The 5 Best Indoor Grill for Hamburgers For 2024

How do you usually prepare grilled food when it’s raining, windy, snowy, or too hot outside? Well, those lucky to have the best indoor grill for hamburgers can still enjoy a perfect patty recipe while locked in the house.

The compactness of the appliance might not be ideal for a thick steakhouse-sized burger, for sure. But it’s enough to make the regular diner-style hamburger patty until well-cooked, juicy, and even with a caramelized sear on both sides.

In this guide, I’ve put together five of the best indoor grills that you can cook at a high heat of 400+ degrees Fahrenheit. It also covers other factors that make them a perfect pick, and why you should consider them as well.

What’s The Best Indoor Grill for Hamburgers?

Out of the brands I’ve gone through, the Hamilton Beach 25361 is the overall best indoor grill for hamburgers. It has everything you need, starting with a maximum heat output of up to 450°F, which is enough for light searing.

However, you can also check out the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B if you’re on a tight budget or the PowerXL (PG-1500FDR) for contemporary smokeless technology.

• My Favorite Pick: Hamilton Beach 6-Serving Electric Indoor Grill

Features up to 450°F maximum heat, 6-burger space, gentle temperature control knob, removable grease catcher, smoke filters, & stainless hood

• Best of Budget: Elite Gourmet Electric Tabletop Indoor Grill

Features a removable temperature controller, up to 450°F maximum heat, removable grease pan, non-stick grill plate, & a glass lid

• Best of Design: PowerXL One-Touch Electric Indoor Grill

Features a smoke extractor fan, six temperature settings, 5-burger space, 450°F maximum heat, removable grease pan, & a glass lid

Things to Consider When Choosing an Indoor Grill for Hamburgers

A dedicated indoor grill addresses two issues that are likely when using the standard outdoor grills inside the house:  smoke and the risk of a disastrous fire.

Of course, you can still have smoke here if the grease from the meat accidentally touches the infrared heating element. But we usually expect it to be minimal (when available) from the integrated smoke capture technology.

Speaking of expectations, any good indoor grill for hamburgers should have the following features for optimal convenience:

• A medium-high heat (400°F) is very crucial when preparing patties for your homemade hamburger. It makes sure everything cooks perfectly without making them dry/ burnt (happens on too high heat) or placid (happens on low heat). High heat of 450°F will also be ideal for some decent searing.
• A Variable/ adjustable temperature range will be crucial if you plan to cook different dishes with your appliance. In our case here with hamburgers, the setup makes it possible to sear the patties on high, then finish cooking at medium heat.
• Enough cooking space is another aspect you’ll want to consider when choosing your indoor grill. Otherwise, you’ll end up taking up the whole day to finish cooking if what you have is way smaller than your family size.
• The cooking grate should also be removable for easy cleaning in the dishwasher or the sink. You’ll also be able to switch to the flattop griddle with ease, provided your machine is compatible with one.
• A drip pan/ tray is also handy to help catch the juices and oils from the burgers before they spill on your kitchen countertop.
• An added filter isn’t available in all indoor grills, but it can help cut smoke levels (in case it happens). Some sophisticated machines will have smokeless technology in the form of a fan that draws in smoke from the cookbox.
• A closable top lid isn’t a must, but it helps lock the heat inside the cookbox. Thus, ensuring your burger patties cook evenly.
• Overall well-made construction is also vital if you want an indoor grill that will last for a long time. The most crucial features to consider for durability include a rust-resistance cooking plate and hood, heavy-duty heating element, and solid temperature knobs/ buttons.

Features, Pros, & Cons of the Various Indoor Grill for Hamburgers

Before all else, you can get your indoor grill for hamburgers in two different types: open grill or contact grill.

A contact indoor grill has two hot cooking surfaces, with one on the top and another at the bottom. Your patties will cook on both sides at the same time, thereby cutting down the total cooking time by almost half.

On the other hand, an open grill is a replica of the regular outdoor grill, only smaller in size. It has an “open” grilling surface and only a bottom hot plate. Thus, you’ll have to flip your burger patties halfway to finish cooking.

1. My Favorite Pick: Hamilton Beach (25361) 6-Serving Electric Indoor Grill

The Hamilton Beach (25361) is my first recommendation and, surprisingly, the overall bestseller on the list- with over 14,000 positive ratings on Amazon. It has the perfect balance of pricing and features, including all the variables we’ve just mentioned above.

For instance, the indoor grill has a maximum heat of 450° F, which is hot enough to sear your burgers and lock in the juices. It can be adjusted from as low as 200° F for slow cooking and to provide the finest precision.

As an open grill, you only have the bottom cooking plate hot. But you can close the hood to lock the heat in the cookbox and ensure faster cooking.

Furthermore, the cooking plate of the indoor grill is enough for up to six burgers in a single run. Then the surface is all nonstick to prevent food from sticking and also minimize rusting.

Pros:

• It feels solid and durable
• Has an easy-to-use temperature dial
• Includes a removable grease drip tray
• The lid has a window to watch your food
• It has indicators to tell when ready to cook

Cons:

• It doesn’t have an on/ off switch
• Lacks a flattop griddle compatibility

2. Best of Budget: Elite Gourmet 14-Inch Electric Indoor Grill

At only forty bucks, the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B is no doubt the best indoor grill for hamburgers if on a budget. We could say this is the bestselling factor of the brand, but the cooking experience is also exemplary.

As an open grill, you only get a bottom hot plate to cook your meals. It has a 1400-watt heating element that gets your cookbox hot up to a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. But the thermostat can be adjusted to four lower temperature settings, starting at 195°F.

Moreover, the indoor grill has a tempered glass lid to maintain the heat inside the cookbox and also see your food cook. Then the cooking plate is all nonstick for easier cleaning and also prevent the issue of rust.

Pros:

• It’s very affordable
• Can handle up to eight burgers
• Has a removable grease drip pan
• Lightweight & effortless to carry
• The control knob is gentle to adjust

Cons:

• It lacks a flat cooking surface
• It’s a bit boring to insert & remove the temp controller

3. Best of Design: PowerXL One-Touch Electric Indoor Grill

Although a bit pricier than the rest, the PowerXL (PG-1500FDR) has the perfect design to blend into your smart kitchen. The glass lid and the led control panel have the top side with that new-fangled view. Then the touch of stainless brings out the sleek side of the black finish without being too flashy.

The indoor grill has six adjustable temperature settings, with a maximum range of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you should be able to do decent searing on your hamburger patties.

If by any chance your grilled food starts to smoke, the indoor grill has an integrated “smokeless” technology fan to draw it. Thus, the air returned to the room will be cleaner and less disturbing.

Pros:

• It has a well-made, elegant design
• Has an innovative grease catch tray
• Includes easy-to-use one-touch buttons
• It comes with a grill grate and flattop griddle
• The cooking surfaces are non-stick & rust-resistant

Cons:

• It’s tricky to tell when fully heated & ready to use
• The temperature only adjusts by 50°F increments

4. Best of Small Size: Nostalgia MGR5CRL MyMini Electric Indoor Grill

Are you looking for a simple indoor grill that’s easy to carry or make hamburgers on the go? The Nostalgia MGR5CRL MyMini has a compact circular design, with a 6.5-inch diameter and 3.5-inch thickness.

The cooking grate is also a tad small, only enough for one burger at a time. But the brand is a contact grill with both the bottom and top cooking grate hot.

While the power (550 watts) is less than the rest, the tiny cooker still heats up decently fast and cooks well. It even has an indicator light to inform you when the grate has preheated fully and is ready to use.

Pros:

• It’s so affordable
• Straightforward to operate
• Takes less space to use or store
• Has all non-stick cooking surface
• It has a cool-touch handle for a safe opening

Cons:

• It has a single temperature setting
• Doesn’t sear meat very well

Related Article:

• Protecting Your Grill from Wind
• Make Your Gas Grill Taste Like Charcoal

5. Best of Deal: GOTHAM STEEL Smokeless Electric Indoor Grill

The GOTHAM STEEL (1965) is a perfect pick if looking for the best indoor grill for hamburgers deal without breaking the bank. At under eighty bucks, you receive the appliance with a grilling grate, as well as a flat-top cooking griddle.

Regardless, I’m not happy with how the manufacturer has left out the specs on heating element wattage. It also doesn’t have the exact temperature calibrations but does feature four adjustable settings for low, medium, high, and warming.

On the “high” setting, the indoor grill does make some decent searing on the burger patties. Then it has a built-in fan to minimize the levels of smoke that escape to your kitchen.

Pros:

• It’s effortless to set up
• Has a removable grease catcher
• The cooking surfaces are non-stick
• Includes a solid, burn-proof base
• It is lightweight & takes less storage space

Cons:

• It doesn’t come with a top hood
• The thermostat control is a bit flimsy

6. Best of Alternatives: GreenPan PFAS-Free Electric Contact Indoor Grill

The GreenPan PFAS-Free isn’t exactly the most famous indoor grill in the catalog. But you might like it if looking for something larger with a hot bottom and top cooking plate for full-contact cooking.

The control buttons for the appliance actually include an option to fire up both or individual grill grates. Then it can also unfold completely into a flat design for an extra cooking surface.

Other notable features of the electric indoor grill include:

• It has a decent, digital display
• Features an adjustable timer
• Can achieve up to 450°F temperature
• Has nonstick, rust-resistance cooking surface
• It also includes a removable grease catcher pan

Drawbacks:

• You might find it a bit large and bulky
• The bottom plate heats hotter than the top

FAQ

How long to grill frozen burgers?

Technically, the time it takes to grill frozen burgers depends on factors like the heating temperature and thickness of the patties. But a standard burger will take you about 15 to 20 minutes total cooking time.

How long do you grill burgers on each side?

Similarly, how long you grill burgers on each side usually depends on the thickness of the patties and temperature setting. However, a standard ¾-inch thick burger will take about 5-8 minutes to cook on each side with medium heat.

How do you cook burgers on an indoor smokeless grill?

The way you cook burgers on an indoor smokeless grill is pretty much the same as with outdoor charcoal/ gas/ pellet grills. You only need to preheat your appliance and when the grill plate is hot enough, place your prepped burger patties. Let each side cook for about 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Are hamburgers better on grill or griddle?

Either appliance will get the job done here. But cooking hamburgers on a griddle is better than a grill when it comes to retaining the juices and preventing drying out.

On the other hand, cooking hamburgers on a grill will have a better barbecue flavor than the griddle, especially with a touch of smoke.

How do you grill the perfect hamburger?

The best way to grill the perfect hamburger is to preheat your cooker to medium heat (350-400°F). Next, make a shallow dent in the center of each burger patty to prevent them from puffing. Then place them on the hot cooking surface for about 5-8 minutes per side. If you have an infrared thermometer, the burgers will read about 160°F when done.

Final Thoughts:

While there are many others, these are the best indoor grills you can consider for making hamburgers. They are all electric, in which case you won’t need to worry about the issue of too much smoke inside your kitchen.

But as mentioned earlier, you can still expect a little smoke. And this includes my favorite Hamilton Beach (25361)  with built-in filters or the PowerXL (PG-1500FDR) with the smoke capture fan.

So, you might want to make your hamburgers near the kitchen vent or with the window open to avoid the room getting stuffy.