Technology plays an influential role in improving cooking styles and methodology. This manifests in smokeless indoor grills that allow us to produce succulent steaks and hamburgers year-round without dealing with outdoor elements.
While we all love the smoke from outdoor grills, cooking outside is not always possible. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t hold grill parties, particularly when the inclement weather does not allow you to use your charcoal or gas grill. With the best smokeless indoor grill, you can produce beautiful grill marks similar to what you’d get with a traditional charcoal or gas grill.
Smokeless indoor grills have an electric heating element that can heat the cooking surface to very high temperatures without creating exhaust fumes. They are also small enough to sit on countertops and can be stored in cabinets. Like other kitchen appliances, smokeless indoor grills vary in several ways, making it difficult to choose the right one.
This article will guide you through what you should consider when choosing a smokeless indoor grill to help you find the best option for you and your family.
Top 9 Smokeless Indoor Grills Comparison Table
| Image | Name | Material | Cooking Surface | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 1. PowerXL Smokeless Grill | Aluminum | 152 square inches | 4.6 |
  | 2. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill | Cast iron | 108 square inches | 4.8 |
  | 3. Techwood Indoor Grill Smokeless Grill | Ceramic | 200 square inches | 4.5 |
  | 4. Hot Shot Smokeless Grill Indoor | Aluminum | 110 square inches | 4.5 |
  | 5. Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill | Stainless Steel | 150 square inches | 4.5 |
  | 6. CUSIMAX Indoor Smokeless Grill | Aluminum | 162 square inches | 4.6 |
  | 7. 1829 CARL SCHMIDT SOHN Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric Grill | Ceramic | 135 square inches | 4.4 |
  | 8. LITBOOS Smokeless Indoor Grill | Metal | 135 square inches | 4.3 |
  | 9. Simple Living Products Smokeless Indoor Grill | Ceramic | 112 square inches | 4.3 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Smokeless Indoor Grill
Choosing a smokeless indoor grill with the right features at a price that stays under budget can be tricky.
Here are a few things to look out for before making the big decision:
1. Smokeless Operation
Grills rated for indoor use usually use electricity and come with smoke management to ensure smokeless operation. While this is obvious, it shouldn’t be assumed when buying. The idea here is to confirm if the grill has all the features that help ensure smokeless operation.
Unlike outdoor grills with open grills, indoor grills usually have closed grates that drain drippings away, keeping them from flaring. Ultimately, this prevents greases from burning, which would otherwise create smoke.
No matter the model you choose, remember that there will always be little charred bits and some wisps of smoke.
2. Temperature Range and Maximum Temperature
Smokeless indoor grills use electric heating elements to heat the cooking surface. That said, the best grill should allow you to cook in the temperature band you are accustomed to. For the most part, this means picking a grill that can cook at a wide temperature range.
As for temperature range, most smokeless indoor grills tap out at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is high enough to cook, sear, and crisp just about anything. Although there are many aftermarket accessories, confirming that the grills are also good enough to cook at high temperatures is a good idea. This is very important if you like to sear your steaks.
3. Temperature Control
Indoor grills use electricity, which ensures better, more consistent heat distribution. Although they vary in the type of temperature controls they have, most models offer accurate control for cooking temperatures.
Lower-end models usually have one or two temperature options, while high-end models can have many. Indoor grills with a broad range of temperatures come with knobs or digital control, making it easy for users to set specific temperatures for the food they are cooking. Some pricey options are almost entirely automatic, coming with preset grilling temperatures.
Regardless of the type of smokeless indoor grill you buy, you will find it easy to control heat.
4. Size and Cooking Surface
Indoor grills are generally smaller than their outdoor counterparts. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t find a sizable smokeless indoor grill large enough to feed several mouths.
The larger the smokeless indoor grill you buy, the more cooking surface you will have and the more food you can cook at once. Just remember that the appliance will need more dedicated space for storage.
While finding a grill that suits your needs is worth noting that electric grills are limited by the 1,800 watts a typical American outlet can supply. Considering that this power is enough to heat around 100 square inches effectively, a super large grill may not get as hot as you expect.
5. Maintenance
When buying, you want to choose a grill that requires little to no maintenance. Thankfully, smokeless indoor grills are designed to be super easy to clean after grilling. They come with removable trays that catch dripping, and their components break down into pieces for easier cleanup.
Even better, many models come with dishwasher-safe grates, plates, and lids. If you want a super easy-to-maintain grill, look for models with removable drip trays and non-stick cooking area pans that can go into the dishwasher.
6. Lid
Most smokeless indoor grills come with lids, but others don’t have a lid at all. The lids help prevent unwanted grease from splattering while ensuring that the cooking area stays hot. Ultimately, this keeps kitchen items from getting dirty and ensures fast cooking.
When selecting an indoor grill, it is also a good idea to pick one with a glass lid. A transparent cover lets you keep an eye on what you are cooking without taking off the lid.
While knowing that lids are very handy in ensuring cleanliness and help circulate heat evenly throughout the grill chamber, the decision of whether or not to buy an indoor grill with a lid boils down to personal preference.
7. Cooking Functions
Some indoor grills are only designed to be incredibly versatile, while others let you do nothing more than grilling. As such, you could find an indoor grill that allows you to grill, air fry, sear, roast, bake, etc. Just find a grill that gels with your personal needs.
8. Material Used
With many people living busy lives, most prefer grills with non-stick plates for easy maintenance. However, considering that we want to vary our cooking styles every day, you also want a grill that allows you to change plates to have a taste of both worlds.
If maintenance is your main concern, stainless steel grills are very easy to maintain and highly durable. Besides, stainless steel grills resist rust and corrosion.
9. Price
Buying a smokeless indoor grill is a long-term investment. You want to buy a grill that blends great features at a price. Options range from affordable single-temperature models to pricey high-end feature-rich models.
To ensure you are getting a great deal, do your due diligence and compare offers from several dealers. The best smokeless indoor grill for you depends on your desired features, budget, and personal preferences.
Other Considerations
There are add-on features that can elevate your indoor grilling experience.
That said, here are additional features to look for:
- Temperature indicator: It is a good idea to buy an electric grill with an indicator that lets you know when the heating element is on or off. Thankfully, many smokeless indoor grills come with such an indicator. If your budget permits, you can buy advanced models with a digital display to show you the current temperature when the grill is on.
- Portability: It is almost certain that you will often move your grill in and out of storage. For this reason, buying a compact and lightweight grill with carrying handles is a good idea.
- Non-slip feet: No one wants their grill to slide while tending the food. To prevent such accidents and possible mess, buy a grill with non-slipping feet. This is very important, considering indoor grills are often kept on slippery countertops.
- Safety: Like other electrical appliances, your electric grill poses a fire risk, especially when left on. To ensure the safety of your appliance and property, buying a grill with an auto shut-off function is a good idea.
Top 3 Best Indoor Smokeless Grill Reviews
There are several smokeless grills in the market. Considering the factors above, you may still wonder which is the best for you.
Here are some most recommended smokeless grills you may wish to consider on your checklist:
1. PowerXL Smokeless Grill
Its sturdy construction, versatility, and other extra features make this PowerXL Smokeless Grill a leader in the grill market. In addition, it has an ample grill space of 108 square inches that can accommodate four large steaks, several burgers, and a good number of chicken pieces.
It has a non-stick ceramic plate that does not allow burger and steak pieces to stick on, making the entire cleaning process easy. The drip trays and grates are removable and can be put in a dishwasher.
This PowerXL Smokeless grill has a built-in fan that sucks up smoke, filters it, and channels clean air outside the grill through vents.
This grill fits perfectly even in tight kitchen spaces and small cabinet spaces because of its medium size and weight. Generally, it weighs approximately 14 pounds and is 20″ wide and 12″ deep, so it can prepare a lot while occupying just a little space in your kitchen.
The design is user-friendly with smart LED temperature control that allows you to maximize temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to any minimum of your wish. This design saves time since it will only take a few minutes, and your food is ready and tasty to be fed on. Additionally, the blue indicator blinks to help you monitor the temperature. Once the desired heat is attained, then the blinking stops.
2. Ninja FG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill
The Ninja Foodi Smart XK 6-in-1 Indoor Grill is an electric grill that boasts an excellent cooking system that sears, crisps, and sizzles your food just as you expect it. It has nine customizable doneness levels and four protein settings with an inbuilt thermometer that ensures you don’t pull out half-cooked or undercooked food.
This grill is a six-in-one unit that can fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, bake, or grill. You don’t need to flip your steak since the grill is readily packed with high technology that features a cyclonic air system that heats up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is enough to handle frozen food.
The grill is lightweight and very compact, thus fitting for apartment dwellers with small kitchen spaces. Additionally, the control panel is user-friendly, with buttons for cooking settings, temperature and grill controls, and a timer.
3. Techwood Indoor Grill Smokeless Grill
The Techwood Indoor Grill Smokeless Grill is an even cooker/grill that eliminates any propane or charcoal taste from your food. It is designed with a non-stick grill grate and a tray underneath to collect excess liquid or oil. In addition, it has advanced airflow technology with a hidden fan that vents out any smoke from the grill.
It is fitted with a precise digital LED temperature control panel that allows you to prepare food from 220 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The initial set temperature remains consistent throughout the cooking process and grills a perfect rib steak with great grill marks.
More so, the drip tray and grill plate are removable and can be cleaned in a dishwasher. It has a unique 60-day return policy where you can return it if you feel it does not serve you as it should.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electric Grills Give Off Smoke?
Yes, electric grills produce smoke. Even so, they will not give off copious amounts of smoke like gas and charcoal grills. That’s why they are safe for indoor use.
Why Does My Smokeless Grill Smoke?
In most cases, your electric grill will smoke if grease or food particles are burning. Marinade or the fat content of the food you prepare can also increase smoke output.
How Long Do You Cook a Steak on a Smokeless Grill?
A typical stake will take 6-7 minutes to get cooked on a smokeless grill. The exact time depends on the thickness of the steak and how you want the finished cooked steak to be.
Is It Safe to Use an Electric Grill Indoors?
You might never think of grilling indoors, especially because you’d probably fear that the fumes from your meal would be trapped in your home. However, indoor electric grills can be a great way to cook when you don’t want to go out in the cold or when it’s raining outside. You can use them all year long to whip up quick and easy meals without heating your kitchen.
Safety is the first thing to consider when you’re thinking about using an electric grill indoors. You should ensure the grill is well-ventilated and never point it toward your curtains or other flammable materials that could catch fire when exposed to heat.
Grilling indoors requires that you take precautions with the food you’re cooking. Some foods, like fish, could release smelly smoke you don’t want to fill your house. When preparing food for grilling inside, always be careful that the meat doesn’t drip onto surfaces near the electric grill. This can create a fire hazard.
What Temperature Do You Cook Hamburgers on an Electric Smokeless Grill?
Preheat your grill on medium/high heat when cooking hamburgers, 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, you should cook numbers until the internal temperature reaches 155 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do Electric Grills Use a Lot of Electricity?
In recent years, electric grills have been designed to become more energy-efficient than ever. On average, if you use a standard indoor grill for one hour per day, the appliance will consume up to $10 of power per month.
What Temperature Do You Cook Steak on a Smokeless Grill?
Steak should be cooked at temperatures between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are Electric Grills Easy to Clean?
Electric grills are usually easy to clean because of their simple design. They do not feature burners or grates that require disassembling when they get dirty. The trays pull out so you can empty them and wipe the unit down. You can remove and wash the drip tray in your dishwasher to make your job easier.
Conclusion
Courtesy of technology advancements, you can grill year-round with smokeless indoor grills and get the same result as when grilling outside. If you are dealing with outdoor elements or want to grill throughout the year, hopefully, this article will help you buy a smokeless indoor grill suitable for your needs.
