What features make the best indoor smokeless grill? As with any cooking appliance, it depends on your particular tastes and culinary needs. In general, the best smokeless indoor electric grill options have precise temperature control and durable, easy-to-clean cooking surfaces such as cast-iron or enameled grill and griddle plates. Next, built-in safety features to keep grease and drippings from setting off your smoke alarm are top features to look for.
The best models can reach a high enough maximum temperature to mimic charcoal grills, leaving grill marks on chicken breasts and other items just like an outdoor grill. Finally, the best indoor grills have smart designs that optimize heat distribution and help ensure even cooking and predictable cooking time.
A smokeless grill can also be a splendid choice for urban apartments and homes with limited outdoor cooking space. Alternatively, if you’re remodeling your kitchen and exploring ways to make your stovetop more versatile for entertaining, an indoor grill gives you more cooking options while leaving the stovetop free for other uses.
Keep reading to learn more about the best indoor smokeless grills and how to choose the best grill for your cooking needs.
Top Smokeless Indoor Grills
#1 PowerXL PG-1500FDR Grill
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Equipped with a powerful capture fan for fumes, this grill eliminates odors, keeping the kitchen air clean. It comes with a die-cast non-stick grate and see-through cover that offer excellent heat retention and visual monitoring.
- Exceptional fume capture fan
- Transparent hinged lid simplifies monitoring
- Nonstick die-cast grate
- Doesn’t have a water tray
Specially built for indoor use, the PowerXL PG-1500FDR grill offers smokeless operation. It has versatile functionality, preparing foods ranging from steaks to burgers and ribs. This grilling system has a built-in smoke capture fan that prevents the kitchen from filling up with pungent fumes. A die-cast grilling plate with small openings prevents the meat from falling through the spaces and has a heavy-duty construction, making it a good choice for regular grilling. However, this model doesn’t come with a water tray.
This indoor grill has a nonstick Cerami-Tech coating that releases food, enabling cooking without oil. It has an LED control panel with intuitive controls for managing the temperature and fan settings. This model reaches a maximum temperature of 450°F and it produces results comparable to outdoor charcoal grilling systems. With dishwasher-safe parts, this unit is easy to clean, and it distributes heat evenly during cooking. It has a removable glass lid for heat retention and a drip tray for trapping grease.
#2 Gotham Steel 1618 Grill
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: With an advanced drip tray that cools oil fast, this system reduces the number of fumes being released into the kitchen. It has a corrosion-resistant coating that is safe for metallic spatulas and spoons.
- Advanced drip tray
- Nonstick metal-safe coating
- Keep warm function
- Lacks a ventilation fan
This Gotham Steel 1618 grill helps users prepare their favorite BBQ treats in the comfort of their indoor kitchens. It can be used for steak, fish, pork chops, and other foods. A specially designed tray cools grease fast to reduce the number of fumes being emitted into the kitchen air, while an advanced heating element on this model heats food steadily and evenly. With temperature controls, this device allows customizing the cooking process. However, this unit lacks a smoke fan.
A ceramic- and titanium-coated nonstick cooking surface offers impressive food release, allowing users to serve food without the need to use butter or oil. This coating is durable and supports using metal spatulas, spoons, and whisks. With dishwasher-safe parts, this grill supports hassle-free maintenance. It has an intuitive control panel with three different heat settings. A keep-warm function on this model maintains already cooked food at serving temperature for convenience.
#3 Techwood GR-200 200-Square-Inch Grill
Award: BEST GRILL COVER
WHY WE LIKE IT: This model comes with a grill grate and a skillet, allowing users to barbeque, fry, and sear various foods. It features a transparent cover for easy monitoring and a nonstick coating for excellent food release.
- Handy transparent grill cover
- Non-stick coating
- Comes with a griddle
- Produces some smoke
Featuring a refined appearance, the Techwood GR-200 200-square-inch grill will complement kitchen appliances and cabinets. This device has a generous amount of cooking space that can prepare grilled foods for whole families. This unit has a 1500W heating element that provides the power needed to cook fast. An included griddle allows users to sear meats and melt cheese and butter fast. This grilling system has a drip tray for collecting grease and oil. However, this model produces some smoke.
A textured grill plate imprints pleasant sear marks onto the food and it has a heavy-duty construction that stands up to very high temperatures. This grilling system is suitable for cooking a wide variety of foods, including fried eggs, sausage, pancakes, and steaks. It comes with a glass lid that locks in heat while allowing for visual monitoring. With a precise control panel, users can change the heat between 220 and 450°F, and a nonstick coating prevents food from adhering to the grill plate and griddle. You’ll want to see our roundup of the top griddlers, if you prefer to cook on a griddle-like surface instead.
#4 Carl Schmidt Sohn AO050 135 -Square-Inch Grill
Award: BEST WATER TRAY
WHY WE LIKE IT: An advanced fume management system that includes a water tray and built-in fan removes grease and odors, keeping the kitchen clean. This model has a transparent grill cover and boasts nonslip feet.
- Excellent anti-fume fan
- Comes with a water tray
- Transparent tempered glass lid
- Small cooking surface
With sleek aesthetics and advanced functions, the Carl Schmidt Sohn AO050 135 -square-inch grill transforms indoor kitchens. It comes with a nonstick ceramic-coated aluminum griddle that offers excellent conductivity and food release. Users can use this griddle for cooking bacon, fried eggs, and sausages. This indoor grill has a non-slip base that secures the appliance onto the kitchen countertop. A glass lid covers up cooking food and allows users to easily monitor the cooking progress. However, this unit has a small cooking surface.
A high-quality anti-smoke fan on the side quickly picks up smoke, reducing the number of fumes and grease escaping into the kitchen air. This device also includes grill grates that enable preparing various BBQ treats. The grates are textured to deliver pleasant grill marks, so the food looks and tastes good. This device has a top-facing control panel with settings for fan power, and the touch interface features six different temperature options. This electric grill has a water tray to help with smoke management. Check out our All-Clad electric grill review for another smokeless option.
#5 Elite Gourmet EMG-980B Grill
Award: BEST COMPACT GRILL
WHY WE LIKE IT: A circular grill grid on this unit cooks fast and evenly. This grill has a transparent grill cover and features detachable dish-safe parts that are easy to clean.
- Intuitive transparent grill cover
- Removable dishwasher-safe parts
- Non-stick cooking surface
- Small size
With a simple compact design, the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B grill enables indoor grilling without taking up too much kitchen counter space. It has a PFOA-free non-stick cooking surface that allows users to prepare various treats without using too much oil. A domed transparent glass lid on this system offers great heat retention and lets users keep their eyes on the cooking food easily. This model is equipped with a 1400W heating element to provide fast cooking. However, this unit is too small for entertaining.
An included drip pan is removable and can be cleaned in a dishwasher, simplifying maintenance. This device has temperature control, allowing users to adjust the settings between 250 and 450°F. This model stands out because of its circular heating element that provides fast and even cooking. The base remains cool, so it won’t damage the countertop. This model has high-quality aluminum construction for durability and an indicator light that alerts users when the heating element is switched on.
#6 Cusimax GR-200A Grill
Award: BEST GREASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
WHY WE LIKE IT: Equipped with a water tray and drip tray, this grill cools down grease fast, drastically reducing the number of fumes escaping into the air. It has a powerful heating element and dishwasher-safe parts.
- Useful water tray and fan
- Tempered glass lid
- Nonstick grill plate
- Griddle absent on some variants
The Cusimax GR-200A grill is the perfect choice for people with small kitchen spaces. This compact grill is available in a variety of pleasant color schemes, including blue, green, yellow, and dark brown. Powered by a 1500W heating system, this device cooks fast and retains heat for excellent results. It comes with a water tray that helps cool down oil fast to reduce the number of fumes being released into the kitchen. However, some variants don’t come with a griddle.
The grill has detachable, dishwasher-safe parts, supporting hassle-free cleaning. A textured grilling plate delivers exquisite grill marks and it has a non-stick coating that makes cleaning easy. This model comes with a drip tray for collecting grease and it is suitable for various meats as well as vegetables, eggs, and bacon. It has a built-in smoke extraction fan to remove fumes before they trigger the smoke alarm and an adjustable control panel that supports cooking temperatures ranging from 200° to 450°F.
Beginner’s Guide to Smokeless Indoor Grills
What Are Smokeless Indoor Grills?
Smokeless indoor grills are electric grills designed to cook burgers, steaks, fish, meat substitutes, and other grilled items indoors. Unlike a traditional BBQ grill, an electric grill certified for indoor use doesn’t smoke while cooking.
Many top-rated electric grills have additional features that add versatility. So-called smart grills may offer time and temperature pre-set options, defrost and drying modes, and removable plates for easy cleaning. The best models can create a satisfying cooking experience and real char flavors while keeping peak temperatures below the smoke point of cooking oils and meat juices.
Smokeless Indoor Grills vs Grills in General
Compared to traditional grills, indoor smokeless electric grill models have various standout features for effective and safe indoor grilling. Like a regular grill, an indoor grill uses a grill surface that gets hot enough to leave nice grill marks on foods like meat, vegetables, and meat substitutes. The cooking process on an indoor grill is similar to that of an outdoor gas grill, except that smokeless grills use electricity instead of gas.
Indoor grills use a heat source, a grill grate, and a catch tray. Most grills use a grilling surface with a non-stick coating or removable grill plate made of enameled cast iron. Most indoor grills use a lid or top grill plate. Some models employ a tempered glass lid so you can see what you’re cooking.
Unlike smoker grills, gas grills, or charcoal grills, an electric smokeless grill uses a drip tray that directs grease away from the heating element and lets it sizzle without generating smoke. Indoor grills may also have more heat settings, letting them burn cooler than the cooking surfaces of outdoor grills.
In contrast to wood-fired or small gas grills, an indoor smokeless electric grill is easy to set up and can be used indoors, as the name implies. Many indoor models also have additional features like a digital control panel and cool-touch handles for convenience.
How Smokeless Indoor Grills Work
Smokeless indoor grills use a grilling surface over one or more electric heating elements. They may also use electric infrared heating and a heat reflector to disperse heat evenly. The grilling surfaces of an electric grill usually get hot enough to produce char-grilled bbq flavor and sear steaks, fish, and other items. The best contact grills typically get hot enough to induce a Maillard reaction. However, they usually have a maximum temperature lower than an outdoor BBQ grill, as you’ll see in our Blackstone 28-inch outdoor flat-top gas grill review.
Besides the heating element and a lid, most indoor electric contact grills employ carefully designed catch trays to collect drippings and boost flavor without letting the grease reach its smoke point.
Most models come with heating coils that transmit heat to the grill plate via contact induction, which helps make these contact grills more energy-efficient and more compact than gas grills. Some types of contact grills have both top and bottom cooking plates. Units with dual cooking surfaces, sometimes called press grills, can save time compared to traditional grills.
Some models have interchangeable griddle plate and grill plate options, adding versatility. Since they use electric heating elements, many indoor grills can offer multiple cooking functions with very precise temperature control, letting them work well for defrosting frozen food.
Why Should You Buy a New Smokeless Indoor Grill?
An indoor grill can add a whole extra dimension to your home culinary repertoire, letting you grill various cuts of meat, meat substitutes, vegetables, and more. The indoor grilling experience provides BBQ flavor year-round. Indoor grills can be especially enticing for apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants to make grilled food at home and has limited outdoor space or just doesn’t want to breathe in smoke that often.
Since they produce less air pollution, smokeless grills provide a more health-conscious and eco-friendly grilling process. Because they allow cooking temperature options that keep the grate surface below the smoke point of most organic oils, they help avoid producing acrylamide and other potentially unhealthful by-products of charring foods. In addition, electric grills can often bring foods to the right internal temperatures for optimum flavor without burning them.
Indoor-capable grills also enable year-round grilling, letting you enjoy a burger or grilled vegetables with perfect grill marks even in the dead of winter.
Newer electric grill models may offer more convenient cooking and cleaning, better heating performance, and additional smart grill cooking functions. Some of today’s top-rated electric grills offer digital temperature control and a wide range of cooking programs, including an air fryer mode, convection reheating, defrosting, and dehydrating modes. New models using infrared induction heating can reach max temperature quickly and can be more energy-efficient than older resistive heating indoor grills.
Are Smokeless Indoor Grills Worth Buying?
- Limited Space Outdoors: If you love to grill, but your place has limited outdoor seating and cooking space, or if you live in an area where open-flame cooking isn’t allowed, an indoor smokeless grill can be an excellent option. The best electric grills for indoor cooking can help prepare delicious meats, grilled veggies, and other typical “outdoor food” even if you have little outdoor space.
- Year-Round Grilling: Likewise, smokeless grills allow for cooking burgers, wings, and BBQ meals in any kind of weather. With options like removable, interchangeable plates and removable drip trays, and smart temperature control, modern smokeless grills are easy and convenient to use inside year-round.
- Apartment Complexes: With an indoor electric grill, you can cook your favorite meats and meat substitutes with genuine grilled flavor even if your apartment complex doesn’t have outdoor grilling areas. Smokeless grills can deliver excellent, flavorful results without setting off smoke detectors, thanks to clever drip trays and cooking temperature control.
- Family Meals and Hosting: A smart grill or indoor smokeless griddle can add versatility and expand your options for family meals and entertaining at home. Some multifunctional electric grills come with interchangeable griddle plate and grill plate options, making them useful for all kinds of foods, from pancakes to grilled meats.
Why Smokeless Indoor Grills May Not Be for You
- Already Using an Electric or Solar BBQ Grill: If you already have an outdoor grill, it may seem redundant to add another grilling appliance, but indoor smokeless electric grills have more versatility for everyday cooking tasks.
- Concerns About Kitchen Counter Space: While some larger smokeless electric grills take up a fair amount of kitchen area, there are plenty of compact indoor grills that still offer ample cooking surface. Some units also come with expandable cooking grates.
How Long Do Smokeless Indoor Grills Last?
Like other grills and heavy-duty electric appliances, indoor smokeless grills can last 15 years or more with proper care and storage. The lifespan of a given electric grill depends on the quality of the product and the materials used, especially the nonstick surface employed in the cooking plates.
Proper cleaning and cool-down procedures can help boost the longevity of your electric smokeless grill. Some indoor grills come with removable dishwasher-safe components such as a removable drip tray.
While the heating elements of an electric grill aren’t as easy to replace or repair as a typical gas grill igniter, they are relatively simple and don’t require refueling. The intense heat from grills can be hard on electric components such as smart grill control panels and timers. Over time, electric grill plates can accumulate char and grease build-up. Some models can accommodate replacement grill plates. More complex indoor electric grill units may come with a built-in fan, which helps with heat management and may improve longevity.
How to Choose a Smokeless Indoor Grill
Various factors can help you decide on the best indoor smokeless grill for your cooking needs. For example, you may want to consider how much food you need to cook at any one time, which helps determine the necessary cooking surface area for a grill. You also may want to consider the storage space and where you’ll keep the indoor grill. Finally, depending on what kinds of meals you have in mind, consider extra features and different cooking mode options.
Best Smokeless Indoor Grill Key Factors
1. How Much Food Do You Cook At Once?
If your electric grill mainly serves for small family dinners or single meals, then a smaller model will likely have plenty of cooking surfaces for your needs. However, if you’re grilling burgers for a whole party, you may want a larger or expandable grill. Alternatively, for a more high-level affair, you’ll want to use a fine raclette grill instead.
2. Is Kitchen Space at a Premium?
You might consider a compact, folding electric smokeless grill if you have limited kitchen counter space. A press-type grill can work well in small spaces since it folds up for storage.
3. Occasional Party or Everyday Use?
While most smokeless grills can adequately grill a burger or steak, some models are better suited for various everyday cooking needs. If daily use is on the menu, consider a versatile smart grill with additional cooking functions.
4. Type of Foods You Like to Cook?
Smokeless grills, like the Philips smokeless grill, can vary in design and cooking temperature options, so some models work better than others for certain types of foods. If you love seared and char-grilled flavors, you’ll want a model with a higher max temperature, for example.
