It's part of the American way of life. Friends and family gather in the backyard on the patio or deck or summer barbecue. There's nothing like the taste of barbecue chicken or a big, juicy steak from the grill.
Summer holidays are all about hot dogs and burgers on the grill. The taste is reminiscent of summertime.
Not everyone lives in a place, however, that will allow you to fire up the gas or charcoal grill. You might not have a big outdoor space or you might have restrictions against gas or charcoal. Electric grills are a great alternative.
You can get the experience and taste of cooking on the grill, yet it's done on an electric grill instead of charcoal or gas. Read on to learn about the 7 things to consider when cooking on an electric grill.
1. Power Source
The power source of an electric grill is obviously electricity. The nice part of this you don't have to deal with bags of charcoal each time you want to fire up the grill. You don't have to worry about propane tanks or making sure there is gas for the grill.
You will need to use your electric grill close to where you can hook up to electricity. You will need to have access to a plug, indoor or or outdoor, to heat the grill.
Many grills will come with long cords so you can plug them in, yet still have them at a safe distance because of the heat.
2. Size
One nice feature of an electric grill is its size. They are smaller and more compact than a charcoal or gas grill When looking at an electric grill, consider how much size you need.
Many electric grills have small grilling surfaces that make them perfect to use when only for a few people or you don't have much space either.
You can get an electric grill and you won't feel like it's overkill to use it for one or two people.
3. Space Needed
One nice feature of an electric grill is its compactness. Generally, they are smaller than other traditional grill types.
Yet, they also vary in size from grill to grill. Consider where you might want to use your grill and how much space you have available. This will help guide you in choosing the best electric grill for you.
Do you hope to use it inside or on a small patio space? You can even use some electric grills inside on a counter, like in an apartment where you might not have an outdoor grilling space.
4. Getting the True Grill Flavor
There are some who say you don't get the same authentic grill flavor from an electric grill the way you might from a charcoal or gas grill. It might be one of the suggested downsides of the electric grill. Yet, many feel like the electric grill gives you the same great flavorful tastes as other grilling options.
One suggestion to increase flavor is to add smoked wood chips or pellets to the electric grill to get that more traditional and authentic grill taste. Even if you have a smaller sized electric grill, this is doable.
First, soak the wood chips in water for a half-hour. Then wrap them in foil, poking holes in the foil to release the smoke. The wood chips are contained. But as the grill heats up, the smoke flavor is released, adding flavor to whatever you are cooking.
Pro-tip, you might prefer to do this in an outside space to avoid smoking up your interiors.
5. Ease of Use
One big selling feature of an electric grill and one worth considering is how easy it is to use. There is no charcoal to arrange each time you want to use it. Lighting it and waiting for it to get hot. Then working to maintain the temperature.
There are no propane tanks to connect and worry that you will run out of gas in the middle of cooking dinner. With an electric grill, you only need to plug it in and you are ready to go. It has the grates to give you the grill features without the hassles of charcoal or gas.
6. Heat
One thing to know about electric grills is that their temperature may peak and not get as hot as a gas grill, for example, at its hottest.
When you plan to grill on your electric grill, a smart plan is to plug it in before you start to prep whatever you are grilling. Like you might light another kind of grill, you want to turn this type on and let it build up its temperature.
You want a good, hot grill surface before putting any meat on it. Any grill will cool slightly as you open it and add what you're grilling. If the grill is good and hot, it will help to cook to the correct temperature more quickly and efficiently.
7. Temperature Gauge
One smart feature to look for when shopping for an electric grill is a temperature gauge. It will tell you what temperature your grill is at and when it's ready to begin grilling.
Not all electric grills come with this feature, so you want to look for it if possible. Some electric grills have this as a built-in feature, while others have it as an add-on feature.
Some will feature a light that tells you the grill is hot, but not what temperature it has reached.
Use Your Electric Grill Today
An electric grill is a great alternative for grilling if you don't have a huge outdoor space or don't want to fuss with charcoal and propane. You can get the same great grill taste from your electric grill alternative.
If you are in the market for an electric grill, we have several options that will meet your needs. Check out our website for the electric grill selection and for the additional grill accessories you need to make your next barbecue a hit.