The Oster DuraCeramic Reversible Grill/Griddle is a multifunctional but messy option if you are looking for an indoor electric grill. The grease spatter from this unit traveled farther than any other in our indoor grill testing – an unfortunate 20 inches. Nevertheless, there are many features to like, especially its reversible surface.
With a smooth griddle on one side for pancakes or grilled cheese, and a ribbed grill on the other for burgers and steaks, you have more options for getting the most out of your investment. You'll get the added value and saved cupboard space that comes with having two appliances in one. This grill also had the largest cooking surface of the ones we compared, so if you like to entertain or have a family to feed, this indoor electric grill could be a good choice – if you don’t mind cleaning up greasy messes.
One drawback is that this unit had relatively long cook times when compared with the others we tested, and because it doesn't have a lid like the DeLonghi BG24, the oil was everywhere – reaching up to 20 inches away. If you're only pulling out your electric grill for the occasional steak, then it might not be a deal breaker that it takes a while to cook and requires serious cleanup, but if you are an avid griller, these issues are setbacks every time you want to use your grill.
This indoor grill also collects less oil than other grills, which can lead to frying your dinner rather than actually grilling it. If you're particularly health conscious, this could also be a minus. Other indoor grills we tested, like the Foreman Grill, are better at collecting oil and grease, keeping unwanted fat off your plate and your waistline.
This grill was quick to assemble, taking only three minutes, and cleaning the grill itself is only a matter of five minutes. The problem is the spatter that will have you cleaning the walls and nearby surfaces for a while. One benefit for the Oster indoor grills is that certain parts of this machine are dishwasher safe, and the grill pan is nonstick, which makes it easy to clean. When you use nonstick appliances like this one, be sure to use nonabrasive cleaners and utensils like a soft sponge and a rubber spatula, so you don't scratch the coating.
Ultimately, an indoor electric grill isn't worth much if it doesn't work well. This Oster model’s performance is about average. During testing, its temperature range varied more than we like from edge to edge, making for unreliable cook times and doneness levels for meats. This can be a problem, especially for food safety purposes since different types of meat should be cooked to different temperatures to be considered safe.
Granted, you can use a meat thermometer to check the meat you're cooking with this grill. However, the inconsistencies in heat levels mean you'll need to turn, move or cook meats perhaps more than you would like and you'll need to attend to the grill, which complicates other meal preparation efforts. You want to be confident that what you're serving is safe, and with testy temperatures and uneven cooking spots, it's hard to be sure if your food is done all the way with this Oster model.
