I have tried several of the older indoor grills that are just an electric heating element with a wire grilling rack over it and have never been happy with the taste of the meat. My mother bought the Hamilton Beach Indoor Contact Grill with Removable Grids and asked me to try it. I cooked 2 steaks and a chicken breast with little room to spare. I'm not sure how it would cook more than that. It seemed to cook evenly but the texture of the meat came out tougher than when cooked on an outside charcoal or gas grill and the taste was very bland. Even thought the grids are removable it is still very inconvenient to clean and took some work. It was handier than standing outside and waiting for the food to cook but I personally feel that it is not worth sacrificing the quality of the food, especially at the prices we are paying for good meat. I will not be adding this item to my appliance cupboard!

toniasdeals

Waterford, WI

We owned two different indoor grills before getting this one. We were drawn to this one because the largest size in the other brand was still too small for any reasonable sized meal for a family of 4 and because this one had a slot for the drip tray that kept it contained in the unit. I have really enjoyed this grill. We have had it for several years and it works really well. The pros for this machine are: 1) Its large size and rectangular shape do lend well to cooking for a family of 4. 2) The removable grill plates do make cleaning somewhat easier than other grills. 3) The self-contained drip tray is much cleaner overall than others. 4) It has a built-in timer and shuts off when the timer goes off. 5) It can be opened up to a full grill. The cons for this machine are: 1) The coating on the grill plates is wearing off near where it drains into the drip tray - perhaps I needed to use a gentler scrubber. 2) If your food bubbles over underneatht the grill plates, this is not easy to clean. 3) All the markings on the front of the machine have worn off. Overall, I would highly recommend this machine. I just think that we maybe use it so often that we have pushed it harder than it was meant to be pushed. It still cooks great after several years and we will just buy another one of these if we ever wear this one out.

ChknXing

Des Moines, IA

I've had the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill for almost a year now. We love grilled food and never use the stove in the summer. I started using this indoor grill when it got colder outside and I loved it. I started off with some marinated boneless skinless chicken breasts. The Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill is so easy to use. Plug it in and let it preheat 5 minutes. The meat got a nice sear on it. I closed the lid and it cooked thoroughly in 5 minutes. It tasted great and was done in a matter of minutes. Clean up was as simple as wiping it down. Even the char slid right off of the contact grill. It has some nice features too. It has removable cooking plates for easy clean up. There is a grease/drip tray to catch run off grill, it has interchangable plates that switch from flat griddle to grill, and it has an automatic shut off when the timer runs down. It is such a healthier way of cooking for me and my family. No grease and it drains off any fat. I can grill my meats and veggies on the Hamilton Beach Indoor Grill. The plates are a perfect temperature and gets a nice char and stays heated throughout the cooking cycle. Clean up is a breeze. It does just as good a job as our larger outdoor grill on our steaks, chicken, pork chops, hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, and veggies. It says you can use frozen food but I have never used anything frozen on the grill. It is a really good indoor grill.

BamaMomma68

Cottondale, AL

If you are interested in indoor grilling, for the sake of making healthier foods or delicious paninis (not necessarily healthy indoor grilling also) then you might be considering this appliance because it is inexpensive and available everywhere. But I would not recommend it. The amount you spend on this grill, covers a good portion of the cost of a better grill. And with a little bit more, you can get a much much better grill that will last longer. I can guarantee that if you get this grill, it will not last more than 2 years of regular use. The teflon is cheap, it doesn't weigh down on your panini or food you want to grill, and the hinges are loose. The teflon on mine chiped, which is very dangerous for the health. I just got frustrated, saved up and purchased a higher end grill. This is one of those items that is cheap and when it breaks you just buy a new one. It's fine if you plan to grill less than 6 times a year, but any more than that, and it's not worth it.

saverus

Houston, TX

Wow! This grill rocks! If you can't make it outside - make it inside. It's the next best thing to outdoor grill taste. Heats up fast and cooks fast and evenly. Easy to clean and dish washer safe. It's also easy to store. I keep mine on a shelf in the pantry since it takes up a bit of the counter. Be carefull if the lid does not close all the way when you're grilling thicker meat. The steam can burn you very easily. Use an oven glove or towel to raise the lid. Overall, this is a great product for grilling all kinds of meats and veggies! So easy to clean and use. I'll buy another one if this one ever wears out - 4 years and running - so far - so delicious!

TrinaMaranian

Dearborn, MI

My husband and I bought this grill a couple of years ago on a whim. It turn out it was a great whim! We are very happy with this grill. I have to confess that my dear husband can be a slob when it comes to cleaning the grill. He will sometimes cook with it and not clean it or tell me about it. So a week later I will go to use the grill and find it dirty. Luckly, this grill is so easy to clean that I can wash that week old gunk off in a minutes. I was really impressed with the nonstick plates when I had to do this the first time. The grill also does a great job at cooking our food evenly. We can go from frozen hamburger to  completely done in 10 minutes. The down side is that one of our clips that holds the grill in has broken. That concerns me a bit when I am cooking with it but I have not had any problems with the plate falling out or anything. The clips are plastic and ours just broke off one day.

bkp1300

Lexington, KY

This grill saved my cooking life!  I am not the most experienced cook, and I am especially challenged when it comes to preparing meat.  This grill, however, has changed all of that.  Now, I am a cooking machine! First of all, the size.  This unit fits perfectly  on any countertop in the kitchen.  It is very easy to assemble for cooking.  It features a built-in timer and grease collecting receptacle.  Second, it cooks all kinds of food.  Beef, pork, chicken, fish, even veggies and burgers and hot dogs.  The timer features suggested times for cooking popular foods, making the cooking even easier.  Thirdly, it cooks foods fast, faster than oven or stove top preparation.  As I mentioned, the timer gives good estimated timing, to prevent over-cooking.  Some items will be trial and error however.  In addition, clean up is a breeze.  The grill plates and the grease receptacle are removable and can be scrubbed clean right in your sink.  Lastly, the grill can be left on the counter, or placed in a cabinet for storage.  Last but not least, my family enjoys my meals, and everyone is healthy and happy.  

Imani73

Springfield, MA

Most Used Appliance in My Kitchen The Hamilton Beach Electric Grill has better features, more functionality, and a lower price than the celebrity grill advertised on TV. It has large, removal cooking grids that clean in dishwasher, and double functions - as a contact  grill or opens fully for a double size open grill.  The built-in drawer-style drip catcher allows more counter space and is a great way to catch drippings for re-use or disposal.  Timer feature with cook times printed on front of appliance is very handy. This very affordable appliance is a quick, easy, healthier way of cooking and has become my diet buddy and most used appliance in my kitchen. 

fluffylady

Crossville, TN

This grill is an excellent alternative to the more expensive George Foreman and works just as well!  The plates are removable making for an easy clean-up.  Timer allows you to walk away with out worrying about food burning or forgetting about it.  Very durable!  Love the ease of use and clean up.

curtisk29374

Asheville, NC