Hamilton Beach 25295 Indoor Contact Grill with Removable Grids
by Hamilton Beach
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Our Price: $45.00
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Hamilton BeachBrand: Hamilton Beach
Release Date: 2004-11-19
Model: 25295
Color: White
Product features:
- 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
- Measures approximately 14 by 6 by 12 inches
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Hamilton Beach 25295 Indoor Contact Grill with Removable Grids
Customer Review: Longterm User of HB Indoor Grills Speaks: Just Bought My Third Model!
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to speak up on behalf of Hamilton Beach indoor grills. I just ordered this 25295 model, which is my third in about a half-dozen years. It probably will last a few years, making that three in ten years. That's not bad at all.
What went wrong with the one before this, the previous model 25285 with removable grids, is that the turn-off mechanism stopped being dependable. I noticed that my steak got overcooked, but thought it had been my fault for leaving it on too long. It wasn't until the next morning that I saw that the grill never shut itself off (eeek: stayed on overnight). So it's time for replacement -- after four years or so of constant use and perhaps some casual abuse.
The model before that, replaced with the 25285 (for cleaning ease and because I wanted white), was given to my mother, who also got a few years of faithful, second-hand service. So that one too lasted about four years. I also gave one away as a present -- and its recipient, who had been suspicious of such contraptions and has a tiny kitchen, loved it and used it for years. Therefore, this is the fourth HB indoor grill that I've purchased.
If you are single and don't have a lot of counter space, this is tough to beat -- particularly for less than $50 and no tax or shipping charges, and an easy return policy in addition to the one-year warranty. Before I bought the 25295, I checked out the George Foreman grills (including the "next generation"), Cuisinart, T-Fal, etc. Some of the others have some nice features that this model lacks -- such as temperature control, greater grilling area, floating hinge. But to me, that was offset by how much bulkier they are, oftentimes quite ugly IMHO, and not that much more bang for the buck. I really don't like it that some of the smaller GF models turn on only by being plugged in the wall. Maybe this is intended as a safety feature, but I wouldn't want to constantly have to mess with that. A power button should be essential, rather than considered a nicety for which they charge extra.
This does a nice job with grilled sandwiches, meat and fish, sliced vegetables, etc. You get grill marks and it cooks everything right, after you learn the appropriate times for different types of food. It's cooked bacon fine, IMHO. It does quite nicely with frozen meat or veggie patties and chicken breasts. I particularly like to throw on a fairly thick frozen sirloin, or salmon or tuna steak. The outside gets browned, while the interior stays moist and lightly cooked (if you catch it in time). The reservoir cup holds a lot, so if you marinate the meat or fish and it drips, it's not a problem. If it's not essential to dispose of the fat that drips off and collects in the reservoir -- the ostensible purpose of indoor grills and still their prime marketing claim -- you can find ways to use it to baste the food during cooking (buy a second cup or find something else to use) or use it as the basis of gravy.
Some reviewers have noted that the nonstick surface on the GF models flakes or chips off over time. These HBs hold up, but you do need to follow instructions. Wipe the grids clean while still warm and wash in the sink or dishwasher. Don't use cleaning products or tools that will strip off the nonstick covering, and use spray oil before grilling. Also, let the grill heat up 5 min before use, as per the directions. Food placed on hot surfaces sticks less than food that heats up with the surface (of course, such caramelization also enhances taste to some extent, so you may want to fiddle with this for your purposes, carefully scraping off the caramelized parts to avoid scratching the surface). If the grids get messed up, they can be replaced as long as the parts are manufactured, which probably will be for a while.
The models I've purchased have made a tidy "footprint" on my countertop, and I know how to make it do what I need it to do. It wasn't worth it to spend maybe even twice as much for a few more bells and whistles, when I would be settling for a style that I dislike and losing half the counter space. Yes, it can be put away after use, but I like to have kitchen gizmos within easy reach, particularly if I like the way they look. The grill gets too much use to be constantly tucked away anyway. And this model matches my other stuff. If I had chrome appliances or did more entertaining or a larger counter area, I would've been seriously tempted by the Cusinart model, though, I have to admit.
Therefore, I think some of the negative comments need to be taken in the context of maybe judging too quickly or nitpicking, needing a larger size grill for a family, preferring more features, using it incorrectly, etc. Neither I nor the people I know who have had HB indoor grills have had problems with melting plastic or plastic odors. HB makes the "Honda" of indoor grills. It's dependable rather than flashy, not big which matters for those with small kitchens, rates well with consumers and through independent tests, lasts for years, and isn't more than a one- or two- person household needs. Why pay (and pay for the electricity over time) for what you don't need? If your needs are modest, a modest indoor grill may well suit your purposes. I look forward to the new grill living up to the quality of its predecessors in my household.
Description of Hamilton Beach 25295 Indoor Contact Grill with Removable Grids
The Hamilton Beach Indoor Contact Grill can be used for every meal during the day. Start with bacon, eggs and pancakes on the dishwasher safe, removable griddle grids. Then cook hamburgers, steaks, chicken or fish on the regular dishwasher safe removable grilling grids. Frozen chicken breasts are completely cooked in 15 minutes on the grill. Never miss another BBQ because of the rain.Contact Grills
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