Breville VHG026 DuraCeramic Ultimate Electric Grill & Griddle, Silver

Having read the other reviews attentively before making a purchase, and especially the lowest rating review, I sincerely dont know how people rate things 5 stars, this certainly isn't a 5 star worthy appliance.I purchased this, because of the removable plates, because the design seemed better than our previous grill from JML, and because it has these embedded heating elements. Now having used it for a few days I've noticed the following.Ease of cleaning: Its not so easy to clean. I dont even think its easier to clean than other non ceramic coating plates, let me expand, Having roasted courgettes for dinner with no oils or butter or any other such things, and, having dinner, sitting for a while and then going back to wash the plates, good luck! its not likely this will come out not even after soaking for an hour it seems.Because of these coatings taking a scourer to the surface, you may as well flush money down the toilet so cleaning it with care was not EASY at all.Heating up time: This is really good in comparison with any non-removable plates, I would give this a 5 stars for now, I guess its the built in elements that is responsible, despite the way the elements are embedded and shape of the element being somewhat discombobulated. Could be better much better designed and implementedHinged lid: Does accommodate different thickness, but doesn't hold straight and like the lower rating review says, it pushes the food forward, especially if the food is smooth like a brioche roll or other similar food types. Again its something else that was a inefficient design and implementation.Body design/materials: At least Breville used materials that are heat resistant, our previous grill used spray painted body panels and that started to bubble up and burn before the warranty went out, but of course by then these people already weren't responding to emails.I sure found this excessively priced at £88 mark (and I waited for price to go down from £100+ mark, despite some points of the grill being of the quality I've come to expect from Breville, I feel that the UK market doesn't have some better products in Brevilles catalogues at affordable prices, so for the reason quoted I feel a 3 star is a more realistic rating than the ones I read here at 5 stars.But dont let these comments be a reason(s) to avoid this product, the truth is none of the alternatives are likely to be any better in this class, seems no one or no brand can design a affordable grill with removable plates with embedded heating elements using a sane design that works fully and does what says on the tin (at least its not on sale in UK). Fingers crossed this will change...Lets see how long this lasts, (Ive had others but) my first grill from Breville with cost £19.99 and lasted 7 years (non removable cast iron plates), My previous lasted less than a year priced at around £70, so lets hope that this pattern doesn't hold.Edit: 12 July 2018 07:00:21Cleaning of plates has become yet more difficult for a long time now, anything cooked except for toast burns into plate and will not come out.I never used this grill at more than 50% power and I would expect the cleaning not to be an issue like other reviewers claim. I consider clean, a full back to grey look without stains or burnt in areas and I can say for sure the best you'll get is black on the ceramic grey patches. Or perhaps other reviewers are using scourers and dont care about maintaining surface integrity, but in my experience, short of sand blasting you wont get these clean per my standards of clean (not like new but close).

After few month of using it I have had enough and have to return it. It doesn't matter what food you grill on it sticks to grill's surfaces and burns. Food is ripped apart and looks disgusting. My family is frustrated with this equipment. Do not recommend it at all!

I originally gave this grill 4 stars. However now that it is no longer useful after only 8 months I would not recommend at all. I totally agree with McCoy’s comments, so won’t repeat. The plates are now almost impossible to clean and in fact the coating came off onto the food which is why it will not be using it in future. Very disappointed in what I originally thought was a good well made product.

Initially happy with the product but only after only 3 days in I cooked a steak for 5mins at top heat. The steak was fine. The grill plates were not. Residue was burnt to the point that its taken 24hrs of soaking and cleaning to get it clean and there are still small specks of burnt matter that won't come off. Im very disappointed and should have heeded the reviews.Couple of days later and am even less impressed. Products burn and stick even on lower heat. Can't see the plates lasting for any length of time. Am intending returning the item as not fit for purpose.

I bought this machine from Amazon in 2018, because of it's end results I was very patient with it. First use, the top plate browned, impossible to get it properly cleaned from then on. The actual coatings on both plates eventually became dirty and VERY hard to clean. The excess oil/dirt flowed from the plates, some even getting under the plates and into the actual works [flammable?] The electric plug was fragile and eventually broke when taking out from the electric socket. The control at the front was hard to use and very impracticable. The two back supports, hard plastic of some sort, just broke, too fragile? Apart from the good finished eating product, spend your money on something else, not to be recommended.