A raclette grill makes sharing a meal easy: everyone can cook cheese, vegetables, meat or fish at the table just the way they like it. Yet many models look similar, while there can be big differences in cooking surface, temperature control and ease of cleaning. For example, a grill designed for two people may not be as practical for an evening with eight guests.
When comparing an electric raclette grill, don’t focus only on wattage or an attractive offer. Here are some common pitfalls to look out for.
“Raclette for 8 people” usually means that eight pans are included. It doesn’t tell you how much grilling space you’ll have. So check the dimensions of the grill plate too. A plate around 40 cm long offers more room than a compact model with the same number of pans.
A non-stick grill plate helps food release more easily, but using it incorrectly can damage the coating. Metal forks and knives, as well as scouring pads, aren’t suitable. Check whether the plate and pans can be removed, and whether the product information says they’re dishwasher-safe.
Higher wattage can help the grill heat up quickly, but without good temperature control it’s harder to cook different ingredients at the same time. A raclette grill with adjustable temperature gives you more control when cooking cheese, vegetables and meat. Check whether the temperature can be adjusted smoothly or only using preset settings.
A compact electric raclette grill is often enough for a household of two to four people. For families and groups of friends, a model with eight pans and a plate around 40 to 50 cm long is more practical. Bear in mind how much room you have on the table: you’ll need space for plates, ingredients and sauces as well as the grill.
A tabletop grill with pans is ideal if everyone wants to cook small portions at the same time. A regular table grill without pans is better suited to larger pieces of meat, fish or vegetables.
The material you choose can affect how you use the grill:
A stone grill can be a good choice if retaining heat is important to you. If you mainly want quick heating and easy cleaning, consider an aluminium plate or an electric grill with removable parts.
Before buying, check:
A long cable, non-slip feet and an indicator light are practical details that can make a difference when you’re using the grill. Place the appliance on a flat, heat-resistant surface and keep children and pets away from hot plates and pans.
Why it suits this profile: This model comes with eight pans and spatulas, plus a 41.5 x 26 cm grilling surface. That makes it a good choice for your first raclette evening with family or friends.
Its capacity is backed up by a specific plate size and eight included pans. The adjustable thermostat means you’re not limited to cooking at one fixed temperature.
1400 W power, ceramic non-stick coating, indicator light and eight pans with spatulas.
Why it suits this profile: The combination of two reversible aluminium plates and a natural stone plate gives you a choice of cooking methods.
The product information lists three grilling surfaces and a continuously adjustable thermostat. So you’re not limited to one plate or one heat setting.
1350 W power, Xylan Plus non-stick coating and a 2-metre cable.
Why it suits this profile: This tabletop grill is designed for two to eight people and combines a ribbed grilling area with a flat teppanyaki zone.
The capacity, plate layout and included accessories are clearly specified. The two heat settings give you more choice than a model with only on/off control.
1500 W, eight pans, eight wooden spatulas, and a plate and pans that are dishwasher-safe according to the product information.
We’ve put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.
That depends on its design and how well you maintain it. A model with removable plates, a sturdy housing and good temperature control is more practical for regular use. Let the appliance cool completely after each use and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
This depends on the wattage and how long you use it. A 1400 W appliance running at full power for one hour uses 1.4 kWh in theory. In practice, the thermostat switches on and off regularly, so actual consumption can vary. Don’t look at wattage alone: consider the heating time and the size of the meal too.
A raclette grill usually has pans beneath a heating element. A tabletop grill often uses the same style of cooking, with a baking or grill plate. A contact grill presses food between two plates and is mainly designed for sandwiches, meat or panini. For sharing a meal at the table, a raclette or tabletop grill is usually the better choice. For quick cooking in the kitchen, a contact grill is more suitable.