Back in my school days, I was one of those kids who was always asking to have class outside, mostly because it made sitting through a lecture on Milton feel slightly less taxing. But now that I’m in a decidedly adult phase of life, I have to look for other ways to lighten up obligatory tasks, like cooking food for myself and my family, which I have to do every single day whether I want to or not. That’s where grilling comes in; with fewer dishes to wash and the soul-affirming goodness of sunshine on my shoulders, it’s the rough equivalent of class outside but for my current reality as household food provider.
For years, I swore by an inherited Charbroil grill that had belonged to my dad. Firing up a platter of brats on Dad’s old grill made me feel closer to him, but after replacing every part on that grill several times, I finally had to admit the ol’ propane grill was toast: It was time to upgrade.
I briefly considered a charcoal grill (too messy!); earnestly researched pellet grills, braai-style grills, and kamados (too fiddly!); and toyed with the idea of simply getting an updated version of the Charbroil one that served me so well (kind of boring!), but what I really wanted was something totally new and different, and that’s when the Current electrical grill entered the chat.
I may not be able to afford to switch my hybrid minivan to a fully electric car right now, but choosing an electric grill feels like one way I can reduce my reliance on fossil fuels. But beyond the element of virtuousness, I’m also just over the whole propane tank thing. I’ll never forget the hot zap of panic I felt when, while entertaining a dozen friends at a cookout in our backyard last summer, I realized that not one but two tanks of propane were completely empty and the food that had previously been sizzling away was now languishing on a rapidly cooling grill top. Sure, it was my fault for not reading the gauges, but I’m still holding a grudge against propane for that one.
Getting started with the Current grill
It took me about 45 minutes to unbox and set up the Current, following the included instructions. Current recommends seasoning the grill for two hours before cooking to protect the grill surface, but I was impatient and didn’t do that, and it still worked just fine.
To get grilling, plug the grill’s cord into the nearest electrical outlet. You can use an extension cord if necessary as long as it’s rated for outdoor use 15A. There’s a touch screen with a single knob on the front of the grill. Turn the grill on by holding the power button down for three seconds. Use the knob to adjust the heat on either side of the grill, and then push the knob once to begin heating the grill.
After the grill preheats for about 15 minutes, it’s ready to go. It works just like any other grill except you don’t have to worry about the fuel source or flare ups or losing a hot dog between the grates. You can sear steaks and flip burgers just as you would on any other backyard grill.
I quickly discovered that there are quite a few perks to electric grills, and virtually no learning curve. A major point of appeal for the Current grill was how extremely simple it is to use. There’s no propane and nary a briquette in sight. As long as you have electricity, you have everything you need to get started. Just plug that bad boy in (you’ll need a minimum 15A GFCI outlet—a standard outlet) and fire it up with the push of a button. The grill takes about 15 minutes to achieve roaring heat levels, which it maintains consistently for the duration of my cooking time with zero effort from me.
The controls on the front of the grill allow me to set my temps, from 200°F to 700°F, in two separate zones, so I can manage different preparations at the same time, but I usually set both at 500°F, which gives me a nice even heat that’s perfect for searing steaks and establishing grill marks on slabs of eggplant.
Because it’s new and gadget-y, the Current grill also comes with some helpful digital features. You can connect your grill to an app on your phone via Bluetooth and use the included probes to let you know, via push notification, when your burgers are ready. I haven’t messed around too much with that feature, but it’s pretty cool, and if I were going to cook a bigger cut of meat, like a whole pork shoulder, I’d definitely want that intel.
Cleaning and caring for the Current
I don’t have the time for or interest in a grill that requires a lot of maintenance or special treatment, but I appreciate a clean grill, and the Current makes it mercifully easy to keep it that way. Between cooks, I use a grill brush on the grates, but once things get really crusty, I pop them out and spray them down with the highest blast setting on my garden hose. When I’m done, I sheathe the grill in a cover to keep it from getting rained on, and that’s it — I wipe my hands on my apron and walk away. You can even use the app to clean the grill by blasting it at a super high heat, so all you have to do is scrape and go.
More benefits of switching to an electric grill…
Though these days I live in a house with a backyard, I grew up in apartments where my only outdoor space was a small patio. The Current grill would be perfect for a space like that, especially in apartment complexes with gas-cooking bans. And the lack of an open flame means the Current is a safe choice for wildfire-prone areas too (which I can’t help thinking there will probably be more of, as the use of fossil fuels continues to expedite climate change).
The Current would also be a nice, relatively affordable starter grill for someone who’s nesting for the first time, but it would also be especially perfect for my retired, empty-nester in-laws, who, several years ago, melted a little bit of the deck above their patio with their gas grill. This is a good deal safer without feeling like the grilling equivalent of a Jitterbug.
Can an electric grill really be as good as charcoal, wood, or propane?
At this point, you might be thinking something about how electric grills are inferior to charcoal, propane, or wood-burning grills. Electric grills tend to have a not-great reputation among outdoor cooking aficionados. But I find a lot of that clapback comes from a kind of uninformed, barbecue-bro energy that doesn’t serve me.
Is this a grill for moms? Maybe. But maybe it’s just a smart grill—one that’s fun to use, easy to maneuver and clean, and just as capable of cooking incredible meals. And if you yearn for the flavor of wood smoke, I’ve got good news: You can throw some wood chips directly onto the grates or in a smoke box or a wad of aluminum foil to achieve the same effect.
Is the Current grill worth it?
Overall, I’m stoked on my grill and would recommend it to anyone who loves to cook outside without a lot of hassle. I’m able to take ownership of every part of the experience, from ignition to clean-up, which I appreciate, and I get to do it all in the great outdoors.
The Current electric grill is available at Current and Crate & Barrel.
