Best Indoor Smokeless Grill Reviews

Sear and grill your food without the need for gas, propane, or messy charcoal! With the best indoor smokeless grill, your favorite BBQ recipes can be made in the comfort of your kitchen. Philips, Delonghi, Hamilton Beach - these and many other top kitchenware brands have amazing options available, but which is right for you?

The best indoor smokeless grills are compact, easy to clean, and should include safety features that reduce the risk of an indoor fire. The ten selections in our best indoor smokeless grill reviews are among the most popular models currently, with an average of 1000 - 1500 watts of grilling power.

Read the chart below for a quick look at our top ten favorite indoor grills. Then, scroll down for a detailed review of each.

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Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill Review

Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill

Why is it better?

  • Durable stainless steel
  • Grill hood with viewing window
  • Extra drip tray prevents spills on your counter

99/100
our score


researched sources

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Last Updated: January 3, 2024

By William Clay: This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding indoor smokeless grills available for those who want to BBQ all year round. The best 10 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best indoor smokeless grills currently available on the market.

Top 10 Indoor Smokeless Grills

Best Indoor Smokeless Grill Reviews (Full)

Indoor grilling isn’t the same thing as an authentic, char-broiled meal in the great outdoors, but it’s much healthier than frying your food in oil and fat. These top ten indoor smokeless grills are the perfect addition to your kitchen if you love grilling all year round.


Features

  • Dimensions: 12.4 x 16.7 x 6.8 inches
  • Weight: 8.14 Pounds
  • Stainless Steel
  • 118 Square-Inch Grilling Surface
  • Nonstick Removable Grill Plate
  • Drip Tray

REVIEW

Recognized for quality cooking ware, Hamilton Beach has been designing, manufacturing and selling household appliances since 1910. Whether it’s a blender, a slow cooker, or an indoor grill, Hamilton Beach often leads the way in popularity and quality.

The Hamilton Beach Indoor Searing Grill eliminates all the messy aspects of grilling outdoors to provide a smokeless, indoor cooking experience for grill lovers! Made of durable stainless steel, the grill is large enough to accommodate 3-4 steaks or chicken breasts at a time on its grilling surface.

Temperature control on the grill is very straightforward. When you plug it in, the grill begins to heat up. When it reaches the searing temperature of 450 degrees fahrenheit, a green indicator button lights up to notify you. With its 118 square inches of grilling surface, you can serve 4 - 6 people comfortably and quickly, depending on the recipe. To adjust the temperature, there’s a dial so you can lower or raise the heat as needed for the perfect results.

One of the best features of the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill is the grill hood with a viewing window. When closed, the hood seals in moisture, heat, and smoke. You can see your food through the viewing window as well, making it easier to monitor the progress of your burgers, steaks, kebobs, or anything else.

Since there’s no fuel being used (charcoal, gas, wood) the grill burns very clean. There are also grooves on the grill surface like a cooking grate, so your meat comes out with the seared grill lines as well.

An extra large drip tray prevents juices from spilling all over your counter, and makes clean up a lot faster than a conventional outdoor grill. No assembly is required, and there are easily removable parts that are dishwasher safe. The grill hood, plate, and the drip tray can be removed and loaded in your dishwasher. 

Pros

  • Removable parts are dishwasher safe
  • Grill hood with viewing window for monitoring food
  • Preheat Indicator Light notifies you when searing temperature has been achieved
  • Extra large drip tray

Cons

  • Does not have an ‘OFF’ switch, must be plugged out to turn off

Features

  • Dimensions: 21 x 15.4 x 8.1 inches
  • Weight: 17.5 Pounds
  • Tempered Glass Lid
  • Nonstick Grill And Griddle Plate
  • Turbo Speed Smoke Extractor
  • Heating Element with Detachable Power Cord
  • Drip Tray
  • Water Tray

REVIEW

Anyone who suffers from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses will really appreciate the PowerXL Smokeless Grill. Easy to use and clean, the PowerXL lets you grill steak, burgers, sausages, even vegetables with virtually no smoke or odors.

Although it’s not stainless steel, the durable construction has many dishwasher safe parts that can be removed and cleaned. The grill plate, drip tray, water tray, and tempered glass lid can all be loaded into the dishwasher, eliminating the need for labor-intensive cleanup.

Once plugged in, you press the power button to activate the detachable heating element. To adjust the temperature, the PowerXL features an LED touchscreen dial for raising or lowering the heat between 220 - 450 Fahrenheit, perfect for searing thick cuts of steak, burgers, and more.

With the tempered glass lid on, no smoke or odors escapes while your food grills inside. Thanks to the built-in smoke-extracting fan, smoky air is virtually eliminated so you can grill indoors without the mess and smoke of charcoal or wood. All the moisture, flavor, and juices get locked in to ensure your grilled recipes are as close to the real thing as possible.

The inclusion of an additional griddle plate is a real bonus. You can easily replace the grill plate with the griddle plate to make pancakes, eggs, bacon, omelettes, paninis and many other breakfast/brunch meals.

Affordably priced and easy to use, the PowerXL Smokeless Grill makes a great gift for the grill lover in your life who wants to grill all year round!

Pros

  • Tempered Glass Lid seals in heat and moisture
  • Built in fan virtually eliminates smoke and odors
  • LED temperature control
  • Nonstick Griddle and Grill Plate included
  • Dishwasher safe components
  • Power button

Cons

  • Higher priced than the top pick
  • Heating element does not heat evenly across the grill surface

Features

  • Dimensions: 7.5 x 21.9 x 16.9 inches
  • Weight: 12.35 Pounds
  • Infrared Heating Technology
  • Consistent Temperature
  • Nonstick Aluminum Grill
  • Dishwasher Safe Parts
  • On/Off Switch

REVIEW

Summer or winter, the Philips Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite grilled recipes all year round. With its advanced infrared technology and special reflectors to guide heat to the cooking grate, your food will come out delicious and evenly grilled
every time.

The Philips Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill uses infrared technology to maintain a consistent
446°F, the optimal temperature for cooking and searing meat, poultry and fish! Your burgers, steaks, sausages and other grilled recipes will come out juicy and tender on the inside, with no smoke on the outside!

A drip tray catches grease so your food isn’t cooking in grease, and the nonstick surface makes cleanup faster and easier. Non slip feet allow you to use the grill on almost any flat surface. The 1600 watts of heating power is generated by the infrared technology which is smoke-free, healthier and safer than gas or charcoal.

If you live in a studio apartment, condominium, or just want to eat healthier grilled meals without the smoke and grease, the Philips Smokeless Indoor Grill is an affordable solution.

Pros

  • On/off power switch
  • Consistent one temperature heats evenly with no flare ups or hot spots
  • Infrared heat is smokeless and healthier than charcoal or gas
  • Non slip feet for countertops and tables

Cons

  • No temperature controls for adjusting temperature

Features

  • Dimensions:19.7 x 13.2 x 6.7 inches
  • Weight: 10.8 Pounds
  • 1500W Heating Element
  • Tempered Glass Lid
  • Adjustable Thermostat
  • Non Stick Grill Plate
  • Removable Drip Tray

REVIEW

The BG-24 is undoubtedly Delonghi’s most popular grill. With a compact countertop size of 21.8 inches by 14.4 inches, it features a grilling surface of just under 150 square inches. At a weight of about 11 pounds, it’s also easy to move around the kitchen.

The large glass lid enables the grill to reach up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 1500-watt heat element. With a compact countertop size of 21.8 inches by 14.4 inches, it features a grilling surface of just under 150 square inches. The tempered glass lid keeps your food tender and moist while also presenting a window on your grilling. You can even keep the food warm after grilling, with the lid retaining the heat.

A unique embedded element in the grill plates of this indoor grill ensures an even cooking temperature across the whole surface. Your whole food will be heated to perfection with a consistent heat. A thermostat on the plates can also be removed for easy cleaning.

All the non-stick parts can be removed for cleaning, with a removable drip tray below the element, also suitable for filling with water or other liquids. 

Pros

  • Non stick grill surface
  • Tempered glass lid seals in flavor and moisture
  • Adjustable temperature control
  • Indicator light notifies when your grill is ready
  • On/off switch

Cons

  • Can be difficult to clean by hand
  • Not as durable construction as other brands
  • Non stick surface scratches and peels after a few months - avoid metal utensils

Features

  • Dimensions: 10.9 x 11.9 x 5.9 inches
  • Weight: 4.41 Pounds
  • Powder Coated Steel, Aluminum Die-Cast
  • Removable Grill Plate
  • Piezo Electric Ignition System

REVIEW

Made in Japan, the IWATANI Yakimaru CB-SLG-1 is the perfect tool for Korean style grilling. Compact in size, the grill surface is round rather than rectangular. At just over 4 pounds, it’s extremely lightweight and can be taken with you to the cottage, or your RV, for example.

To operate the Iwatani Yakimaru CB-SLG-1, you’ll need the Iwatani gas canisters or cassette. The canister fits neatly inside a concealed compartment, and provides the necessary fuel without fumes or smoke. There’s so little smoke that even with a sensitive fire alarm the Yakimaru keeps smoke to a minimum!

Cleanup is fairly easy compared to other brands of smokeless grills. Cooking causes very little grease splatter ahd it's easy to wipe the unit and your table down. The tray and grill are easy to wash as well, since they can be removed and placed in the dishwasher. You may find the underside of the grill plate needs a little extra scrubbing to remove burnt grease.

Since it’s made in Japan, the instructions are in Japanese and Korean rather than English, which isn’t very helpful if you don’t speak either. Overall, though, the CB-SLG-1 is reasonably priced, smokeless, and great for indoor or outdoor use.

Pros

  • Smokeless indoor grilling
  • Durable powder-coated steel with aluminum burner
  • Compact design suitable for most countertops
  • Cool-touch handles stay cool
  • Adjustable Temperature control

Cons

  • Requires butane canister (not included)
  • No lid
  • Food debris can accumulate under the grate

Features

  • Dimensions: 22.5 x 5.2 x 15.5 inches
  • Weight: 13.6 Pounds
  • 1800W (Max)
  • 2 in 1 Cast Iron Grill Plate
  • Glass Lid
  • Removable Drip Tray (Extra Large)
  • Cool-Touch Base
  • Adjustable Temperature Probe

REVIEW

Portable, lightweight, and powerful, the Secura Portable Electric Grill that also works as a griddle. Whether you want to enjoy a thick juicy burger seared to perfection or a delicious brunch of fried omelettes and bacon, the Secura is all you need.

The Secura can be disassembled in five simple parts: the glass lid, drip tray, a triple-ply grill plate, a cool-touch base, and thermostat probe with an attached power cord. The lid, and drip tray are dishwasher safe, but the reversible grill plate is best washed by hand. It has a nonstick coating on both sides, but sharp implements and metal utensils will scratch the surface.

A heat indicator notifies when the grill has reached searing temperature. To adjust the temperature you turn the dial on the thermostat probe, which can be removed for maintenance or cleaning as well. Once the glass lid is on, your food will cook evenly and fast. Grease channels help to drain excess oils and fats so your food is even healthier, without losing flavor.

With 180 square inches of cooking surface, this is a fairly large indoor grill compared to some of the other brands in this review. There’s enough space to grill a pack of 15 - 20 buffalo wings, or two large sirloin steaks. You can save space in your kitchen with this 2-in-1 appliance, and eliminate the need to purchase a griddle. The reversible grill plate can be used as a griddle as well!

Pros

  • Portable and lightweight for outdoor or indoor use
  • Removable drip tray is dishwasher safe
  • Nonstick cooking surface
  • Reversible cast iron grill plate functions as a griddle as well
  • Cool Touch Base is safe to use

Cons

  • Short power plug needs to be close to a wall outlet or power source
  • Non stick surfaces scratches easily
  • Condensation on glass lid can obstruct view and drain water
  • Large grease drain takes up grilling space

Features

  • Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 5 inches
  • Weight: 18.96 Pounds
  • 1 Grill Plate
  • 1 Griddle Plate
  • Adjustable Plate Tilt
  • PFOA-Free Nonstick Surface
  • 3 Adjustable Temperature Settings
  • Timer

REVIEW

“Cooks like a barbecue, cleans like a frying pan” is how best to describe the Breville BGR820XL. This sleek indoor smokeless grill includes a built-in smart feature that helps to maintain a consistent temperature whether you’re grilling a thick 8oz burger or a panini oozing with cheese.

Specifically, the Breville BGR820XL utilizes a feature called ‘Element IQ’ to automatically adjust the temperature of the grill to prevent overheating, or burning your food. When a cold ingredient is added to the grill surface, the Smart Grill adjusts the temperature accordingly so that your vegetables, meat, sandwiches, and other foods don’t burn.

You can adjust the temperature between 310- 450F, but there are 3 modes to choose from, Low, Panini, and Sear. Since the heating element is integrated into each grill plate, the Breville BGR820XL takes less time to preheat than other brands with less heat loss.

The grill also has six adjustable height settings. There’s a timer as well, which isn’t featured on any of the other indoor grills in this review. Both of the removable plates and the drip tray are dishwasher-safe.

Pros

  • Embedded Grill Plates preheat faster with less heat loss
  • Sleek, stainless steel design
  • Smart Grill technology adjusts temperature as needed for consistent grilling
  • Adjustable height

Cons

  • Significantly more costly than other top-rated indoor smokeless grills
  • Can be difficult to clean
  • Nonstick surface scratches easily
  • Grease sometimes misses the grease tray and ends up behind the grill

Indoor Use Electric, Compact and Portable Grilling Grill Grate and Griddle Plate Removable Kitchen Tabletop, Backyard NonStick Cooking Surfaces

Features

  • Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 9 inches
  • Weight: 17.8 Pounds
  • LED Temperature Control (up to 450F)
  • Glass Lid
  • Grill Grate
  • Griddle Plate
  • Nonstick Surface

REVIEW

Endorsed by NBA Basketball legend Charles Oakley, the Charles Oakley Hot Shot Smokeless Grill lets you watch the game and a delicious grilled meal right in the comfort of your own home. Designed for countertops, tabletops, benches, or any flat surface, this electric indoor grill works as either a grill or griddle for a smoke-free, hassle-free cooking experience.

Grilled steaks, ribs, pork barbecue, and burgers all year-round, the Charles Oakley Hot Shot takes only seconds to set up. There are 2 large grill plates that are also removable, and a griddle plate is included as well. Restaurant-grade quality ensures that even after repeated use, the nonstick surface distributes heat evenly for food that is cooked right through.

A sleek LED touchscreen panel on the right side of the grill allows you to easily adjust the temperature, or simply turn on/off the device. With its clear glass lid, splatter is greatly reduced and you can see the progress of your food on the grill.

Thanks to advanced airflow technology and a state-of-the art smoke-capture fan, there’s virtually no smoke produced while cooking. As long as there’s a power source nearby, you can take the Hot Shot Smokeless Grill just about anywhere for mouthwatering bbq meals anytime!

Pros

  • Grill Plates and Griddle Plate included
  • Non stick surface makes cooking and cleaning easier
  • Glass lid
  • Adjustable temperature
  • Built in fan eliminates smoke

Cons

  • More costly than other brands with comparable features

Features

  • Dimensions: 19.7 x 14.4 x 7.1 inches
  • Weight: 9.3 Pounds
  • Nonstick Ceramic Surface
  • Griddle Attachment
  • Removable Grease Catcher
  • 4 Temperature Settings (low, warm, medium, and high heat)
  • Pitchfork
  • Drip Pan

REVIEW

The Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill has a lot of the features you’d expect to find in an indoor grill. Sadly, the price doesn’t actually reflect the quality.

You can find several reviews from users who were disappointed in the nonstick surface of the grill and griddle plates. When they work, they do an amazing job of distributing heat and cooking food quickly without any smoke. The grill grates drain grease and oil away to reduce splashing, and there is a removable drip tray for catching the grease which can be washed by hand or in your dishwasher.

Perhaps the best thing about the Gotham Steel is the 4 different options for temperature. You can’t set the temperature by degrees, but you can select low, warm, medium and high, which is more than you can do with a charcoal grill. There’s also a pitchfork for creating kabobs, which you don’t get with other indoor grills.

As we mentioned, the nonstick surface just doesn’t hold up long enough to warrant the price. You may find that after only a few uses the nonstick surface begins to scratch or peel away. Once the surface is compromised, food sticks to the surface, making cleanup difficult. It also wears away the cooking surface and absorbs the odor of the food you’re grilling.

Due to its size, the Gotham Steel Smokeless Electric Grill is best suited for serving 2 - 3 people at most.

Pros

  • Smokeless grilling
  • Griddle plate included
  • Removable drip tray is dishwasher safe
  • 4 adjustable temperature settings

Cons

  • No lid or cover
  • Non stick surface removes easily after a few uses
  • Grease and oil can fall onto the heating element
  • More expensive than other brands with similar features

Features

  • Dimensions: 20.8 x 10.2 x 3.5 inches
  • Weight: 6.55 Pounds
  • Adjustable Temperature
  • Removable Water Tray
  • Auto Shut Off

REVIEW

The most redeeming feature of the Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill is the zone cooking technology. Whenever you’re grilling different foods, zone cooking makes it easier to cook at different temperatures by dividing the cooking surface into different heat zones. You can use the high temperature zone for searing and a medium zone for cooking.

With the Chefman, you get something very similar. The cooking surface, or grill grate, can be divided into zones so that one end is really hot, the middle a little less, and the end less. It’s a great way to cook vegetables and meats at the same time more easily, for example.

You can use the small control knob to adjust the temperature from warm to sear, which allows for even more control when cooking grilled veggies, burgers, steak, chicken, fish and more! The water tray and non stick grill plate are removable so you can wash them more easily.

Loaded with the standard features, the Chefman does a very good job of cooking and grilling food without the mess and smoke. Your food will cook healthier because the fat and oil gets drained away into the drip tray. You can load the drip tray in the dishwasher, but the grill plate should be washed carefully by hand, and avoid using metal utensils that could scratch the surface.

Pros

  • Zone cooking surface
  • Non stick grill plate
  • Removable drip tray
  • Adjustable temperature
  • Very competitive low price

Cons

  • No lid or grill hood
  • Drip tray is not nonstick (fill with water to avoid grease sticking)

Best Indoor Smokeless Grill Buying Guide

If this is your first time using an electric indoor smokeless grill, it takes some getting used to. An indoor grill differs from charcoal and gas grills in several ways. Although they cost less and are easier to use, a smokeless grill has unique features that will impact your grilling experience.

A quality indoor smokeless grill eliminates the unhealthy aspects of using charcoal, wood, or gas for cooking. Like any kitchen appliance, however, using it the right way with proper care and maintenance will extend the life of your grill.

As you research your options and read reviews of smokeless grills, keep in mind these helpful tips and suggestions about how to use and care for your new indoor grill.

How To Operate A Smokeless Grill

Every manufacturer has their own specifications and instructions for cleaning and maintaining your smokeless grill. That being said, there are a few standard practices you can observe regardless of the brand.

Follow these simple tips for operating your smokeless grill.

  1. Clean your grill before using it. Many indoor grills have special coating or spray applied at the warehouse before the product is shipped. During transit, several hands may have come in contact with the grill. It’s always best to wash the surfaces and towel dry to avoid consuming any factory chemicals. 
  2. Plug in. Make sure the surface you are grilling on is free of water or debris.
  3. Power on. Position the grill as close to a power source as possible. Some grills do not have an on/off switch. 
  4. Oil or grease grates (if applicable). Even nonstick surfaces can get food stuck over time. Coating the grill plate will extend the life of the grate further. 
  5. Set the temperature as desired and preheat with the lid open. 
  6. Avoid metal utensils on nonstick surfaces. Stainless steel and cast iron utensils can easily scratch the nonstick coating used on many indoor grill plates.

Finally, always grill in a room that’s well ventilated. Open a window or turn on the kitchen fan, for example, to avoid activating your indoor fire alarm or smoke detector.

Watch Video

5 Buying Considerations For Your Smokeless Grill

#1) Grill Size
One thing you’ll really need to consider before investing in an indoor smokeless grill is the size of the cooking surface you want. Outdoor grills come in a wide range of sizes. They’re also capable of cooking much larger volumes than an indoor grill. Indoor grills are more limited in size for convenience and safety.

Since indoor grills are electric, they need to be relatively close to a power source, ie, a wall outlet. They are compact in design and built for operating on a flat, indoor surface such as a kitchen countertop, stovetop, or bench.

Generally speaking, a smokeless indoor grill is ideal for serving 4 - 6 people at a time. Depending on the type of food, you may be able to cook more (eg hot dog weiners, sausages, sliders).

Read user reviews for actual insight into the product before you buy! Be wary of brands and marketing that make unrealistic claims. A large outdoor grill (1000 - 1200 sq. inch cooking surface) can serve 12 8oz burgers at once, but an indoor grill simply isn’t large enough. If you can’t fit 12 burgers on your kitchen stovetop, your indoor grill is even less likely to do so.

#2) Heating Element
A grill’s capacity for generating relies on a quality heating element. Efficiency, power and heat distribution are the key factors to consider here.

An indoor grill is an electrical appliance that draws current from your home’s electrical wiring. With every appliance you add to your home, you increase the wattage needed. A quality indoor grill should operate on the lowest wattage while delivering the highest performance.

To effectively cook and sear food, a grill needs to reach temperatures of 450 - 500 degrees fahrenheit. At these high temperatures, bacteria is effectively killed off and your food is more thoroughly cooked to doneness [1]. Temperatures above 450 degrees will enable you to sear thick cuts of meat such as steaks. Lower temperatures mean your food will take longer to cook, and use more electricity as a result.

Indoor grills with a range of 1000 - 1200 watts provide the best quality for searing and grilling meat [2].

#3) Temperature Controls
A key difference between indoor smokeless grills is the temperature control. Some utilize a knob or dial for selecting low, medium or high. Others allow you a more controlled temperature adjustment in incremental degrees. 

#4) Cooking Grates
Removable grates make cleaning your indoor or outdoor grill much easier. Quality grates should be heat resistant, dishwasher-safe, and made of food-grade material. 304 stainless steel is considered food-grade, meaning that the surface is safe to cook food on when heated without transferring or leaching harmful chemicals and toxins [3].

If you choose an indoor grill without cooking grates, a nonstick cooking surface is another alternative. A ceramic surface, or non-stick coating are the two most common options. Even with nonstick surfaces, however, it’s a good idea to lightly oil or grease the surface.

#5) Cleaning & Maintenance
Indoor grills are much smaller than an outdoor grill, which also makes them much easier to clean and maintain. Their compact design means they can be easily stored away when not in use. Keep your indoor smokeless grill in a cool, dry place when not in use to reduce wear and tear.

By cleaning your indoor grill after each use, your grill will last longer and perform better as well. Pay attention to brands that offer a warranty, and be sure to read the user manual to avoid accidental damage. Violating the terms of your warranty can render the conditions null and void. 

Conclusion

An indoor grill gives you more options for enjoying grilled recipes indoors. Instead of trying to cook burgers in a frying pan, you can grill them indoors, without all the mess and hassle of grilling outdoors. You can even take your electric grill with you to the campsite, yacht, RV, or anywhere else there’s a power source.

Convenience, affordability, and quality heat distribution, are the key considerations when shopping around for the best indoor smokeless grill. Hopefully, these reviews will help you get one step closer to a decision!


References

[1] Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart (USDA)
[2] How Many Watts Are Used for a 110-Volt Appliance? (Hunker.com)
[3] FDA Coating Compliance Information (Cookware Manufacturers’ Association)

About the Author William Clay

William Clay is a BBQ enthusiast dedicated to sharing his grilling (and overall cooking) expertise with FireFoodChef's readers.