George Foreman Submersible Grill review — compact 5-serving electric grill

Intro

The George Foreman® Submersible™ Grill (5‑Serving) is George Foreman’s compact contact grill option that emphasizes fast heat‑up and simple cleanup. The listing calls out a 1200‑watt heater, removable control panel for full washability of the other components, an adjustable temperature dial, a removable drip tray, and an advanced George Tough non‑stick coating that the listing claims is "3X more durable" than the brand’s standard coating. It’s offered in Black/Grey and Black/Bronze and comes in several size options, including 4‑serving and 5‑serving models.

What it is / first look

On paper this is a straightforward modern take on the classic George Foreman contact grill: a free‑standing electric unit with top and bottom grill plates, a hinge that accommodates thicker items, and a removable power/control module so the plates and tray can be washed. Important listing facts you’ll want to know at a glance:

• Wattage: 1200 watts
• Material/finish notes from the listing: Ceramic and metal construction with a non‑stick finish; frame material listed as metal
• Design highlights listed by the manufacturer: removable control panel for washing the rest of the unit, dishwasher‑safe components, adjustable temperature dial, removable drip tray, and a temperature indicator light
• Size and capacity per listing: identified as a 5‑Serving Submersible Grill; item dimensions 13.6"D x 5.2"W x 12.4"H; item weight 1.34 kg
• Other listing claims: 30% faster preheat (vs. a previous George Foreman model cited in the listing) and a 3/4" hinge to fit thicker burgers and sandwiches

The grill comes in at the smaller end of counter appliances: the listing shows a compact footprint and calls the model "Family Size" while specifying it "allows up to 5 servings." The photos and color names suggest Black/Grey and Black/Bronze finishes. Below you’ll find the simple color list you can expect on the product page:

• Black/Grey
• Black/Bronze

In daily use

This section covers how the Submersible performs for typical home‑cook scenarios: quick weeknight dinners, small household meal prep, and compact‑kitchen storage.

Quick weeknight meals & single cooks

The listing emphasizes fast heat‑up (the manufacturer claims a 30% faster preheat vs. a prior Foreman model) and the 1200‑watt rating aligns with a countertop grill intended for rapid cooking. Owner feedback supports that it cooks quickly and evenly: multiple buyers report the unit reaches cooking temperature in a few minutes and produces even searing across the plates, without the hot/cool spots they experienced on older grills.

Owners repeatedly praise the ease of cleanup. Because the control panel detaches, the remaining components — the top and bottom grill plates and the drip tray — are listed as dishwasher safe and many buyers said they simply wipe and load those parts in the dishwasher. That convenience is one of the model’s main selling points for busy kitchens.

Meal prep and family cooking — fits some, not all

How many patties or pieces of meat you can cook at once is where the listing and owner experience diverge. The manufacturer lists the grill as "allows up to 5 servings" and offers the model in 4‑ and 5‑serving versions, but several owners report the usable cooking surface feels smaller than the overall product dimensions imply. Practical takeaway from owner reports: in real use many people fit two full‑size burgers comfortably and squeeze three smaller patties with effort; the "5 burgers" idea is likely based on very small patties or the way servings are defined in the listing.

If your goal is batch‑cooking large quantities (four to five full‑size burgers at once) you may find the actual cooking area tight. For solo cooks or families that usually cook two to three portions at once, it’s far more likely to be a useful everyday appliance.

Storage and counter fit

The grill’s compact shape and the listing’s "compact design & vertical storage" note make it a sensible choice for small kitchens, apartments, or counters where storage space matters. The removable control panel also simplifies thorough cleaning and drying before stowing the plates away vertically.

Cleaning realities

The control panel must be removed prior to washing the remaining components; the listing repeats that step multiple times. The dishwasher‑safe claim applies to the other components once the control panel is removed. Owners say that while the plates and drip tray are easy to wipe and fit in a dishwasher, the electrical/control housing can still get splattered with grease and juices during cooking — it must not be submerged and it’s more awkward to clean by hand because of hinges and grooves. Several buyers specifically called out grease on the control unit and wished the design had a better splash guard to protect it.

Materials & build quality

These are the hard facts from the listing: the item is listed with material types "Ceramic, Metal," the frame material is metal, and the finish type is non‑stick. The manufacturer also calls the grill plates an "Advanced George Tough Nonstick Coating" and claims those plates are "3X more durable" than their standard George Tough coating (this is a listing/manufacturer claim, not an independent test result).

Physical dimensions and weight are stated in the listing: 13.6"D x 5.2"W x 12.4"H and a listed weight of 1.34 kg. The unit uses a single heating element (the listing notes "Number of Heating Elements: 1") and the power rating is given as 1200 watts. The listing also highlights a removable drip tray and a 3/4" hinge for thicker foods.

Owner feedback on build quality is mixed but instructive. Many buyers praise the updated removable plate design and say the grill feels like a meaningful step up from older non‑removable‑plate Foreman models: plates lift off easily, cleaning is simpler, and the hinge accommodates thicker cuts better than earlier compact models. Other owners raise concerns: some say the temperature dial doesn’t feel precise and one or more buyers reported the cooking area is smaller than they expected given the overall dimensions. Crucially, there are several owner reports of the non‑stick coating failing after months of use; that pattern lowers the confidence in the long‑term durability of the coating layer on the plates.

Safety considerations

Safety first: this is an electric countertop appliance with a removable control module. The listing repeatedly instructs removing the control panel before washing the rest of the unit — follow that instruction exactly to avoid electrical damage or shock. The listing also notes a temperature indicator light, which helps confirm when the unit has reached cooking temperature.

Owner feedback raises two recurring practical safety cautions:

• Grease splatter onto the control housing: several owners report juices and grease splashing onto the electrical/control housing during cooking. The control housing must not be submerged, and those splashes are awkward to clean because of the grooves and hinge area. That increases the risk of grease‑buildup around electrical parts unless you take extra care to wipe and keep the control unit dry.
• Drip tray coverage: some buyers say the drip tray doesn’t always catch grease that runs forward or backward, which led to small amounts of grease on the countertop. If you cook very fatty foods or large batches, plan for additional catchment (a tray under the unit, or a mat) and monitor spots where grease may bypass the tray.

Another safety note comes from owner impressions of smoke. A small number of buyers said their unit smoked more than older models at similar settings. Smoking can be influenced by the foods and marinades used — owners reported marinades burning on the plates — but smoke buildup is both a nuisance and a potential indoor‑air concern, so expect some smoke while grilling indoors and ventilate accordingly.

Finally, the listing includes a "Lifetime Limited" warranty description; that’s a manufacturer claim you can use to follow up on any parts or performance issues, but verify the current warranty terms with the manufacturer or the product listing before you buy.

Who this is for / who should skip

Who this fits well:

• Solo cooks and busy households who want a low‑mess, quick grill for weeknight meals — the removable plates and dishwasher‑safe parts are consistently praised.
• Small kitchens and apartments where vertical storage and a compact countertop footprint matter — the listing highlights compact design and vertical storage.
• People who want simple temperature control rather than precision sous‑vide or professional searing — the adjustable temperature dial and indicator light give more control than a single on/off switch.

Who should probably skip or be cautious:

• Buyers expecting to batch‑cook four to five full‑size burgers at once. The listing cites 5 servings, but owners repeatedly report the actual cooking surface is smaller than expected and typically fits two full‑size burgers comfortably (three only with smaller patties or creative placement).
• Anyone needing highly precise temperature control and searing equivalent to a commercial grill — several owners found the dial less tactile than expected and said it sometimes functions more like an on/off control than a precision thermostat.
• Buyers who are extremely sensitive to long‑term coating performance. Multiple owners reported the non‑stick coating losing effectiveness after months of normal use; if you expect years of perfect non‑stick performance, consider that feedback when choosing this model.

Verdict

The George Foreman Submersible 5‑Serving Grill is a practical, countertop contact grill that nails two things most home cooks care about: quick heat‑up and easy cleanup. The removable control panel and dishwasher‑safe plates are the headline features here, and owners repeatedly praise how much of the unit can be washed in a dishwasher after disconnecting the electrical module.

On the flip side, the real usable cooking area is smaller than many shoppers expect based on the overall product dimensions and the listing’s serving language. Several owners noted that two full‑size burgers are a comfortable fit, and larger batch cooking will require multiple cycles. There’s also a pattern in owner feedback about the non‑stick coating degrading after several months for some users, and a recurring complaint about grease splashing onto the control housing, which makes the electrical unit harder to keep clean. The temperature dial is a welcome upgrade over single‑setting grills, but some owners say it lacks the tactile precision they hoped for.

If you want a compact, fast, and low‑effort indoor grill for daily meals and small batches, this model checks many boxes. If you need a large cooking area, razor‑precise temperature control, or guaranteed long‑term non‑stick performance, you should either manage expectations or consider a different style of grill (removable full‑sized plate grills, cast iron planchas, or outdoor gas grills) that matches those priorities better.

Quick pros & cons

• Pros: removable control panel and dishwasher‑safe components; 1200W for quick heat; compact footprint and vertical storage; adjustable temperature dial; removable drip tray.
• Cons: actual cooking area smaller than some buyers expect; owner reports of non‑stick coating wear after months; grease splash risk on the control housing; some owners feel the dial lacks precision.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the model size you need — the listing offers 4‑ and 5‑serving versions, but owners report the usable cooking surface is smaller than the overall dimensions suggest.
• Plan for cleaning the control housing by hand — the listing requires removing the control panel before washing components, and owners report grease can collect on that electrical housing.
• Ask the seller/manufacturer about the specifics of the "Advanced George Tough" coating and warranty coverage if long‑term non‑stick durability is a priority; the listing claims "3X more durable" than a standard coating and shows a "Lifetime Limited" warranty.
• Consider an extra drip tray or countertop protector for very fatty cooking to catch grease that might miss the listed tray area.

FAQ

• Q: Can I wash the whole grill in the dishwasher?

  A: The listing specifies you must remove the control panel first; once that module is removed the remaining components (grill plates and drip tray) are listed as dishwasher safe. The control panel itself must not be submerged or put in the dishwasher.

• Q: How powerful is the grill and how quickly does it heat?

  A: The product is rated at 1200 watts and the listing claims a 30% faster preheat compared to a specific prior George Foreman model referenced in the listing.

• Q: How many burgers will actually fit on the grill?

  A: The listing labels the model as a 5‑Serving grill, but multiple owners report the usable cooking surface is smaller than expected and commonly fits two full‑size burgers comfortably (three smaller burgers may fit depending on patty size and placement).

• Q: Is the non‑stick coating durable?

  A: The listing claims the "Advanced George Tough" non‑stick coating is "3X more durable" versus the brand’s standard coating. However, owner feedback includes reports of non‑stick performance degrading after several months for some users, so long‑term durability appears mixed in real‑world use.

• Q: Are there any safety or maintenance cautions?

  A: Yes. The control panel must be removed before washing the other components (per the listing). Owners also report that grease and juices can splash onto the electrical/control housing during cooking, so you should wipe those areas carefully and avoid getting the control module wet. The listing also notes a temperature indicator light to show when the unit is heating.

• Q: What warranty does it have?

  A: The listing gives a "Lifetime Limited" warranty description; verify the current terms and coverage with the manufacturer or listing at the time of purchase.