Introduction
When it comes to portable grilling, convenience is king. If it takes you longer to get a portable grill set up than it does to actually cook on it, then you might want to rethink your ideas. Depending on your requirements, a portable electric grill could make for a brilliant choice when discussing convenience. They are simple to operate, easy to clean, and generally hassle-free. This article will offer some guidance as to what to look for in the best portable electric grill, discuss the advantages, and answer some common questions. Let’s press the button and get grilling…
The Best Portable Electric Grills
How does a portable electric grill work?
Both gas grills and charcoal grills have one thing in common. They both have a heat source underneath the food to cook it. An electric grill is no exception. The difference is how this heat is produced.
Electric grills do not actually have a source of combustion. That is to say, they don’t actually burn anything (unless you have left your steak unattended for too long… a big no-no). Instead, their heat source is provided by an electrical element located at the base of the grill.
Another key feature is that they don’t require ‘fuel’. There are no coals or heavy gas battles to carry.
Where can you use a portable electric grill?
This is something that we just love about electric grills. Provided that you have an available power outlet, you can use them just about anywhere. They are ideal for use at home, in the garden, in fact just about anywhere where you can expect to find a source of electricity.
It is worth mentioning that most electric grills are not battery powered. They do need to be plugged in. This can mean you will be restricted if you want to use one for outdoor pursuits that are further afield, such as camping.
One great benefit is that you might be able to use a portable electric grill indoors. Because there are no coals or burning, they produce significantly less smoke. While we wouldn’t recommend mounting one on the dining table, they make a great choice for well-ventilated kitchens, summerhouses, and covered parties. It is worth checking the manufacturer’s guidelines to see if they approved for indoor use
How do you cook on a portable electric grill?
Cooking on a portable electric grill is no different than how you would cook on any other grill. There is one key difference, it is much easier! Essentially, you turn the grill on, get it up to temperature, and place your food on the grill. It is really simple.
One great advantage of electric grills is that, unlike coal barbecues, there are not ‘hot and cold’ zones. You’ll find that you get a much more even sear on any food you place onto the grill.
You can get some wonderful results. Check out this video for a super tasty recipe…
Aside from straightforward grilling, there are other options too. If you have a lid on your grill, you could consider it similar to an outdoor oven. Roasting and reverse searing is definitely an option.
One culinary door that will be closed to you is smoking food. Electric grills don’t produce excessive amounts of smoke. This is good as they are ‘cleaner’… The downside is that the food may not have that smoky taste that people traditionally associate with grilling. All that said, fear not, as we have a top tip that will tell you how to make food tasted smoky on an electric grill. You’ll find it in our FAQ section below.
Portable Electric Grill Features to Look For
So it all sounds good so far, right? But you are looking for features that make a good grill, great. Here are some things that we love to see on the best portable electric grills.
Grill Size
When we are talking size, we mean this in two ways. First, you want your electric grill to be portable. It must be easy enough to carry and position wherever you choose. There is a limit as to what could be considered ‘portable’.
Secondly, you want to have an ample cooking area. After all, that is the main purpose of the grill. Your size requirements will depend entirely on how you intend to utilize the grill. If you plan to have huge garden parties, you will need a larger cooking area on your grill. Conversely, if you are looking for a quick and easy solution for perfectly grilling a couple of steaks after a long day at work, a smaller cooking area would be adequate.
Grill Construction
If you are looking for a portable grill, you can expect it to be moving around a lot. As a result, you want something that is durable and will go the distance. You’ll see with our product reviews below that they are all substantial and well made.
One really vital area on electric grills is the cooking surface. As we said, you will lose some flavor due to there being a lack of smoke. The way to make up for this and get lovely caramelized char lines is by taking advantage of a substantial cooking grate.
We find that porcelain enamel does a fabulous job of painting those signature grill stripes. It holds heat as well as cast iron but removes the need for ‘seasoning’ and all the aftercare that is required with more traditional materials.
Cable Length
The only drawback to portable electric grills is that they have to be plugged in. To counter this minor inconvenience, it is worth looking for an electric grill with a long cable. Thankfully the manufacturers have taken this into account, and you should find that most have a decent length of cable as standard.
Even if you are looking at a grill with a less than optimal chord, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. A really viable option is to acquire an outdoor extension cord. They are pretty weatherproof and give you the flexibility to situate your grill wherever you like.
Temperature Control
Would you use an oven at home that only had an ‘off’ and ‘on’ setting? Probably not. Well, the same logic applies to electric grills. The best will allow you to control the temperature accurately. Many will feature a selector that will let you control the intensity of the heat. You may find with some grills that you can create two different zones for slow and quick cooking.
Easy to Clean
So, we’ve reached that time in the evening when all we are left with is a garden full of bottle tops and some empty plates. The bit we all dread. The easier a grill is to clean, the less time we have to spend doing this chore.
The great news is that electric grills tend to be much easier to clean than their coal and gas-burning counterparts. Because there isn’t red hot fat spitting everywhere and a reduction of grease smoke staining everything, they are relatively easy to keep looking new.
Keep your eye out for other features that will make life that much easier. A removable cooking grate is a godsend. While we are talking about a cooking grate, the best are those which are non-stick. They are super handy, especially when you have flash seared a juicy steak or cooked foods with marinades, and there are a few stubborn spots that may have become burned on.
The shape is also important. The best Portable electric grills will have a shape that facilitates easy cleaning. Rounded edges and an open interior make getting your hand in to mop up any mess simple.
What are the advantages of a portable electric grill?
We think electric grills are great. Here’s a summary of things that make them an ideal choice: –
- Quick and easy to set up and light
- Less smoke
- Easy to clean
- Easy to cook on
- Consistent in temperature and results
- Cook indoor or outdoor
- Generally cheaper than other grills
Best Portable Electric Grills | Our Suggestions
Weber Q2400
| Color | Grey / Black |
| Grill Size (closed) | 14.5"H x 31.5"W x 19.5"D |
| Chord Length | 6ft |
| Cooking Area | 280² inches |
Key Features
- Porcelain-enamel cast-iron cooking grate
- Large cooking area
- Easy clean removable catch pan
Remember when we talked about grill size? The Weber Q2400 portable electric grill occupies a great middle ground. It is small enough to be considered portable but substantial and sizeable enough to cater to various situations.
The porcelain-enamel cook grate is thick, substantial and will give your burgers, steaks, and chicken breasts a wonderful ‘sear’. They are fully removable and non-stick, so the clean up isn’t something to dread. This, twinned with the rounded shape and integrated removable catch pan, makes it a joy to use.
One excellent feature of this grill is the temperature control, which is regulated using a side-mounted and easy to reach rotary selector. However, there is no split selection, so the temperature you select will be distributed across the entire grill. That said, this is no different from the Weber Q2200 portable gas grill, which shares similar features.
This grill is simple to use and gives really impressive results.
Techwood Electric BBQ
| Color | Red / Black |
| Grill Size (closed) | 13"H x 18"W x 16"D |
| Chord Length | 4ft |
| Cooking Area | 240² inches |
Key Features
- Rotatable venting system
- Stay-cool handles
- Non-stick coating
If you like the idea of electric grilling but are looking for something budget-friendly or are unsure how often you will use it, this could be a great choice. This grill is highly portable and can be placed just about anywhere.
We really like the locking lid mechanism. This, along with the stay-cool handles, means that you can carry the grill safely, even after use.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron, which should ensure an excellent result for grilled food. This portable electric grill also features a rotatable venting system, allowing you to let heat out of the interior without removing the lid.
The circular shape of the grill and non-stick coating will allow you to clean it without too much difficulty.
The cooking area isn’t huge, but it would make an ideal choice for small parties or an impromptu Friday night grill.
Cuisinart CEG-980 Outdoor Electric Grill
| Color | Silver / Black |
| Grill Size (closed) | 11”H x 22”W x 17”D |
| Chord Length | 5ft |
| Cooking Area | 145² inches |
Key Features
- Porcelain-enamel cast-iron cooking grate
- Super portable small size
- Innovative telescopic stand
For a mid-priced model that offers a great deal when it comes to versatility, this powerful little grill fits the bill nicely.
The cooking area isn’t massive, but you should comfortably be able to grill 8 hamburgers with a little room to spare. As with our other suggestions, this grill has a porcelain enamel cooking crate for excellent results. There is also a heat-reflecting stainless steel panel in the lid, so you can cook from above and below when the lid is down.
This electric grill’s standout feature is the 3-position telescopic base. As long as you have a flat surface that is a couple of feet square, you’ll be able to get it set up and ready to cook in seconds.
Due to its size, the grill is super portable. We also really liked the easy to grip briefcase-style handle.
As temperature control goes, it will do the job. You can select three different settings, simply high, medium, and low to get the desired temperature to cook.
This grill has some great features. If it is the convenience you are looking for, it would be ideal.
FAQ
Are Electric Grills as Good as Gas?
The answer to this question is, it depends… If you are looking for a deep and smoky flavor, you probably won’t find it with an electric grill. In this sense, gas grills might be a better choice. If you are looking for convenience and ease cooking and cleaning, then an electric grill is a great choice.
Can an Electric Grill Catch Fire?
Electric grills are much easier to control when it comes to heat. However, we want to make a disclaimer… Any grill must never be left unattended. Ok, now that we have said it, electric grills are generally pretty safe. The ability to remove the heat literally ‘at the flick of a switch’ is a massive bonus… Especially if you consider this against the ‘uncontrolled’ burning of coals. The key to avoiding fires is to keep your grill clean to avoid buildups of highly flammable grease.
Can an Electric Grill Stay Outside?
While you can use an electric grill outside, they aren’t meant to live outside. The good thing is electric grills are highly portable. Once you are done cooking, it is very easy to bring them back in and store them safely.
Are Electric Grills Easy to Light?
As grills go, electric grills are easy to light. In fact, there isn’t any ‘lighting’ at all. Plug them in, turn on a switch, select your temperature, and you are pretty much ready to cook.
Do Electric Grills Use A Lot of Electricity?
Electric grills are often way cheaper than any other type of grill. They will use about the same amount of electricity as your standard home oven in terms of energy usage. Don’t forget the convenience either. No messy coals or empty gas bottles. As long as you’ve paid your energy supplier, you can grill any time you see fit.
How Do I Get Smoky Flavor with an Electric Grill?
Ah yes, we did promise. It isn’t so much of a secret, but a tip. To get some smoky flavor imparted on your food, you will need the following… Some aluminum foil, some wood chips, some water, and a sharp skewer. Simply soak your wood chips in the water. When it comes time to grill, give them a quick-dry, and parcel them up in the foil. Prick the top of the package with the skewer and place the package on top of the cooking grate. Do this about 20 minutes before you start cooking with the heat selected to ‘high’. From there on, cook your food as normal (with the lid down). The wood chips should slowly smolder and release the smoke gradually through the holes in the foil. Delicious.
Conclusion
There is a bit of a trade-off depending on your chosen style of grilling. Even the best portable electric grills require a power source. However, if you can get over this fact, a world of grilling convenience awaits. Electric grills are easy to clean, easy to use, and easy to move. If these are all things that sound interesting, it might be time to invest.