Comparison Maxwell MW-1960 stainless steel vs Russell Hobbs Compact 18850-56 black

Rated power of the device — that is, the maximum power consumed during normal operation. With a low intensity of heating, energy consumption may be lower, but it is worth focus on this indicator.

The larger the surface area of the electric grill, the more energy is required for its efficient operation. In addition, for different cooking tasks, the intensity of heating (and, accordingly, the required power) will also be different. Therefore, only devices of the same type (see above) with a similar size of the working surface (see below) can be compared by this indicator. And in such a comparison, it is worth proceeding from the fact that higher power provides faster heating and more stable temperatures, but significantly affects the cost of the device. In addition, appliances more than 2 kW can create problems for old, “weak” wiring.

However, more than 2 kW is a high power for modern electric grills. Most of them have power consumption of 1,5 – 2 kW, quite a few models are in the range of 1 – 1,5 kW, and in the most low-power devices, this figure does not exceed 1 kW at all. At the same time, it is worth emphasizing separately that low power in itself does not mean low efficiency — often it turns out to be quite sufficient, taking into account the type and capacity of the grill.

Electric grill control panel design.

— Control knob. Mechanical control is carried out using rotary knobs and switches. Most parameters in such devices are set and controlled manually. In this case, the control elements are connected to the working parts of the electric grill directly, without additional electronic circuits. This option is simple, reliable and low cost; however, it is only suitable for the most basic functions, but electric grills usually do not require more.

– Push-button. Push-button control is based on electronic circuits. Such systems are more accurate than mechanical ones (for example, the timer in such electric grills can usually be set with an accuracy of up to a few seconds), and more options and modes are provided. On the other hand, such control is more complex and more expensive than mechanical control.

– Touch. A type of electronic control with touch switches. Compared to push-button models, it provides a high level of comfort in operation, and looks more modern and aesthetically pleasing. Touch control is found mainly in top models of electric grills.

The size of the work surface installed in the grill — that is, the surface intended for the cooked products.

The amount of food that can be cooked directly depends on this indicator at a time. On the other hand, a large work surface requires high power, and also directly affects the overall dimensions of the grill. Therefore, when choosing according to this indicator, it is necessary to take into account the expected volumes of cooking and the amount of space available for installing the device first of all.

Note that this parameter is indicated by the length and width of the working surface, regardless of its shape. Therefore, the same dimensions — for example, 30x30 cm — can mean both a square and a round device, while the usable area in the first case will be noticeably larger than in the second. So in such cases, it will not prevent clarify the specific shape of the working surface.

Additional features of the electric grill.

Features such as thermostat, off timer and < a href="/list/43/pr-21604/">auto-cooking, can be found in all types of grills (see “Type”); removable plates are also very popular, they are not found except in electric frying pans; and here is fixing the height of the top plate, opening 180° and separate temperature control are relevant mainly for pressure grills (with rare exceptions). Here's a more detailed description of each of these features:

— Thermostat. Regulator that allows to automatically maintain the set temperature of the working surface. To do this, a special sensor monitors the temperature of the grill, turning off the heating when it reaches the desired value and turning it on again when it cools down by a few degrees. This allows to maintain the required cooking mode without any extra effort. Thermostats are very simple in design and inexpensive, and therefore are found in most modern electric grills.

— Timer. The timer that turns off the heating after a specified time. This feature saves the user from having to keep track of time: it is enough to set the desired value on the timer. Among other things, due to this, the risk of overcooking or “burning” the cooked dish is significantly reduc...ed: such a nuisance can only occur if too much time was chosen for cooking. Note that the capabilities of the timer depend on the type of control (see "Control"): with mechanical control, the time, usually, is set quite approximately (sometimes with an accuracy of up to a minute or two), with electronic control — with an accuracy of up to a second.

— Autocook. The presence of auto-cooking programs in the grill — one or more. This feature differs from the timer described above in greater convenience and functionality. So, the user does not need to manually set the grill temperature for the operating time — usually, it is enough to select the type of product and the desired degree of roasting/warming up. A specific set of auto-cooking programs may be different, it should be specified separately; among the most popular options are “meat” (often with a choice of degree of roasting), “poultry”, “fish”, “burgers”, “sandwiches”, “sausages”, as well as a defrost mode.

— Removable plates. Possibility to remove the grill plate(s). The main purpose of this function is to make it easier to wash and clean the work surface after use. So, removable plates can be washed without problems in a kitchen sink, and often even in a dishwasher, while such features are not available for a non-removable design. In addition, some devices with this feature can be equipped with interchangeable plates of different types (see "Plates included"); and if the removable plate is damaged, it is enough to buy a similar part for a replacement — you do not need to change the entire grill or take it to repair.

— Plate height auto-adjustment. In grills with this feature, the top plate is mounted on a special hinge, which allows it to automatically adjust to the height of the food to be cooked. In this case, you do not need to make any additional settings — just lower the lid, and it, clinging to the contents, will itself take the optimal position. This height auto-adjustment differs from another similar function — manual height adjustment (see below). The disadvantages of this design, compared with the manual height adjustment, include the fact that the top plate must necessarily be in contact with the contents, there is no possibility to heat the products from above in a "non-contact" way. However, this moment is not so often critical; in addition, there are a fairly large number of models where the hinge is combined with manual adjustment.

— Fixation of the height of the plates. Possibility to manually adjust the height of the top plate. The user can select the position of the plate below which it should not fall. This complicates the setup somewhat, but provides some advantages and additional capabilities. First of all, this is the possibility of “contactless” cooking - when the top plate is not adjacent to the food, and heating from above occurs only due to thermal radiation.

— Opening 180°. A feature found primarily in contact pressure grills, as well as individual pizza makers (see “Type”). When the lid is opened 180 degrees, such a device actually turns into a barbecue grill with two separate working surfaces. Thus, this feature allows you to grill not only in a “closed” but also in an “open” way. And some similar models provide separate temperature control (see below), further expanding the functionality.

— Separate temperature control. In grills with this feature, the work surface is divided into two parts, and the temperature of each of them can be adjusted independently of the other. Most of these models are contact grills with the ability to open at 180° (see above) — they can separately adjust the temperature of the main surface and the lid. In the "open" format of work, this allows you to simultaneously cook dishes that require different temperature conditions; and when the grill is closed, due to separate adjustment, it is possible to provide different intensity of processing from above and below — for example, to brown the bottom half of the burger and only slightly heat the top. There are also open grills, in which the working surface is divided into two independent temperature zones; however, this possibility significantly complicates the design and increases its cost, so that very few such models are produced.

The presence of the tray for fat in a set of delivery of a grill.

As the name suggests, this tray is used to collect fat and other liquids released during cooking. It is removable and performs several functions at once. Firstly, such equipment greatly simplifies cleaning: it is much easier to remove and wash the tray than to clean the non-removable parts of the device from fat. Secondly, in many models, the tray also protects the heating element from contamination — and this not only facilitates cleaning, but also prevents the appearance of fumes and unpleasant smells that among other things can spoil the taste of ready-made dishes. Thirdly, the collected fat can be useful for cooking purposes, as an ingredient in some recipes.

Note that the specific design of the tray may be different, depending on the type of grill (see above). For example, in some barbecues, instead of one common container, separate bowls are used for each skewer.

The main material from which the body of the grill is made.

— Metal. Metal is currently the most popular material used in grills across all types and price ranges. This is primarily due to its high reliability and durability, as well as its heat resistance and fireproof nature. Metal cases also offer a stylish appearance, scratch resistance, and easy cleaning, making them highly desirable. While metal cases may be slightly more expensive than plastic ones, the additional cost is often justified by the advantages mentioned above.

— Plastic. Plastic is another commonly used material in grills. It is generally cheaper than metal but is considered less reliable. Plastic cases are prone to scratches, and a strong impact can cause them to crack, unlike metal cases which are more likely to bend. Additionally, different types of plastic have varying heat resistance, although grills typically use heat-resistant varieties. However, plastic cases are more susceptible to damage from overheating compared to metal alloys. Despite these limitations, these shortcomings are not usually critical in normal everyday use. As a result, while plastic cases are still less common than metal ones, many grills are produced with plastic cases now.

— Glass. All-glass cases are not commonly used in grills due to their high cost and fragility. Instead, glass is often combined with metal or plastic materials as a protective case. It is found mainly in barbecues, where the glass case surrounds the stand with skewers, allowing for easy monitoring of the cooking process without removing the protection from the device. However, glass cases are more fragile compared to metal ones. They can crack or break not only from strong impacts but also from temperature changes, such as washing the case with cold water while it is still hot. In other types of grills, glass is primarily used as a decorative coating for a metal or plastic body, rather than as the main material for the case.

— Wood. While wood can provide a pleasant and unique aesthetic to a grill, it is not as practical as metal or plastic cases. Wood is not well-suited to high temperatures as it can char or even catch fire, requiring careful consideration of thermal insulation in such devices. As a result, grills with wooden cases are extremely rare and primarily found in designer models that prioritize unconventional appearances over practicality.