Thinking of getting a GF Grill - advice please

Bargain_Rzl

For various reasons I am considering investing in a George Foreman grill. Reasons are as follows:

- I am normally cooking for just myself, so I tend to be reluctant to use the grill in my oven, as it seems like such an inefficient use of electricity. I therefore usually end up frying things in my little Delia omelette pan. Which is unhealthy and covers everything within a 12in radius in fat!
- I could do with losing a few pounds
- I only have a single oven so can't currently grill and bake simultaneously

I have read up on a few old threads on here about their benefits.

So, a few questions:

- Am I right in thinking that there would be an energy saving over using my ordinary grill? (everything in my flat is electric, so it's a direct comparison)
- Which one should I buy?! As I say, I normally cook only for myself, occasionally 2 people - but what I don't want is to buy a really little one that I then never use cos it's too small!
- This one is on special at Robert Dyas - any good?
- Has anybody tried this all singing all dancing one?
- Any decent prices on alternative models anywhere else?

All advice welcome

fizzel81

i used to have the one from the robert dyas link, nice size found it ideal when it was just me and the now ex dh, wish i still had it now, but upgraded to a massive one (1oth ani special) when my boys got bigger

taketwo

I've got one like the junior which is great for me and DH, mine came with some Schwartz shake on spice things - cajun, steakhouse and they do make your chicken breast a little more exciting.
Yes, much easier to clean - I do it straight away, while it is still hot, just give it a quick wipe down, job done.

skystar

Bargain, I have two George Foremans.

I have a small one like the first one you mentioned. This is a permanent fixture in the kitchen and used most often for either 1 or 2 people.

I have a bigger one as well: http://www.georgeforemangrills.co.uk/range/gr35.aspx
This is used when the fussy hubby also wants to eat what everyone else in the house is eating . This one gets kept in my gadget cupboard as it is too big to have permanent kitchen space.

Not tried the other one but I did like the look of it as it has the griddle surface.

Bargain_Rzl

Thanks to all so far. Any ideas about the energy saving aspects?

Clive_Woody

Was thinking of getting one myself. I have seen that the new generation ones have removable hot plates that can go in the dishwasher, is this really neccessary or can you clean them easily enough without removing parts?

Bargain_Rzl

I think the point is that they are meant to be v. easy to wipe clean after use - and I've read on other threads that putting them in the dishwasher shortens their lifespan!

whatatwit

Bargain, I have the *all singing/all dancing* one.

Before that I had a large GF, with the timer thingy on it.

I only tend to use the griddle part of mine, but I do sometimes cook sausages on the griddle bit and then move over to the flat bit to keep hot, whilst the bacon cooks.

The only problem I have with the huge one, is that it won't fit into any of my cupboards. :mad:

I've no idea on the energy saving bit, but I do feel very healthy, watching any fat drip away.

Mine came from Makro and was quite cheap.

janeym8

ive got the all singing and dancing one in your link and im downgrading to a smaller one main reasons

-it is too big to sit out on worktop as thats space is of a premium in our house-hence reason it sat on top of microwave and had to be lifted down every time needed

-it is too big to fit into any cupboards

-didnt use it as much as any of the smaller ones ive had

-found on the griddle side all fat gathered in bottom right corner and yes it was level,then spilled over and if frying eggs on it the white also tended to gather in same corner


hope this helps and in saying all of the above i love my GF apart from the cleaning of it and if i didnt have a spare small one in the house i would deff go for the one you can now get with detatchable plates that can go in dishwasher but in the meantime i got some special shaped cleaning pads in America to clean it-never seen them here-they are the shape of the grooves on it if you knopw what i mean

janey xxx

kittiwoz

Yes, they do use less energy than a conventional grill. I don't know how much less but I think probably a lot because with a conventional grill a lot of energy goes to warm the air in the room.

I've got a baby George but it is probably a bit small for most people. I wipe it with a dry cloth while the oil is hot. If it gets stuff stuck to it I wipe it with a cloth with oil on it while it is hot. I don't use detergent or even water on it because it can reduce the lifespan of the non-stick coating.

jillie1974

we had one when we only had a single oven/grill and it was brill. heat it up put food on and sit down for few mins while food cooked. still use it it do vegetables and is brill.