Sun’s out, grill’s out! Elevate your summer barbecue experience with these electric grills.
The summer months are right around the corner, which means it’s almost prime time grilling season. But before you head outside to start flipping burgers, consider giving your summer cookouts a sustainable makeover with the help of an electric grill.
Grilling 101
A charred veggie dog with all the fixings may sound pleasing to your taste buds, but firing up the grill could be detrimental to the planet — and your health.
For starters, barbecuing with a gas- or charcoal-powered grill can be pollutive. On average, gas grills produce about 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour. Carbon emissions are even greater for charcoal grills. When used for the same amount of time, they emit roughly 11 pounds of carbon dioxide, reports The New York Times. To put this into perspective, this is the same amount of emissions that would be produced by driving in a car for 13 miles.
Open fire grills are also dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 10,000 grill fires occur in homes each year. The fires — which typically peak in July — result in nearly $150 million in direct property damage annually.
Benefits of electric grills
Since they don’t have a flame or require fuel like charcoal or gas — relying instead on an electric element to supply a heat source — the grills pose a variety of benefits over conventional gas or charcoal grills. Namely, they’re not as pollutive. They emit about 91 percent fewer carbon emissions than conventional charcoal grills.
They’re also far more versatile, especially since they don’t require propane tanks or charcoal. The grills make cooking in more places possible because they can be used for indoor or outdoor cooking. Depending on the type, they’re more compact, making them ideal for smaller spaces like apartments. Since they don’t have a flame, they’re also generally safer than gas or charcoal grills. (Keep in mind that they can still pose a fire risk if a faulty extension cord is used.)
Electric grills generate less smoke — only producing smoke if fat vaporizes on the heating element. Certain brands also come with safety features, such as built-in timers and shutoff functions, so the grills can’t accidentally be left running.
These are the best electric grills to shop
The benefits of electric grills don’t end there. In addition to being easy to use — just plug it in and get grilling — and easy to clean, they don’t skimp on heat. Electric grills can achieve a surface cooking temperature of up to 700 degrees in less than ten minutes. But, since they feature temperature controls, you do have the option of lower heat — making them perfect for grilling veggies. Ready to get grilling? Here are some of the best electric grills to shop.
1. Electri-Chef Diamond Electric Grill
As far as grills go, the Electri-Chef Diamond Electric Grill is arguably the crème de la crème. Featuring 1,056 square inches of grill grates and a 220-volt power source, this grill has an adjustable cooking range of 150 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit — which means you can cook up just about anything you like in no time at all. Available in tabletop, freestanding, and built-in configurations, this grill is perfect for apartments, condos, and other residential areas that don’t permit open flames.
2. Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill
Available in Gloss Black or Graphite, this outdoor grill features infrared technology to cook food directly and more evenly. It has 240 square inches of grill space and a removable warming rack for 80 square inches of extra cooking space. Its porcelain-coated premium cooking grate is rust-resistant and easy to clean.
3. George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
The OG of electric grills, George Foreman was one of the first to put electric grills on the market. This freestanding electric grill is quintessential for all of your summer barbecue needs. It features five heat settings for all of your cooking needs and a removable stand, making it suitable for the patio or the kitchen countertop. Other perks: Its nonstick grill plate makes cleaning a breeze.
4. Breville Smart Grill
Perfect for grilling indoors, this electric countertop grill, which features a brushed stainless steel material, is as sleek as it is sustainable. Open it flat for “BBQ mode” or use it to make the perfect panini.
5. Weber Pulse 2000 Electric Grill
This grill makes urban barbecuing a reality. Perfect for indoors or outdoors (with the Pulse 2000 Cart), the grill features digital precision temperature controls and an LED digital thermometer.
Check out our list of eco appliances, here.
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