I love BBQ or any grilled food really, but I do not enjoy cooking on my grill when it is hot, cold, or rainy. Because of this, I started looking into purchasing an indoor grill that can be used year-round. We researched Gotham Steel and their nonstick cookware before, so I had to look at their grill when I came across it. This article is my Gotham smokeless grill review, where I will dive into its features, if it’s safe, and if you should get one as well.
Gotham Smokeless Grill Review: Why Buy an Indoor Grill?
There are many reasons why you should buy an indoor grill. Maybe you don’t have a convenient outdoor space or perhaps you want to skip the hassle of using propane or charcoal, etc. But, the best reason why you should get one is that you can cook BBQ or grill all year long without worrying about the time of day or weather outside. Instead, you place the grill on your counter and start grilling. Plus, with its virtually smoke-free design and non-stick plate, cooking your meal is quick and easy.
Now, let’s dive into the specs and features in this Gotham smokeless grill review.
Specs:
- Materials: Ti-Cerama non-stick cooking plate (titanium and ceramic)
- Grilling Space: 14” L x 9” W cooking surface
- Weight: 5.70 lbs
- Watts: 1,000 w
- Product dimensions: 18” L x 13” W x 3.5” H
- Cord Length: around 45 inches long
Features
The Gotham Steel grill includes four pieces that are easily assembled and taken apart: a non-stick grilling plate with stay-cool handles, a drip tray, a cool-touch black base, and a temperature control plug with four settings. The heating element is built directly into the grill plate, allowing the entire cooking surface to heat up.
Its removable temperature control plug has four heat settings: warm, low, medium, high. This is convenient for ensuring that your food is cooked at a proper temperature. Gotham Steed even includes a temperature guide in their manual, so you can easily reference which setting and how long your food might take.
One of my favorite features is that the grill plate is constructed of Ti-Cerama non-stick, which Gotham Steel is known for. This ensures that food easily releases while cooking and simplifies the cleaning process. Both the grill plate and the grease catcher can even be thrown in the dishwasher.
Smoke-less Technology
This electric grill is designed with smoke-less technology, ensuring practically no smoke while cooking, although we did notice some smoke when cooking fatty foods (like bacon). It was all within reason, though, and I found that using some of the tips from Gotham helped even more to reduce it. They recommend using less oil and putting a ½ of water in the drip pan to reduce any smoke while using. If this still does not seem to work, they advise that you grill near a ventilation hood.
All of the features made this an extremely versatile option in the kitchen. Without worrying about what is happening outside, you can use this to cook or grill practically anything right on your kitchen counter. You can even make desserts, like cookies or cakes, on your Gotham Steel smokeless grill.
Pros
- Includes a detachable temperature dial with 4 settings
- Removable drip pan for grease
- Non-stick cooking surface made of titanium and ceramic (Ti-Cerama)
- The removable grill plate and drip pan are easy to clean
- Lightweight and portable – weighs only 5.7 lbs
Cons
- The temperature range is lower than many users would like
- The non-stick surface can wear out after a while
Cleaning
One important aspect to consider with any kitchen tool is how easy it is to clean. This smokeless grill from Gotham Steel is designed for convenience, including a removable plate and drip pan that can be put in the dishwasher to clean.
Here are the instructions that Gotham Steel provides to clean your grill properly:
- Unplug and let the grill cool completely.
- Remove the temperature dial and wipe down with a cloth.
- Wipe off any grease or food residue that might be on the grill plate or drip tray with paper towels.
- Clean the grill plate, black base, and drip tray with a sponge/cloth and hot, soapy water. If you prefer, these can also be placed in the dishwasher instead of handwashing.
Note: Always make sure that the pieces are completely dry before using them next time.
What are people saying about it?
With a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon, this Gotham Steel grill is an option to consider. Read the smokeless grill reviews here. Reviewers found it simple to use and clean. They loved the flavor that they could achieve even though they were not using their outdoor grill. The temperature control was also convenient to ensure proper temperature while cooking. On the opposite side of this, some reviewers did not appreciate that you could not completely submerge the grill in water to clean. They also found that it was slow to heat.
Based on these Amazon reviews, overall, users would recommend this indoor grill from Gotham Steel. It is a great option at a reasonable price for anyone that may not know how to grill or at least does not know how to grill indoors.
How does Gotham compare to other Smokeless Indoor Grills?
Gotham vs. Power Smokeless Grill
Like Gotham Steel, Power offers an electric grill that is virtually smoke-free and has a nonstick grill plate, but they do quite a few things differently. Their grill offers a higher power at 1500 watts, while Gotham sits at 1000 Watt. This extra high power allows the grill to heat up much faster and get to a higher temperature (450 Fahrenheit) when compared to the grill from Gotham Steel.
Power’s grill is designed differently with its lidded cooking surface and “turbo extraction fan” for virtually smoke-free grilling. Power also offers a grill/griddle combo plate, which allows the cook to interchange it depending on their needs. Learn more in our Power Smokeless Grill Review.
Gotham vs. Chefman Smokeless Grill
When it comes to the choice between Gotham and Chefman, it is practically a toss-up, although there are a few differences that make it noticeable. First, they are both open-faced indoor grills with nonstick surfaces. However, Chefman uses a different strategy for their cooking surface by focusing on heat zones, which allows you to cook various things simultaneously and at different temperatures. This is a feature that some users would have to get used to since you cannot see it clearly marked on the grill, and the temperature variations might throw you off.
Some of the biggest differences between the two are the grill size and wattage output, Chefman has an extra-large surface (150 Sq. Inches) and a wattage output of 1120 W. It also has a temperature control knob. Still, Gotham Steel is more clearly marked when compared. And of course, Chefman also offers a 1-year warranty, while Gotham Steel offers a 90-day warranty. Read more in our Chefman Smokeless Grill Review.
Gotham vs. T fal Smokeless Indoor Grill
T-fal’s compact smoke-less indoor grill is highly rated with a 4.5-star rating from over 4,000 reviews on Amazon. These reviews focused on quite a few convenient things, especially things like the “quality of material” and durability.
T-Fal really focuses on features that ensure convenience for the user. For example, the removable power cord is magnetic to ensure easy cleaning and storage. It offers many similar features to Gotham Steel and has more power, extra-large heating elements, and 5 temperature settings. It even allows the cook to sear their meat. Learn more about it in our T-fal Smokeless Grill Review.
Is it Dishwasher Safe?
Yes, the grill plate and the drip pan can be cleaned in the dishwasher. It is also easy to handwash as well, which can extend the overall lifespan of your grill.
Do indoor grills really work?
Yes, indoor grills really do work. It uses electricity to heat the food, rather than charcoal or propane. It is designed for grilling indoors with virtually no smoke.
Are smokeless grills safe?
Yes, smokeless grills are safe to use, mostly because they use electricity to heat rather than charcoal or propane. Using an electric grill means that you do not have to worry about fire or fire-causing materials.
We recommend reviewing and following the provided user manual to ensure proper use and best results while grilling. This is extremely important to ensure that you are safely and properly using your grill, plus they include quite a few useful tips to any potential problems that might come up. For example, Gotham Steel states that you need to add at least ½ cup of water to the drip pan to greatly reduce any smoke and preheat the grill for at least 5 minutes to make sure it is completely hot before cooking.
Is the Gotham Smokeless Indoor Grill worth it?
Yes, the Gotham Steel grill is worth it, depending on how you use it and your grilling knowledge. However, with a wattage output of only 1,000 watts, it isn’t the most powerful indoor grill, and the temperature does not go as high as some of the others on the market.
However, it is a versatile and excellent addition to the kitchen nonetheless. The grill’s Ti-Cerama cooking surface ensures effortless food release. Its lightweight body and stay-cool handles allow for you to easily move the grill wherever you may need it, even if it is still hot from cooking. Lastly, the grill’s removable plate and drip pan simplify your cleanup process and ensure that your time is used efficiently.
It currently has a 4.2-star rating on Amazon, a decent rating for any product (especially an indoor grill). Plus, many negative reviews are from users who may not have reviewed the user manual and/or misunderstood the smoke-less feature. If you are searching for an indoor grill at an affordable price and don’t mind that your meal may cook slower, this grill is a great option.
Summary of the Gotham Smokeless Indoor Grill Review
Gotham Steel delivers results with its grill. Its Ti-Cerama cooking surface ensures that your food doesn’t stick or burn while grilling. With its built-in heating elements and adjustable temperature control, the grill heats evenly and ensures you cook your food perfectly each time. In addition, its removable grill plate and grease catch allow you to clean up and store easily.
It is practically smoke-free while cooking indoors, which was one of my biggest concerns when grilling in my kitchen. With less smoke in the air, you don’t have to worry about fire alarms going off or having any breathing problems from exposure to the smoke. Gotham designed this grill with the customer in mind, and it shows. I think it is a great option for anyone looking to start grilling indoors, even new cooks or new-to-grilling.
