The DeLonghi Perfecto BG24 indoor grill is a beautifully designed countertop grilling appliance with a slotted cooking grate to mimic an outdoor cooking experience. It does a remarkable job cooking all types of food -- from burgers and chicken pieces to vegetables and even pizza! We put the grill through its paces and were thoroughly impressed with the results.

The grill consists of a 13.4x19.7-inch black plastic base with removable nonstick grill plate, a nonstick removable drip tray, a removable variable temperature probe and full-view glass lid. What's nice about this model is the lid, which enables you to concentrate heat in the cooking area so foods cook quicker and more thoroughly. We noticed that the lid does not fit snugly. This is to allow steam to escape during cooking. We also found that the cooked foods retained more of their moisture. The lid also helps keep any splatters contained in the cooking area.

Because the heating element is built directly into the die-cast aluminum grill plate, heat transfer happens automatically for a searing hot effect. The grill took just less than 10 minutes to preheat. The Perfecto has five heat settings, which range between 175-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The instructions provide a basic description of when to use the different settings. Settings 1-2 (low) are for keeping cooked foods warm; settings 3-4 (medium-high) let you cook delicate foods a bit more slowly; and setting 5 (max) cooks fastest and sears foods to completion. For the most part, your cooking will be done on settings 4-5.

The Perfecto Grill is excellent for grilling steaks, pork chops, fish fillets and more. We found it worked extremely well to grill fresh pizza and vegetables. Brushing foods with a bit of oil helps with browning but is not necessary since the nonstick plates release foods easily. Just about any foods that can be cooked on an outdoor grill can be managed with the Perfecto Indoor Grill. The only limitation is size. The 12x16-inch grilling surface accommodates several steaks or up to six large hamburger patties. Most foods take anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes, depending on their thickness. Larger cuts of beef or fish fillets take slightly longer. Whole chickens or uneven shaped items such as chicken wings or legs are not recommended for cooking on this grill.

Setup and cleaning of the grill are easily accomplished in a few simple steps. All of the parts detach and can be wiped and or rinsed clean. Care should be taken not to immerse the grill plate or get moisture into the control socket.


Pros: Slotted and nonstick grilling surface, adjustable temperature control, side edges contain splatters, glass lid
Cons: Pricey

Warranty
1 year