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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill — biggest strength: direct-contact heat from below onto a heavy-duty cast-metal grate, with built-in smoke-extracting technology, so it behaves like a real indoor Korean BBQ-style grill.
• Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill — biggest trade-off: it's a dedicated grill-first machine with a large 16.9"D x 15.8"W footprint, so it asks for counter or table space and is less of an all-rounder.
• Generic 8-in-1 — biggest strength: dual cooking modes (top grill plate plus air fry basket), 8 presets, 400°F max, and a 7.5-quart capacity that handles a whole chicken.
• Generic 8-in-1 — biggest trade-off: it's an air fryer that grills, not a true grate-over-heat grill, so the searing character is different from a cast-metal grate.
• Who each is for: Gourmia for the cook who wants indoor barbecue flavor without smoke; Generic 8-in-1 for the cook who wants one compact countertop unit that fries, bakes and sears.
The Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill is built around one idea: bring the barbecue indoors without the smoke alarm going off. Its headline feature is smoke-extracting technology combined with direct contact heat from below onto an inlaid heavy-duty cast-metal grate. That's the design detail that matters. Heat comes up through the grate and hits the food directly, which is how you get those dark sear lines and that grilled exterior on meat, vegetables and Korean BBQ-style thin cuts. If you've ever wanted to grill indoors in winter or in an apartment where an outdoor grill isn't an option, this is the machine that's aimed squarely at you.
It's also more than a grill on paper — Gourmia lists it under its FoodStation line and includes air fryer grill capability in the item type, so it's designed to cover both grilling and air-frying duties. The cooking surface is a 6-quart capacity, the body is metal and plastic, and it's PFAS-free and PFOA-free, which matters if you're trying to avoid those coatings in your cookware. The nonstick cooking surface is called out as extra-large, and a cooking surface that size means you can lay out a real spread rather than cooking in tiny batches.
Who should buy it? Anyone whose priority is the grill experience itself — searing, char, direct heat, and a smokeless setup that lets you do it on a kitchen counter or dining table. It's a strong fit for small households that grill often and want that specific texture. Who should skip it? If grilling is a once-a-month thing for you and what you actually cook is frozen fries, nuggets and reheated leftovers, you're paying for a grill you won't use. The 16.9"D x 15.8"W x 7.2"H body also takes up real space, so measure your counter before committing. And because it's a grill-first design, it doesn't offer the preset-driven, press-one-button simplicity that a dedicated air fryer does. In my opinion, this is the pick for someone who wants the grill, not a jack-of-all-trades.
Generic 8-in-1: Who It's For
The air-frying side is where most people will live. It uses 360° Rapid-Air Technology to circulate heat around the food, which is what produces that fried-style crunch with far less oil than deep frying — the brand claims up to 92% less oil and up to 95% less oil depending on which line of the description you read, plus cooking that's up to 25% faster than a standard oven. There are 8 one-touch presets covering fries, chicken, steak, seafood, vegetables and more, and if you'd rather do it yourself you can dial the temperature up to 400°F and set your own timer. A large viewing window and built-in interior light let you watch food brown without pulling the basket out and losing heat — a small feature that genuinely changes how often you open the machine.
Cleanup is clearly a design priority here. The nonstick basket is fully dishwasher-safe, and the box includes 100 disposable paper liners plus a grill pan and a recipe. The body is aluminum, weighs 12.4 pounds, and measures 10.2"D x 9.8"W x 12"H — noticeably more compact than the Gourmia, which makes it easier to slot onto a crowded counter or into a cabinet. It also has automatic shut-off, a timer, and dual-zone features.
Who should buy it? Busy households that want one appliance to do most of the work: crispy sides, baked goods, and the occasional seared steak. It's especially good for anyone short on space who can't justify both an air fryer and a grill. Who should skip it? If your whole reason for buying is authentic indoor barbecue — direct grate contact, heavy cast metal, that open-fire feel — this won't fully scratch that itch. It grills, but it grills as an air fryer with a grill pan, and that's a different animal. It's also worth noting the description lists both 1450W and 800W in the specs, so if exact wattage matters to your kitchen's circuit, verify it before buying.
• Best for true indoor grilling → Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill. Direct-contact heat through a cast-metal grate plus smoke extraction is the closest thing to a real indoor barbecue.
• Best for versatility in one unit → Generic 8-in-1. Grill plate plus air fry basket, 8 presets, and a 400°F ceiling cover searing and crisping.
• Best for small kitchens → Generic 8-in-1. At 10.2"D x 9.8"W x 12"H it's considerably more compact than the Gourmia's 16.9"D x 15.8"W x 7.2"H frame.
• Best for feeding a crowd → Generic 8-in-1. Its 7.5-quart capacity is larger than Gourmia's 6-quart food station, and the air fry basket handles bulk sides well.
• Best for grill-mark searing → Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill. The heavy-duty cast-metal grate is designed for direct contact heat, which is what builds a proper crust.
• Best for easy cleanup → Generic 8-in-1. A dishwasher-safe nonstick basket plus 100 disposable liners makes the after-dinner job nearly effortless.
• Best for coating-conscious cooks → Gourmia Smokeless Indoor Grill. It's explicitly PFAS-free and PFOA-free, which the Generic sheet doesn't claim.
• Best for preset-driven simplicity → Generic 8-in-1. Eight one-touch programs and touch controls versus Gourmia's grill-first manual approach.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Generic 8-in-1. In my opinion it earns its place on more counters because it does the everyday job — crispy fries, wings, baked chicken, reheated leftovers — and still sears a steak when you want one, all in a compact footprint with a dishwasher-safe basket. The Gourmia is the better grill, without question, and if indoor grilling is genuinely your main event, buy it instead. But for most people most nights, the air fryer that can grill beats the grill that can air fry.
FAQ
A grilled cheese is really a job for the grill plate rather than the air fry basket, since you want direct contact and browning on the bread. On the Generic 8-in-1, use the searing mode with the top grill plate, or set a moderate temperature and flip halfway. The Gourmia's cast-metal grate works too, and its nonstick surface keeps the cheese from welding itself to the metal.
Build the sandwich, butter the outside, and cook it on the grill plate or grate rather than loose in a basket so the bread doesn't blow around. Keep the temperature moderate and watch through the viewing window on the Generic 8-in-1 so you catch the moment the crust is golden. Flip once for even browning on both sides.
Use the air fry basket with 360° Rapid-Air circulation on the Generic 8-in-1, set a temperature up to 400°F, and use the chicken preset if you want one-touch control. For a more grilled character, finish it on the top grill plate for marks and crust. On the Gourmia, cook directly on the cast-metal grate so the heat from below does the work.
The key is contact, not circulation — a grilled cheese needs a hot surface against the bread. Use the grill plate or grate, keep the heat moderate, and press lightly so the sandwich makes full contact. Both machines can do it; the Gourmia's direct-contact grate gives the more traditional result.
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See also: GoyRrbay Indoor Grill Air vs Generic 2-in-1: Air Fryer VS, Basyurity Air Fryer Rack vs Generic Air Fryer Grill, Zunate Fryer Grill Plate vs Generic Disposable Air Fryer