when grilled.

Grilling is popular for its health benefits as well as the unique flavor it imparts to foods. If you live in a colder climate or simply don't have the space or desire for a full-size outdoor grill, an indoor grill provides a welcome alternative. By providing an alternative to backyard barbecuing, countertop grills extend the grilling season virtually indefinitely.

In 1995, the first George Foreman contact grill was introduced, revolutionizing the indoor grill market. The idea was simple: invent a machine that can grill foods on both sides at once, thus shortening the cooking time by eliminating the need to flip the food. The Foreman grill was an instant success, and an incredible 57 million "Lean Mean Grilling Machines" have been sold in the United States to date. With the popularity of the Foreman grill, many other manufacturers have jumped on the contact grill bandwagon.

Indoor grills have become so varied and versatile that they are no longer simply an alternative to outdoor barbeques. Instead, they have become the preferred choice for many homeowners seeking a healthy way to cook. From traditional countertop grills to contact grills and individual sandwich and panini makers, indoor grilling is a sensation that is sweeping the country.

Several grill styles are available, and each has its own advantages. Traditional indoor countertop grills come with one or more cooking surfaces that either sit atop a heating element or have an embedded heating element in the grill plate. Drip pans are used to collect juices and fats. Smokeless grilling is achieved by pouring water into the drip pan, thus cooling hot drips before they have a chance to smoke.

On the other hand, contact grills work by applying heated grids directly to the food, usually from two angles. Some contact grills convert to allow flat griddle-style cooking. These units are popular for their fast, efficient cooking, and they also do a great job with sandwiches.

Dedicated sandwich and panini makers are more specialized and offer a different twist on contact grilling. Two heating plates are connected via a clamshell-like hinge, and some even have recessed triangular compartments designed to accommodate a traditional sandwich with two bread slices and your choice of filling. As you close the machine, the bread is divided into two triangular sections and the ends are sealed. The heat from the grill plates warms the filling and toasts the bread.

Since sandwich makers don't actually cook the food as a traditional grill would, any meats or vegetables need to be precooked before assembling the sandwich. Panini makers use a similar concept, but in place of triangular compartments, these machines sport ribbed grilled plates to score the bread for a traditional grilled effect.

Indoor grills range in price from approximately $20 for a basic unit to $200 for a top-of-the-line model with specialty features. Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, although most units are covered for 90 days, 1 year or 2 years.

How to Shop

When selecting an indoor grill, consider how often you will use the appliance and what types of food will be cooked. Do you need a grill that can prepare sandwiches as well as burgers? Is space an issue? In general, the size of the grill is directly proportional to its available cooking space, so if you routinely cook for a large family, be sure to purchase a model that is large enough to meet your requirements. Special features translate into increased price, so if you are buying a specialty model, be sure you are getting the extras that you actually need.

Before you go shopping, first determine what type of indoor grill best suits your style of cooking. Of the two basic types -- countertop and contact grills -- countertop models usually have a larger grilling surface, which is an advantage if you are cooking for a large group. Since more food will fit on the grate, you can cook up to eight or ten burgers at once, instead of preparing food in smaller batches. On the other hand, contact grills have the advantage of speed, since foods cook from the top and bottom at once. A number of models also flip open, mimicking the flat design of a countertop grill. The other main difference is that with contact grills, the grill plates are solid with either a flat or ribbed surface, whereas most countertop grills have a traditional slotted cooking grate.

Your choice of contact versus countertop grill is mainly a matter of preference. Both styles deliver wonderfully seared food, and deliver the traditional sear marks that are characteristic of grilled delights.

If you are buying a countertop grill primarily to make sandwiches, consider a sandwich maker or panini press. These units are amazing effective at producing beautifully toasted breads with your choice of filling.

Materials and Construction: Indoor grills are made from a combination of plastic and metal components. Of the countertop variety, most models have a rectangular plastic base with legs that raise the unit up to protect the countertop. The grill plates are typically made from heavy-duty cast aluminum with a non-stick coating. Look for embedded heating elements, which deliver an even heat to the entire cooking surface.

Contact grills often have a cool-touch plastic housing with non-stick metal grill plates. The ridged, slanted design of these grills channels grease away from your food and into a separate grease cup. Many models offer removable grill plates, which is a real advantage when it comes time for cleaning. For the sake of safety, make sure any grill you purchase has sturdy, cool-touch plastic handles.

Several multipurpose models are also available, with interchangeable grill plates that let you switch from flat griddle to ridged grill to even waffle plates.

Size: Indoor grills vary tremendously when it comes to overall cooking area. Traditional countertop grills have an average of 140 to 190 square inches of cooking surface. The smallest contact grill is 38 square inches and can accommodate about two hamburgers, while the largest contact grills have up to 200 square inches of grilling space, or enough to cook 12 hamburgers. The larger models often offer dual heating elements with separate temperature controls for independent operation of each side of the grill.

Power/Temperature Settings: Indoor grills either have an attached power cord or a removable temperature probe. Many countertop models feature adjustable thermostats with settings from warm/low to medium/high (350 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Contact grills either have a single heat setting or a variable heat selector. Although variable settings are not necessary, as the highest heat setting works best for most foods, the choice of a low heat setting for keeping food warm is a convenient option.

Controls: Controls vary from model to model. On countertop models, you will usually find a dial temperature probe with variable heat settings. On contact grills, there may be no control switch at all, as plugging the unit in begins the heating process, or there may be a variable temperature dial. Other features available on certain models include a 30- to 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off, indicator lights, a tempered glass lid and removable drip pans or grease cups.

With all the options available, there is sure to be a model to meet your needs. With a handy countertop grill, grilling becomes a year-round delight.