This article will show you seven incredible smokeless indoor grills. We also go over what to look for in a quality indoor grill and what to avoid when buying one.
The popularity of indoor smokeless grills is growing, and for good reasons. Sure, an indoor grill can not replace a charcoal or even a gas grill, but they are great for indoor grilling, have a grill throughout the winter, or just wanting a grill that you can use year-round. These grills are also great for those who can’t have an outdoor grill in places like apartments or buildings.
We will define what indoor smokeless grills are, how they work, and which ones are the top choices based on our research, consumer feedback, and reviews . Below are the best smokeless indoor grills and our own opinions and test results on each.
Our Top Picks for Best Smokeless Indoor Grill
1. The Ninja foodi grill —Best Overall ( top indoor searing grill )
Ninja makes many kitchen appliances and are well known for making versatile products, and this grill is no exception. The Ninja Foodi Smart XL has amazing customer reviews and is well-liked for its features; it has 6 functions in only one grill.
You can use the Ninja Foodi 6 in 1 to grill, as a panini press, or for air frying. This grill has four pre-programmed settings for cooking different kinds of meat and nine temperature settings for cooking to different levels of doneness. The Ninja Foodi does most of the cooking for you, making it easy to use and almost autonomous. This grill can get as hot as 500 degrees Fahrenheit with its many heat settings.
The Foodi Smart XL 6 grilling is great at maintaining a strong and steady temperature during the cooking process and can also be used as an electric indoor searing grill, as well as to achieve nice grill marks on steaks.
Why our pick as the best smokeless grill
This is our pick for the best smokeless indoor grill for two very important reasons. First, its temperature control system is one of the easiest I’ve used, and second, it has two heating plates, which means it cooks foods more evenly. Using its built-in smart thermometer, it allows users to hit the perfect food doneness level autonomously. Being smokeless makes it great for use anywhere in your home kitchen.
Also besides indoor grilling, this model can be a great searing grill for those with pellet smokers and grills that cannot reach searing temperatures.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: 1760 watts ( up to 500 Degrees F )
- Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches ( grates )
- Grilling Area – cooking surface: 100 square inches
- Weights: 22.5 pounds
- Built using stainless steel and nonstick coated surfaces.
- Key Feature: The Foodi Smart Temperature Control System and 6 in 1 – multiple cooking functions and cooking settings. Can work as an air fryer.
Pros:
- The Foodi Smart Cook System allows you to set the type of meat you are grilling, the doneness levels, and that’s it. The grill does the work for you. This is a “smart indoor smokeless electric machine.”
- Dual cooking surfaces, top and bottom heat reflectors ensure food cooks evenly.
- Includes a meat probe that monitors the meat’s internal temperature to achieve the right doneness level during the grilling process.
- Enough heat output to grill steaks.
- Ceramic coating helps with cleaning.
- Includes a cleaning brush.
- 6 in 1 – Advanced control panel with multiple cooking functions and protein settings – Half Grill, Half Air Fryer, Half panini press, griddle, you get the point!
- Even heat distribution, cooks food evenly.( two smokeless contact plates )
Cons
- It would be nice if it had a glass lid as found in other indoor grills. But remember, this smokeless grill is pretty much autonomous. Also, in place of a tempered glass lid, you get a second heating contact for even grilling.
2. The Power XL Smokeless Grill – Runner Up
The Power XL Smokeless Grill Pro is our runner-up, and it offers great features at a good price. We like the Power XL smokeless indoor grill because it has a built-in fan system to capture smoke like the Ninja.
The Power XL smokeless indoor grill is not as advanced as the Ninja when it comes to how it controls the temperature. Simply set the temperature at which you wish to cook your meal and start grilling. There isn’t the same automation found in the Ninja electric grill.
The grill is easy to clean, and the cooking grates and the drip tray can be removed and cleaned using your dishwasher. Yes! Dishwasher safe. The Power XL Smokeless does not have dual contact heat cooking plates. It also includes a griddle plate for cooking eggs or pancakes.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: up to 450 Degrees F
- Dimensions: 18.8 x 13.4 x 9 inches
- Grilling Area – cooking surface: 108 square inches
- Weights: 16 pounds
- Built out of stainless steel.
- Key Feature: The Smokeless XL grill has a Hinged Clear tempered glass lid.
Pros:
- A tempered glass lid makes it easy to monitor the cooking progress.
- It includes a fan system to capture most of the smoke.
- Dishwasher safe grates.
- Removable trays – grease drip tray and grill pan.
- Dishwasher safe drip tray, grill hood, and plates.
- Grill and griddle plate included.
Cons:
- Basic temperature settings and control system compared to the Ninja.
- Because the griddle tray sits low inside the appliance is hard to maneuver and flip food close to the edges.
3. The Hamilton Beach indoor Grill: Budget Smokeless Electric indoor grill
In terms of value for money, the Hamilton Beach is a wonderful option for people who wish to grill up a quick dinner indoors every now and then. Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill makes all kinds of kitchen appliances and is a well-known brand.
The Hamilton Beach electric indoor offers enough power to cook a variety of meals ( up to 450 degrees F ) without many of the bells and whistles, keeping the cost of this grill low. This is not the best grill on our list, but it is simple to use and as effective as other indoor grills priced twice as much.
Instead of a digital LED temperature system, you get a simple temperature dial to set the cooking temperature. This grill is as simple as it gets, but it will do just fine for grilling a few hamburger patties at home. This electric grill also works well for grilling vegetables, asparagus, and even small steaks.
Not much to see here, folks! You get a grill, a removable grate, and a removable drip tray pan. The term “smokeless” is used with this grill to categorize it as a heat-contact grill or combustion-free. Unlike our top two electric smokeless grills, which have smoke extraction and analysis systems.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: up to 450 Degrees F
- Dimensions: 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches
- Cooking Surface Area: 118 square inches
- Weights: 8.14 pounds
- Built using stainless steel and nonstick coated surfaces.
- Key Feature: Best Budget Friendly
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Simple to use. One temperature knob controls the grill.
- Removable grate and grease pan.
- Large drip tray.
Cons:
- This is a very basic grill. There aren’t any fancy fan smoke systems, digital temperature control systems, or meat probes, but the price reflects that.
- If you are looking for the best indoor grill with the most features, the Ninja is a clear winner, but if you want a simple, inexpensive kitchen smokeless (does not burn gas or charcoal )appliance for grilling indoors, this option might be a fit for you.
4. George Foreman Grill Indoor Outdoors: Best electric indoors grill Outdoor Grill
Considering how flexible this grill is, we knew it was making it to our list when we first opened its box. This grill can be used on a kitchen counter inside your home, but it can also be used as an outdoor electric grill. This is great for those who want to use their indoor grill outdoors as well.
Think about this: you live in an apartment with a balcony, but you can’t have a regular grill. This George Forman comes with a stand for outdoor use, but you can also use it indoors on a kitchen counter if you remove the stand.
This electric smokeless grill is simple and does not have the digital temperature control features found in top-of-the-line electric grills, but it will grill and do the job, and it will work as an outdoor grill on a small apartment balcony.
This large grill features 240 square inches of cooking space and is suitable for cooking for friends and family. This is my favorite grill for cooking burgers due to its nonstick surface.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: n/a
- Dimensions: 19.69 x 11.02 x 20.47 inches
- Cooking Area – cooking surface: 240 square inches
- Weights: 8.68 pounds
- Key Feature: indoor outdoor grill. Best for apartments ( there is a stand to grill outdoors )
Pros:
- Can be used to grill outdoors or indoors.
- Since it is smokeless it works great for small apartment balconies
- Easy to clean tray and surface.
- Simple to use.
- Removable grate and grease drip pan.
- Large grill grates with good nonstick coating.
Cons:
- Basic grill.
- It doesn’t have the features of a true smoke extractor or smoke fan or dual contact heating.
5. The Techwood Indoor Smokeless Grill
The Techwood indoor smokeless grill is a powerful indoor grill and very similar to the Power XL grill. It features a drip tray to collect fat and grease, which is removable and dishwasher safe.
This grill’s wattage is 1500 watts and features a digital temperature control and a built-in smoke fan extractor. So this grill falls more in the true “smokeless” category of the Ninja and the XL but at a fraction of the price.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: 1500 watts ( up to 450 degrees F )
- Dimensions: 19.5 x 11 x 4.5 inches
- Weights: N/A
- Built out of stainless steel.
- Key Feature: Plates are dishwasher safe and does have a smoke extractor.
Pros:
- Clear Lid – easy to keep and eye on the food.
- Easy to Clean – removable and dishwasher-safe drip tray.
- Simple to use digital control.
- Removable grill grate and grease pan.
- Smokeless – has a built in extractor fan.
- This indoor electric grill is very affordable.
Cons:
- Basic grill – no automation
- No dual contact heating.
6. George Foreman Grill Smokeless Indoor grill
According to the George Foreman company, this new model eliminates up to 85 percent of the smoke produced while cooking. This is a very good feature because the main purpose of an indoor appliance is to bring cooking inside the home. This company has been manufacturing indoor grills for years and has built an amazing brand equity and reputation.
The open grates let fat and juice drain away effortlessly during cooking. You can easily remove the plates and wash them by hand or in the dishwasher.
This is an excellent choice for families. It has a 90-square-inch cooking grill surface area that can accommodate 4-6 servings at a time.
In addition, the nonstick cooking surface coating prevents food from adhering to the pan and prevents food from sticking to the pan itself.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: N/A
- Dimensions: 15.55 x 7.95 x 13.7 inches
- Weights: 13.7 pounds
- Key Feature: Touch Controls
Pros:
- The George Foreman is Affordable
- Easy to use with touch controls
- Easy to Clean
- Can be stored vertically
- Removable grill grate and grease pan
- The George Foreman brand has been around for a very long time and has a proven track record.
Cons:
- Basic grill – no automation
- Not as powerful as other indoor smokeless grills at this price range.
7. The Cuisinart Griddler Indoor grill ( smokeless )
This is a compact countertop grill. The build quality is good for its price range, with stainless steel throughout, giving you an enviable lifespan from this grill.
This multi-use indoor grill can work as a griddle or grill. A flat grill plate can work as a nice press for grilled sandwiches, or you can flip the plates around to use it as a grill or griddle. This is more of an electric griddle press than an electric grill, but Cuisinart makes good products, and this grill and griddle is no exception.
If you are more of a sandwich lover but want to grill a few burgers every once in a while, this Cuisinart is a good choice.
Specifications:
- Heat Output: N/A
- Dimensions: 13.50 x 11.50 x 7.12 inches
- Weights: 8 lbs.
- Key Feature: Kind of more of a press than a grill
Pros:
- Three Separate temperature control dials.
- Interchangeable plates: press, grill and griddle.
- Easy to Clean.
- Compact grill even with its large handle.
Cons:
- Basic but can be versatile.
- Not as powerful as other indoor smokeless grills at this price range.
What Exactly does Smokeless mean
Many consumers mistake electric cooking gadgets such as skillets for smokeless grills. There are some similarities between smokeless indoor grills and electric skillets, but the main differences are the power of the heating element, the way grease is collected, and the fact that high-end models have built-in grease and food smoke extraction systems.
So, by definition and true meaning of the word “smokeless”, the grill must have a built-in smoke extractor, so it is better suited for indoor use at home. However, an electric grill can fall under the “smokeless indoor” category, meaning that it does not burn any combustible fuel like charcoal or pellets.
Some indoor grills in the “smokeless” category use heating elements and contact plates to cook the food.
Indoor smokeless grills are also commonly referred to as “contact grills.” The reason for this is that an electric resistance heats the grill plates, and when the food comes into contact with the plates, heat is transferred to the food, thereby cooking it. Most indoor grills cook by direct contact.
Technology plays a big part in these indoor grills. For those wanting to grill food easily, you will be happy to see all the automation systems and pre-programmed cooking style modes eliminate all the guesswork and monitoring. Set it, and forget it.
Pros and Cons of smokeless indoor grills
As with every cooking and electric appliance, there are always pros and cons. The following is a list of a few pros and cons every buyer should be aware of.
Pros
- Best way to cook indoors
- Easy to use – their electronics and cooking modes on this indoor grills do all the work for you.
- Affordable
- Easy to clean and maintain.
Cons
- Taste – yeap, you guessed it! Since you are not burning charcoal or wood, there isn’t a taste of authentic barbecue flavor. But we will tell you about ways to fix that.
- Limits on what you can grill – Most smokeless grills are small and meant to cook small cuts of meat like grilled chicken breasts and pork chops but don’t think you can roast a pork shoulder.
- Not the well suited for grilling outdoors or be exposed to the elements.
What features should you look for in good smokeless indoor electric grill?
There are hundreds of smokeless indoor grills available on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, as well as features and benefits.
This buyer’s guide will assist you in understanding the benefits and characteristics that distinguish a good indoor grill, as well as assist you in finding the best indoor smokeless grills on the market today.
Several factors should be taken into consideration when buying an indoor grill. Amongst these are temperature output and control, size, ease of cleaning, and accessories
Grill Quality
Quality is vital in any indoor cooking appliance we own, but it is more important when it comes to an indoor grill. Many smokeless grills are jam-packed with technology, making them easy to use but also prone to failure. A product built of high-quality materials and supported by a strong warranty is a good sign of the product’s quality.
The Smokeless Mechanism and Operation
This is where your money should be spent, and this is where you should focus the majority of your attention. The fact that many manufacturers call a pot with a heating component an indoor grill is a disservice to the customer, and those brands are just using marketing terms to promote their products.
However, there are other brands included in this article that really are “smokeless”, and use a smokeless mechanism to lessen the quantity of smoke produced by oils, fats, and food as it cooks and burns during cooking and burning.
A fan system called a smoke extractor, or a smoke control system, and a drip tray are two standard features that you will find in a good indoor grill.
Most smokeless grills are equipped with a fan that can help absorb and disperse smoke away from the grill, as well as drip pans that keep grease and oil away from the heating plates. Thus further reducing smoke, flare-ups, and anything else that could set off the smoke alarms in your apartment building.
Temperature Output
Unlike other grills, an indoor grill’s power comes from a heating resistance. The wattage and power of the heating resistance will dictate the temperature range at which the grill can operate.
While an electric indoor grill is mainly used for smokeless grilling small cuts of meat, it still needs to reach high temperatures to be able to sear steaks, add some nice grill marks, and cook a variety of recipes.
Consider purchasing a smokeless grill that has the temperature output you will want for the sort of cooking you will be doing on the indoor grill. If you are simply going to be grilling burgers and hot dogs, a small, less costly grill will suffice for your needs.
If you intend to grill and sear steaks, make certain that the smokeless grill you pick has the power output and temperature range necessary for the task.
Some of these grills have dual cooking surfaces which help cook faster and evenly.
Tech, temperature controls and Smokeless Features
This is where indoor grills outshine your gas grill. Sure, grilled food might taste slightly better on a charcoal-burning Weber, but good indoor grills will include built-in temperature sensors and meat probes to cook food to the right cooking temperature.
The better grills feature digital heat control systems fully automated and monitor your food using a meat probe plus preset cooking modes for fish, pork, or chicken. Others include a more basic cooking heat control system with only a timer and temp settings.
An indoor grill with a meat probe can sense the meat’s internal temperature and turn off the grill to void overcooking the food. This level of automation makes these grills perfect for indoor use and easy to use by any person.
Size – Square Inches of Space and cooking surface area
An indoor grill is built and intended to function well inside the house, and as a result, these grills are often compact enough to fit on a tabletop. Some grills have a cooking surface big enough to accommodate two burgers, while others have a large cooking surface to accommodate six burgers.
On the other hand, if you have a small kitchen, you might want to consider a smaller grill that won’t take up much kitchen counter space.
Be sure to check the dimensions and square inches of cooking surface or grilling surface offered by all the different indoor grill models. Also, ensure you have a good electric outlet available in your kitchen.
Versatility
An electric grill that can do more than one thing will be more useful in the kitchen and versatile. Some can only grill, but others are more useful because you can switch the grill grates and use them as a griddle or sandwich press.
Grills with different cooking settings are the most flexible and allow you to prepare hundreds of dishes and try different cooking styles using one grill.
For example, some indoor grills have grill plates that can be switched out. This gives the grill more usefulness. A grill plate may be used for a variety of tasks, such as grilling, cooking pancakes, grilled fired eggs, or grilled vegetables for a salad. For apartment dwellers, a multifunctional grill is a benefit.
Cleaning and Maintenance of The Indoor Smokeless Grill
Although this might not be as important and high on your list, if you are using your smokeless grill, often an easy to clean grill will be welcomed.
Also, look for cooking grills with a good grease management system like a removable drip tray. This will help when is time to clean up.
The best indoor grills are equipped with dishwasher-safe plates that can be quickly removed and placed in the dishwasher for a few hours or overnight.
Price Tag
Every product we purchase has a price that influences our decision. When shopping for an indoor grill, take into consideration your budget as well as the features you desire. The price tag of a grill can quickly rise as additional features and accessories are included.
Portability
If you plan on carrying or using your grill as an indoor-outdoor grill consider a grill that is small and lightweight. Even the smallest of these grills can weigh several pounds. Also, search for grills that do not require a lot of storage space.
Heating Element and Contacts Plates
An indoor grill heating element heats a grill plate, and food cooks when it comes into contact with the hot surface. This is why these grills are sometimes called contact grills.
Some grills feature two contact plates, one on top and one on the bottom, whereas others only have one, the bottom plate. Dual heating plates means even heat distribution.
Temperature gauges and Displays
Some brands of smokeless electric grills do not have temperature indicators or displays. It is critical to understand the temperature of the foods as well as the cooking surfaces.
It is also useful to know if the cooking surfaces are warm to the touch. Some grills will feature a display that will tell you whether they are hot, on, or off plus all the temperature options.
Plates that may be interchanged
A smokeless electric grill that can not only grill but also press paninis and prepare pancakes in the morning is a plus. If this appeals to you, seek a smokeless electric grill with interchangeable grates.
Some grills only come with grilling plates, whereas others come with flat plates, converting the grill into a griddle in seconds. A flat cooking grate can be used for eggs, pancakes, bacon, and so much more.
I also like having an extra cooking grate to test new and different recipes.
Why are indoor grills trending?
Small in size and less expensive to operate, indoor electric grills are an excellent alternative to traditional gas models. Electric grills are ideal for places such as apartment complexes where gas grills are not permitted to be used.
These grills are particularly popular among city dwellers who live in apartments or high-rise buildings.
They are also simple to use and clean, making it possible to whip up a tasty dinner in no time. Indoor grills have so much technology built-in that you can set the food and forget without having to worry about it becoming too hot or risk overcooking it.
Indoor smokeless grills are reasonably priced, and the majority of models are delivered fully assembled, allowing you to begin grilling right away. The grilling experience with this grill is easy and enjoyable.
Good reasons for choosing a smokeless over a small gas grill
The main reason why you should choose and use an indoor grill is that, for example, a charcoal smoker will generate carbon monoxide when burning charcoal. [1] This is not something you want to do inside your home.
Second, regular grills will generate a tremendous amount of smoke, and every alarm inside your house will go off.
Lastly, depending on where you live, you might not be allowed to own a regular grill.
How do these Smokeless grills work?
In order to create the grill’s heating surface, smokeless grills have an element concealed between two metal plate covers. This makes them great for grilling indoors as no fuel is burned.
Safety Tips When Using an Indoor Grill
Even though electric grills have many advanced features and some even have automatic heat control systems, it is always a good idea to monitor the grill during the cook. Never leave your electric grill unattended.
Keep your electric grill clean to avoid burning excessive old grease or leftover food, which can generate smoke and set off the smoke alarm in your kitchen.
Because a contact indoor electric grill has heated surfaces, be cautious of what you place in the vicinity of the grill.
How we test and Benchmark a smokeless grill
We researched and tested numerous indoor grills to find the best-performing models. Some grills were sent to us and tested in our Winter Garden, Florida, kitchen. The following were used as testing benchmarks:
Power rating – As the grills may be used for more than just making sandwiches, we looked closely at their power ratings to see how that would affect their cooking ability.
Cooking efficiency – Cooking efficiency cannot be measured solely in terms of wattage or power ratings. Heat transfer and food cooking efficiency can be affected by a variety of factors, including temperature controls, heating resistance, and even the heating plates themselves. We tested these grills by cooking a variety of proteins, including chicken, fish, and pork, to see the measure cooking times of each grill.
The efficacy of the grill features – Several of the grills on this list have unique features, such as the ability to cook nearly smokeless. Aside from marketing fuzz, we put these functionalities to the test to see how true and close they are to the manufacturer’s claims.
Our Conclusion
With the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6 indoor grill, you have the best of all worlds for people who seek the newest technology, convenience, versatility, and automation. The Ninja Foodi grill has six cooking programs, making it simple to prep food at home, and even grilled vegetables for salads. The cooking experience with the Ninja is very pleasant, as the grill does most of the work for you.
We did, however, provide a variety of alternative options, including budget-friendly alternatives for everyone.
References:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
