9 best indoor grill: Korean bbq, smokeless, infrared and more

There's just something about food that has been grilled that tastes much better than food that has been steamed, boiled or fried even.

Not only has the flavour been concentrated through the process, grilling also affords a rich taste thanks to Maillard reactions. And if you use a charcoal grill, the smoky aroma imparted also adds to the visual appeal of the griddled marks, making the food more appealing.

But while the majority of us aren't blessed with enough space for a freestanding barbecue pit, the closest we can get to recreating grilled foods at home is through the use of an indoor grill.

Choices of can vary with considerations such as size (which affects how much you can cook, how many you can feed at once and spatial constraints), functionality (smokeless, hot plate, and more), whether it is powered by electric or charcoal and whether it is a table top or freestanding model.

9 Best Indoor Grills

Ready to start your at-home grilling journey? Here are the eight best indoor grills to shop now, from their prices to what they are best for.

Toyomi Electric Smokeless Grill: BBQ 2002, $169

Best Indoor Grill for Beginners

For those who aren't familiar with grilling or are still wet behind the ears cooking-wise, the Toyomi model comes with a transparent tempered glass lid that allows you to keep track of the progress of the food as it cooks. It also seals in the hot air for heat retention and proper cooking.

Beyond that, the indoor grill with six adjustable temperature settings comes with two aluminium grill and griddle plates (which have been treated with ceramic non-stick coating) that can be swapped out with each other to get the desired grill effect you want.

Airflow Technology, combined with the Smoke Capture Fan, then ensures that the entire grilling process is smoke-free. There is also an in-built Drip Tray to capture excess oil, grease and food droppings that might otherwise burn and smoke.

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Cornell Indoor Electric BBQ Grill, $85

Best Flat Grill

This Cornell grill is a straightforward model for those who don't need so many bells and whistles.

It comes with a reversible double-sided grill pan - one side is completely flat while the other has grooves to get the charred striped marks. Both sides have also been treated with a non-stick coating to reduce stick.

Lastly, an oil-collecting tray reduces mess as the stepless temperature control helps you control the heat setting.

PS: The flat grill pan can also be used to make pancakes and teppanyaki.

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Bruno Compact Hot Plate, $203

Best Stylish Grill For Entertaining

This Bruno multi-function grill has been a favourite among the millennial set for its sleek and compact (A4-size) construction and multiple colourways.

It comes with two non-stick plates: flat and takoyaki, which already makes the grill relatively versatile. But if you're looking for the traditional griddled marks, Bruno has a grill plate sold separately to help you achieve that.

There are also the Coated Pot and Split Pot attachments to convert it into a steamboat machine. Lastly, the slide control allows you to toggle the temperature between 60 to 250 degree Celsius

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Mayer Air Fryer & Smokeless Grill, $136

Best Multi-Functional Grill

If you love the crispiness of air-fried foods but can’t resist a good barbecue, the Mayer MMAFG58 has you covered. This 2-in-1 appliance air fries and grills with ease, offering eight preset air frying functions and a die-cast aluminum grill plate for perfect sear marks.

Its smokeless grilling feature, with direct bottom heating, ensures you get that outdoor BBQ taste without the smoke. With a temperature range of 45-200 degree celsius and three grilling power levels, you can cook everything from juicy steaks to crispy popcorn chicken.

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Ninja Air Grill AG301 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill, $314

Best Smokeless Grill

One of Ninja's most popular products is its air fryer. This electric grill provides that functionality too, as well as being able to indoor grill, oven bake, roast and dehydrate.

The Cyclonic Grilling, which circulates hot air around the food, works in tandem with the 260 degree Temperature Sensing Grill Plate to help you make char-grilled foods and flavours in a jiffy. Ninja also promises that you can grill food straight from the freezer without defrosting.

Besides being able to close the lid to trap in any smoke that forms, the grill's Temperature Sensing Grill Plate also helps to regulate the temperature as the cool air zone keeps the fumes contained within. You can adjust the heat settings too, between 40 to 260 degree Celsius.

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K-Grill Infrared Electric BBQ Grill, $139

Best Infrared Grill

Fancy having your own Korean barbecue in the comfort of your own home? The K-Grill indoor grill helps you achieve that.

The grill uses infrared light to radiate heat from above as heat conducts from below as well to cook and grill foods faster. An oil reservoir then collects any fat that gets rendered, making the meat healthier while reducing the likelihood of it burning and smoking.

For temperature control, the heating inverter system provides a range of 150 to 200 degree Celsius and be be toggled with the temperature knob. The overhanging heating arm can then be swivelled out of the way to place or remove food on the grooved grill pan.

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KITH Smokeless BBQ PyroGlow, $289

Best High-Tech Electric Grill

The patented 360 degree auto-rotate grill pan of the KITH Smokeless BBQ PyroGlow ensures your meats and veggies cook evenly, while the 99.9% smokeless operation keeps your home fresh and smoke-free. 

The Pyro-Heat Wave technology delivers intense, consistent heat to sear meats to perfection, locking in flavours and juices just like at your favourite K-BBQ restaurant.

There’s a revolving swivel arm that allows easy access to your food, and an intuitive touch panel with 12 preset cooking menus to ensure a foolproof grilling experience. 

Designed for convenience, there’s a built-in cooling fan for safe handling, dishwasher-safe non-stick grill pan, with an oil tray to collect drippings for hassle-free cleanup.

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Severin PG 8568 Stand Electric Grill, $139

Best Standing Grill

Severin's standing grill is great if you have either a) limited indoor space but an accessible outdoor balcony or b) love the experience of standing around chit-chatting as you wait for food to be done grilling.

With a plug-and-grill system, the electric standing grill heats up quickly and evenly across the full-length heating coil so that you can achieve your desired grilled foods in a short time. The inbuilt thermostat also gives you control on the temperature.

The SafeTouch casing also mitigates any risk of burning on the surfaces. And for easy cleaning and storage, the components can be detached from the stationary base frame.

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Napoleon Charcoal Kettle Grill NK14K-LEG, $126.65

Best Charcoal Grill

The compact Kettle grill is for traditionalists who can’t get any from the complex smokey flavours imparted only through the use of charcoal heat.

For Singaporean households with limited outdoor space, the Napoleon Charcoal Kettle Grill is the perfect solution for a cosy balcony BBQ experience. Its compact 14-inch diameter fits snugly in small spaces, offering 150 inches of cooking area—enough to grill up a feast for your family without taking up too much room.

The dual-section charcoal basket allows for both direct and indirect grilling, while adjustable air vents give you precise control over the temperature. Cleanup is effortless with its steel-plated ash catcher and chrome-plated cooking grids. 

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