If you are hunting for a new electric contact grill in the market for your kitchen, then you would have come across the Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grills since they both are very popular due to their affordable pricing and excellent specifications.
Here we will compare these two grills and discuss their differences, similarities, and potential pros and cons to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Hamilton Beach 25360 vs 25361 – Comparison Table:
| Features | Hamilton Beach 25360 | Hamilton Beach 25361 |
| Grilling options | Panini Press, Half Grill, Full Grill, and Sear | Panini Press, Half Grill, Full Grill, and Sear |
| Control Panel/ Display | Dial Knob | Dial Knob |
| Nonstick Cooking Plates | Removable | Removable |
| Wattage | 1200 Watts | 1200 Watts |
| Adjustable Temperature | 200° F to 450° F | 200° F to 450° F |
| Indicator Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable Top Cover | Yes | Yes |
| Viewing Window | No | Yes |
| SearBlast Feature | No | No |
| Grill Surface area | 118 Sq. In Close and Open | 118 Sq. In Close and Open |
| Grease Drainage | Extra Large Drip Tray | Extra Large Drip Tray |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Weight | 8.15 Pounds | 8.14 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 6.81 H x 16.73 W x 12.4 D | 6.81 H x 16.73 W x 12.4 D |
| Accessories | Extra Large Drip Tray, Removable Nonstick Plate, Base and Cover, Instructions Manual | Extra Large Drip Tray, Removable Nonstick Plate, Base and Cover, Instructions Manual |
| Price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach 25360 vs 25361 – Similarities
Color
The Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grill both come in a single color option, and that is Stainless steel.
Grilling Options
The Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 grill offers grilling options, including Panini Press, Half Grill, Full Grill, and Sear. You can only do basic grilling with these grilling machines.
Indicator
Both the electric contact grills from Hamilton come with indication lights. When you put them to preheat, you will be notified with the indicator light. Furthermore, when you set a timer, you will be notified with the indicator light.
Control Panel / Display
You get only basic controls with both of these Hamilton Beach grills. To be precise, there is only one single round knob that lets you control the temperature settings. Moreover, there is no LED display.
Nonstick Cooking Plates
Both the Hamilton Beach contact grill comes with ceramic-coated non-stick grills, which are removable. Furthermore, they are easy to clean because they are dishwasher safe.
Wattage
Both the electric contact grills offer 1200 watts power output for grilling different foods. They both are highly capable of grilling different foods at high temperatures.
Temperature Range
In terms of temperature control, they both are the same. Both the Hamilton grills offer you temperature settings ranging from 250 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which lets you precisely control the heat for a specific food.
Adjustable Top Cover
Both grills come with a solid constructed stainless steel top cover which lets you press the food and keep it firm on the grilling plate. Furthermore, it lets you pressurize the food to get grilling marks on the food.
SearBlast Feature
There is no SearBlast feature in both of these Hamilton grills since they only have a single grilling plate. However, they are capable of searing, but you can only sear from the bottom grilling plate.
Grill Surface Area
Both the Hamilton Beach contact grills offer you a large cooking area of around 118 square inches which is sufficient to cook most of the food. However, they cannot extend the cooking area as there is no upper grilling function in both grills.
Grease Drainage
For grease drainage and easy cleaning, both the Hamilton beach grills come with an extra large drip tray that is dishwasher safe so that you don’t have to wash them manually with your hands.
Accessories & Attachments
In terms of accessories and attachments, both the electric contact grills are identical. Both grills come with an Extra Large Drip Tray, Removable Nonstick Plate, Base and Cover, and Instructions Manual.
Warranty
When it comes to warranty, in Canada, you get 5 years of warranty on the product. However, in the USA, you get only one year of the standard warranty.
Hamilton Beach 25360 vs 25361 – Differences
Viewing Window
The viewing window is the only major difference between the Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grills. The 25631 comes with a viewing window, whereas the Hamilton 25360 doesn’t have a viewing window. With the help of a viewing window, you can see your food without lifting the grill lid.
Portability & Size
Both the Hamilton grills are very much identical in size as both weigh very similarly. The Hamilton 25360 grill weighs around 8.15 pounds. Whereas the Hamilton Beach 25361 weighs around 8.14 pounds.
Hamilton Beach 25360 vs 25361 – Pros and Cons
| Hamilton Beach 25360 | Hamilton Beach 25361 |
| Pros ● Large cooking area ● Great temperature range ● Removable Lid ● Integrated Drip Tray | Pros ● Viewing Windows lets you see the food ● Excellent temperature control ● Decent power and performance ● Indication lights |
| Cons ● No viewing window ● Less grilling options | Cons ● Very few grilling options |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach 25360 vs 25361 – Which One is Better?
The Hamilton 25361 electric contact grill is the winner due to its viewing window feature. Apart from this single feature, there are no major differences between these two electric contact grills.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can the Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grills be used for indoor and outdoor grilling?
Both of the Hamilton grills can be used only for indoor grilling. They can’t be used for outdoor grilling since they don’t come with any stand.
What safety features are included in the Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grills?
Both grills include overheating and surge protection. Apart from that, they also have indicator lights which inform you about the cooking time to prevent overheating.
Can you Cook Sausage or Bacon at the Hamilton Beach Grills?
Yes, you can easily cook sausage or bacon at the Hamilton Beach Grills.
Conclusion
The Hamilton Beach 25360 and 25361 electric contact grills are both potentially suitable options for those in need of a high-quality contact grill for home use.
The only difference is that the 25361 comes with viewing window otherwise, there is no difference. Depending on the budget, you can choose anyone.
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