Your Ultimate Guide to Grilling Inside the House With a Smokeless Barbecue

Craving that smoky, sizzling BBQ goodness, but the weather’s not playing nice?

Don’t cancel your plans just yet! We’re about to take your indoor cooking game to the next level with our ultimate guide on how to grill indoors—you heard that right—gone are the days when grilling inside the house meant setting off the fire alarm.

Thanks to some nifty innovations and pro tips, you can now relish the joy of BBQ right from your cozy kitchen. From choosing the right equipment that’s both kitchen-friendly and smoke-controlling to mastering the art of achieving those gorgeous grill marks without causing a kitchen commotion, we’ve got you covered.

Cook in any weather with an indoor BBQ grill—here’s everything you need to know!

What You Need Before Grilling Inside the House

A great smokeless barbecue experience requires some preparation. Here’s what you need to know in order to set yourself up for success when using an indoor grill: 

Buy the Right Indoor Barbecue Grill

Not all indoor grills are made equal. Here are the three main types you’ll come across when selecting an indoor BBQ:

• Electric grills: These are popular for indoor use due to their convenience and minimal smoke production. They heat up quickly and often come with adjustable temperature settings.

• Contact grills: Also known as panini presses, they offer direct contact grilling and are excellent for sandwiches and quick-cooking items

• Open grills: These resemble traditional outdoor grills with open grates. They are versatile but might require more attention to manage smoke.

For the best experience, consider the Salton Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill, an amazingly affordable but high-quality option. When it comes to smoke management, choosing a grill that’s explicitly designed with smoke reduction features is the way to go. This model has everything you're looking for: consistent cooking temperatures, a cross fan, and dishwasher-friendly parts.

Stock up on Grilling Accessories

The best indoor grill can only do so much without the right accessories. Stock up on the following to enhance your cooking experience:

• Tongs: Get two—one for you and one for a helper 

• Knives: Helpful during prep and when it’s time to eat

• Grill press: For evenly seared meats and pressed sandwiches

• Skewers: Metal or wooden skewers are handy for kebabs, veggies, and more

• Meat thermometer: Monitor internal temperatures to ensure perfectly cooked meats

• Apron: Smokeless doesn’t mean mess-less

• Grill brush: A grill brush with soft bristles helps clean the grill grates after cooking

5 Best Practices for Grilling Inside the House

You’ve got your grill, are stocked up on accessories, and have prepped your kitchen—sounds like you’re ready to get cooking! However, remember that grilling inside the house can be a little different than what you’re used to outside so follow these tips. 

1. Preparation and Safety Tips

Indoor grilling can be a smoke-free delight if you’re well-prepared and follow the proper safety measures. Here’s how to ensure your indoor grilling experience remains enjoyable and without any unwanted clouds.

• Proper ventilation: Turn on exhaust fans, open windows, or even position a fan to help direct airflow away from the cooking area.
• Selecting the right cuts: Opt for lean cuts of meat that produce less fat drippings, or trim fat from meat prior to cooking.
• Marinating magic: Marinate your meats before grilling; by doing so you create a protective layer that prevents direct contact between the meat and the grill grates.
• Preheat smartly: A properly heated grill helps sear the meat quickly, reducing the cooking time and smoke production.
• Safe grilling environment: Keep flammable items, such as kitchen towels and paper products, away from the grill area.
• Be prepared: Have a fire extinguisher accessible in case of emergencies.

2. Give Your Food Space to Breathe

You may have heard the saying “don’t crowd the pan.”

Well, it also applies to barbecues. Make the most of your space by strategically placing meat and vegetables on various sides and positions on the grill. Give your food enough room to breathe so it isn’t squished when grilling. You’re better off taking longer to cook things than jamming everything onto the grill at once. 

3. Adjust Temperature as Needed

Never stray far from the temperature control when grilling.

Start grilling at a higher temperature to achieve a nice sear, but be ready to lower it as you cook. Finding the perfect temperatures on a new grill takes time and practice, so don’t expect to absolutely nail it on the first attempt—or, maybe you will! 

4. Watch the Oil Basin When Grilling

Indoor grills feature a basin to catch all the fats and oils from cooking the meat. 

Watch over this container carefully to avoid oil spills in the dining area. You should expect to have some messes to clean up when it’s all said and done, but oil can be difficult to clean even with the best supplies. Be proactive! 

5. Clean Your Grill

When the party's over, let your smokeless barbecue grill cool down before removing its heating plate. Once it’s cooled, use water and dishwashing detergent to remove any burnt bits and oil on its surface. Never use running water to clean the main component of the grill. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe off any grease on its surface. 

Check the instructions manual for your indoor barbecue grill for the best tips. It should tell you about any device-specific instructions you need to follow. 

S.T.O.P, Drop, and Get a Smokeless Barbecue

There you have it: our definitive guide for grilling inside the house. 

If you follow our steps, then you’re in for a fantastic (and safe) in-house BBQ experience. Learn how to grill indoors—and, let’s be honest, how to grill steak indoors—to impress your friends and avoid being rained out! 

If you’re looking to buy the best indoor barbecue grill, then s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply has you covered. Browse through our selection of indoor and outdoor BBQs, grilling accessories, and more to take your experience to the next level.

Do you have any smokeless indoor BBQ grill questions? Contact us to learn more.