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Hamilton Beach Steak Lover's Electric Indoor Grill

By Hamilton Beach · Electric Griddles · Kitchen & Cooking · More from Hamilton Beach

  • 100 sq
  • 500°F sear temperature
  • PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating
  • Dishwasher safe drip tray
  • 6.93 H x 12.09 W x 12.87 D inches

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Summary

A closed-lid contact grill with a digital control and a dedicated sear button that drives the plates to 500°F for about 90 seconds. It is built for steaks and small batches, but the cooking plates do not come off, so all cleaning happens in place.

Strengths

  • In hands-on testing the 1500 W element recovered temperature within seconds after cold steaks went on.
  • It reached 500°F and produced dark, restaurant-quality crusts on ribeye, strip and filet.
  • Digital controls take the guesswork out, with a defined 425°F default.
  • The compact footprint fits smaller counters than the George Foreman or Cuisinart units.
  • Fast enough for chicken breasts in under 10 minutes and salmon in about 7.
  • Owners report the nonstick lasts longer than their previous grills.

Weaknesses

  • The plates are fixed, so cleaning is a steam-wipe in place; only the drip tray comes off.
  • The manual restricts it to closed-position use and says not to run SEAR mode for sandwiches.
  • The 100 sq in surface is small; a hands-on test estimates it fits about two burgers or one steak.
  • It has no lay-flat mode, so the usable area is smaller than the headline suggests.
  • The manual requires a 5-minute recovery between sessions and re-pressing SEAR each time.
  • Only the drip tray is sold as a spare, and it is out of stock from Hamilton Beach direct.

Verified specifications

Model25331 (type G35); also sold as 25331MN.
Electrical120 V, 60 Hz, 1500 W.
Cooking surface100 sq in of nonstick.
Searthe SEAR button drives the plates to 500°F (260°C) for about 90 seconds, then the grill reverts to the selected temperature.
Default temperature425°F (220°C) when plugged in.
Controlsarrow buttons on a digital display; the set temperature flashes until it is reached, then a beep sounds.
PlatesPFAS-free ceramic nonstick, fixed rather than removable.
Drip trayremovable and dishwasher safe.
Dimensions6.93 x 12.09 x 12.87 in (H x W x D).
Grilling chart1-inch ribeye at 425°F for 6 to 7 minutes to 160°F internal; 4 oz burgers at 350°F for 7 to 8 minutes to 165°F; frozen boneless chicken breast at 350°F for 11 to 12 minutes to 165°F.
Warrantyone year in the US, five years in Canada.
Full research notes and sources

How it sears

The only hands-on testing found that included this model reports that cold steaks barely dented the surface temperature, that it recovered within seconds, that four steaks were seared back to back at equal quality, and that it reached 500°F and produced dark, restaurant-quality crusts. That source is also candid: the plates are not removable and the 100 sq in surface is the smallest in its roundup, which it estimates at about two burgers or one steak rather than the manufacturer’s four. No lab-grade instrumented test of this model exists in the accessible sources, so treat the sear claim as credible but not laboratory-grade.

Limits the manual spells out

The grill is meant to be used closed, and the manual says not to use SEAR mode for sandwiches or similar foods, even though the marketing promotes paninis and grilled cheese. It also forbids metal utensils on the grids, asks for a 5-minute recovery between sessions with SEAR re-pressed at the start of each, and says not to store the unit on its side or back. The cleaning routine is in place: unplug while hot, lay a wet paper towel over the grids, close the lid and let it steam for about 30 seconds, then wipe with tongs that will not scratch the coating.

Parts, warranty and running costs

There is no filter to change and nothing to descale. The only publicly listed spare is the drip tray (part 25324, OEM 990078200) at $8.99 direct, and it is currently out of stock there; third-party parts sellers list the same tray as a special order at $14.13 and $15.33. The model’s own guide gives one year in the US and five in Canada, with repair or replacement at Hamilton Beach’s option and the buyer paying return shipping, while the generic warranty page lists only one year.

Is it worth it?

Home Depot lists the 25331MN at $75.95 and Hamilton Beach direct at $76.99, both reasonable for a steak-first cook. Kohl’s lists it at $98.99 and a third-party storefront at $95.49, where the fixed grids and one-year warranty start to hurt because removable-plate contact grills cost about the same. Above $100 there is no reason to pick it unless the small footprint and sear button are exactly what you want.

Which model this is

This page covers the 25331 (type G35) and its live direct-sale revision 25331MN. Do not confuse it with the other Hamilton Beach searing grills: the 25360 and 25361 top out at 450°F, and the 25371 has no sear button and 90 sq in of surface. The retail listing maps to ASIN B001AQEPMM.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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