George Foreman Grill, Extension Cord Okay?

By David T Smith

There are some places where you just can't grill with a conventional gas or charcoal grill and there are some people who just can't go without grilling. For those people in those places and for special circumstances, you can use an electric grill. While the result may not be the barbeque you are used to, an electric grill is a perfect solution when conventional grills won't work. If you are using a George Foreman grill, extension cord usage is okay, although not suggested by the manufacturer.

Living in an apartment or in a condo where firing up a grill is prohibited can be unavoidable for some but it does not have to be the end of grilling altogether. Yes, there is a bit of a sacrifice in flavor and appearance, but for some, even sub-par grilling is better than not grilling at all. For those with a George Foreman Grill, extension cord and a steak or two, barbeque for dinner is possible.

There is a full size model grill in the George Foreman family of grills that you can use to prepare full-scale grilled dinners: meat, vegetables and whatever else you might want to grill. It has a larger surface area than most electric grills and can be used indoors or out. Because it is a George, the end result is a less fatty piece of meat and clean up is easy. The grill surface gives your food the requisite grill marks and all you need is a George Foreman grill, extension cord and a little bit of space.

The length of the cord is the most common complaint when customers write reviews about the George Foreman Grill; extension cord use is not approved by the manufacturer per se, but others have suggested that if you do use one, make sure it is rated for the number of amps and wattage the appliance draws. Those numbers are pretty high, so you'll need a super extension cord. The company that makes the grills warns against using an extension cord and actually has a reason for the shorter length of the cord they use. As you may have guessed, it is a safety feature, designed to keep the cord from getting tangled.

Another use of the George Foreman grill, extension cord and all is to take it on the road with you. Again, this goes against manufacturer's suggestions for usage, but many satisfied customers have used their George Foreman grill, extension cord and other accessories for tailgating, camping or other outdoor purposes. The grill comes apart and goes together easily for easy packing and allows you to prepare fresh food while you are on the road.

One suggestion that was very popular with some owners is to marinate your steak or chicken in a smoky marinade for at least a few hours before grilling on your George Foreman grill. Use of rubs on burgers, barbeque sauce on chicken or meat: these methods improved the flavor of the meals. While it may be bending the rules a bit, cooking with a George Foreman grill, extension cord attached, is a great way to enjoy the taste of grilling with no open flame.

What does the a George Foreman Grill extension cord bring to mind? Probably not much at all. Need more ideas and information on outdoor gas bbqs or gas grills?