Weekend batch cooks
If you grill several portions for later meals, check how many of your usual aubergine slices fit without overlapping. You will also need a practical way to cool and store the finished portions.
Who is this for?
Flat-surface vegetable cooks
If you cook broad slices or smaller vegetable pieces, consider whether you want a continuous cooking surface rather than relying solely on ribbed plates.
Small-kitchen meal preppers
If counter and cupboard space are limited, weigh the grill’s stored size against the number of cooking rounds you are willing to make.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the space your usual slices need, then decide between ribbed and flat cooking and check the cleaning arrangements for the exact model.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Batch area and surface | Compare usable plate dimensions with your slice size. Check whether flat cooking is possible and whether the required plates are included or compatible. | If I prepare several portions at once, I want room to lay out slices without overlapping them. Around 33% of consumers put usable batch area and surface format first. |
| Cleaning | Check whether the exact model has removable plates and whether its plates and drip tray are dishwasher-safe. | After cooking oiled or marinated aubergine repeatedly, I want plates I can clean without a difficult routine. Around 27% of consumers make cleaning their primary concern. |
| Vegetable options | Look for stated vegetable or manual-temperature options; confirm whether a flat or griddle plate is included or compatible. | If I also grill other vegetables, I want a cooking format and controls that suit those foods. Around 20% of consumers prioritise vegetable versatility. |
| Space and storage | Measure the appliance’s stored space and plan containers for cooling the portions after cooking. | In a small kitchen, I need the grill and the prepared food to fit, even if that means cooking successive loads. Around 20% of consumers put space and batch handling first. |
Buying pitfalls
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Choosing by automatic programmes alone
A vegetable setting does not tell you how many aubergine slices will fit or whether you will like the plate format.
Choose the cooking area and surface first, then check the exact model’s stated vegetable or manual controls.
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Assuming removable plates are standard
Plate-removal and dishwasher instructions differ by model, which matters when cleaning after repeated batches.
Check the specifications for the plates and drip tray of the appliance you intend to buy.
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Assuming any plancha fits a similar-looking grill
Tefal lists its flat OptiGrill plancha accessory for specific grill references, not for every model in the range.
Match the grill’s reference number to Tefal’s accessory compatibility list before relying on flat-plate cooking.
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Leaving storage plans until after cooking
The grill determines how food is cooked, but finished portions still need space to cool and be refrigerated.
Have smaller containers ready. GOV.UK household guidance for England, Northern Ireland and Wales says to cool cooked food at room temperature and put it in the fridge within one to two hours.
Brands to consider
Tefal
Tefal’s OptiGrill models offer a choice of stated capacities and plate arrangements relevant to aubergine batches.
- Tefal specifies a 6–8-portion OptiGrill+ XL with removable dishwasher-safe plates and a vegetable programme; it also lists a smaller four-portion OptiGrill reference with removable dishwasher-safe plates.
- Its flat plancha accessory fits only named OptiGrill references. Check the exact reference rather than assuming it fits the whole range.
Sage
The Sage BBQ & Press Grill is an option to examine if you want both contact cooking and an open-flat arrangement.
- Sage says the BBQ & Press Grill opens flat for a larger grilling and griddle surface and offers reversible plate options.
- Check the model’s usable cooking area and the counter space it needs when open against your planned batches.
George Foreman
The George Foreman UK range is worth comparing if removable plates are a priority.
- George Foreman lists medium and extra-large grills in its removable dishwasher-safe plates category.
- Check an individual model’s plate dimensions and cooking format before judging its capacity for your aubergine slices.
Russell Hobbs
Russell Hobbs presents its grills and griddles as options for smaller living spaces.
- Its range includes countertop grilling and griddling formats to compare when storage space matters.
- Confirm the exact UK model’s plate dimensions, removability and stored size rather than applying range-level descriptions to every grill.
Joybuy contact grills
These contact grills offer different starting points for aubergine batches: an opening grill, a model with stated cooking-area dimensions, a programmed OptiGrill and a double-sided grill with stated plate dimensions. Compare each against your slice size and preferred cleaning routine.
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Philips 5000 Series Contact Grill HD6301/90
Consider this contact grill if you are comparing models for repeated aubergine batches. Check its usable cooking area against your usual slices and review the plate-cleaning instructions before choosing it.
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Princess 1800W Contact Grill, 180° Opening, 27.5 × 18 cm
The stated cooking-area dimensions give you a reference for planning how many aubergine slices fit in a load. This model has a 180° opening and detachable plates; check the cleaning instructions for those plates.
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Tefal Optigrill Plus Matte Black GC7178G1
Consider this model if you want a contact grill with automatic programmes alongside your aubergine cooking. Its title specifies six programmes; check the exact vegetable options, usable plate area and plate format before relying on them for your batches.
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ochama 2000W Multifunction Contact Grill, 28 × 22 cm Plates
The stated plate dimensions offer a starting point for checking how your aubergine slices would fit. The title also specifies double-sided heating and a non-stick coating; confirm the plate profile and cleaning arrangements if either affects your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need flat plates to grill aubergine?
No. A ribbed contact grill can cook aubergine slices, while flat plates are worth considering if you prefer a continuous surface for slices or smaller pieces. Tefal describes a flat plancha accessory for specific OptiGrill references, and Sage says its BBQ & Press Grill can open flat; check which surfaces fit or come with the exact model.
How large should a contact grill be for aubergine batch cooking?
Choose by how many of your usual slices fit without overlapping, rather than by a portion count alone. Tefal specifies its OptiGrill+ XL for 6–8 portions and another OptiGrill reference for four, but those figures do not tell you how many slices of your preferred size will fit.
Which cleaning features should I check?
Check whether the exact grill has removable plates, an accessible drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts if you plan to cook oiled aubergine regularly. Tefal states removable dishwasher-safe plates for named OptiGrill models, and George Foreman lists grills in a removable dishwasher-safe plates category; neither makes the feature universal across a brand.
How should I cool grilled aubergine for later meals?
Put the cooked food into smaller portions so it can cool before refrigeration. GOV.UK household guidance for England, Northern Ireland and Wales says to cool cooked food at room temperature and place it in the fridge within one to two hours.