An indoor grill is great and all. They are convenient, powerful and very affordable. But can it really compete against the versatility of an outdoor grill? Well, we are here to find that out! Today we will be reviewing the Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill, which claims to be a super generous and versatile appliance in the kitchen.
However, we don’t want our readers to purchase a product blindly based on just claims. We will find out and put forward everything you need to know in order to see the Cuisinart GR-4N for what it really is. So, if you are interested in our take of the Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill, then keep reading!
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The Cuisinart GR-4N Indoor Grill at a Glance
At first sight, the Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill looks like your regular, average grills. However, there’s so much more to that what meets the eye. The very reason in fact behind our motive to review this grill is because it is multifunctional!
Yep, the Cuisinart GR-4N offers not 2, not 4, but 5 different forms of grilling. In other words, it is a 5-in-1 indoor grill, and you wouldn’t believe so seeing it the first time since it is after all so compact and space-friendly. It already seems like it can your give giant outdoor grill a run for its money. Anyway, let’s elaborate on its main features now.
Grill
Form 1: Contact Grill
The Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill initially serves as a Panini-press style grill on default. What we mean is that it has 2 grill plates, one on the bottom and one on the top, grill food from both directions. Hence, the name contact grills. No need to flip or change sides every 5 minutes so that’s great new for the cook.
Form 2: Full Grill
Now, here’s the design feature on the Cuisinart GR-4N grill that makes it so multifunction: flexible top.
The top half of the unit can be pulled open all the way to the back to a full 180 degrees. This reveals a flat, and large grill thanks to the 2 grills halves which are now combined. You can finally grill more at the same time now. Throw some veggies on the left and the fillets on the left; perfect if you have a vegan or vegetarian in the house!
Form 3: Griddle
The next feature to wow you on the Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill is its removable grill plates.
Just push the bottom on the sides and the plates come right off. Turn the grill upside down and it reveals a flat, smooth surface which acts as your griddle! Attach the plates and use it to make things that require a flat griddle; things like fried eggs, pancakes, tofu and cheese steaks, and the list goes on.
Form 4: Full Griddle
Follow the same procedure to getting a full grill. Just push the top half of the unit back with a little force, and boom! You have yourself a full, large-size griddle. Feel free to cook breakfast foods like eggs, cakes, hash browns, etc, on a larger scale thanks to the combined griddle.
Form 5: Panini Press (both grill and griddle)
While transitioning the unit from one form to another, you will notice that the hinge of the grill is very flexible and adjustable.
This is because it is! The hinge allows a large gap between the top and bottom plates. This means you can press thick cuts of meats, and heavy, packed sandwiches between it as well. The press will of course, also work both with the grill plates and the griddle plates.
Note: The grill offers you a good enough 100 square inch cooking surface when it is folded. However, after moving to open grill or griddle mode, you have a whopping 200 square inch cooking surface. Very impressive!
Temperature
The Cuisinart GR-4N indoor grill also offers choice in temperatures.
It has a temp selector for the grill, and then a temp selector for the griddle. Temperature go from 200 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, you have selector mode for griddle and Panini too. The grill furthermore offers you a temp control which includes: warm, low, medium, high and, our favorite SEAR!
What we felt really lacked, however, is that it didn’t seem to offer dual temperature control. It is a disappointing considering how the dual temp for the 2 plates (when open) would have made it a dream grill for us.
User Comfort
The Cuisinart GR-4N has a large handle that is resistant to the unit’s heat. You are probably never going to wear your skin again!
Second, you have the plates which are non-stick and removable. Easy to clean: just wipe it with a damp cloth or simply chuck the loaded into the dishwasher!
And finally, you have the high-capacity grease tray which is removable and dishwasher safe as well.
Construction
The Cuisinart GR-4N weighs just 8 pounds and measures 17 x 13 x 10 inches in dimensions. It is all chrome, brusher silver while the 3 knobs and plates are black.
You have a cool-touch handle on top, which also acts as a base for the unit when it is open. It furthermore has indicator lights and comes with a scraping tool as well!
Compact: check!
Lightweight: check!
Appealing design: check!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Cuisinart GR-4N Indoor Grill:
Q: What is the thickness the hinge will allow?
Answer: Easily 2 to 3 inches.
Q: Does the grill come with a timer or alarm?
Answer: Unfortunately not. By the way, you may want to use a probe if you want to check the doneness.
- The Cuisinart GR-4N offer 5 grilling techniques; 5-in 1 grill.
- Hinge is adjustable for thicker foods.
- Offers multiple temperature control and includes a searing temperature as well.
- Is non-stick.
- Grill/griddle plates are removable and dishwasher safe.
- The drip tray is also removable and dishwasher safe.
- Has indicator lights.
- Comes with a scraping tool.
- Safe handle
- Complaints of poor non-stick coating.
- Does not come with a timer.
- No dual temp.
- Plastic tabs have a tendency to chip or crack.
- Does not heat enough as per a few users
Final Words
One thing is decided: the Cuisinart GR-4N Indoor grill is just as versatile and powerful as an outdoor one, if not more. We have loved reviewing this product so far. It has some very appealing and promising features, including the multipurpose design and the various temp controls and modes. The grill, however, isn’t entirely flawless. Its coating wear off easily, has no timer, no dual temp, and we have even received complaints of it not coming to temperature. Is the question the Cuisinart GR-4N still a usable and satisfactory grill?
We feel it is. The advantages are clearly overpowering and outnumbered over its flaws. Definitely, has a few cracks in the design, but still a great grill. We recommend it. This concludes our review of the Cuisinart GR-4N. For more details, click on the product link. We will see you soon.
