Contact grills: characteristics and overview of popular models

At the present time, many different kitchen appliances have been invented that greatly simplify the process of cooking. For example, contact grills appeared as a result of changes in electric grill.

The grill is designed for roasting meat, vegetables, fish and even dairy products. The device is widely used not only in cafes and restaurants, but also in everyday life. This is a professional equipment that copes with frying in a few minutes.

Contact grill consists of two heat-resistant plates interconnected by springs. The body of the device is made of stainless steel, and the working surfaces are most often made of cast iron, specimens of glass-ceramic or aluminum are found.The surface of the plate can also be coated with a non-stick composition.

Work with the device is simple. Place the food on the bottom plate and press the top one. There is no need to use oil, so the products remain as beneficial as possible. The spring mechanism responds to the size of the products and allows you to create the necessary pressure for high-quality roasting. Dish under the press is heated uniformly and the top and bottom, which saves time and energy. The heating temperature of the plates is regulated by a special mechanism - thermostat. On the product availability and health alert special light indicators.

Depending on the heat source, grills are divided into several types.

• Gas. Heating occurs due to gas burners.
• Coal. The heat source is coal or firewood.
• Electric. They work when connected to the mains 220V, TENs act as heating elements.

Grills on the device design are divided into two types.

• Double-sided, which have two frying cast-iron plates.Such a grill is called a press-grill or presser. You can cook on such equipment with the lid open.
• Unilateral, having one frying plate.

On sale there are devices with removable panels. This turns the electric grill into a universal device, as it is possible to cook meat, waffles and sandwiches.

The frying surface of the contact grill may be different:

• Smooth is intended mainly for seafood and poultry;
• Corrugated is recommended for roasting steaks and large pieces of meat;
• combined suitable for various dishes.

For the manufacture of the frying pan used various materials.

• Metal with non-stick coating. A distinctive feature is the rapid heating and cooling.
• Cast iron. This material distributes well and maintains temperature, is not subjected to deformation.
• A natural stone. This option retains heat for a long time, but is afraid of shocks.

Everyone chooses kitchen appliances, based on their needs, wantingso that the price-quality ratio corresponds to the device.

Rating of the most popular manufacturers of electric grills:

• Tefal;
• Philips;
• Bork;

• Zelmer;
• Gorenje;
• Maxwell.

This is the most successful and high-quality models, according to consumer reviews.

Double sided grill. Cooking panels are removable, it is possible to install them in one of three positions: oven, grill and barbecue. The corrugated surface is covered with a non-stick layer, which allows you to cook on it without oil and easy to clean the surface. High power of 2 thousand W provides fast heating. Special supports allow you to store the device vertically, which saves space. The disadvantages include the absence of a temperature indicator and a timer, the inability to wash removable plates in the dishwasher due to Teflon coating, and the lack of additional panels in production.

1800 watt electric grill It is equipped with two upper individual frypans and a solid bottom with a corrugated surface. The lower and upper panels have independent thermostats. Handles of the device are made of heat-resistant plastic. The case of the device is made of stainless steel, the frying panels are easy to clean.The top panel allows you to cook foods of various thicknesses due to a self-regulating spring.

Compact grill, well suited for a small cafe. It has one working corrugated surface. The body is made of stainless steel, and the cooking panels are made of cast iron and covered with enamel.

Compact but functional device. It is characterized by simplicity in management and high-quality non-stick coating of the relief cooking panel. Additionally, a fat collection container is included in the electric grill set, which flows down along the grooves specially designated for this purpose during the cooking process. And also the device is equipped with a timer and thermostat.

It has an electronic control panel, auto-off function. It differs from the rest of the grills by heating only the top plate.

The power of the grill is 2 thousand W, which makes it possible to cook in a wide temperature range. The removable panel is two-sided - on the one hand it is smooth, on the other - corrugated.

The presence of a thermostat in this model of electric grill will allow you to choose the desired temperature for cooking various products.The device is also equipped with a power indicator. High-quality non-stick coating of the frying plates allows them to be quickly and easily cleaned. Plates can be laid out at an angle of 180 °, which increases the surface for cooking. And also the electro grill has a pan, into which fat and juice flow during cooking.

Powerful grill, perfectly fry even thick cuts of meat, and it is ideal for sandwiches. It is possible to set different temperatures for the top and bottom plates. Non-stick coating is very high quality and will last more than one year. The disadvantage of the model is fixed panels.

When choosing a contact grill, you should pay attention to some parameters.

• The size of the work surface. You should choose from the amount of food you need to cook at one time. A large surface will save time when cooking.
• Power. The more power, the faster the dish will be cooked, and the meat will be well-fried, but it will remain juicy. Low-powered specimens are suitable for cooking vegetables and convenience foods. For use at home, a device with an average power will be universal.
• Temperature regulator.It makes it possible to set the required temperature for the preparation of various products.

• Automatic adjustment of the top plate. This feature will allow you to cook equally well products of different sizes.
• Overheat protection and automatic shutdown system. Options are required for security reasons.
• Timer. Facilitates the control of cooking.
• Removable panels. Necessary for easy maintenance and effective cleaning.
• The latest models are equipped with electronic display manufacturers. Simplifies control of the device, a useful, but not so important addition.
• Several degrees of roasting. The function is necessary for the preparation of delicious dishes.

Any technique requires a certain care, not an exception, and contact grill. If you want the device to serve for a long time and properly, you should pay attention to the operating tips offered by experts.

The first step is to read the enclosed instructions.

It is imperative to follow all recommendations for safe use and maintenance.

• The grill should heat to a certain temperature. This will reduce the cooking time.

• After use, the appliance must be turned off and allowed to cool.
• Cleaning the frying pan should be carried out after each cooking on the grill. It is necessary to use detergent, a soft sponge and paper napkins or towels. To begin with, use a sponge and a soap solution to remove all dirt, then remove the foam with a damp sponge, and finally wipe dry with a towel. It is important to prevent water from getting under the frying surface on the heating elements. The device is cleaned in the same way.

• The Zhiropriyemnik is a small bowl which is located under grill panels. It must be removed and washed after each cooking.

It is strictly forbidden:

• use metal brushes, as they can damage the surface;
• lower the device into the water;
• wash the grill connected to the net;
• to clean hot panels, it can also cause damage to the coating and burns.

Choosing a high-quality and reliable electric grill, you get delicious and healthy dishes prepared with pleasure.There are many models on the market with different characteristics and at different prices, and each customer will be able to choose the appropriate model.

How to cook the perfect steak using the contact grill Tefal OptiGrill, see the next video.