Grillers, BBQ connoisseurs, Grillmaster, chefs, and even the everyday backyard barbecue cook, all cringe when they hear the word electric associated with grilling. The reaction to using electricity for making barbecued meals is one of shock and awe; how could you?
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But there are many reasons why these nifty electric food grills are priceless! The fact there is no charcoal, propane, flames, sparks, or gas fuel makes them perfect for a list of valid applications. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of buying the best outdoor electric grill and why it’s a good purchase. We also included our TOP PICKS with reviews so you can know you’re getting the right grill for your needs!
Read on and learn why cooking with electricity can be a worthy alternative for outdoor grilling!
| BRAND | IMAGE | WEIGHT | GRILL SIZE | WARRANTY |
| #1 Weber 55020001 Q 2400 | 42 lbs | 25.1″ x 31.5″ x 26″ |
2
Year Limited Warranty 5 Years on Aluminum Castings and Thermoset parts | |
| #2 Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro 180 | 27 lbs | 17.7″ x 21.4″ x 17.3″ |
2
Year Limited Warranty on Firebox and Lid 1 Year on all other parts | |
| #3 Char-Broil TRU 240 | 54 lbs | 25.6″ x 39.8″ x 39.8″ |
2
Year Limited Warranty on Firebox and Lid 1 Year on all other parts | |
| #4 (Best Choice) Kenyon B70082 | 24 lbs | 21″ x 12″ x 9.2″ | 3 Year Limited Warranty | |
| #5 Easy Street Lock ‘N Go | 12 lbs | 20″ x 21″ x 16″ | 1 Year electrical parts with proof of purchase and 90 days for elements and controls |
Top Outdoor Electric Grill
Contents
Kenyon B70082 Floridian All Seasons Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill
This elegant looking outdoor grill is almost as much a piece of art as it is an exceptional grill. Kenyon offers their line of electric grills in several sizes and styles. We like the domes cover on this Floridian and its minimalist look. With such a clean-lined, simple style, you’d never guess this grill can heat up to 600 degrees in 10 minutes! You can sear a delicious, juicy steak and not have the cleanup of charcoal or gas grills. And this patio table-top sized grill will not burn any surface under it, including a thin, plastic tablecloth! It does not give off any heat on the bottom or the sides, making it safe. Kenyon designed a patented, enclosed electric element so you won’t have to worry about flare-ups, but it still provides searing hot temperatures so you don’t sacrifice your grilling experience. Temperatures remain even because the element is directly in contact with the grilling grate. Easy cleanup and dishwasher safe grates make this grill mess-proof. Barbecue outside with this grill around a cozy patio table with friends and family.
Pros
- Reaches 600° F in 10 minutes
- Direct cooking on grill for authentic grilled flavor
- Grill grate and lid can go in the dishwasher
- 8 different heat settings
- Marine-grade 304 stainless is pacivated to be weather resistant and rust proof
Cons
- A safety feature senses when the grill gets too hot and it shut down; needs to cool down before turning it back on.
Weber 55020001 Q 2400 Electric Grill
The Weber Electric Grill we chose as our TOP PICK is a little bit of nature placed anywhere in the city. Whether it’s a rooftop, balcony, or a stamp sized backyard barbecue, this grill fits the need. There’s a large sized grilling surface with 280 square inches and ‘infinite’ heat settings for any temperature you need. The lid is made from durable and long-lasting cast aluminum and the grill grates are porcelain-enameled for simple cleanup. This is a quality, heavy-weighted grill, stable, solid, and aesthetically designed. Weber included an easy to remove grease pan and this grill is lined with aluminum heat retention material to keep the temperature steady. The Weber Q2400 comes with a grounded 6 foot power cord and is fully assembled so you can start grilling right out of the box!
Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro 180 Electric Grill
The Char-Broil Bistro Grill is perfectly sized for grilling on the go. Char-Broil integrated their TRU-Infrared technology that provides evenly distributed heat with fewer flare-ups and perfectly cooked meats and foods. The TRU-Infrared enables the right temperature for 50% juicier meats, poultry, and seafood. All your favorite grill options are built into this portable, table-top, electric grill with a dial temperature control, temperature gauge on the lid, and easy-to-clean porcelain coated grates. Char-Broil puts their quality into this grill as always and made this to last. High quality materials and infrared heat allows this to heat up to your desired temperature within 10 to 15 minutes and maintains the temperature for accurate grilling. When you don’t have to cook a lot of food and don’t need the space on a larger charcoal or gas grill, this grill is a great alternative for outside grilling.
Pros
- Dial-control temperature setting
- 245 sq. in. cooking area
- Sturdy and durable
- Heats quickly and evenly
- 4 ft. three prong plug
Cons
- Several customers found this grill to be difficult to clean.
Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro 240
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240 is the bigger cousin to the 180 and includes the same TRU-InfraRed heating system for even heat and far less flare-ups. The 240 square inch grilling surface is ample room for a large group and this grill includes an 80 square inch warming rack. Use the warming rack to keep hot dogs warm, lightly braise vegetables, or toast burger and hot dog buns. The porcelain-coated grates make cleanup easy along with the porcelain-coated grease tray that slides into the front of the grill. Porcelain is non-stick and makes clean-up simple. We liked the large control knob with a lighted display making it easy to adjust the temperature. For the grill cook with plenty of sauces, spices, and tools, Char-Broil included two roomy side shelves that fold down for storage. The Bistro 240 has additional features like a storage rack, cord management, and two wheels to make it easy to move around outside. With true barbecue style, this grill stands up to the best without the cleanup from charcoal or wood. Simply plug it in and grill away!
Pros
- 240 Square inch grilling surface
- Cooks evenly without flare-ups
- 80 sq. in. Warming Rack
- Cord management on the back
- Easy to remove grease tray
Cons
Opening the lid causes a lot of heat loss and it takes time to get back to temperature.
Easy Street Lock ‘N Go Electric Grill
This Easy Street Lock ‘N Go Electric Grill is unlike others on the market. It a one-of-a-kind grill that Easy Street designed with an interlocking hood and bowl. The wooden handled top lid twists to lock to the grill base for traveling, keeping it secure. A double hood is high-domed to help food absorb BBQ flavors and has two vents to allow better draft and temperature control. This grill comes with a plug in precise temperature controller that meets all safety standards. Place wood chips or planks in the bottom for enhanced barbecue flavors and amazingly authentic wood smoker taste. The heating coil has a heat-reflecting pan under it to control the temperature; something tougher to do with outdoor charcoal grills that may need additional lighter fluid causing a chemical taste. Being designed with a heavy-duty pedestal makes this grill stable and high quality. The durable exterior is coated with a high temperature powder paint in three colors; black, red, and green.
Pros
- 176 Square inches of cooking space
- Room for up to 8 burgers!
- Stay cool wooden handle
- Portable and durable
- Easy to use and cleanup is simple
Cons
- Customers reported the assembly was a bit difficult and the instructions could have been better.
Who Uses Electric Outdoor Grills?
More people than you would think … outdoor grilling isn’t always possible for many reasons. We’re going to talk about the situations where an electric grill is not only a perfect alternative to charcoal grilling, but essential.
RV Owners With all Electric RV’s
RV, recreational vehicles, are imbedded in culture as families, retirees, and full time RV travelers take to the open road. Not all models of RV’s use propane. There are units available that are all electric and work with generators or electric plug-ins at RV parks. There aren’t many RV owners who don’t want to depend on propane for all their heating and cooking needs. And the Kenyon B70082 Floridian All Seasons Portable Stainless Steel Electric Grill is a classy looking, portable outdoor grill to include with your RV front patio setup. For these highway travelers, all electric is the way to go, even for outside grilling.
Boaters Who Want to ‘Pull Over’ for Lunch or Dinner
Boaters, whether out to sea or river and lake bound, like having a choice to either dock at a pier with restaurants and amenities, or tie up and drop anchor at some tucked away beach. Once the engine is off and your guests are ready for lunch or dinner, you can bring out your electric, portable grill and cook your seasoned fish or marinated meats barbecue style.
An electric plug-in at a dock or an onboard generator will provide the power to run your grill and cook a meal for your passengers. With portable grills like the Easy Street Lock ‘N Go Electric Grill, you can cook up a meal, do a quick cleanup, and be back on the water in no time. You’ll save money on expensive meals out and provide delicious food even when off the beaten path!
Apartment and Condo Dwellers
“While 80 percent of the population would prefer to live in a single-family home, seven in ten Americans (70 percent) actually do. Apartment and condo living is only preferred by 8 percent of the population, yet two in 10 Americans (17 percent) live in an apartment or condo.” Builder Online Periodical 08/2013. Accessed 06-14-2018. Among this population of apartment and condo renters, the ones renting a comfortable sized apartment versus people who live in small, cramped apartments outnumber their peers three to one.
Apartments, especially ones with small square footage, generally have small patios or balconies where barbecues and grilling with an open flame are prohibited. These grills are perfect for those renting condos or apartments. Even larger apartments may not have patio space and when you get the bug to grill outdoors; these electric grills are a great alternative!
Busy, Working Cooks
Where many households have two parents working, time in the kitchen or the yard for grilling always has to be minimized so there’s time for homework, baths, and downtime. With one of these easy to move grills, you can have it sitting on your patio table cooking burgers and hot dogs while you’re in the kitchen mixing up a salad. Our TOP PICK, the Weber 55020001 Q 2400 Electric Grill, has a 6 foot cord and can be placed on a tabletop, even though it has a generous 280 square-inch grilling surface. The cord is grounded for safety so you won’t worry if you quickly run inside to get your favorite barbecue sauce!
Are Electric Grills as Good as Charcoal or Gas?
Most definitely; yes. Today’s manufacturers haven’t forgotten about the people who don’t have access to grilling outside with charcoal, propane, or gas. They’ve improved on the standard electric-run grill and made these convenient and competitive when compared to others. Electricity only requires you to plug the power cord in an outlet while other grills need to be lit, stoked, and watched.
Flavor is not as critical as you may think. When you barbecue outside on all these incredible grills and smokers, it’s certain you don’t just slap the meat or fish on the blank grill and hope the charcoal or wood chips adds enough flavor. Every barbecue cook has their favorite BBQ sauces, spices, grill seasoning, vegetables or fruits to grill with their food, and favorite recipes for marinating. The intense heat drives these flavors into your food while the grill sizzles and locks in the juices. Plus, you can add wood chips to electric-powered grills to create an even more authentic wood-fired flavor.
Outdoor Grilling Can Be Fun and Easy
There’s no need to give up grilling if you can’t use conventional grills. After reading the suggestions here and going through our well-thought out reviews, you can buy the best outdoor electric grill and start grilling almost anywhere you can find a plug!
