Buying guide for best george foreman grills
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Grilling is a healthy, tasty way to cook a wide range of meats and other foods. But if you don’t want your grill use to be affected by the weather, an indoor grill is a must-have. And when it comes to indoor grills, the models from George Foreman aren’t just the best known — they’re also some of the best.
A George Foreman grill is usually a countertop appliance that features two grill plates that open and close along a hinge. You place a steak or other food item on the bottom plate and close the top plate over it, so both sides are cooked at the same time.
George Foreman grills are available in a wide range of models, but which one is right for you? Our buying guide can help you determine the size, features and options that best suit your grilling lifestyle. We think the George Foreman Fully Submersible Grill is an excellent choice to make cleanup quick and easy.
Editors’ picks
George Foreman Fully Submersible Grill
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 11” D x 10” W x 4” H | Cooking Surface Area: 52.5 sq in | Temperature Range: Single temperature, 400 degrees | Number of Servings: 4 | Weight: 5.73 lb
The George Foreman Fully Submersible Grill eliminates all the usual hassles of grilling. It features a compact design that fits easily on any countertop and allows for vertical storage to save space in your cabinet. It’s still large enough to make four servings of burgers, sandwiches and more, though, so it’s ideal for families.
Cleanup is a breeze with this grill, too. It’s fully submersible, so you can put all the components in the dishwasher or soak them in the sink after removing the control panel. The plates also have a durable nonstick coating, ensuring your food releases easily without oil. It has a drip tray to catch all the fat from the food, too, so it doesn’t soak up grease.
Best of all, it can help you get meals on the table faster. It heats up 30% faster than previous George Foreman grills, so there’s less waiting around to start cooking. It also has a three-quarter-inch hinge that accommodates thicker burgers, steaks and sandwiches while still ensuring even cooking.
George Foreman Four-Serving Removable Plate Electric Grill
Great Value
Dimensions: 12” D x 12” W x 6.5” H | Cooking Surface Area: 60 sq in | Temperature Range: Single temperature, 440 degrees | Number of Servings: 4 | Weight: 9.92 lb
It’s no wonder that the George Foreman Four-Serving Removable Plate Electric Grill is one of the most popular models in the George Foreman grill line. It provides 60 square inches of cooking surface area, so it’s large enough to prepare four servings of your favorite foods. It doesn’t take up much counter space, though, making it ideal for even the smallest kitchens.
It also features removable grill plates for easy cleaning. The plates have a nonstick coating and are dishwasher-safe, too, so you won’t need any scrubbing. Their nonstick design also eliminates the need for butter or oil, and the sloped grilling surface helps drain off up to 42% of fat from your favorite meats, allowing you to enjoy healthier meals.
The grill is also extremely easy to use. It heats to a single temperature of 440 degrees, so you only have to plug the grill in to turn it on. Its indicator light alerts you when it’s fully preheated, which takes up to 35% less time than other countertop grills.
George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Patio Grill
Best for Patios and Balconies
Dimensions: 19.69” D x 11.02” W x 20.47” H | Cooking Surface Area: 240 sq in | Temperature Range: 250 to 500 degrees | Number of Servings: 15+| Weight: 8.7 lb
If you live in an apartment or condo, the George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Patio Grill allows you to enjoy your favorite grilled foods in any weather. It features a removable stand, so you can easily use it outdoors on a patio or balcony with the stand or detach it to grill indoors on your countertop. As an electric model, it doesn’t require any charcoal or propane, either, which means it meets most apartment regulations.
It still delivers a top-notch grilling performance, though. Unlike many other George Foreman grills, which only heat to a single temperature, it offers variable temperature control. It has five heat settings and can reach up to 500 degrees. It requires only 10 minutes to preheat, too.
Despite its versatile, apartment-friendly design, this grill is still large enough to cook for a crowd. It provides 240 square inches of cooking space, so it can prepare over 15 servings of burgers, chicken and more. It weighs under 10 pounds, too, making it ideal for tailgating and picnics.
George Foreman 2-Serving Mini Grill & Panini Press
Best for Solo Use
Dimensions: 9.4” D x 5.78” W x 10.27” H | Cooking Surface Area: 41.7 sq in | Temperature Range: Single temperature, 400 degrees | Number of Servings: 2 | Weight: 2.8 lb
Whether you usually cook solo meals or just have limited counter space, the George Foreman 2-Serving Mini Grill & Panini Press makes preparing burgers, sandwiches and other grilled recipes extremely convenient. Its 41.7-square-inch cooking area is large enough to prepare 1 to 2 servings, but it has a compact footprint that fits easily in most apartments, dorm rooms and other small kitchens.
It’s easy to use, thanks to its single-temperature design. You only need to plug in the grill and wait for the indicator light to turn on, indicating it’s fully preheated, before adding food. Its plates have a durable, nonstick coating that makes cleanup easier and allows you to use less butter or oil.
The grilling surface also features a sloped design that helps fat and grease drain away from your food as it cooks. This design helps remove up to 42% of fat from meats, resulting in leaner, healthier meals. The grill has a removable drip tray that catches the excess fat and grease, which is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill
Best Multifunction Grill
Dimensions: 12.5” D x 14.9” W x 11.2” H | Cooking Surface Area: 196 sq in | Temperature Range: 175 to 500 degrees | Number of Servings: 6 | Weight: 14.26 lb
The George Foreman Beyond Grill 7-in-1 Electric Indoor Grill is one of the most versatile grills in the George Foreman line. In addition to grilling, it offers six other cooking functions, including air-frying, baking, roasting, broiling, slow cooking and warming. It can reach 500 degrees to sear food on both sides without flipping. Its high heat also lets you cook foods from frozen in just 22 minutes.
It also features unique technology that provides complete 360-degree heating and optimized airflow, reducing cooking times by up to 65%. Your food still cooks evenly, too, and you can crisp up your favorite foods with 99% less oil than deep-frying requires with the air-fry setting.
Despite its compact size, the grill is large enough to prepare up to six servings, making it ideal for small families. The grill plates feature a high-quality nonstick coating that’s three times more durable than the nonstick surfaces on previous models. These plates are also removable and dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.
How we analyzed
George Foreman grills are probably the best-known electric grills on the market, but choosing the right model among the brand’s many offerings can be tricky. To identify the best George Foreman grills, we consulted customer reviews from several online retailers to see which models best lived up to expectations. In particular, we considered which grills provided the best cooking performance, were easiest to use, could prepare the most servings and had the easiest cleanup. Ultimately, we evaluated over a dozen George Foreman grills and chose our top picks based on performance, versatility, capacity and ease of use and cleaning.
Key considerations
Indoor vs. outdoor
All George Foreman grills can be used indoors. Most are actually compact electric models that are designed to sit on your countertop for easy operation. But some George Foreman grills are actually indoor/outdoor models. They are also electric and must be plugged into an outlet for use, but they include a removable stand that allows them to convert to a free-standing grill for your patio, deck, or apartment balcony.
To use your grill indoors, you simply remove the stand and set it on your counter. Bear in mind that indoor/outdoor grills don’t have contact plates, so you have to flip your food halfway through cooking. If you need to use your grill outdoors, be sure to purchase an indoor/outdoor model. Standard George Foreman grills are meant for indoor use only.
Cooking area
The cooking area of a George Foreman grill determines how many servings you can cook at one time. Most grill manufacturers indicate cooking area in square inches, but George Foreman grills make it even easier — they measure cooking area in terms of how many servings a model can accommodate.
All George Foreman grills can prepare at least two servings at a time, so if you only cook for one or two people, any model will suffice. For families, a model with a cooking area that serves four or five is usually sufficient. If you have a larger family or entertain regularly, you may prefer a George Foreman grill with a cooking area that can fit six to nine servings at once. Most indoor/outdoor model George Foreman grills can accommodate 15 or more servings a time, so they’re ideal for barbecues, cookouts, and other large gatherings.
Features
Temperature range
Many basic George Foreman grills heat to a single temperature, so you’re unable to control how hot the grill gets. But some models have variable heat controls that allow you to adjust the temperature.
The lowest temperature for George Foreman grills with variable settings is usually 300 degrees, but there is some variation among the models in terms of maximum temperature. Some can only heat to 400 or 425 degrees. Other grills can attain a temperature of 500 degrees, so you’re able to properly sear your meat.
Digital controls
Basic George Foreman grills don’t have any type of controls because they only have a single setting: on. Once you close the lid and plug the appliance in, the grill begins heating. Mid-range models with variable temperature controls have a slide button or knob that allows you to adjust the temperature. Some high-end George Foreman grills have digital controls that allow you to choose precise temperature and timer settings.
Floating hinge
Because the majority of George Foreman grills are contact grills with plates that close over your food, a floating hinge is an important feature to consider. A floating hinge allows the grill to adjust for foods of various thicknesses, so you can be sure that the top plate comes in contact with the food to cook it properly on both sides. A grill without a floating hinge may not be able to close completely on thinner foods, which means the top of the food may not cook at the same speed as the bottom of the food.
Adjustable cooking angle
One of the benefits of a George Foreman grill is that its design encourages fat and grease to run off the food you’re cooking and collect in a drip tray beneath the grill for healthier eating. Some models allow you to adjust the angle of the bottom plate, so you can control how much fat runs off your food. It’s an extremely handy feature if you want to reduce the amount of fat in your diet.
Removable plates
Some George Foreman grills feature removable plates, which makes them much easier to clean. Instead of lugging the entire grill to your sink, you can just remove the plates and hand wash them with soapy water.
Additional grill plates
If you opt for a George Foreman grill with removable plates, some models may come with additional plates. You can remove the standard grill plates and substitute them with waffle plates or griddles plates for more cooking options. Some George Foreman grills even come with a baking pan and a muffin pan that fit in place of the plates.
George Foreman grill prices
George Foreman grills vary in price based on their cooking area and the special features.
Inexpensive: Basic George Foreman grills that only heat to a single temperature are usually the most affordable. They typically don’t have removable plates or a floating hinge and can only be used indoors. They usually cost between $15 and $60.
Mid-range: With prices ranging from $50 to $100, mid-range George Foreman grills often have variable temperature settings, but they usually feature slide or knob controls. Grills in this price range may have removable grill plates and a floating hinge, but they can only be used indoors.
Expensive: The priciest George Foreman grills have variable temperature settings and often feature digital controls. High-end models usually have a floating hinge and removable grill plates, and they may even include additional specialty plates. Some models are safe for outdoor use, too. High-end Foreman grills typically cost between $100 and $140.
Tips
- While George Foreman grills have nonstick grill plates, you may want to lightly mist them with olive oil before grilling your food. Not only does it ensure that foods won’t stick, but it also imparts more flavor.
- There’s no need to flip your food on most George Foreman grills because the contact plates cook both sides simultaneously. Indoor/outdoor models don’t have contact plates, though, so you’ll need to turn your food.
- You can cook meat on a George Foreman grill without defrosting it — you’ll just need to grill a bit longer than you would with fresh meat.
- Removable plates from a George Foreman grill are dishwasher safe. Allow the grill to fully cool, remove the plates, and place them in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
FAQ
Q. Are George Foreman grills covered by a warranty?
A. All George Foreman grills come with warranty protection. Most models have a three-year limited warranty, which protects against any damage that results from material or workmanship defects. The grills aren’t protected against damage that occurs due to accidents or misuse.
Q. Can I use a George Foreman grill on my apartment patio or balcony?
A. If you have an indoor/outdoor model, you can usually use your George Foreman grill on an apartment patio or balcony. In fact, even if your building doesn’t allow charcoal or gas grills, a Foreman grill is usually still permitted because it’s electrically powered.
Q. Can I use an extension cord with a George Foreman grill?
A. Yes, you can use an extension cord with your George Foreman grill as long as it has an electrical value that’s equal to or greater than the rating of the grill. If you’re using an indoor/outdoor model, make sure that the extension cord is suitable for use with outdoor appliances, too.
