If you want to grill, but it’s too cold outside, or you live in an apartment where you can’t legally have a real fire grill, then an indoor grill is an excellent option. However, you probably want an indoor grill that won’t cost you a fortune, and we are here to discuss this. We’ve got the top five contenders for the best grills under $100.
Best Indoor Grill Under $100: Reviews
Elite Gourmet EMG-980B Smokeless Electric Tabletop Grill
If you need a simple yet functional indoor grill that won’t cost a small fortune, the compact Elite Gourmet EMG-980B might be right for you.
Review
The Elite Gourmet EMG-980B is a circular indoor grill in size options of 11”, 12”, 13”, and 14”. We’d go for the largest model, as it will have enough space to cook for two or even three people. Although the 14” model is relatively sizeable, it’s still small and compact enough to fit on any countertop and in most cupboards and drawers.
This indoor grill has a power level of 1300 watts, so it heats up fairly quickly and provides even cooking. Temperature control can be adjusted to 450°, with five adjustable settings. It’s simple to use and doesn’t leave you guessing how hot the grill is.
The Elite Gourmet EMG-980B has a nonstick cooking surface that heats up quickly and evenly. Food won’t stick to it, so you don’t need additional oil. Moreover, this model allows fat to drip away from your food and into the collection container. Therefore, your food is healthier, and the collection tray is easy to empty and wash.
Most interior components are dishwasher safe, so you can just pop them in the washer after every meal. This also goes for the tempered glass lid. We like that it has a transparent lid, as it keeps the heat in and lets you see what’s going on inside. Overall, for just over $30, the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B is a great option. Just keep in mind that there are probably more durable models.
Pros
- Compact design
- Reasonably spacious for its small size
- Removable and machine-washable parts
- Helps fat drip away from food
- Nonstick and easy to clean
- Easy to control
Cons
Durability isn’t the best
Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill
This is another small indoor grill that comes in at just under $50. It might not be expensive, but it has excellent features and works as advertised.
Review
The Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill features a nonstick ceramic grilling grate, producing the grill marks we all know and love. Moreover, the nonstick surface is metal utensil safe, which is uncommon. Furthermore, this grill grate is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
This model has a grease tray that catches grease for easy disposal and is also dishwasher-safe. The Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill is designed to be smokeless, so no grease or other food particles come into contact with the heating coils, preventing smoke from occurring.
The Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill has a reasonably powerful heating element that heats up fairly quickly and maintains a steady cooking temperature. Using the dial, you can easily control the temperature. Settings include warm, low, medium, and high. So, although the temperature control isn’t precise, it should be fine for basic cooking needs.
In addition, the Gotham Steel Smokeless Grill isn’t huge, although it should be enough for about four small burgers simultaneously. Realistically, it’s big enough to cook for two or maybe three people at once, but not more.
Pros
- Great price
- Fairly durable
- Non-toxic materials
- Fast and even heating
- Dishwasher safe
- Metal utensil safe
Cons
Temperature control is not precise
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
This grill from Hamilton Beach is one of our most expensive indoor grills, although it still costs less than $100. In terms of features, it’s likely the best we are reviewing.
Review
The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill features a powerful heating element, so it heats up quickly and can maintain a high temperature. It also has a hinged lid that is easy to open and close. The cover has a window so you can keep an eye on your food at all times.
Using the dial, you can set the temperature between 200° to 450°. Moreover, an indicator light tells when the grill is heated to the desired temperature.
The nonstick grill grate heats up quickly and evenly for consistent cooking. It is nonstick, so you don’t have to worry about using oil or food sticking to it.
On that note, it’s also designed so grease and fat drip away, thus making your food healthier. The grease drips into a small tray that is easy to remove and empty. Moreover, this indoor grill features dishwasher-safe components for an easy cleanup job.
Besides the cooking surface, most of this unit is made of high-quality stainless steel. It’s the most durable indoor grill on our list and the best looking. For under $100, it is surprisingly sleek and durable, although it weighs about 9 pounds, so it’s not exactly lightweight. For the low price, we think it is an exceptional offer.
Pros
- Very durable
- Sleek and stylish
- Heats fast and evenly
- Good temperature control and maintenance
- Very easy to clean
- Hinged lid with viewing window
Cons
Limited cooking space
Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler
Technically, this Cuisinart grill costs slightly more than $100 after tax, but it’s such a good little grill that we just had to include it here today.
Review
This is a 5-in-1 contact grill, griddle, half-grill, half-griddle, and panini press, making it much more versatile than other grills on our list. Moreover, it has grill and griddle plates, so you can make a wide variety of foods.
The plate in the lid heats up just like the bottom plate, so you can cook food from both sides at once, cutting cooking time in half. In addition, it has a powerful heating element or two of them, in fact, for fast and even heating and excellent temperature maintenance.
There are three control dials. There is one to select between the grill and griddle modes and two dials to control the temperature for both modes. The Cuisinart can easily reach temperatures of 450°, so it performs full-temperature cooking. It also has indicator lights to let you know when it’s hot.
Moreover, the Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler’s grill and griddle plates are nonstick, so you don’t have to use a lot of oil to cook. They are also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. They allow fat to drain away and drip down into the grease tray, which is also easy to remove and dishwasher safe.
The Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler features an 11 x 9-inch cooking area, so it should be enough for several people. Moreover, this unit is made mainly of stainless steel, so you can rest assured that it’s durable and easy to clean.
Pros
- Very durable
- Many functions
- Fast and even heating
- Cooking plate in the lid
- Easy and precise control
- Dishwasher safe parts
- A good amount of cooking area
Cons
Technically not under $100 (after tax)
Presto 09020 Cool Touch Electric Indoor Grill
This is one of the simplest indoor grills on our list. It may look special, but it gets the job done and is reasonably priced.
Review
This very simple indoor grill features an 11 x 18 cooking area, so it has plenty of space. If you plan things, you could cook for 3 or even 4 people at once. It has a heavy-cast aluminum grilling base that should last for quite some time. Although it might not be expensive, this is quite a durable model.
It features a raised grid grilling surface, so you can get those excellent grill marks, plus it’s nonstick. You don’t need much if any, oil to cook, and any fat from your food will drain away into the collection tray, which can be easily removed, emptied, and washed. The grilling surface is machine washable for easy cleaning.
Moreover, this model has a powerful heating element for fast and consistent heat across the grilling surface. Using the simple temperature control dial, you can grill at up to 400°. Although it could get a bit hotter, we like the heat control system that maintains the ideal cooking temperature. Finally, this unit has a cool-touch base on the front, sides, and back, so it never gets too hot during use.
Pros
- Great price
- Lots of cooking area
- Fast and consistent heating
- User friendly
- Easy to clean
- Nonstick
Cons
Doesn’t get quite as hot as some others
Buyer’s Guide
Before we call it a day, here are a few tips for choosing the best indoor grill under $100.
Cooking Area and Size
First, consider how large the cooking area is. There’s no point in getting a small model if you won’t be able to cook for everybody at once. Also, consider the total size of the grill, especially if it will fit in your drawers or cupboards. You need something large enough to suit your cooking needs without being so large that you can’t easily store it.
The Cooking Surface
Always look for a nonstick cooking surface, no matter the brand or style of indoor grill. This will keep things easy to clean and prevent you from needing more oil to cook. On that note, if you can find one that is metal utensil safe, you’re on the right track. Getting one with a dishwasher-safe cooking surface will help make cleanup easier.
Temperature and Heating Consistency + Controls
Pay attention to the power level of the grill, with somewhere around 1100 to 1300 watts being ideal. This will allow the grill to heat up quickly and consistently and will allow it to maintain a high temperature. Having precise temperature controls will help as well.
The Material
The other thing to look for is what the grill’s base is made of, with stainless steel generally being the best. Although this significantly affects the price, you want to avoid plastic.
Conclusion
Due to its variety of features, we think the best indoor grill under $100 on the list today is the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill. It’s going to give you the biggest bang for your buck.