Power consumption
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.
Automatic programmes
Preset programs for automatic cooking of some well-known and popular dishes. For more information about the function in general, see the section "Autocooking". The most common options for automatic programs are also considered here:
red meat (steak),
pork,
bacon,
chicken,
fish,
seafood,
sausages,
burger,
sandwich,
vegetables,
defrosting.
— Red meat (steak). Program for cooking beef steaks. As a rule, additional settings may include adjustment of the degree of roasting (see the corresponding item in "Functions and capabilities").
— Pork. Suitable for cooking various pork dishes — chops, medallions, ribs, etc. The program prevents the meat from drying out, keeping it juicy, while at the same time ensuring sufficient roasting of the pork.
— Bacon. A program for frying thin slices of bacon or brisket until crispy and golden brown. It prevents the thin pieces of meat from drying out.
— Chicken. Program for cooking various dishes from chicken meat: whole breasts, thighs, wings, etc. The heating temperature of the plates and the cooking time are selected so that the chicken is cooked ins
...ide and covered with an appetizing crispy crust on the outside.
— Fish. Automatic mode for cooking fish steaks, fillets, whole fish carcasses and other similar fish dishes. The program prevents overdrying of tender meat, leaving it soft and juicy.
— Seafood. A delicate program with a relatively low heating temperature of the working surface for gentle cooking of seafood cocktail, shrimp, squid and other seafood. These are usually cooked very quickly.
— Sausages. A program for uniform frying of sausages, wieners and frankfurters. The emphasis in it is on avoiding overheating of sausage products — thus preventing damage to the integrity of the casing. The mode will come in handy for cooking hot dogs.
— Burger. This program is aimed at optimal frying of burger patties — so that they remain juicy inside and get an appetizing crust on the outside. At the same time, burger buns are supposed to be fried separately, for which the "Sandwich" program will serve (see below).
— Sandwich. A program for toasting buns, toasts and sandwiches until golden brown. When using it, bakery products become crispy and the filling inside melts evenly (for example, cheese slices).
— Vegetables. Vegetables are grilled at relatively moderate temperature settings. At a minimum, this prevents them from burning, while maintaining their texture and flavor.
— Defrost. A special mode for gentle defrosting of frozen products. It maintains low intensity of the electric grill so that the contents are effectively “defrosted” but not cooked.Work surface size
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.
Frying mold
A device that allows you to turn the grill into an analogue of a frying pan or even an oven.
A frying mold (sometimes also called a baking mold) looks like an additional tray with a bottom and sides, but without a lid — the top plate of the grill plays the role of a lid, if necessary. Such an accessory provides additional features that are not available with a more traditional design. For example, you can cook dishes with sauce/gravy, or effectively bake food in a frying mold — in the second case, the heating is more uniform than just between the contact grill plates.
Material
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.
Cable length
The length of the cable for connecting to the network provided in the design of the device.
It is worth considering the estimated distance to the outlet when choosing according to this indicator: a wire that is too short will not reach it, too long will get mixed up and create inconvenience. At the same time, also note that most electric grills are designed for use at home and other similar conditions, where there are no particular problems with access to sockets. Therefore, the cable length in such devices does not exceed 2 m, and in some models it is even about 80 cm.
