# Tell me why to buy a George Forman Grill **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 21, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565 "2012-05-21T00:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/1 "2012-05-21T00:43:47Z")
Tell me. I’m intrigued. The few things served to me off of one of them were delicious, not greasy, crispy, hot. I want one don’t I? I can make grilled chicken without firing up a BBQ grill in a 2nd floor NYC apartment. Right? ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/2 "2012-05-21T01:00:46Z")
You can make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich with it. Just let it heat up for a few minutes. Meanwhile place little bit of butter on the outside of two slices of bread and then chop up some good cheese and maybe some ham and a tomato. Place the stuffing inside the bread and slap the sandwich on the grill. Close the grill and let sit for a minute or two. Works with other sandwiches as well and burgers. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/3 "2012-05-21T01:02:19Z")
I love mine. Pretty much anything you can put on a grill (that’s less then an inch thick or so) or would pan fry can go on the Foreman and it’s really easy to clean. Right after you take your food off wipe it down with a wet paper towel, while it’s still hot and if you get one with removable plates you can toss them in the dishwasher. Now, after my glowing review…can I put sausage\* on it? I bought some chorizo for a recipe and I have some left. I don’t really want to drag out my grill for one or two links, but I’m not sure if it’ll work on the Foreman. I think it will, but I don’t want to wind up with a half cooked sausage. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/4 "2012-05-21T01:06:39Z")
Well, they’re no substitute for a charcoal (or even gas) grill, but they do a very nice job with things one might cook on a grill (like burgers, boneless chicken breasts, and fish steaks), as well as things one would not cook on a grill, like cheese sandwiches, garlic bread, and quesadillas. They don’t do a good job with things that are not essentially flat. You wouldn’t want to use it on bone-in chicken breasts. So, yes, you want one. I second \*\*Joey P’\*\*s recommendation on getting the kind with the removable plates. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/5 "2012-05-21T01:09:51Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > They don’t do a good job with things that are not essentially flat. You wouldn’t want to use it on bone-in chicken breasts. That was my concern with the chorizo. Also, I should mention that some of them (like mine ) [don’t have flat plates](http://www.shibleysmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/george-foreman-grill-04.jpg). I’m not sure how that would work with things like quesadillas. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/6 "2012-05-21T01:25:21Z")
Definitely get the removable plates; much easier to clean. I haven’t done chorizo, but I’ve done Italian sausage on mine. Slice it in half (the long way, of course) so it is fairly flat, and it cooks up fine. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/7 "2012-05-21T01:31:53Z")
they’re pretty versatile. They make an awesome sandwich press (perfect for grilled cheese as has been already mentioned.) they do well enough for burger patties (meat or otherwise) and while you wouldn’t use one for a nice thick ribeye, it’ll do a steak decently and quickly enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/8 "2012-05-21T01:37:15Z")
I cook bacon on mine, too, and it does a great job. They are very, very well made and last years without having to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/9 "2012-05-21T02:10:48Z")
Easy to clean as well. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/10 "2012-05-21T02:31:52Z")
We got a small one as a throw-in when we bought our microwave. Turned out to be very useful. We use it for hamburgers, chicken breasts, and paninis. They’re quick, don’t smell up the kitchen, and are easy to clean. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/11 "2012-05-21T02:35:24Z")
A George Foreman grill and a crock pot will take you far, young Jedi. And the grill is easy to clean, since no one seems to have mentioned that… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/12 "2012-05-21T02:47:25Z")
we have a nonforeman grill, the plates are removable, and reverse for making waffles. mmmmm waffles! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/13 "2012-05-21T02:54:20Z")
In addition to chicken and pork chops, I grill Italian sausages on mine. I just position them vertically, between the ribs and turn them occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/14 "2012-05-21T03:09:14Z")
I like mine. However, I don’t recommend one for round steak, as that cut really needs to be tenderized. But for things like burgers and better steaks, it’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/15 "2012-05-21T03:22:43Z")
I had a George Foreman grill and now have a [Cuisinart Griddler](http://www.cuisinart.com/products/grills/gr-4n.html). Yeah, it’s pricey but the Cuisinart is much more sturdy and will last longer. It has removable plates that are reverasable so you can have a flat griddle or the grill. And they are easy to clean. The Foreman grill is nice but flimsier. And not that much cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/16 "2012-05-21T04:54:37Z")
+1 for the Cuisinart Griddler I bought the original Foreman grill right after they came out. Then a second, bigger one a few years later. Both died and were thrown out. Loving my Cuisinart Griddler. 😉 I make pancakes with the griddle side and steaks & chicken with the grill plates. It’s also a sandwich press. Haven’t tried that feature yet. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/17 "2012-05-21T05:55:53Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I had a George Foreman grill and now have a [Cuisinart Griddler](http://www.cuisinart.com/products/grills/gr-4n.html). Yeah, it’s pricey $99 is pricey? OK, I realize we’re in the realm of small kitchen appliances, but that doesn’t seem very pricey to me if it holds up well and cooks you dozens or hundreds of meals. Will it, and can it? ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/18 "2012-05-21T06:16:27Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > $99 is pricey? OK, I realize we’re in the realm of small kitchen appliances, but that doesn’t seem very pricey to me if it holds up well and cooks you dozens or hundreds of meals. Will it, and can it? I’ve had my Cusinart Griddler for a few years now and have used it for grilling, pressed sandwiches, quesadillas, and many, many pancakes. It’s still in great shape. I did somehow manage to knock off one of the prongs on back that you wind the cord around though. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/19 "2012-05-21T07:56:30Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I had a George Foreman grill and now have a [Cuisinart Griddler](http://www.cuisinart.com/products/grills/gr-4n.html). Yeah, it’s pricey but the Cuisinart is much more sturdy and will last longer. It has removable plates that are reverasable so you can have a flat griddle or the grill. And they are easy to clean. Thanks for that info. I had a George Foreman grill long ago. It didn’t have removable plates, so I got squicked out and didn’t use it after a few grillings. That was a huge waste. Sturdier with removable and reversible plates sounds good. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565/20 "2012-05-21T08:27:06Z")
Frankly, I don’t like it. It’s OK for a burger, but chicken breast comes out dry like sawdust no matter how hard you try to judge the cooking time. It’s not so easy to clean IMO. Much easier to saute something in a proper sized pan on the stove. I suppose if you don’t have a stove you might find it useful. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-to-buy-a-george-forman-grill/622565.md?page=2)