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Read my review of the Cuisinart GR 4N Griddler by clicking here.
Compact in size but big in features, Cuisinart’s countertop Griddler GR-4N offers five-in-one functionality as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle. The stylish brushed stainless-steel housing looks sleek and modern in the kitchen and features a wide panini-style handle and a hinged floating cover that adjusts to various food thicknesses. On the base, two temperature controls and a function selector are clearly marked and have indicator lights for quick reference and accurate, no-guesswork operation. Open the cover and customize the cooking surface with removable and reversible nonstick grill and griddle plates that snap in and out easily and drain grease to an integrated drip tray for healthier cooking. The Griddler also comes with gourmet recipes and a cleaning scraper tool. The cooking plates, drip tray, and scraper all go safely into the dishwasher. Limited three-year warranty.
The Cuisinart Griddler is actually five appliances in one. A hinged, floating cover and one set of removable and reversible cooking plates turn the Griddler into a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, or half grill/half griddle. Dual temperature controls and indicator lights make this product easy to use. Dishwasher-safe plates, integrated drip tray and a cleaning/scraping tool make cleanup fast and easy.
Parts & Features
- Base and Cover: Solid construction with stainless steel self-adjusting cover
- Panini-Style Handle: Sturdy cast-metal handle adjusts cover to accommodate thickness of food
- Removable and Reversible Cooking Plates: Nonstick and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup
- Grill Side: Perfect for grilling steak, burgers, chicken, and vegetables
- Griddle Side: Prepare flawless pancakes, eggs, bacon, and seared scallops
- Controls: Indicator lights signal Power On and Ready to Cook
- Selector: Choose the Grill/Panini or Griddle function
- Grill/Panini: Adjust temperature from “warm” to “sear”
- Griddle: Adjust temperature form 200°F to 425°F
- Drip Tray: Collects grease and removes from base for easy cleanup (dishwasher safe)
- Cleaning/Scraping Tool: Helps clean grill and griddle plates after cooking
- Plate Release Buttons: Push in to release and remove cooking plates
- Hinge Release Lever: Allows the cover to extend back for cooking in the flat position
Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 13.5 x 7.1 inches ; 1 pounds
Item model number: GR-4N
Contact Grill
Use the Griddler as a contact grill to cook burgers, boneless pieces of meat and thin cuts of meat and vegetables. The contact grill function works best when you want to cook something in a short amount of time or when you are looking for a healthy method of grilling. When cooked on the contact grill, food will cook quickly because you are grilling both sides of the food at the same time. The ribs on the grill side of the plates, combined with the grease spout at the rear of the plate, allow the grease to drip from the meat and drain off the plates. When the Griddler is used as a contact grill, the grill side of plates is recommended. Rest the cover evenly on top of the food until it has reached the desired cooked temperature. The Griddler was designed with a unique handle and hinge that allow the cover to adjust to the thickness of the food. You can easily grill anything from a thinly sliced potato to a thick sirloin steak with even results. When cooking more than one food item in the contact grill, it is important that the thickness of food items is consistent so the cover will close evenly on the food.
Panini Press
Use the Griddler as a panini press to grill sandwiches, breads, and quesadillas. The sandwich is pressed between two grill or griddle plates to toast the bread and warm the sandwich. We recommend using fresh-baked bread to produce the best tasting panini. Popular breads used for panini are focaccia (a flat bread frequently baked with rosemary, salt and onion on top), michetta (a small round roll with a crisp crust), ciabatta (a rectangular bread with a slightly domed crust), and thick slices of classic Italian bread. When the Griddler is used as a panini press, the grill side of the plates is recommended. We recommend the grill side of the plates because traditional style panini sandwiches have grill marks on the bread. However, depending upon the type of sandwich you are preparing, you may wish to use the griddle side of the plates or any combination of the two. The Griddler functions as a panini press in the same manner that it functions as a contact grill. The Griddler was designed with a unique handle and hinge that allow the cover to adjust to the thickness of the sandwich you are preparing, and to rest there evenly. Light pressure can be applied to the handle to press and heat the sandwich to your liking. When cooking two or more panini, it is important that the thickness of the sandwiches is consistent so the cover will close evenly on the panini.
Full Grill
Use the Griddler as a full grill to cook burgers, steak, poultry (we do not recommend cooking bone-in chicken, since it does not cook evenly on a full grill), fish, and vegetables. Full grill refers to using the Griddler with the cover lying flat, creating a double, flat cooking surface. In this position, the foods you are grilling will have to be turned over for cooking. When the Griddler is used as a full grill, the grill side of the plates should be used. Cooking on the full grill is the most versatile method of using the Griddler. With the full grill, you have double the surface area (200 square inches) for grilling. You have the option of cooking different types of foods on separate plates without combining their flavors, or cooking large amounts of the same type of food. The full grill also accommodates different cuts of meats with varying thickness, allowing you to cook each piece to your liking.
Full Griddle
Use the Griddle as a full griddle to cook pancakes, eggs, French toast, hash browns, and breakfast meats. When you use the Griddler as a full griddle, open the cover so it lies flat, creating a double, flat cooking surface. In this position, the foods you are preparing will have to be turned over for cooking. When using this cooking function, the griddle side of the plates should be used. Cooking on the full griddle is a wonderful way to prepare breakfast for two or for a large family. The large surface area allows you to cook a variety of different foods at the same time, or large amounts of your favorite food.
Half Grill/Half Griddle
Use the Griddler as a half grill/half griddle in order to create full meals like bacon and eggs or steak and potatoes at the same time. When using the Griddler as a half grill/half griddle, simply place the unit in the flat position and insert one plate with the grill side facing up and another plate with the griddle side facing up. This cooking option allows you to use either the grill/panini temperature or the griddle temperature selector
Buy now from Amazon
Read my review of the Cuisinart GR 4N Griddler by clicking here.
To Insert Cooking Plates
Adjust the Griddler to the flat position with the controls directly in front of you. Insert one plate at a time. Each plate is designed to fit in either the upper housing or the lower housing of the Griddler. If you are facing the Griddler, the drip spout should be at the rear of the plate. Locate the metal brackets at the center of the housing. Tilt the back end of the plate and line up the cutouts at the back of the plate with metal brackets. Slide the plate underneath the brackets and push down the front end of the plate. It will snap into place. Turn the Griddler around and insert the second plate on either its grill or griddle side into the upper housing as you did with the first plate.
To Remove Cooking Plates
Once the Griddler is cooled, adjust to flat position. Locate the plate release button on one side of the unit. Press firmly on button and the plate will pop up slightly from the base. Grasp the plate with two hands, slide it out from under the metal brackets, and lift it out of the base. Press on the other plate release button to remove the other cooking plate in the same manner.
Drip Tray
The drip tray is located on one side of the base inside the slot. Grease from the food will run off the plates through the grease spout and into the drip tray. In between recipes, use a wooden or heat-proof plastic utensil to scrape excess food buildup through the grease channels and into the drip tray, and then wipe off any residue with a paper towel before proceeding with the next recipe. Grease should be safety disposed of after the Griddler has cooled down completely. The drip tray can be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher and stored in the Griddler when not in use.
Cleaning and Care
Once you have finished cooking, turn the selector dial control to the Off position and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Allow the unit to cool down for least 30 minutes before handling. Use the cleaning/scraping tool to remove any leftover food from the cooking plate. The scraping tool can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. Dispose of grease from the drip tray once cooled. The drip tray can be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher. Press the plate release buttons to remove plates from the housing. Be sure that the plates have cooled completely before handling (at least 30 minutes). The cooking plates can be washed in the dishwasher. The housing base, cover and control knobs can be wiped clean with a soft, dry cloth. For tough stains, dampen cloth.
Bringing the Good Life Home
Cuisinart products are designed to make life delicious all day long. Specialty items, like the Griddler, offer today’s consumers a variety of menu options, and fun and easy new ways to entertain family and friends.
Cuisinart first came into home kitchens over 30 years ago when it introduced the now legendary food processor. People discovered that routines could be broken and creative cooking quickly became part of the new lifestyle. Preparing fresh ingredients with products that offered easy and interesting new techniques meant healthier meals and more free time.
Today Cuisinart develops products to make every meal memorable. From breakfast toast and coffee to elegant five- course dinners, the preparation and cooking have become a pleasurable part of the total experience. Today’s relaxed lifestyles and the convenience of Cuisinart products make it easier than ever to Savor the Good Life, right at home with family and friends.
Product Description
The Cuisinart Griddler makes multifunctional an understatement! With five separate cooking options, it can handle everything from pancakes to sausages to grilled cheese to steaks, hamburgers and Panini. A floating cover, and one set of reversible plates that snap in and out, turn the Griddler into a Contact Grill, a Panini Press, a Full Grill, a Full Griddle, or Half Grill/Grill Griddle. Dual temperature controls ensure everything is perfectly cooked!
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Amaretto & Spice Nectarines
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Members: Journal as 1/2 cup “canned fruit or frozen sweetened” + 1 teaspoon sugar OR 1 portion fresh fruit + 1 teaspoon sugar
2 nectarines
4 teaspoons amaretto liqueur
1 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 to 1/3 cup light vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Preheat indoor grill according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Cut nectarines in half and remove the pit. With a small serrated knife, cut into each half from the flesh side, going halfway to the skin, in a tic-tac-toe pattern.
- Drizzle a teaspoon of amaretto over each half. Lightly coat the top and bottom of nectarine halves with canola cooking spray and place skin side down on bottom plate of your indoor grill.
- Lower the top of the grill (if using a contact grill) and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove peach halves, placing two on each dessert plate. Sprinkle the top of each half with a fourth of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top each serving with a cookie scoop of light vanilla ice cream, if desired, or enjoy as is.
Yield: 2 servings
Per serving: 114 calories, 1 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 0.7 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 1 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 5%.
Recipes provided by Elaine Magee; © 2007 Elaine Magee
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr4n, george foreman grill, gr-4n, indoor grill, indoor grills, panini press, sandwich press
For those time when you cant grill outside, an indoor grill is a great alternative that lets you still enjoy grilled steaks, burgers and barbecue chicken, even when the weather outside isn’t on your side. But if you haven’t gotten around to buying an indoor grill yet, don’t despair, your ovens broiler will work in a pinch. When you choose this option, here are a few things for you to consider because there are some difference to be aware of.
Perhaps the biggest difference between cooking on a indoor grill and cooking with your ovens broiler is the temperature control on your oven. Meaning, you turn your broiler on and once your oven reaches a certain temperature, the broiler shuts off and the meat bakes instead of broilers. Defeats the purpose of broiling it but the fix is easy. Just leave the oven door slightly open so that it cant reach the cutoff temperature.
Another plus of grilling your food is the health advantage that comes from allowing the fat to drip away. Be sure to use your broiling pan to take advantage of that. Also, while the oven doesn’t have to be preheated when using a broiler, you want to do so with the broiler pan in the oven so that when the meat hits it, you get the searing affect you get when grilling.
Broiling, just like grilling can result in your burgers or steak over cooking or even burning if your not careful. Make sure you always keep a watchful eye on your meat so as not to burn it. Yes, I speak from experience. Lastly, when leaving the oven door open to prevent the oven from reaching its max temperature, your gonna get smoke. Be sure to crack a window or turn on the ovens fan to prevent the dreaded smoke detector from going off an scarring he crap out of your five year old. Again, I speak from experience. Nothing ruins diner faster then a freaked out 5 year old.
Good Times!
Dennis
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr4n, george foreman grill, gr-4n, indoor grill, indoor grills, panini press, sandwich press
Indoor Grill Recipes – Amaretto & Spice Nectarines
2 nectarines
4 teaspoons amaretto liqueur
1 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 to 1/3 cup light vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Preheat indoor grill according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Cut nectarines in half and remove the pit. With a small serrated knife, cut into each half from the flesh side, going halfway to the skin, in a tic-tac-toe pattern.
- Drizzle a teaspoon of amaretto over each half. Lightly coat the top and bottom of nectarine halves with canola cooking spray and place skin side down on bottom plate of your indoor grill.
- Lower the top of the grill (if using a contact grill) and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove peach halves, placing two on each dessert plate. Sprinkle the top of each half with a fourth of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top each serving with a cookie scoop of light vanilla ice cream, if desired, or enjoy as is.
Yield: 2 servings
Recipes provided by Elaine Magee; © 2007 Elaine Magee
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr-4n, cuisinart indoor grill, gr4n, indoor grill, indoor grill recipes, panini press
Indoor Grill Recipes – Quick Fix Chicken Parmesan
2 large (or 4 small) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper as desired
1/3 to 1/2 cup bottled marinara sauce or pizza sauce
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
2 ounces thinly sliced or shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Preheat indoor grill according to manufacturer’s directions.
- If using large chicken breasts, cut in half so they are half as thick, to make 4 thin breasts. Lightly coat both sides of each breast with olive oil. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper as desired (I used about 1/4 teaspoon).
- Add chicken breasts to the grill and lower lid if using a contact grill. Cook for about 6 minutes or until chicken is nicely brown on the outside — and moist and fully cooked on the inside.
- Place chicken breasts on a foil-lined toaster oven pan (if using toaster oven) or cookie sheet (if using the regular oven broiler). Top each breast with 1 1/2 tablespoons of marinara or pizza sauce, then 1/2 tablespoon of Parmesan and 1/2 ounce of thinly sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese (1/8 cup). Broil in toaster oven or regular oven until cheese is nicely melted (about 2 minutes).
- Serve as an entree or serve on a toasted whole-wheat bun as a sandwich.
Yield: 4 servings
Recipes provided by Elaine Magee; © 2007 Elaine Magee
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr-4n, cuisinart indoor grill, gr4n, indoor grill, indoor grill recipes, panini press
Indoor Grill Recipe – Garlic and Herb Portabella Mushrooms
4 portabella mushrooms, stems removed, rinsed and dried well
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons diced shallots (freeze-dried diced shallots can be used)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh basil (freeze dried can be used)
1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh chives (freeze dried can be used)
Salt and pepper as desired (optional)
- Preheat indoor grill according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Place the mushroom caps, round side down, on a plate. Add the olive oil, shallots, garlic, basil and chives to a custard cup and stir with a small spoon to blend well.
- Spread the olive oil herb mixture evenly over the tops (the flat side) of the mushrooms with the small spoon.
- Place mushrooms, flat side up, in grill and lower the top (if using a contact grill). Cook about 5 minutes. Serve as a side dish (sprinkle with grated cheese if desired) or as the filling in a sandwich.
Yield: 4 servings
Recipes provided by Elaine Magee; © 2007 Elaine Magee
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr-4n, cuisinart indoor grill, gr4n, indoor grill, indoor grill recipes, panini press
Indoor Grill Recipe – Sweet & Spicy Pork Chops
You’ll have about 5 teaspoons of the rub left over for another time. If you don’t want to use Splenda Brown Sugar Blend, use 2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar instead.
2 tablespoons Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground dry mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound boneless pork top loin center cut chops, extra-thin cut (1/3-inch thick)
Canola cooking spray
- Preheat indoor grill according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Add the brown sugar blend, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt to a small cup and mix with small spoon to blend well.
- Coat both sides of 4 pork chops with canola cooking spray and lay them on the bottom plate of the grill. Spread a teaspoon of the rub over the top of each of the cutlets on the grill. Lower the top (if using a contact grill) and cook for 3 minutes (4 minutes if you like them well done).
- Repeat previous step with the remaining chops. Place leftover rub in a plastic bag or small covered container. Serve pork chops in sandwiches, as an entree, or in a main-dish salad.
Yield: 4 servings (two thin cutlets per serving)
Recipes provided by Elaine Magee; © 2007 Elaine Magee
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr-4n, cuisinart indoor grill, gr4n, indoor grill, indoor grill recipes, panini press
As a product reviewer, I’m often asked which brand and model of indoor grill do I recommend. If you have been to the store or looked online, you know that there are a lot to choose from. In a previous article titled, Types of Indoor Grills, I spoke about the two basic indoor grill configurations. There is the open face model and the folding contact type. Both have their pros and cons and both are designed to perform a separate task. My personal preference is to go with a folding contact type grill because they 
have multiple roles from a standard indoor grill that cooks burgers and chicken breasts to a sandwich maker for making panini sandwiches and some even convert to a waffle maker.
In the folding contact grill genre, there are two brands that I recommend. Today I’ll talk about one of those brands, the simplest and least expensive, the George Foreman Indoor Grill. With the George Foreman Grill, you have a few options. The first is the simplest of the models, the George Foreman GR20B Family Size Grill. This grill is ideal for the small family or college students who want a quality indoor grill that is compact and inexpensive. This grill has a patented slope design and nonstick 60 square inches cooking surface allows fat and grease to drain off, for higher fat reduction, healthier meals for the entire family and less smoke during cooking. Signature Foreman heating elements provide more even heat during cooking from the center to the sides of the plate and faster temperature recovery. This grill gets 4 1/2 stars out of 5 on Amazon.
If you want a little versatility while sticking with the same great quality George Foreman name, a good choice is the George Foreman GRP90WGR Next Generation Indoor Grill. This grill offers the same functions as the original George Foreman but you get the added bonus of having interchangeable cooking plates. These plates allows the grill to be used as a waffle maker, panini press, contact grill as well as a standard indoor grill. This grill increases the cooking area from 60 square inches to 72. A few extra bucks but worth every penny because you are getting 5 appliances in one. Again, this grill receives 4 1/2 stars out of 5 on Amazon. 
Of course there are other brands out there but for it’s simplicity, quality design and the high marks it gets from customers, you absolutely can’t go wrong with any George Foreman Grill.
Dennis
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr4n, george foreman grill, gr-4n, indoor grill, indoor grills, panini press, sandwich press
First off, when I say indoor grill, I don’t mean that you should bring your propane or charcoal grill inside. I shouldn’t have to say that but there are some who have tried this in the past. If you do and your house burns down, you deserve it.
When you break it down, there are essentially 2 types of indoor grills; open face and the folding contact grill. Both use electricity and not actual fire to do the cooking. (Refer to the paragraph above.) The first type, the open face indoor grill looks similar to an electric skillet except the cooking surface is ribbed and open much like an outdoor grill. This type of grill has it’s limitations in that you can really only use it as a grill and not as a panini press or a skillet. Some of the folding type indoor grills will allow for these two options. More on that though in a minute.
With a open face indoor grill, you get as close to the experience of outdoor grilling without actually being outdoor and without that smoked flavor like you would get from a charcoal grill. But for the chance to grill year round, it’s something you can probably live with. If you are using a propane grill, you already are missing out on the smoked flavor so indoor grilling won’t be that much different.
If I had to recommend only one open face indoor grill, it would be the Delonghi BG24 from Perfecto. Great company and this grill is simple and very highly rated by customers.
The next type of indoor grill is the folding contact grill type. The George Foreman Grill is a good example of this since most people have seen it on television. Basically it is two halves with a cooking surface on each. When the meat is placed inside the grill and it is closed, both sides are cooked at once making it a very efficient way to cook. The folding contact indoor grill also has the added advantage of doubling as a panini sandwich press and some, like the Cuisinart GR4N come with interchangeable cooking plates. With the Cuisinart, you can change the grill plates out and replace them with skillet plates or even waffle plates making this type of indoor grill more versatile then the open face type.
For me and my family, the indoor grill is a fantastic invention. We absolutely love to grill but living where I do, the weather doesn’t always cooperate. The solution was to get an indoor grill which I would guess we use as much as our outdoor grill so for us, the investment in a good quality indoor grill was a no brainer.
I hope that I was able to answer your question about what an indoor grill is and how the two basic grill types differ. Please leave me a comment if you have anything else to add or if you have a grill recommendation to share.
Happy Grilling!
Dennis
Tags: Contact Grill, cuisinart gr4n, george foreman grill, gr-4n, indoor grill, indoor grills, panini press, sandwich press
Check out his panini sandwich recipe from Food Networks Giada De Laurentiis.
Tags: panini press, panini recipes, panini sandwich, panini sandwich recipes, panini sandwiches
Host of “Ciao Italia” offers summer cooking tips, marinade ideas, shopping advice and reveals what four ingredients are always in her fridge.
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