Choose an open griddle or a combined grill-and-griddle if you want to cook bacon alongside eggs and other breakfast foods; check how much usable space each cooking zone provides. A contact grill makes more sense if you prefer two-sided cooking or guided programmes, but its plates may not give you the open, flat layout you want for a full breakfast.
If you cook bacon, eggs and other breakfast foods together, separate zones or a broad open surface let you arrange them without relying on a contact-grill layout. George Foreman’s 23450 illustrates the separate-zone approach.
If cleaning up after bacon is a priority, compare how fat drains and whether the tray and plates can be removed. Plate-cleaning instructions differ between models, even when both have a drip tray.
If storage is tight, check the appliance’s dimensions in both cooking and storage positions. For a campsite or another restricted supply, compare its wattage with the power permitted at the site.
Start with the space you need for bacon and any accompanying food, then consider cleaning, cooking controls and the power available where you will use the appliance.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable cooking area | Check the plate layout and usable space, rather than overall dimensions alone. For mixed breakfasts, look at separate zones or an open-flat setting. | When I make bacon with eggs or other sides, I want enough room to cook them together rather than in batches. Around 27% of consumers put breakfast-cooking space first. |
| Grease and cleaning | Check where fat collects and whether the tray and plates are removable; confirm the plate-cleaning instructions for the exact model. | After cooking fatty bacon, I want the fat to be manageable and the appliance straightforward to clean. Roughly 33% of consumers make grease control and clean-up their main concern. |
| Heat and cooking format | Compare adjustable or separate temperature controls with guided programmes, and check which flat or ribbed plates are included. | If I also cook other foods, I want controls and a plate format that suit those different meals. About 27% of consumers prioritise cooking control and versatility. |
| Storage or power limits | Measure storage space and, where power is restricted, compare the appliance’s wattage with the permitted load. | With limited cupboard space or a restricted electrical supply, I need an appliance that fits those limits before considering extra features. Around 13% of consumers put storage or power requirements first. |
A bacon programme or drip tray does not mean a grill has space to spread out bacon, eggs and pancakes on a smooth plate.
Check whether the appliance stays closed, opens flat, includes flat griddle plates or has a separate smooth cooking zone.
A plate divided into ribbed and smooth sections may have less usable flat space than its overall measurements suggest.
Compare the cooking-zone layout with the number of rashers and other breakfast items you usually prepare.
A tray helps collect fat, but the appliance and rendered fat remain hot. Electrical Safety First advises against leaving a grill unattended and says to let it cool fully before cleaning.
Use the tray as instructed, keep flammable items away and wait for the appliance to cool before cleaning it.
Electrical Safety First warns that using a grill alongside other large appliances on an extension lead can create an overload and fire risk.
Check the appliance’s power requirements and the lead’s rating, and do not share an extension lead with other high-power appliances.
The 23450 is a combined grill-and-griddle for cooking different breakfast foods on separate areas.
The OptiGrill GC701D40 suits consumers considering a contact grill rather than a permanently open griddle.
The K0012 is an open griddle to consider where appliance power is restricted, including at some campsites.
The GR47BU illustrates a convertible appliance that can work as a contact grill or open griddle.
This contact grill is an option for consumers considering a grill format for bacon. If you need a smooth, open plate or room for several rashers, check the plate surface and usable dimensions before choosing it.
Image unavailable
This contact-grill format suits consumers who prefer grilling bacon to cooking it on a dedicated flat griddle.
Check whether its plate surface and usable cooking area fit your usual number of rashers. Confirm the cleaning instructions and plug requirements before use.
Choose a flat or openable griddle if you want to arrange bacon freely and cook other breakfast foods alongside it. A contact grill suits consumers who prefer two-sided cooking or guided programmes; Tefal lists a bacon programme for the GC701D40, while Cuisinart says the GR47BU can open flat.
Preheat the appliance as its instructions direct before adding bacon; Food Standards Agency cooking guidance recommends preheating cooking equipment. Follow the food and appliance instructions, and cook the bacon thoroughly.
Check the appliance’s power requirements and that it has a suitable UK three-pin plug and fuse. Electrical Safety First warns that a grill used with other large appliances can overload an extension lead.
Keep the manufacturer’s instructions and register the appliance if the manufacturer offers registration, so it can contact you about a recall. Check plugs and sockets for signs of damage, including scorch marks, before use.