Whether you’re a hardcore herbavore or a master of meat, grilling is a great way to enjoy your favorite meals. However, between the restrictions placed on traditional grills by apartment buildings and the seasonality of outdoor grilling, the popularity of indoor grills – both electric and stove top – has been on the rise. However, choosing between the two most popular options, a cast iron or electric grill, can be a challenge. While neither an electric grill nor a cast iron stovetop grill from Lodge will completely achieve the smokey flavor the traditional grill provides, the Lodge gets much closer than an electric grill does. On the other hand, electric grills, especially those with a press function, tend to be better for hot sandwiches. However, the differences don’t stop there; continue reading our buying guide to find out which is best for your needs. 

Lodge, founded in 1896 in Tennessee, has been perfecting and progressively innovating the art of cast iron cookware for more than a century now. Cast iron grills are a great way to replicate the smokey flavor searing on an outdoor grill produces without ever having to step outside. By simply placing your grill or grill pan over your stovetop, you can transport yourself back to summertime barbecues. If you want to upgrade your indoor cooking capacity without taking up too much space, there is a Lodge cast iron grill for you. 

As with all cast iron cookware, Lodge cast iron grills heat up quickly, evenly distribute the heat and stay hot for a longer period of time than electric grills. Because of this, Lodge cast iron grills are great for searing. Plus, cast iron grills tend to come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are capable of being used for grilling, frying, baking, roasting, slow cooking and sauteing.  

Lodge cast iron grills are also easy to clean, especially in comparison to their electric counterparts, require little maintenance and remove the need to use spray oil. They’re also  supremely durable, and customers often report handing their Lodge products down to younger generations. The quality of Lodge cast iron grills is reflected in how resistant they are to showing signs of wear. Stainless steel and enamel pans reveal burn marks after just a few uses, but your Lodge cast iron grill will remain the same jet black color for years.

As you may expect, Lodge cast iron grills are heavy, regardless of the size. It may be difficult to safely move the pan around while cooking. Furthermore, because the handles of Lodge cast iron grills are also cast, they become quite hot, which may delay your cleanup routine.

Another con of Lodge cast iron grills and grill pans is that unlike regular pans, they cannot be put into the dishwasher. While you usually can’t put an electric grill in the dishwasher either, the fact that the Lodge grill is so heavy and requires hand washing is a slight disadvantage. 

Another small inconvenience associated with Lodge cast iron grills is that they will require re-seasoning every now and then. Although you’ll get in the habit quickly, it can be a challenge to salvage a meal cooked on an unseasoned Lodge cast iron grill. 

Made famous by George Foreman, the electric grill is a safe, indoor, plug-in alternative to outdoor and stovetop grilling. There are two main types of electric grill: the open grill, which is a single flat surface, and the contact grill, which includes two heating surfaces to cook both sides of your food at the same time. Electric grills are preferred by many for their ease of use and how quickly they cook. 

Electric grills are easy to set up, and can be relied on to help you whip up a great meal in a short amount of time. Also, the fact that they are electric greatly reduces the risk of a cooking fire, which is one of the main reasons people in cities and apartment buildings hesitate to purchase a grill.  

Another benefit of using an electric grill is that it is generally considered to be a healthier grilling option. Experts agree that an electric heating element produces less contaminating by-products than gas or charcoal. Furthermore, because electric grills are standalone cooking tools, you can add accessories such as a drip tray to collect excess fat and grease. 

Getting an electric grill with the same versatility as a reversible Lodge cast iron grill requires considering expensive high-end models. Electric grills that claim equal versatility will need multiple, interchangeable plates for different types of cooking. Mid-tier and budget models often won’t come with removable plates, which also makes thoroughly cleaning them a challenge. 

Gemelli Home Gourmet Steak Grill

Unfortunately, electric grills do not produce as much smoke as traditional or stovetop grills, which means they don’t produce the same smokey-char flavor that you would expect. Additionally, eclectic grills tend to be much smaller than Lodge cast iron grills, which makes cooking for more than two less efficient. Lastly, electric grills don’t have the same temperature range as their cast iron counterparts, and are less capable of searing or cooking thick cuts of meat and fish. 

While both Lodge cast iron and electric grills have their benefits, a standard Lodge grill or grill pan is longer-lasting, more versatile and produces a flavor that is closer to that of a conventional grill. If you go for a Lodge grill pan, you can make everything from burgers to vegetable stew, and if you prefer the reversible flat grill, anything from pancakes to seared scallops will be within grasp. The cherry on top is that Lodge cast iron grills and grill pans are affordable and easy to maintain, making them a must-have for true frill enthusiasts. However, you may want to choose an electric grill if you are new to grilling and want something that makes cooking easier right from the get-go. Also, if you’re a sandwich fanatic, the press function that contact electric grills provide is unbeatable.