Outdoor Electric Grills - Your Best Choices

Today's powerful electric grills are a convenient and reliable choice for your patio, deck or yard and the perfect grill to take camping or tailgating.

BBQ fanatics love to endlessly argue about Gas Grills vs Charcoal...

(and wet vs. dry, pork vs. beef, sweet vs. spicy and... well EVERYTHING!)

... but for many people and locations, the argument can be as simple as...

Grill or no grill.

In many times and places you don't have the option of gas or charcoal (or any open flames for that matter.)

For those times and places consider one of today's powerful outdoor electric grills. 

Outdoor patio electric grills are certainly the easiest of all your grilling options -- you simply plug it in and start grilling -- making them also perfect for camping, tailgating and parties (provided, of course, that you have a power supply.)  The "all-in-one" design is also very convenient.

Check out all your options before you go shopping for an electric grill.  Here are some important things to look for:

First off there are two main types of electric grills: contact grills and open grills.

Contact grills sandwich the food between two hot plates (think "George Foreman.") This design is seen most often on indoor electric grills but you can find table top and portable versions you can use outdoors. 

Open grills have just one cooking surface and are often designed like a traditional gas or charcoal grill with a grate and an electric hot coil in the "firebox."  Some can even be used as outdoor electric smokers.

Electric grills also can't compete with the heat produced by gas or charcoal.  While these can get to 600 degrees or more Fahrenheit, most electric grills reach only 200 degrees to 450 degrees.  So allow extra time for cooking.

Additionally:

• Choose a grill that has at least 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Anything less the grill may not get hot enough to give you grill marks and will take forever to cook. "The Weekend Grillers" Contributer and host of "Barbecue University" on PBS, Steven Raichlen, says higher-wattage grills offer a more outdoor-grilled flavor.

• Get an portable electric grill with a cooking area large enough for your needs.  Areas can range in size from 38 square inches to over 200 square inches.  Pick the size that fits your needs, budget and storage or travel requirements. 

• Consider quality stainless steel grills.  You may pay more now but you'll get your money's worth in the long run. 

• Speaking of which -- consider the size and weight. A lighter portable electric grill -- maybe a tabletop electric grill -- can be more convenient for users to travel with and store -- but you often lose power and, of course, cooking area.

Names to consider when looking at outdoor electric barbecue grills are Ducane, Lynx, Meco, Char Broil, Weber, Viking, Jenn Air, Brinkmann and -- of course -- George Foreman.  Shop at Lowes or Home Depot or online for the best deals.

Spend just a few moments now checking out websites, our outdoor electric grills reviews, specs and pictures and you will find the perfect Electric Outdoor Grill for you and your family.