Grills are something that one would want to buy at some point in time to make their kitchen complete. But choosing the right one among many choices can be a task that may seem arduous for many. One of the most comfortable choices for first-time owners can be - tabletop grills. They are easy to maintain, use, cheaper on the pocket, and useful in every way. Here is a guide to the best tabletop grills that one can invest in.
What Are Tabletop Grills?
This is one of such questions where the answer is in the question itself. A tabletop grill is a grill that can be used on top of a table.
Model | Our rating | Max power, Watt | Burgers cooked ot once | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Foreman GGR50B
 | 9.2 | 1600 | 9 | 3Y |  |
Weber Q1400
 | 8.5 | 1560 | 8 | 2Y/5Y | |
Weber Q2400
 | 8.4 | 1560 | 11 | 2Y/5Y | |
George Foreman GRP4842P Evolve
 | 8.2 | 1440 | 5 | 3Y | |
George Foreman GRP0004B
 | 8.2 | 1440 | 2 | 3Y | |
George Foreman GRD6090B
 | 8.1 | 1440 | 4 | 3Y | |
Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1
 | 8.9 | 1760 | 4 | 1Y | |
Ninja Foodi FG551 XL 6-in-1
 | 8.8 | 1760 | 4 | 1Y | |
Hamilton Beach 25601  | 7.9 | 1400 | 8 | 5Y | |
George Foreman GGR50B  Max Power, Watt: 1,600 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 240 Burgers cooked at once: 9 Warranty: 3 years Made in: China  |
Weber Q1400  Max Power, Watt: 1,560 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 189 Burgers cooked at once: 8 Warranty: 2 years / 5 years Made in: China |
Weber Q2400  Max Power, Watt: 1,560 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 280 Burgers cooked at once: 11 Warranty: 2 years / 5 years Made in: China |
George Foreman GRP4842P Evolve  Max Power, Watt: 1,440 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 128 Burgers cooked at once: 5 Warranty: 3 years Made in: China |
George Foreman GRP0004B Max Power, Watt: 1,440 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 81 Burgers cooked at once: 2 Warranty: 3 years Made in: China |
George Foreman GRD6090B  Max Power, Watt: 1,440 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 90 Burgers cooked at once: 4 Warranty: 3 years Made in: China |
Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1  Max Power, Watt: 1,760 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 100 Burgers cooked at once: 4 Warranty: 1 year Made in: China |
Ninja Foodi FG551 XL 6-in-1  Max Power, Watt: 1,760 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 108 Burgers cooked at once: 4 Warranty: 1 year Made in: China |
Hamilton Beach 25601  Max Power, Watt: 1,400 Cooking Area, sq. in.: 200 Burgers cooked at once: 8 Warranty: 5 years Made in: China |
It is a variation in grills, which is more convenient and compact than all the other full-on backyard grills. Tabletop grills are a perfect option for people who do not have enough backyard space or live in apartments or condos.
The tabletop grills are available in propane, charcoal, and electrical when it comes to the power source. Among the two, propane grills are more widely used.
Benefits of Tabletop Grills
For parties and family get-togethers, tabletop grills are a very good choice. It does not require too much space but grills some of eth best meat and veggies. Some more benefits of tabletop grills are mentioned below:
Portability
Tabletop grills are very lightweight so, they are easy to carry around as well as install. So, one can easily take them when going camping and other houses to have a barbecue feast. Electric ones are may not be the best choice for camping but, it is more convenient because it does not require carrying additional propane tank or charcoal.
Size
Lack of space should not hinder owning a grill, which is why these tabletop grills are very compact and can be stored easily. Another thing is that it is very easy to install, both inside the house or outside during camping.
Fitting for Both Outdoor and Indoor Use
The conventional outdoor grills have one con: they cannot cook food inside the house and are bound to one place. With these tabletop grills, there is no such limitation. One can take it to a different outdoor location to have a picnic or have a small barbecue event inside the house/apartment.
The non-smoke feature makes tabletop grills more suitable for indoor use.
Temperature Control
The tabletop grills, especially the electric ones, come with varied temperature control. The wide range of temperatures allows one to cook at the perfect temperature. Also, the cooking area gets heated evenly in these grills, so there is no chance of meat being undercooked or overcooked at certain places.
As one does not intend to cook at a single temperature, varied temperature controls come in handy.
Easy To Clean
Better cleaning also means that the grill stays hygienic. There will be no bacterial growth, ensuring that the food cooked on it is always healthy and hygienic.
Performance
Performance-wise, the tabletop grills are no further than then conventional grills. It has all the necessary controls and also requires less maintenance. One of the best things about these grills' performance is that they are very easy to use.
People can cook meat and veggies simultaneously. Even if the area may seem small, it can fit enough food items to be cooked together. Moreover, the electric tabletop grill does not produce smoke, which means the cooking environment stays clean, and the nonstick pans lead to less messy cooking.
Buying Guide for Tabletop Grills
To get the full worth of the money paid to get a tabletop grill, one needs to choose the best product that suits their requirements. And to do that, one should start with considering the following factors:
Gas, Charcoal, or Electric
The first thing to consider while going tabletop grill shopping is deciding on the power source type. Charcoal grills take time to heat up, whereas both gas and electric grill, does not add the smoky flavor to the food.
Electric grill creates less smoke so, it is a good choice for indoor purposes and, gas grills are less messy. Both of them are also easy to clean, unlike the charcoal, which leaves ashes behind.
In the end, it all comes down to the buyer's preferences; if they do not want the hassle of carrying gas tanks and charcoal with them, electricity is the best. But for more robust flavors, the former ones are preferred.
Cooking Area
The tabletops may be compact, but they also come in varied sizes, depending on the cooking area. The cooking area is the most important part of a grill, so one should choose the right grill based on how many people they usually serve.
Some tabletop grills have a larger cooking area, whereas others have multiple grilling pans for different cooking methods and food types. With such decisions, a rush should not be made. Take time to decide so that the grill will meet the requirements.
Safety
Safety is an important thing to consider when buying any kind of appliance. The electric ones are the safest, no flare-ups, and even removing and inserting food is also safe. With charcoal and gas that needs actual fire, one needs to be careful of the flare-ups {https://www.iii.org/article/grilling-safety-and-insurance}.
Design
The next thing to consider is the design of the tabletop grill. Some grills come with multiple cooking areas, which allow, separate cooking while others with a single wide surface. Also, some electric grills come with attachments of multiple grills pans in which different food can be grilled.
Few of the tabletop grills have an enclosed body that allows the user to cook both sides of the food simultaneously.
Portability
As portability is one of the benefits of owning a tabletop grill, one will not want to compromise on this factor when making the purchase. One does not have to consider this factor if they permanently place the grill in their balcony or backyard. But if they plan on carrying them to picnics and camping, look for grills that are less than 50lbs.
Also, it will be good if the grill has foldable or detachable legs to be installed even without a table.
Portable Indoor Grill
Indoor grills are popular among users who do not have enough space to install a conventional backyard grill. They can use indoor grills in their kitchen and enjoy some flavorsome barbecues, steak, chicken, burgers, and veggies.
The grill may not give that smoky flavor to the food, but it will fill that drawback with all its other benefits. It is safer and is even easy to carry around. These portable indoor grills are a good use of technology that allows even people leaving apartments to enjoy a nice barbecue night.
PROS:
- The indoor grills are portable and compact.
- It is also easy to clean and, maintenance is hassle-free.
- With all the extra attachments that it comes with, cooking becomes more versatile.
- Varied temperature range and even heat distribution.
- Since it is indoors, it can be used in any weather condition.
- Compared to big conventional grills, these portable indoor ones are way cheaper and affordable.
CONS:
- No smoky flavor, so the food may have fewer "grill" flavors.
- It has good temperature control but does not have too high heat temperatures like the outdoor grills.
- Since the grill is compact and small in size, the cooking surface is also small.
When you want to grill indoors with only a few people, these portable indoor grills are the best choice.
What Is a Hibachi?
Hibachi is an ancient Japanese innovation made back in the 8th century. The term "hibachi" translates to "fire bowl." And the process of cooking in hibachi is very close to the term "fire bowl." When one says that the food is cooked hibachi-style, they mean that the meat, veggies, or seafood were cooked over a searing-hot surface kept on top of burning charcoal-filled ceramic or wooden bowl.
Over the years, the term "hibachi" has evolved in terms of technology. Now when one wants hibachi-styled food, they can get it done by cooking on flat-top grills called planches or gas griddles or small portable charcoal or even electric grills.
Flat Top Grills/Gas Griddles
Cooking food on these is easy as one can place pans and pots on the surface of the hot skillet, and as the heat spreads evenly, food also gets cooked properly. These have multiple cooking spots. Also, it is safe as there is less risk of flare-ups.
Hibachi Charcoal Grills
People who like having charcoal-grilled food, but do not have enough space in their backyard to fit one, can buy this portable hibachi grill. They are lightweight so can be carried around, an ideal choice for picnics and camping. And since it cooks food on charcoal, it adds a smoky flavor to it.
Raclette Machine
As the variety of foods increases, the equipment required to prepare these dishes also keeps evolving. One piece of equipment is the raclette grill. Currently, there are many varieties of raclette grills available in the market. For people who have not heard about this grill, imagine a combination grill that can prepare the cheese fondue and barbecue the meat simultaneously. Isn't it convenient and exciting!
If one has decided to buy it, to recognize the best raclette grill that satisfies their requirements, they can refer to the following factors:
- Power: This is important because this grill works to melt, grill, heat, and warm the food and cheese. So if power is lacking, then the grill will not be very useful.
- Dimension: the dimension is important because people usually serve their food when cooking on raclette grill. So it should be large enough for everyone to use the grill.
- Serve per session: this is an important thing that one should consider before buying a raclette grill. The grill should be able to cook enough to serve all the people in a single session. A small sizes grill in a large family is not the money's worth.
- Warranty: do not just focus on the price range; also, look for the manufacturer's warranty and what all things it covers. A warranty of 1 year or more is a better product.
Portable Grilling Table
A grill table is a useful piece of furniture for one's portable tabletop grill. The table will make it easy to set up the grill outdoors as well as the extra space is useful for arranging all the food, condiments, and other accessories. These tables come in varied sizes and different designs. Even if it is just a table, certain things should be kept in mind before buying them.
- Foldable design: foldable tables are also easy to store and also for stowing purposes. But it has cons too such as, it can be wobbly and, its weight capacity is limited because, the table itself is made lightweight.
- The material used: the table is available in stainless tell, aluminum, strong plastic, and even wooden tables. Each material has its pros and cons, but most people go for the stainless steel ones because they can withstand outdoor weather.
- Weight capacity: this is an important thing to check because one will want to have a table that can withstand the weight of the tabletop gill and the additional accessories.
- The table features: these grilling tables also come with additional features such as hooks, shelves, adjustable legs, wheels, paper towel holders. So check these also before buying.
- Dimensions: if one wants the table only for setting up the grill, then a small and compact one will do. But a larger table is a better choice as it gives an additional area to place all the ingredients and accessories.
Portable Tailgate Grill
Tailgating is a good way to spend time with one's friends and family. But the thing that will make the get-together a success is the right tailgating grill. One of the most important features of a good tailgating grill is that it should be compact enough to fit in the car's trunk. And light weighted so that one can set it up without pulling a muscle.
One should buy based on their preferences and requirements. But to make the checklist easier, consider the following features before buying a tailgate grill.
- Capacity: the grill should be able to cook enough for all the friends and family members. Check the cooking area to know the capacity; it is usually measured in square inches.
- Power source: there are propane, charcoal, and electric grills available. Choose the one that fits the taste. Some people like the smokiness of the charcoal grill whereas, some prefer the ease of using propane grills. Usually, people do not go for the electric grill as it needs a power outlet.
- Cooking grates: it is best to go for grills with cast iron grates, as they are nonstick. Also, the removable ones are preferred for easy cleaning.
- Temperature control: lastly, choose the grill that one feels like they will easily control. Because the temperature is everything when it comes to grilling, better control means tastier food.
Here is a complete list of the best tabletop grills that one can choose from for their small kitchen indoor grilling setup.
George Foreman GGR50B
Specifications
- Dimensions: 22.2 X 20.5 X 13 in
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Surface area: 240 sq. in.
- Material of grate: nonstick circular grate
- Fuel type: electric
George Foreman GGR50B is an indoor and outdoor grill that runs on electric powering. This grill is known for its easy-to-use features and good cooking versatility. This grill can cook up to 15 servings in a single cooking batch. The surface area of 240 sq. in is effective and holds the food perfectly. The dome on the grill is large and spacious, which allows the grilling of larger pieces of meat.
The temperature range is versatile and allows cooking on high and low heat as per the food type. The nonstick coating on the grates is useful and does not allow the food to get stuck to the grates.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1
Specification
- Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 11 inches
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
- Grate material: nonstick porcelain-coated grill and basket
- Fuel type: electric
- Temperature range: 500 Fahrenheit
For those looking for a versatile grill that works as a grill and an air fryer and roaster, Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1 is the perfect pick. It is a grill that allows one to cook in 5 different styles; roasting, baking, grilling, air frying, and dehydrating.
The grill has a temperature range of 500 Fahrenheit and also have 5oo degree cyclone air for better air frying. This means one can cook with minimal use of oil and yet not compromise on the taste. 4-quart basket and large grilling surface allow cooking larger quantities, and the nonstick surface allows a better cleanup process.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
Ninja Foodi AG301 5-in-1 is a versatile electric tabletop grill that makes cooking easy. One can roast, bake, fry, and even dehydrate using this grill. It is easy to use, has various settings, and comes with a nonstick basket and grates for better cooking.
Ninja Foodi FG551 XL 6-in-1
Specifications
- Dimensions: 15.7 x 16.5 x 11.05 inches
- Weight: 22.44 pounds
- Wattage: 1760 watts
- Grate material: steel grates with a nonstick coating of porcelain
- Fuel type: electricity
- Temperature range: up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Choosing a grill that does the job of 6 different kitchen appliances can be a great way to save space and money and increase the kitchen's effectiveness. This grill comes with different baskets and attachments for cooking meat, vegetables, and other food items. The capacity of XL helps in fitting larger servings.
The temperature range goes up to 500 degrees which allows easy and seamless cooking. The smart cooking features come with pre-set features for grilling, braising, roasting, and broiling meat. The grill also has a smart thermometer that allows better temperature control. The smoke control system avoids excessive smoke in the kitchen.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
Ninja Foodi FG551 LX 6-in-1 is a versatile and stylish grill that allows the user to cook various types of food on it. This grill is a perfect alternative to various kitchens appliances. This acts as a good way to save money and invest in only one grill.
Weber Q1400
Specifications
- Dimensions: 23.5 X 27 X 20.5 in
- Weight: 29.5 lbs
- Grill surface area: 189 sq. inches
- Grate material: cast iron and porcelain-coated grates
- Fuel type: electric grill
- Wattage: 1560 watts
This Weber Q1400 is an effective grill that helps in making some delicious food for family gatherings. This electric grill has a wattage of 1560 watts, which makes heating the grill easy and effective.
The grill has a cooking surface of 189 sq, in. which is more than many other domestic grills for indoors. The grates are coated in porcelain which makes them easy to clean. The grill has a good temperature range that allows better cooking of meat.
One gets a 6 ft long cord with the grill, allowing one to set up the grilling station comfortably. The grill allows one to make burgers, grilled meats, vegetables, and fruits.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
This small electric grill is perfect for making grilled meat and burgers for small gatherings. The grill has the right set of features to make cooking easy while keeping the grill indoors.
Weber Q2400
Specifications
- Dimensions: 25.1 X 31.5 X 26 in
- Weight: 41 lbs
- Material of grate: cast iron and porcelain-coated grates
- Surface area: 280 sq. in.
- Fuel type: electric
- Temperature range: 550 degrees
The Weber electric grills are known for their good features and cooking versatility. Q2400 is the upgraded model of Q1400. Most features remain the same, but the temperature control panel is more advanced, and the cooking surface is larger.
This grill comes with a cooking surface of 280 sq. in. which allows making larger servings. The porcelain-coated grates are effective in keeping the heat even and also helps in easy cleaning. The 550 degrees highest temperature range allows one to grill and braises meat with much ease.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
Weber Q 2400 is an electric grill that is an upgrade over the Q 1400. It is large and has better control settings for cooking various types of food. Yes, there are a few downsides, but it is still good for the money.
George Foreman GRP4842P Evolve
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9 X 15.5 X 13.5 in
- Grate material: ceramic coated grates
- Fuel type: electric
- Temperature range: up to 500 degrees
George Foreman GRP4842P is a cost-effective grill option in which one can cook meat and grill some waffles when needed. The grill has a temperature range of up to 450 degrees. But, there is a searing button that gives a heat up to 500 degrees.
The grill grates are coated in ceramic, and thus the heat spreads evenly on the grill. The ceramic coating also makes the cleaning easy as the grease and grime do not get stuck to the cold grates. The slant of the grates also helps in draining up to 42 percent of the fat.
Pros:
Cons:
George Foreman GRD6090B
Specifications
- Dimensions: 15.55 X 7.95 X 13.7 in
- Weight: 13.7 lbs
- Material of grate: nonstick coated grates
- Surface area: 90 sq. in.
- Fuel type: electric
George Foreman GRD6090B is a small indoor electric grill perfect for weekend grilling and parties. The grill has a comparatively larger surface area for cooking of 90 sq. This makes larger batches easy.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
George Foreman GRD6090B is a good electric grill that is perfect for a smaller gathering. The grill comes with new features like slanted grates, removable plates, smoke-free cooking, and a developed control panel.
Hamilton Beach 25601
Specifications
- Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 6 inches
- Grill surface area: 100 sq. in.
- Grate material: nonstick plates
- Fuel type: electric
Hamilton beach 25601 grill is a compact, small-sized grill that works fine for a tabletop choice. One can easily make various types of food in this grill appliance. The grill plate gives 100 sq. in space, and the two girdle plates increase the space up to 200 sq. in.
The plates are removable and washable in the dishwasher. The plates are enclosed to avoid splattering while cooking. The features are simple as one can easily control the temperature on the grill with a knob. One can bake and grill with the 4-1 grill feature, girdle feature, combo, and bacon cooking feature.
Pros:
Cons:
Bottom Line
Hamilton Beach 25601 is a home-friendly grill that one can use, bake, make bacon and Panini on it. It is packed with some ergonomic features that make cooking easy and hassle-free. One can make some good food for their families and friends on it.
Conclusion
Grills come in various forms and shapes. Many prefer the bigger ones that run on propane and wooden pellets. But, for those who are into simple styles and ergonomic features for indoor grilling, a tabletop grill that runs on electricity is best. One can find best tabletop grills that are easy to use, takes less space, are packed with some features, and are easy on the pocket. This will help to make some great food with money spent.
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