Summer is here — or almost. And a contact grill is the most underrated kitchen appliance for warm days. Fast, minimal washing up, and you don’t need outdoor space. We’ll give you the tips to get the most out of it.
Why use a contact grill in summer?
A contact grill cooks from both sides at the same time. That means half the time compared to a pan. Ideal if you don’t want to stand in a warm kitchen for long.
Plus: no splatter. The grill has a drip tray for the fat. Your kitchen stays clean.
The right prep
Always preheat. A cold grill gives uneven results. Let it preheat for 3–5 minutes before you put anything on it. You can tell by the steam disappearing when you put a drop of water on the plates.
Oil on the food, not on the grill. Lightly brush the meat, vegetables, or fish with oil. This prevents sticking and gives a nicer grill pattern.
Dry meat is better than wet meat. Gently pat marinades off before grilling. Too much moisture creates steam instead of grill heat — and that won’t give you a nice crust.
What do you grill for how long?
| Ingredient | Thickness | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 2 cm | 6–8 min |
| Salmon | 2–3 cm | 4–6 min |
| Hamburger | 1.5 cm | 4–5 min |
| Bell pepper (strips) | — | 4–5 min |
| Zucchini | 1 cm slices | 3–4 min |
| Halloumi | 1 cm | 2–3 min |
| Bread/focaccia | — | 2 min |
5 recipes for summer
1. Greek chicken with tzatziki Marinate chicken breast in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano. Grill for 7 minutes. Serve with homemade tzatziki (Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill).
2. Salmon with lemon butter Brush a salmon fillet with oil, salt, and pepper. Grill for 5 minutes. Serve with melted butter, lemon zest, and capers.
3. Halloumi with honey and thyme Grill slices of halloumi for 2 minutes per side. Drizzle with honey and fresh thyme. Perfect as a starter or salad topping.
4. Roasted bell pepper Press pepper halves flat on the grill, 5 minutes. Remove the skin, drizzle with olive oil and coarse salt. Simple and impressive.
5. Grilled peach with mascarpone Halve a ripe peach, place it on the grill for 3 minutes. Serve with a spoonful of mascarpone and a little honey. Warm desserts in five minutes.
Cleaning
Let the grill cool down a little — but not completely. Place a damp piece of kitchen paper over the plates while they’re still warm: 90% of the grease comes off right away. For the rest: removable plates in the dishwasher (check your model).
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