Electric Grill Buyer's Guide

Upgrades in the last decade mean electric grills have all the latest technological advancements. And we’ll guide you through the selection process.

An electric grill is not a nostalgic grill. You probably don’t have fond memories of your mom or dad grilling you up some burgers on the ole electric backyard grill. That’s because electric grills have only made advancements in the last couple of decades. And make leaps and bounds, they did. Not only can electric grills hold their own against the classic charcoal or gas grills, but also include many features that just aren’t possible on other grills.

Now if you’ve seen any of our other Grill Buying Guides such as for Gas Grills or Pellet Grills then this process will look familiar. The main considerations when buying a grill are configuration, size, and class. See below for more information on each decision to be made.

Configuration

First up, is where would you like to do your grilling. Electric grills are one of the most versatile grills, the only requirement they have is to be near a power outlet.

Built-in Grills are just what the name implies, built into an existing structure. They are great for outdoor kitchens; these electric grills can get the job done and is even easier to install into an outdoor kitchen because there is no need to hire someone to dig up your backyard to move the gas lines to your grill’s location. And if you’re interested some built-in grills are made to be screwed out of your counter and convert to a portable grill.

Freestanding Grills are more the classic shape that people think of when they think of a backyard grill. These models can be placed on top of your counter or attached to a cart to be more easily moved around the backyard. These freestanding cart grills are slightly less mobile than gas or pellet grills because they do need to be within reach of a power outlet. We don’t recommend ever using an extension cord because most extension cords won’t be able to handle the amperage.

Portable Grills are usually the smallest category of grills and are lightweight for easy movability. These grills can go almost anywhere, outside, on a balcony, or your friend's house; they can go anywhere with a power outlet. Make no mistake, this lightweight movability doesn’t mean portable grills aren’t hardy. Blaze offers lifetime warranties on some of its portable grill models showcasing their confidence in these products.

Size

Now you have to ask yourself, for your grilling journey, is bigger always better? Sure, bigger means more space to grill up some burgers or vegetables, but it also means bigger price points and less mobility.

Small Grills are any grill under 26 inches. These grills are perfect for a small family. They are also better for taking with you on the road for a camping trip or day at the park. These personal grills will fit somewhere between 5 and 15 burgers, so if you’ll never need to grill more than a dozen burgers, a small grill is for you.

Medium Grills are grills that measure between 27 and 33 inches. These grills can potentially fit up to 20 burgers at a time. So, if you have a big family, a family with a big appetite, or love inviting the neighbors over for a bite, this could be the grill size for you.

Large Grills are grills measuring from 34 to 42 inches and are grills for people with really big families, or often cook for the extended family. And if family reunions are always at your house, and you would prefer cranking out burgers two dozen at a time, large grills will be able to handle the job.

Extra-Large Grills are not for the faint of heart. Any grill measuring 43 or more inches is considered extra-large. If you are intending to grill for the entire neighborhood, or a large crowd, this is the size for you. These grills can fit 30 burgers at a time and if you need to feed a crowd of hungry sports fans, an extra-large grill will get the job done.

Classes

If you’ve scanned the other grill buyer’s guide, you will already know, not all grills are built equal. There are four classes of grills ranging from Luxury to Premium, to Practical, and finally Economy class. You’ll find all the newest bells and whistles in the Luxury class, with a luxury price to match, and each class will get more affordable but have fewer features available. A good way to know what class your grill is in is the warranty. Manufacturers are often so confident in their Luxury Grills they offer lifetime warranties, whereas economy grills will only have warranties lasting a couple of years. Be sure to check out what warranty your grill has before purchase; it will alert you to the expected lifespan of your grill.

Luxury Class Grills will always be built entirely of commercial-grade stainless steel, so you can rest assured these grills will be as durable as possible. As previously stated, these grills are accompanied by lifetime warranties, meaning you can trust you’ve gotten a quality grill. These grills will have all the latest technological advances available, and usually have a price to match. For example, extra safety features like automatic shut-off, digital temperature monitoring controls, and rotisserie burners, you may have experienced using on a gas grill.

Premium Class Grills are generally built from 304 stainless steel, so it is durable enough to withstand any kind of weather. Some of these grills will contain a lifetime warranty, so double-check before you buy. Cooking temperatures are accurate, as the hoods feature double-lining to ensure heat is insulated. Features to look for include safety timers, flame tamers, and removable parts to make cleaning a snap.

Practical Class Grills are built with a mixture of different steels and are fairly durable but be sure to check the quality of steel. Warranties will top off at 10 years, the grill is long-lasting, but probably won’t outlast you. You won’t find as many special features as the luxury or premium grills, but usually practical grills will have features to ease the cleaning process or safety features such as a locking lid.

Economy Class Grills are the most wallet-friendly. Warranties range from 90 days to up to 3 years. These grills are made from painted steel and are vulnerable to corrosion if left outside. You won’t find extra features on these grills and the temperatures will be less exact than higher class grills.

Powering an Electric Grill

We recommend connecting your grill to an outlet with 20 amps. Some grills will do fine on a standard 15-amp outlet. Make sure you check because some grills will need a special 220-volt outlet. If a grill doesn’t have enough power from the outlet, you’ll likely get extended preheating times, and very low cooking temperatures that will leave you wondering if your food will ever finish cooking.

Another way to ensure your grill gets enough power is to ensure the grill is connected to a dedicated circuit. This means your grill will be the only thing plugged into the outlet, and the only thing running on the electricity. And when in doubt always peek in the owner’s manual to make sure you are well informed.

Indoor or Outdoor Use?

Although it is true some electric grills can be used indoors, most electric grills are only designed for outdoor use. You are safer using your electric grill outdoors unless you are positive you have an exception to the rule. This is because despite the grill being powered by electricity not relying on a flame for heat, that doesn’t mean the grill won’t produce small flames. Food drippings can create a temporary flame if they hit a heading element in the grill. These flames can be even more dangerous than a gas grill’s flames because proper ventilation is not built-in when used indoors.

So, what grills can you use indoors? It’s always important to check the manufacturer's guidelines, but notable exceptions to the rule are the George Foreman grills because they direct food drippings out of the unit away from heating elements. The Coyote Electric Grill is also indoor rated but comes with a disclaimer to use them under a vent hood when indoors.

Covers for Electric Grills

Most grills are stationed outside. And wouldn’t you know it, the outside has unpredictable weather? Buying a cover for your grill will do wonders to protect it from the elements.

For electric grills especially, there are a lot of electrical elements to an electric grill, and these can never get wet. Between the rain, snow, and general humidity outside, there are a lot of opportunities for water to infiltrate your grill. Getting a cover will save you the headache of dragging your grill undercover every time you’re done using it. It also, as a bonus, will keep little critters such as chipmunks or rats from getting into the wiring of your grill.

Grill with the Lid Down

You’ve got your new electric grill. Congrats. She’s a beauty, and you’re ready to get to work grilling up your dinner. If you’ve never used an electric grill, keep the lid down when you grill, as much as possible. Grills with open flames will thrive with extra airflow. But an electric grill has the opposite problem. If the lid is left open all the heat will escape. And the goal is to keep all that heat to grill up your delicious burgers.

We’re Here to Help!

If you have any doubts along the journey of achieving your grilling dreams, feel free to call us at 866-848-3473 or reach out through email. Or perhaps you’d like to inquire about a fire pit and get an authentic campfire cooking experience. Our NFI-certified experts are here to answer any questions or schedule an inspection for your existing fireplace or talk to you about a future fireplace. We are on the Fireplace Deals website after all. In the meantime, check out our other Learning Center articles to expand your fireplace knowledge.