Optigrill and Optigrill Plus are two electric indoor grills made by Tefal. Both grills utilize sensor technology to automatically adjust cooking time and temperature based on the thickness and number of items being cooked. However, there are some key differences between the standard Optigrill and the upgraded Optigrill Plus model.
Cooking Programs
The Optigrill has 6 auto-cooking programs – Burger, Poultry, Sandwich, Red Meat, Fish, and Manual. The Optigrill Plus has 12 auto-cooking programs, adding Sausage, Pork, Bacon, Shellfish, Frozen Foods, and a more customized Manual program.
Probe Thermometer
The Optigrill Plus comes with an internal food probe thermometer which can be used to check the internal temperature of meat and alert you when your desired doneness is reached. The regular Optigrill does not have this probe thermometer feature.
Display
The Optigrill has an LED display that shows basic information like cooking mode, progress bar, and doneness level. The Optigrill Plus has a larger LCD display that provides more detailed information and feedback during the cooking process.
Cooking Plates
Both grills come with removable, dishwasher-safe non-stick cooking plates. However, the Optigrill Plus plates have a diamond-shaped groove pattern compared to the straight groove pattern on the regular Optigrill.
Functions
Here is a comparison of some of the notable functions between the two grills:
| Feature | Optigrill | Optigrill Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Temperature Range | 265°F – 536°F | 265°F – 482°F |
| Power | 2000 watts | 1800 watts |
| Removable Plates | Yes | Yes |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Warm Up Function | No | Yes |
| Defrost Function | No | Yes |
Size and Weight
The Optigrill measures 12.6 x 11.8 x 3.1 inches and weighs 7.5 lbs. The Optigrill Plus is slightly larger at 15.7 x 13.4 x 4.6 inches and weighs 10.8 lbs.
Price
The Optigrill typically retails for around $150 while the Optigrill Plus has an MSRP of $230-$250. So the Plus model comes at about a $100 premium for the additional features and upgrades.
Conclusion
For most home cooks, the standard Optigrill will provide solid performance and convenient cooking. But the Optigrill Plus adds extras like more cooking programs, an internal thermometer, advanced display, and useful functions that justify the higher price for people who grill frequently and want maximum control and feedback.