Fire up the gas and throw some choice-cut steaks on the grill. Who needs gas, though, when you can go electric?
If you’re looking for a unique alternative to a traditional charcoal- or gas-grilling contraption, an electric grill just might be the recipe for making your summertime barbeques sizzle.
Electric grills can be a welcome addition to social gatherings where gas grills are not generally permitted, such as in high-rise condominiums or apartments. Also, there is not as much post-barbeque work for the chef because there are no charcoal ash remnants or briquettes to clean up.
Going electric also generally mean more consistent cooking of steaks, chicken, ribs, burgers, hot dogs and fish due to the way the food is being seared—without any extra effort on the chef’s part. With traditional charcoal or gas grills, chefs have to closely monitor the height of the flames, but with continual electric heat, meats are more consistently browned.
From an environmental persepctive, electric grills have benefits as well. Generally they emit about 99 percent less carbon monoxide into the atmosphere than charcoal grills.
While electric grills are better for the environment, the biggest drawback for some grillers is the lack of the robust smoky flavor that comes from firing up a charcoal or gas grill. What electric grills lack in smoky flavor, they make up for in juiciness. Drippings from the meats being cooked vaporize on the hot lava rocks, creating extra flavor.
For those who just can’t live without a smoky-tasting burger or rib, consider placing damp mesquite or fruitwood chips on the lava rocks before grilling. Once the chips start to smoke, you’re ready to drop your meats or seafood on top to cook. To get the most smoke out of your chips, be sure to close the lid—keep an eye out for any flare-ups if you’re cooking at a high heat.
If you’re in the market to plug in over firing up this summer, check out The Best Electric Grill by Hammacher Schlemmer, which offers up evenly cooked, great tasting food, according to the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute, a non-profit corporation established to research, test and rate products without commercial bias.
The Institute reports that The Best Electric Grill outperforms other electric grills in its category, reaching a grilling temperature that on average is more than 259º F higher than its competitors, with temperature variations across the cooking surface at only 5º F. The even flow of radiate heat is attributed to integrated electric heating elements that are housed in the grill’s stainless steel grates.
In addition to grilling evenly, the Best Electric Grill monitors cooking progress, telling you when your sumptuous summertime barbeque delights are ready to be plated and savored. All you need to do is enter the type of food you’re grilling, the thickness of the cuts and your preferred level of cooking.
The Best Electric Grill, which retails for $699.95, also includes an auto-rotating hot dog roller and has more than 216 square feet of cooking surface—enough to cook several 8-ounce filet mignons at a time—as well as a removable searing plate to accommodate your favorite grilled summertime vegetables.
By Laura Starczewski
