Photo: Hamilton Beach
What We Like
- Affordable
- Lid window for monitoring cooking progress
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Easy temperature knob adjustment with pre-heat lights
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks a temperature gauge
- No stand
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a compact electric grill for indoor searing, Hamilton Beach’s 25361 is the best option to consider.
Introduction
Electric grills are known to be very clean and easy to use because no refills are required. Not only is Hamilton Beach’s 25361 neat and easy to use, but it is also very compact and this makes it ideal for indoor use.
Despite this, the grill has a sizeable grilling plate that can cook servings for about 6 people. As such, it is very practical and is ideal for family use. More about this unit is explained in the review below.
Hamilton Beach 25361 Review
Photo: Hamilton Beach
Performance: Adjustable Heat Settings
Since the grill is electric, heat control is done via a dial, which allows you to adjust the temperature between a range of 200-450ºF. Power and pre-heat lights are used to indicate when the power is on and when the temperature on the plate has reached the selected setting.
The highest setting (450ºF) makes the grill ideal for searing because this temperature locks in juices and flavors while raised ridges on the grilling plate help to create clear sear marks on your food for presentation purposes.
However, because no temperature gauge is built into the lid, you need to time the cooking process, and here is a cooking chart that you can use.
Food | Cooking Method | Doneness |
|---|---|---|
Hamburger (0.5” thick) |
| Internal meat temperature should measure 145ºF. |
Hot Dog |
| 160ºF at the meat thermometer. |
Steak (0.5” thick) |
| 145ºF at the meat thermometer. |
Chicken breast |
| 165ºF at the meat thermometer. |
Note: This is just a rough guide and you need a meat thermometer to measure the internal meat temperature.
That said, cooking is done on a 118 square-inch cooking plate, which is large enough to prepare servings for about 6 people. You need to preheat this plate before grilling though and to preheat lights should show you when the process is complete.
Design: Stainless Steel Exterior
Though not fully coated in a stainless-steel exterior, the shiny silvery sections are the most noticeable and these give it a premium look and feel, while also being very easy to wipe.
Most of the stainless-steel surface is on the lid, which is fitted with a window in the middle that lets you monitor the cooking progress at a glance. CNET claims that this design eliminates the mysteries and secrets associated with cooking under tight, opaque lids.
That said, most indoor or compact grills are not fitted with lids and this makes the Hamilton Beach 25361 better because it locks in heat and flavors, especially when searing steaks.
Setup Process: Easy to Assemble
Because of its compact and electric design, this grill has very few parts, which are all removable for cleaning purposes. They include the lid, drip tray, a non-stick grill plate, and the base, which holds all the other pieces together.
When setting up, simply install the lid while in a vertical position to the base. Next, insert the grill plate on the base then slip the drip tray under the grill. Finish off by plugging in the cord to the wall outlet and you are ready to go.
Cleaning: Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Cleaning this electric grill is an easy task because the grilling surface is non-stick. Most importantly though, the removable parts (lid, grill plate, and drip tray) are dish washable, which means you don’t have to deal with the grease manually after use.
That said, the drip tray is large enough to collect drippings during a full cooking session while the lid prevents splashing of drippings as you cook. Lastly, the electrically-heated plate prevents flare-ups and as a result, the grill also keeps your countertop and walls clean.
Portability: Compact and Lightweight
One of the greatest advantages of Hamilton Beach’s 25361 is its compact and lightweight design.
It measures only 12.4 x 16.7 x 6.8 inches with the lid closed and though this means you get a small cooking surface; it has a capacity of up to 6 servings. In my opinion, this is not badly off.
On the bright side, this gives it a very small footprint, and therefore, it can have its permanent spot on your kitchen countertop. The small size is also ideal for small kitchens as it can be moved to storage to create extra space on the countertop when not in use.
As for the weight, the unit weighs only 8.14 lbs., which makes transportation a breeze. This is made easier by the inclusion of a carrying handle, which makes it possible to carry using one hand.
Accessories: None
Just like with other grills, no accessories are included with this model 25361. However, you can get various extras to accompany it, such as locking tongs, spatula sets, and digital meat thermometers, just to name a few.
Our Shortlist: Essential BBQ Accessories
Price: Very Affordable
Coming in at less than $100, Hamilton Beach’s 25361 is very affordable. Despite this, it has a sizeable cooking surface that matches its price and is easy to use/maintain.
The manufacturer does have other indoor grills and the most notable one is the model 25601. This costs almost the same as the one under review but has a smaller 100 square inch grilling surface. However, it is a 4-in-1 cooking tool because it can be converted into an indoor grill, double griddle with a 200 square-inch surface, grill-and-griddle combo, and a bacon cooker.
If you are very tight on cash, there is the Hamilton Beach 25371, which costs less than $50 but has a small 90 square-inch cooking surface that is ideal for a small family.
Verdict
A compact and affordable electric grill that is ideal for indoor use.
Hamilton Beach’s 25361 has a small design that takes up very little space on the countertop. It is also very lightweight and this makes it easily portable.
Apart from that, the grill is very affordable. This makes it accessible by most grilling enthusiasts, and due to its clean, electric design, it is the ideal choice for indoor kitchen countertop use.
Specs
- Product Name: Hamilton Beach 25361
- Product Brand: Hamilton Beach
- Power Source: Electricity (120V, 1200W)
- Cooking Surface Area: 118 square inches
- Material: Stainless steel
- Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 16.7 x 6.8 inches
- Weight: 8.14 lbs.
- Warranty: 1-year limited
Key Features
- Compact and lightweight (8.14 lbs.).
- 6-person serving capacity.
- Removable and dishwasher-safe lid, plate, and drip tray.
- Non-stick cooking plate.
- Adjustable temperature with a range of 200-450ºF.
- Power and preheat lights.
- Window lid for monitoring the cooking progress.