The Hamilton Beach 25361 Electric Indoor Searing Grill is a budget-friendly option for indoor grilling with a large 118 sq. in. cooking surface and adjustable temperature control up to 450°F. The extra-large drip tray helps manage fat and reduce smoke, while the viewing window allows monitoring without opening the lid. While it doesn't have dedicated smokeless technology, it's a solid entry-level option for those who want indoor grilling without the premium price.
Full review
Large Cooking Surface
The Hamilton Beach 25361 offers a generous 118 square inch cooking surface, making it one of the largest indoor grills in its price range. The PFAS-free removable nonstick grate is easy to clean and safe for food contact. The grill's stainless steel construction provides durability, and the extra-large drip tray helps manage fat during cooking. The viewing window in the lid allows users to monitor food without opening the lid and losing heat.
Temperature Control and Searing
The adjustable temperature control allows users to dial in heat levels up to 450°F, providing enough heat for proper searing of steaks and burgers. The 1,500-watt heating element delivers consistent heat across the cooking surface, and the analog temperature dial provides straightforward control. While it lacks the digital precision of the George Foreman GRD6090B, the Hamilton Beach's analog controls are reliable and easy to use.
Smoke Reduction Features
The Hamilton Beach 25361 reduces smoke through its extra-large drip tray design, which captures fat before it can drip onto heating elements. While it doesn't have dedicated smokeless technology like the Philips HD6371 or the Ninja Foodi AG301, the drip tray design significantly reduces smoke production. Amazon customer reviews confirm that the grill produces minimal smoke during normal use, making it suitable for indoor cooking in most apartments and homes.
Strengths
- +Extra-large drip tray to manage fat and smoke
- +Viewing window for monitoring food without opening the lid
- +Adjustable temperature control to 450°F for high-heat searing
- +118 sq. in. cooking surface serves up to 6 people
Watch-outs
- −No smokeless certification — reduces smoke but doesn't eliminate it
- −Plastic components near heat source
- −Temperature control is analog, not digital
How it compares
The Hamilton Beach 25361 offers the largest cooking surface on this list at 118 sq. in., making it ideal for larger families. It's significantly more affordable than the Ninja Foodi AG301 ($80 vs $220) but lacks the multi-functionality and smokeless technology. Compared to the George Foreman Smokeless, the Hamilton Beach provides a flat cooking surface better suited for steaks and larger cuts.
Who this is for
At a glance: budget-conscious cooks who need a large cooking surface.
Why you’d buy the Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill 25361
- Extra-large drip tray to manage fat and smoke.
- Viewing window for monitoring food without opening the lid.
- Adjustable temperature control to 450°F for high-heat searing.
Why you’d skip it
- No smokeless certification — reduces smoke but doesn't eliminate it.
- Plastic components near heat source.
- Temperature control is analog, not digital.
Rating sources
Our 3.8 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
