More than smart - it's genuis!

If you love grilled food, but don’t have a backyard or balcony, check out Breville’s Smart Grill, which opens like a butterfly to provide 260 square inches of cooking space. It has a ton of other features as well, which, for about $350, it should.

This is a grill for a serious cook who wants something that performs well and will last a long time. You can adjust the tilt and height of the plates, both of which are non-stick cast aluminum “infused” with titanium. I believe this is the same material that’s on the Breville Panini grill I own and which is SO easy to clean. Which is probably one reason I use it at least three times a week. (At this time of year, it’s perfect for grilled asparagus. My only complaint is that it's too small to cook for a crowd, which is one reason I love the Smart Grill.  On the other hand, the panini maker has got a small footprint! Does this mean I need both? Surely not? Or does it?) More good features on the Smart Grill -- the flat griddle pan on the bottom can be removed and placed in the dishwasher. It can also be positioned in “BBQ mode” so that fat from both plates drips away at the same time. There’s also 30 minute timer and the unit shuts off if there’s no cooking activity for an hour. Most importantly perhaps, for the serious home cook, is that there are sensors that detect drops in cooking temp, and self-correct to maintain an even heat – essential for good searing and grilling. Love it!

If you want tips on how to make a summer recipe staple, potato salad, check out this how-to video on the Breville appliance site.