In the 21st century, a raclette grill, just like a
barbecue grill, is almost indispensable at parties. Raclette grills enable your guests, friends or family to personally cook their tasty dishes using all the available food ingredients. With origins in Switzerland, the term ‘raclette’ is historically used to refer to melted cheese, its etymology coming from the fact that it had to be scraped off of what it was cooked on and on to the dinner plate.
Designed to also cook vegetables, meats and other kinds of dishes, and the fact that they are compact, raclette grills feature various compartments to support the cooking process. The fact that these grills are fun and interactive to get all your guests engaged explains why they largely find use at parties and other family get-togethers.
A raclette grill is enough to make your party the talk of your neighborhood by offering a unique party experience. It allows your guests to customize their dishes with their own preferred sauces and cheeses while keeping conversations going for a fun, casual party atmosphere. This gives you the peace of mind you need, knowing your food service is guaranteed and each guest gets to serve themselves. What’s more, these grills cook healthy dishes!
Whether you’re hosting your family or friends, there’s always the need for the right raclette grill with the features and accessories you need. Consider a basic raclette grill with a capacity of two people if you’re planning to use it alone or with your spouse. A model designed for parties can accommodate up to eight guests. However, there are other high-end models with a capacity of up to twelve people.
Also, consider the other accessories a grill comes with such as
cheese plates and
cheese graters. We hope that this buying guide will help you find the best raclette grill for your next party.
Price
Raclette grills are priced differently based on size, quality, brand and capacity. The different prices are ideal for people with varying needs. Whereas large grills are generally costly, smaller ones are less so. When shopping for this kind of grill, make sure you go only for the best quality and premium material to ensure you can use it to entertain your guests year-in and year-out.
Avoid cheap raclette grills as they’re made from poor quality materials. This means that your grill can break down easily after just a few uses without notice. The more the accessories and features a grill comes with, the more money you can expect to pay. We also advise that you only buy the add-ons you’re likely to use to prevent wasting money.
Features
Raclette grills come in handy when you need to host a small party, invite friends or even have a family gathering. They’re built with various features to increase their functionality. It’s important to look for the right features to complete your search for a suitable grill. The best features of the grill can also help differentiate various models on the market. Choose the best for your intended application.
Here are the important features to look for in a raclette grill:
- Compact design and size for portable use
- The right capacity to serve your guests
- Material such as steel, cast iron, granite, stone, plastic, wood, etc.
- Accessories or add-ons such as dishes, spatulas, pans, recipes, trays, etc.
- Non-stick reversible, flat, ridged or grilled cooking surfaces
- Temperature control for cooking various dishes
- Warranty for protection from factory faults
- Power rating suitable for your cooking needs
With the right raclette grill, all your guests can serve themselves tasty, delicious and healthy foods, not to mention that it’ll have the durability to last years.
Construction and Design
In terms of construction and design, consider the following factors when shopping for a raclette grill:
- Size and Capacity — Buy a raclette grill of the right size and capacity. The right size is compact and lightweight for portable use and storage or placement in tight spaces. Determine the number of people you expect to invite for small parties and get-togethers to choose the right capacity or number of users.
- Material — Opt for raclette grills made from premium materials for durable use. Look out for cooking stone, graphite, cast iron and non-stick surfaces.
- Add-Ons/Accessories — Find a raclette grill with spatulas, trays, pans, dishes, recipes, manuals, etc.
- Cooking Surface — The raclette grill should come with non-stick ceramic coating for easy food release and cleaning. The surface area should also be large enough to accommodate all your guests. Decide whether you want flat, grilled, reversible or ridged cooking surfaces.
- Temperature Control — Various foods cook at different temperatures. Buy a raclette grill with a knob for controlling your cooking temperature for tasty and delicious delicacies.
- Power — You also need to opt for a raclette grill with a power rating suitable for your country and electric outlets. The higher the rating, the more powerful a grill is and the larger its capacity.
Performance and Ease of Use
A performing raclette grill accommodates all your guests; if you’re always in the habit of hosting a party for four, six, eight or even twelve people, buy a grill with the right capacity. Look out for a user manual to guide the installation process; the manual can also indicate how the grill should be used properly and maintained for optimal performance.
It should also be easy to clean; buy a dishwasher-safe raclette grill if you want to engage in little to no washing using your hands. The maintenance process should also be easy for optimal performance of your grill. With a warranty, you’re protected from any manufacturing faults within the course of use.
Choose a raclette grill that can serve all your guests. Also make sure it has everything you need for fun, interactive parties such as spatulas and dishes. Now that you know what it takes to shop for this grill, let’s find out if one of our recommended products is what you need!
Features
NutriChef believes that the best way it can help its customers to live healthy lifestyles is by providing them with innovative cooking solutions for preparing tasty and healthy meals. The company also believes in offering exceptional customer experience and support for each product. As such, the company backs its products with warranties for protection from manufacturing faults. It also uses premium materials to design highly functional and durable cookware.
The NutriChef Raclette Grill features two cooking surfaces and comes in a classic swiss-style design. The high-powered heating unit is simple in design for hassle-free operation by simply plugging it into a socket. The adjustable rotary temperature control knob allows you to cook at a desired temperature that’s favorable for your dishes. The cool-touch handles with wooden ends support convenient use and protect your hands from getting burned.
The grill features a power LED light to indicate when it’s on. Its compact design ensures it can safely fit on any kitchen countertop or table. The raclette grill comes with eight skewers, eight serving paddles, a stone cooking surface, and a small and large metal cooking tray. Each of the two cooking surfaces measures 7.3 x 9.5 inches. The unit is ideal for cooking vegetables, cheese, seafood, meats, etc. This product also comes in a fondue style, a stone cooktop style, as well as a stone and metal cooktop, so check the other buying options out!
Features
Milliard doesn’t just manufacture premium products for customers across the globe, but also has its employees use some in the office and back home. It also loves giving back to the local community by donating some of its products and time. The company is popular for manufacturing innovative, aesthetic and highly functional products that last.
The Milliard Raclette Grill has a reversible non-stick grill surface with a grilled surface on one side and a flat surface on the other. The granite stone top supports slow cooking of meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. The cooking tops measure 18 x 9.25 inches. With the eight paddles and eight pans, each of your guests can personalize their own servings. The grill also comes with eight wooden spatulas to serve each guest without getting their hands burned.
Non-stick coating on the cheese pans and grill tops offer convenient plating for easy cooking and cleaning. The power light status indicates the status of the raclette grill, for instance when it’s on or off. The grill is also ETL-certified for efficiency and safety while the temperature is easy to adjust. Whether you’re having your girls or boys over for a get-together, organizing a small party or just want a fun family dinner, you can't go wrong with this grill.
Whether you’re expecting two, three, four, eight or twelve guests, there’s a grill out there for your unique cooking needs. We hope that with our review of five of the top raclette grills, you’ll be in a position to pick the right product to meet your demands. In case you need something different, feel free to check out our other grill reviews.
