Cuisinart Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, 2-in-1 Portable BBQ with Nonstick Cooking Surface, Electric Grill Outdoor with Adjustable Heat, Stand/Tabletop Options for Cookouts, Barbecues, Small Spaces

A week of rain pushed my grilling plans indoors, which is how I ended up putting the Cuisinart 2‑in‑1 electric grill through its paces on both a balcony and a kitchen countertop. After several dinners—burgers, chicken, skewered vegetables, and a few foil packets—I came away impressed by how much utility Cuisinart has packed into a compact, apartment‑friendly package.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly took me under 10 minutes without a single tool. The head lifts off the stand to become a tabletop unit, and the interface is as simple as it gets: a five‑position temperature dial and a power light. The 6‑foot cord is longer than many countertop appliances, which meant I didn’t have to reach for an extension cord on the balcony.

Build-wise, the grill head feels solid, while the stand is lightweight but stable if you position it on a flat surface. For breezy outdoor use or if you’ve got an uneven deck, I preferred the tabletop configuration; it’s rock steady on a sturdy table.

Cooking surface and capacity

The 240 sq. in. nonstick plate is a sweet spot for small households. I comfortably fit eight quarter‑pound burgers with space to maneuver, and you could manage 10 if you don’t mind crowding. For mixed cooks—say, a pair of chicken breasts, a sausage, and a handful of peppers—there’s room to stage everything without juggling.

The plate is smooth rather than a deep‑ridged grate, but it still leaves real grill marks once preheated. A central channel channels runoff to a grease cup below, which keeps the cooking surface relatively tidy and reduces smoke. The layout makes sense: fat travels away from food, and the cup slips out easily for cleaning.

Heat performance and control

The five heat settings span a claimed 350°F to 550°F. In practice, that’s what I saw on an infrared thermometer: roughly 350°F on level 1, about 450°F on level 4, and just shy of 550°F on level 5, measured at the hot zone after a proper preheat. That spread is wide enough to sear steaks, roast vegetables, and hold a gentle sizzle for delicate items.

Preheat matters. For quick weeknight burgers, I got best results by running it to level 5 for 10–12 minutes with the lid closed (the grill retains heat nicely). Steaks put down satisfying grill marks and picked up a flavorful crust without sticking. Chicken breasts cooked through evenly at level 4 with the lid closed, finishing juicy rather than steamed. For veggies, level 3–4 caramelized onions and peppers without scorching.

Heat distribution across the plate is better than average for an electric. There’s a mild hot zone toward the center—great for searing—while the outer edges are a bit cooler, handy for finishing. The consistency made it easy to stage items: sear in the center, then slide to the perimeter to coast to temp.

Two small quibbles on control. First, the dial is numbered 1–5 with no temperatures printed, so there’s a learning curve. After a few cooks, I had a mental map (1–2 = gentle, 3–4 = most of the grilling, 5 = sear/preheat). Second, the recovery after opening the lid is decent but not instant; give it a minute to rebound if you’re flipping a full load.

Indoor vs. outdoor use

The 2‑in‑1 design isn’t just a gimmick. Outside on the stand, I got a traditional grilling workflow and could keep splatters off my patio table. Indoors on a countertop, the grill behaved like a compact, closed electric unit—fewer flare‑ups than gas or charcoal (essentially none), predictable heat, and minimal smoke as long as I didn’t overload the surface with fatty cuts. With the grease channel doing its job, I never had to dance around flare‑ups, which is a perk of electric cooking.

That said, it’s still grilling. Bacon‑wrapped anything or very fatty burgers can smoke up a kitchen if you don’t ventilate. I had best results under a vent hood or near an open window. If you’re after a backyard smoker’s plume and deep wood flavor, this isn’t that; consider it a clean, convenient, weeknight‑friendly grill that trades traditional smoke for predictability and ease.

Cleanup and maintenance

Cleanup is the standout. After the grill cools slightly, a quick wipe with a damp sponge or paper towel lifted most residue. The nonstick surface releases well, and with a light brush of oil before cooking, even sugary marinades didn’t bond. The grease cup pops out and rinses clean.

After a handful of cooks, I noticed the nonstick behaved best when I lightly oiled the plate or the food—a quick spritz or rub. That’s normal for most nonstick surfaces at grilling temperatures. Use silicone or wooden tools and avoid scouring pads to preserve the coating. I also avoided dishwasher use for the plate; hand washing takes a minute and keeps the finish in better shape.

Design details that help (and a couple that don’t)

• Stand/tabletop versatility: Genuinely useful. On a small balcony, the stand clears table space. Indoors, the tabletop mode is sturdier and closer to your work area.
• Grease management: The central channel and catch cup keep the surface drier and cut down on smoke. It also makes oiling and cleaning simpler.
• Cord length: Six feet doesn’t sound like much, but it’s longer than many appliances and gives you options.
• Lid performance: Closing the lid turns the grill into a capable small oven. It helps with even cooking and faster preheats.
• Nonstick longevity: It’s good, not indestructible. A bit of oil and gentle utensils keep it performing like new.
• Temperature labeling: I wish the dial showed approximate temperatures. The 1–5 system is fine once you learn it, but the first couple of cooks take some guessing.

Real‑world results

• Burgers: Level 4 preheated for 10 minutes, 4–5 minutes per side for medium, excellent browning and no sticking. Eight patties fit comfortably.
• Chicken breasts: Level 4 with the lid closed, 7–9 minutes per side depending on thickness. Evenly cooked, still juicy.
• Vegetables: Onions, peppers, and zucchini at level 3–4, tossed with oil and salt, got charred edges and sweet interiors. Mushrooms benefited from a hotter start then a move to the cooler edge.
• Foil packets: Potatoes and onions cooked through at level 4 in about 20 minutes, lid closed, with minimal babysitting.

Who it’s for

• Condo and apartment dwellers with electric‑only rules.
• Anyone wanting a no‑fuel, low‑maintenance grill for quick meals.
• Small families or couples who cook for two to four people.
• Folks who want a single device that can live outside but move indoors for bad weather.

Who should look elsewhere? If you’re chasing hardwood‑smoked flavor or need to feed a crowd of 8–10 regularly, a larger gas/charcoal setup or a smoker will suit you better. This grill prioritizes convenience, control, and cleanliness over smoke and spectacle.

Tips for best results

• Preheat fully: Give it 10–12 minutes at level 5 for proper searing.
• Map the dial: Treat 1–2 as low, 3–4 as your workhorses, 5 as sear/boost.
• Oil lightly: A quick brush on the food or a spritz on the plate improves release and browning.
• Manage load: Leave a bit of space between items to keep temperatures stable and smoke down.
• Vent indoors: Use a hood or crack a window for fattier cooks.
• Protect the surface: Silicone tools, gentle sponges, and hand washing will keep the nonstick happy.

The bottom line

The Cuisinart 2‑in‑1 electric grill gets the core things right: fast and even heat, a sensible cooking surface, true indoor/outdoor flexibility, and easy cleanup. It’s not trying to mimic a charcoal kettle’s smoke or a massive backyard station’s capacity. Instead, it offers a reliable way to grill Tuesday‑night dinner without fuss, fuel, or flare‑ups—and it does that very well.

Recommendation: I recommend this grill for anyone who needs balcony‑legal, plug‑and‑play grilling with minimal maintenance. It’s a practical, thoughtfully designed option for small spaces that still delivers satisfying sears and weeknight‑friendly results. If smoke flavor and large‑party capacity are priorities, you’ll want a different tool; otherwise, this compact workhorse is an easy one to live with.