Hamilton Beach Grill - Contact Griddle Review

The Bottom Line:  GO GET IT NOW item! Price ($50) & what it does (steaks to pancakes), ease of cleaning. The only pop out grids in the industry for fast washing.

I just received a present after our year old George Foreman grill went cold. I open the UPS box to find a Hamilton Beach Contact Grill/Griddle - Model #25295.  Helps to be a product tester!

HB insert description for easy reading but not totally copied: Measures approximately 14 by 6 by 12 inches. Electric indoor grill/griddle with nonstick dishwasher-safe grids. Opens up flat for 120-square-inch double cooking space.  Meals ready in 10 minutes or less; auto shutoff when cooking cycle complete. Removable, dishwasher-safe drip tray for low-fat cooking included.

I have to admit is surpasses George for space, fast clean up since the grids come out & can go in the dishwasher or right into soapy water in the sink. Nothing burns since the timer turns it off, not just alerting you to do it. White unit with black grids that you get an extra surprise since the grilling grids flip over to a flat grill to do pancakes, fried eggs, even grilling veggies. This now has a special area atop my glasstop stove for fast cooking instead of heating up pots & pans to make dinner.

So next to the outdoor grill, this rates highly since I can grill veggies that fall into the rocks of the outdoor grill while chicken or steaks are out there.

For under $50, it is a GO GET IT NOW item!

UPDATE: Day 2 of ownership has me learning some neat tricks. Spray cooking oil on grill/grids & cook for 5 minutes to "season" them. This keeps the anti stick feature working perfectly. So great to rinse of salad plate as the DING goes off as it turns off, yet keeps warm the other serving for husband still eating his salad. The sides have "handles" on them that say HOT & they mean it. So let it cool down before you plan to wash them or put in dishwasher.

Did faquitas today with the slivered steak on one side of the flat cooker, veggies on opposite & folks could serve themselves as I kept adding more meat to brown in under 6 minutes. All wanted to buy it! Then on of the gals unclips the deep well for fat & almost got a good burn, so be sure to watch kids & company when they want to play with it as it falls out easily.

To register the unit just phone HB & they will take your info, tho they know me well with just my phone #, since I have plenty of HB appliances. Be sure to staple your recipe to the book that you keep for warranty (3 years with AMEX)

So join me in enjoying a great griller with a griddle for more goodies. Loads better than George. Sorry Champ!