About.com Rating

Updated June 01, 2014.



I’ve been a fan of the George Foreman Grill for some time. I use it to prepare my favorite low-fat Chicken, Bacon and Apple Sausage and other lean, healthy high protein dishes. But the biggest problem in the past has always been clean up. So I decided to try a George Foreman Removable Plate Grill.
The model I tested was the 5 Serving Removable Plate Grill (GRP2841R). To review the product, I used the grill to make lean beef hamburgers, chicken breasts and grilled veggies as well as my favorite sausage.

Bottom line? The removable plate grill is an upgrade that is well worth the cost.
Why Buy a George Foreman Grill?

Before I talk about the benefits of the removable plate grill, let me explain why I’ve become a fan of my GFG in the first place. If you are trying to lose weight or simply trying to maintain a lean physique, lean protein plays an essential role. It helps you to build muscle, maintain a healthy metabolism and feel full and satisfied throughout the day.

But often, we don’t eat protein because it’s harder to prepare. Think about the last time you reached for a snack or a quick meal. Did you grab a starchy packaged food or did you prepare a well-rounded meal with veggies and meat? Packaged food almost always wins out when we’re hungry because it’s easy and it requires minimal preparation. But a George Foreman Grill makes healthy food easier to cook and the design allows you to cook your food with less fat.

Clean Up is Easy with Removable Plates

While I always loved cooking with my George Foreman Grill, I always dreaded clean up.

To clean the cooking surface after my meal, I had to maneuver the grill into the sink while making sure that the cord and heating element stayed out of the water. It was awkward and messy.
The removable plates make clean up fast and easy. The top and bottom grill plates slide off by releasing a clip on each side of the device. Once the plates are off, you can either immerse them in the sink or put them in the dishwasher. Because the plates are made out of a tough, non-stick material, I found it easy to quickly wipe away any mess without using the dishwasher.
Variable Temperature - A Necessary Upgrade

George Foreman has a few removable plate grills available. You may be able to find one that is smaller and less expensive than the one that I reviewed. But I would strongly recommend getting a model that has variable temperature control.

Controlling your cooking temperature is essential. For example, you wouldn’t cook a well-done beef hamburger at the same temperature that you’d cook sliced eggplant. And unless you like a crispy burnt crust on your chicken breast, it’s best to cook your poultry on a lower temp. Cooking tuna? I like mine seared on the outside but rare in the middle. I wouldn’t be able to get that result without temperature control.

More Improvements

In addition to the removable plates and the temperature control, there were a few other upgrades in this model that I liked. I didn’t have any of these features on my old grill and I think they’d be worth paying for:

• Adjustable cooking angle. Tilt the grill to drain fat from food while cooking
• New pattern on top grill adds texture to grilled food and panini sandwiches
• Adjustable hinge makes cooking thicker foods easier

Find out if there was anything I didn't like >>>