From Tailgates to Tiny Patios, Cuisinart's Electric Grill Is a Fuss-Free Way to Cook Indoors or Out

Tested by Taylor Murray

Firing up the grill in summer and fall is a favorite pastime for many families. Whether you're bringing out the grill to whip up tender burgers and juicy steaks in your outdoor space or taking your meats on the go for tailgating season, there's nothing quite like the taste of grilled bites. The cleanup can be a chore, though, and getting charcoal briquettes lit takes a bit of practice. Our solution? An electric grill. These grills combine easy setup and quick cleaning with the smoky satisfaction of grilled food, without the hassle of fuel, flames or a mountain of dirty grill tools.

Thanks to advances in heating technology, today's electric grills can reach impressive temps, deliver solid sear marks and are compact enough for small outdoor spaces. The Cuisinart's 2-in-1 Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill is designed with exactly that in mind, promising backyard flavor in a compact, versatile and apartment-friendly package. I put it to the test to see how it stacks up against gas and charcoal — and whether it deserves a spot in your outdoor cooking rotation.

How I Tested the Cuisinart 2-in-1 Portable Electric Grill

Before any cooking, I started by unboxing the grill and setting it up, noting whether I needed any special tools or if the process was a headache. (Spoiler: It wasn't. It took me less than six minutes to assemble the grill — no tools required.) I tested the grill in multiple ways to assess all aspects of its performance. That includes setting it up in both the tabletop configuration and the freestanding setup, and cooking a variety of different foods at different temperatures.

To cover a range of foods, I grilled chicken breasts, burgers, steak, peaches, corn on the cob, onions, zucchini, portobellos and even pizza. Real-life convenience was considered as well, such as how long it took to heat up and cool down, how easy it was to carry, and whether it could be taken on the road, like to a tailgate. After each cooking trial was done, I timed how long the grill took to cool down and gave it a good scrub, noting any tricky spots.

What I Like About the Cuisinart 2-in-1 Portable Electric Grill

The two biggest wins with this grill are versatility and ease of use. Being able to switch between a tabletop setup and a freestanding grill makes it feel like you have two appliances in one, and it's especially helpful for small patios, shared outdoor spaces or even driveway dinners. The portable, easy-to-assemble design makes the grill perfect to take on the road to tailgate parties, on camping trips or to any outdoor event.

The cooking surface is a generous 240 square inches, easily fitting enough food for a family of four. During testing, I was able to fit six full chicken breasts on the grill at one time. The grill was also able to accommodate four large steaks, so fitting enough protein and vegetables for four people would be no problem for this grill.

It heats in just 10 minutes, maintains temperature relatively well (especially in the center), and the nonstick surface makes it easy to release more delicate foods like fish or grilled fruit. I also appreciated the removable drip tray design and how little smoke the unit produced, making it ideal for apartment dwellers or anyone who wants to grill without triggering every fire alarm in a five-mile radius.

What Could Be Better About the Cuisinart 2-in-1 Portable Electric Grill

The biggest limitation with this grill is the heat output. While it gets hot enough to cook most proteins and vegetables, don't expect a very hard sear or aggressive char like you would expect on a charcoal or gas grill. Ultra-thick, bone-in steaks, corn on the cob, tough root vegetables, or anything that thrives on high heat might not reach their potential here.

Anything that is usually cooked in a pan, like cobblers or shakshuka, also won’t work. We attempted to cook a pizza on it, and it did cook, but the top didn't brown the way you'd expect on a propane or charcoal grill. The nonstick grates work very well, but they can be a touch finicky to clean. The grill grate is large and sticks out of an average-sized sink.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy the Cuisinart 2-in-1 Portable Electric Grill?

This grill is a perfect pick for casual cooks who want something easy to use and even easier to clean than the average outdoor grill. If you're living in an apartment or condo and can't use charcoal or gas, this electric grill fills the gap with minimal compromise. However, die-hard grillmasters won't find rich smokiness, indirect heat zones or thick crusty sears with this grill.

Everyday burgers, grilled salmon or weeknight veggies, however? No problem. It's a rock-solid value for the price, especially for anyone looking for a fuss-free way to cook outside. No propane tanks, no charcoal clean up and no flame-related stress. Just plug in, grill and get dinner on the table.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Taylor Murray is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Nutrition. She worked as a professional chef for over 10 years before moving into recipe and product testing and development. She has tested several hundred products for Food Network and other brands over the last six years, covering everything from carbon-steel pans to food dehydrators.

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