The Breville Sear and Press Grill and indoor grills from Cuisinart both offer excellent ways to grill indoors, but they cater to very different users. Breville's grill is a premium, high-performance machine with precise temperature controls and a focus on perfect searing, coming at a higher price. Cuisinart's grills are reliable, budget-friendly workhorses that provide great everyday performance and value without the premium features.
Here's a detailed look at both options to help you decide which grill belongs on your countertop.
Breville Sear and Press Grill
The Breville Sear and Press Grill is a versatile and powerful indoor appliance designed for home cooks who want professional-level results. It functions as an open grill, a contact grill for paninis, and a high-heat searer, delivering precise control and even heating thanks to its thoughtful engineering and premium build quality.
- What it is: A high-end indoor electric grill with functions for grilling, searing, and making pressed sandwiches.
- Key features: Independent temperature control for top and bottom plates, a 2400W heating element for high-sear temperatures, non-stick ceramic plates, and an adjustable top lid for different food thicknesses.
- Price: Around $250 - $300.
- Dimensions: Approximately 14 x 12 x 6 inches, designed for countertop use.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality brushed stainless steel exterior and robust, non-stick cooking surfaces designed for durability and consistent performance.
- Style: Sleek, modern, and minimalist, with a polished finish that complements contemporary kitchen designs.
- Pros: Excellent searing capability for steaks and burgers. Precise and independent plate temperature control offers great cooking flexibility. Premium and durable construction. Adjustable height control prevents crushing delicate foods.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than Cuisinart models. Cooking plates are not removable, which can make deep cleaning more difficult. May be more appliance than a casual cook needs.
This grill is ideal for the dedicated home chef who values cooking precision and versatility, and is willing to invest in an appliance that can deliver a restaurant-quality sear.
Shop this product: https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/grills-sandwich-makers/bgr700.html
Cuisinart Indoor Grills
Cuisinart has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable and user-friendly kitchen appliances at an accessible price. Their indoor grills, like the popular Griddler series, focus on straightforward functionality, ease of use, and multi-purpose cooking, making them a popular choice for families and daily meal preparation.
- What it is: A range of versatile and affordable countertop grills intended for everyday use, from making pancakes to grilling chicken.
- Key features: Most models include reversible/removable grilling and griddle plates, adjustable temperature controls, and a hinged cover that adapts to food thickness.
- Price: Generally ranges from $100 to $180.
- Dimensions: Similar in size to the Breville, typically around 14 x 12 x 4-6 inches.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a mix of durable plastic and stainless steel on the exterior, with non-stick coated aluminum cooking plates.
- Style: Practical and functional, with a classic appliance look that fits well in most kitchens.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Removable, dishwasher-safe plates make cleanup incredibly easy. Often includes multiple plate styles (grill/griddle) for versatility. Simple and intuitive to operate.
- Cons: Lacks the high-heat searing power of the Breville. Temperature control is less precise. Build quality is solid for the price but not as robust as the Breville.
A Cuisinart grill is a workhorse appliance for anyone seeking dependability and convenient cleanup on a budget for everyday grilling tasks.
Shop this product: https://www.cuisinart.com/shopping/countertop-appliances/grills/
Breville Sear and Press Grill vs. Cuisinart Comparison
Materials & Construction
The difference in craftsmanship is a major separator between these two brands. The Breville Sear and Press Grill is constructed with heavy-duty brushed stainless steel and features robust ceramic non-stick plates, giving it a premium feel and long-term durability. This build contributes to its excellent heat retention and searing power.
Cuisinart grills, while reliable, use a combination of stainless steel accents and durable plastics in their housing. The quality is perfectly fine for everyday use and contributes to their lower cost, but it doesn't match the solid, professional-grade feel of the Breville.
Performance & Versatility
For high-heat cooking, Breville is the clear winner. Its ability to achieve a genuine sear on steaks and burgers is something most Cuisinart models struggle to replicate. The independent temperature control for each plate also provides a level of cooking precision that Cuisinart doesn't offer. However, Cuisinart excels in convenience. The inclusion of removable and often reversible waffle, griddle, and grill plates on many models makes it an incredibly versatile machine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breville’s fixed plates limit its functionality in this regard.
Ease of Cleaning
Cuisinart takes the top spot for cleanup. Because the cooking plates are almost always removable and dishwasher-safe, tidying up after a meal is quick and painless. Breville's plates are fixed to the unit, so cleaning requires wiping them down carefully while avoiding the electronic components. While the non-stick surface helps, it's not as simple as putting dirty plates in the dishwasher.
Price & Value
This is where the choice becomes clear for many shoppers. A Cuisinart indoor grill offers fantastic value at $100-$180. For that price, you get a reliable and versatile appliance that handles daily cooking tasks with ease. The Breville grill, at around $250-$300, is a premium kitchen tool. It provides superior searing performance and build quality, which justifies the cost for serious cooks, but for grilling a simple panini or chicken breast, Cuisinart delivers similar results for less than half the price.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Breville and Cuisinart grills are excellent products, but they are built for different people with different priorities.
Choose the Breville Sear and Press Grill if:
- You want to achieve a restaurant-quality, high-heat sear on steaks and burgers.
- Precise, independent temperature control for your cooking surfaces is important to you.
- You value premium, durable build quality and a sleek, modern aesthetic.
- Your budget allows for a higher-end appliance and you're willing to pay for performance.
Choose a Cuisinart Indoor Grill if:
- You are on a budget and looking for the best performance for your money.
- Easy, fast cleanup is a top priority - the dishwasher-safe plates are a huge advantage.
- You want a versatile, everyday appliance for paninis, pancakes, chicken, and vegetables.
- You prioritize straightforward operation and reliability over advanced features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Breville and Cuisinart grills?
The primary difference is performance versus practicality. Breville focuses on high-performance searing and precise temperature control with a premium build, while Cuisinart focuses on affordable versatility and easy cleaning with its removable plates.
Is the Breville Sear and Press Grill worth the extra cost?
If you frequently cook steaks or other foods that benefit from a powerful sear, the superior heat and control of the Breville are absolutely worth the price. For everyday grilling of items like sandwiches, vegetables, or chicken, a Cuisinart provides comparable results for much less money.
Which grill gets hotter for a better sear?
The Breville Sear and Press Grill is specifically designed for high-heat cooking and achieves much higher temperatures ideal for searing. This is one of its main selling points over models from Cuisinart.
Are the grilling plates removable on these models?
No, the plates on the Breville Sear and Press Grill are fixed and not removable. In contrast, most Cuisinart Griddler models come with plates that pop out easily for cleaning and are typically dishwasher safe.
Which brand is easier to clean?
Cuisinart is significantly easier to clean due to its removable, dishwasher-safe plates. While the Breville's non-stick surface is effective, cleaning fixed plates requires more careful wiping by hand.
Can both grills make good paninis?
Yes, both grills excel at making paninis. Breville's adjustable height top lid is a nice feature that prevents sandwiches from being completely crushed, but both brands perform this core function very well.
Which brand is more durable?
The Breville grill generally has more robust, premium construction, featuring more metal components and heavier-duty materials that suggest a longer lifespan. Cuisinart grills are reliably built but incorporate more plastic, making them feel less substantial.
Do I need an appliance that can sear?
Searing uses high heat to create a flavorful, caramelized crust on food, particularly meat. If you enjoy a deep brown crust on your steaks and burgers, then a grill with searing capability like the Breville is a great choice. If you primarily cook items that don’t require it, this feature may be unnecessary.
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