How to Use an Electric Grill

Grilling made easy with an electric grill! Whether you’re new to grilling or looking for a simpler alternative, using an electric grill comes down to the basics. With no open flames or fuel tanks, it’s the perfect solution for cooking indoors or on a balcony. In this guide, we’ll show you the steps to get the most out of your electric grill, from preheating to grilling your favorite dishes. Ready to start cooking? Let’s explore together just how easy it is to use an electric grill.​

How to Use an Electric Grill?

Using an electric grill is simple and straightforward. Just plug it into a dedicated outlet, preheat it for 10-15 minutes, and enjoy cooking with the lid closed to keep the heat steady. For the best results, lightly oil the grates, avoid overcrowding your ingredients, use a meat thermometer to ensure safety, and remember to clean the removable plates after they have cooled down. 

Step-by-Step Instructions: 

1. Preparation & Preheating: To prevent tripping breakers, plug the unit into a designated outlet. For a searing temperature, preheat on high for five to ten minutes.
2. Clean and Oil: To keep the cooking plates from sticking, lightly coat them with a high-smoke point oil (such as avocado or canola).
3. Arrange Food: To ensure even cooking, place food on the grill with space between items.
4. Cooking: To help electric grills maintain temperature, close the lid to retain heat.
5. Monitoring: Check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
6. Resting: Before serving, take the meat out and let it rest for five to ten minutes. 

Electric grills differ from gas or charcoal ones as they lack open flames and fuel tanks; you simply plug in, preheat, and cook. To turn on an electric grill, typically, you plug it in, flip a switch, set the temperature, and wait for the ready light.

Advantages of Electric Grills

Electric grills offer a convenient and efficient way to enjoy grilling without the hassle of charcoal or gas. Here are the key advantages:

• Convenience: You simply plug in and grill without charcoal bags, gas lines, or lighter fluid.
• Consistent heat: Electric grills maintain a steady temperature without fighting wind, cold, or flame blowouts.​
• Apartment- and condo-friendly: Many buildings that restrict open flames still allow electric grills, making them a smart solution for balconies.​
• Less smoke and cleaner cooking: Electric grills tend to produce less smoke than traditional grills, especially with proper drip pans and moderate marinades.​

Electric grills are especially helpful for people who want reliable, repeatable results—those weeknight chicken breasts, burgers, or veggie skewers that just need to cook right every single time. And for customers who want to use a grill indoors or under a covered patio where gas isn’t ideal, electric is often the best call.​

Preparing Your Electric Grill

Before you start cooking, a bit of prep can make everything so much easier. It’s just like preheating your oven when you’re baking cookies—you’d never skip that crucial step.

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to begin using your electric grill:

• Set it on a sturdy, heat-resistant, flat surface where it can breathe easily.
• Just plug it directly into a suitable outlet—it’s best to avoid using long, light-duty extension cords to keep things safe and working cords smoothly.​
• Please double-check that the drip tray is properly positioned and that the cooking surface feels clean and dry.
  
  

Next, preheat your grill by setting the temperature or heat level and allowing it to warm up for about 10–15 minutes, until the indicator light signals it’s ready. For an even better nonstick experience, gently oil the grates or plates with a high-smoke-point oil using a brush or a folded paper towel.

Basic Electric Grill Operation

Basic electric grills are easy to use and offer a convenient, smokeless cooking option for both indoor and outdoor grilling. Here’s how they operate:

• Set your cooking temperature: Lower settings are great for veggies, fish, and thin cuts; higher settings work better for burgers and steaks.​
• Place food with space between pieces so heat can circulate, and you get nice browning instead of steaming.​
• If your grill has a lid, close it to cook food more quickly and evenly, especially for thicker foods.​
  
  

Try not to flip constantly. Let those grill marks develop, then turn once when the food releases easily from the surface. This is where a lot of people go wrong—they poke and prod too much, so give your food a chance to sear and color.​

Some Advice for Getting the Most Out of an Electric Grill

Have you ever wondered why your friend’s grilled chicken looks perfect while yours comes out pale or dry? A few small tweaks with your electric grill can change that fast:

• Preheat fully: Don’t rush this step; hot grates help you get color and flavor.​
• Pat food dry: Excess surface moisture leads to steaming instead of browning, especially with electric heat.​
• Use the right tools: Long-handled tongs and spatulas keep you comfortable and help you turn food without tearing it.​
• Avoid overcrowding: If the surface is jam-packed, the temperature drops, and food will cook unevenly.​

Treating your electric grill like a cast-iron skillet—hot, lightly oiled, and not overcrowded—yields the best results. Whether you’re grilling burgers for game day or kabobs for family night, once you dial in your ideal settings, they’ll become second nature.

Safety Precautions

Even though electric grills don’t use flames, they’re still hot cooking appliances, so a few safety habits matter.​

• Use your grill on a heat-safe, stable surface away from flammable items like curtains, cushions, or rail covers.​
• Keep the power cord out of walkways and away from water sources to avoid tripping or electrical hazards.​
• Never leave your grill running unattended, especially in small indoor spaces.​

Before cleaning or relocating the grill, turn the controls to “off,” unplug it, and allow it to cool fully. If you’re using it outdoors, avoid grilling in heavy rain and keep the plug and outlet dry.​

How to Clean an Electric Grill

Cleaning your electric grill regularly ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Here’s a basic routine:

1. Make sure your grill is powered off and disconnected from electricity, and wait for it to cool down. 
2. Remove the drip tray from your grill and discard the grease once it’s cool. 
3. Use mild dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge to clean the cooking grates. 
4. Never use harsh scrubbing tools on your grill, as that can ruin nonstick surfaces. 
5. If at all possible, remove the cooking plates and wash them by hand with warm, soapy water. Some plates are dishwasher safe! Check your owner’s manual. 
6. When you clean your grill regularly, it cooks food more evenly, produces less smoke, and residue doesn’t come off the grates from last week’s burgers onto this week’s vegetables. People who make cleaning the grates part of the cooking process enjoy using their electric grill more because it’s always ready to go.

Key Takeaways:

• Electric grills are easy to use: plug in, preheat, give food some space, and you’re ready to cook.​
• You can still get great grill marks and flavor on an electric grill when you let it fully preheat and avoid flipping too often.​
• Electric grills are a convenient, safer option for apartments, condos, and indoor-style grilling where gas or charcoal aren’t practical.​
• Regular, simple cleaning after each use keeps your electric grill heating evenly and ready for your next quick meal.

Conclusion

If you still aren’t sure how to simply use an electric grill repeatedly and feel great about dedicating counter space to it, here it is: plug it in, preheat, cook with space and proper heat, then clean while warm. Once you understand how an electric grill cooks food (even, flameless heat concentrated by way of a heated cooking surface), you’ll find yourself cooking more and stressing less.

Still need help deciding what grill features will fit your space? We can assist whether you want to grill by your outdoor kitchen, in a kitchen galley, or on a balcony. Need help choosing the right electric grill or adjusting your method? Let’s talk about your cooking style. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get Grill Marks With an Electric Grill?

Yes. If you preheat long enough and use a hotter cooking setting, you can definitely get grill marks on an electric grill. Ridged plates or grates help make it easier. Before adding food, the surface is heated. Before flipping, let one side sear and avoid moving the food too soon. This will produce those identifiable stripes.

Are Electric Grills Safe for Indoor Use?

Yes. Electric grills are safe to use indoors, and that is why many people choose them over gas or charcoal. Use the grill in a well-ventilated area, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions, and keep it away from water and combustible materials.

Can I Put Oil on an Electric Grill?

Yes. Lightly oiling the cooking surface (or tossing your food in oil) prevents sticking and promotes browning. It’s good practice on an electric grill as well! Use a light touch. You just want a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil to prevent smoking.

Do you have more questions about how to use an electric grill? Feel free to contact us online or give us a call directly at (303)800-5659, or email us at sales@embersliving.com to speak with Embers Living’s knowledgeable customer service staff.