Big Lots Is Selling a $16 Version of a Useful Kitchen Gadget That's Nearly 3x the Price

We’ve officially reached peak grilling season, and if you’re anything like me, you crave the flame-licked taste of a perfectly seasoned chargrilled burger every second of the day. You know, one topped with ghost pepper jack cheese , crispy fried jalapeños, thinly sliced red onion, juicy heirloom tomatoes , crisp butter lettuce, garlicky dill pickles , ketchup, mustard , Teyano’s Poblano BBQ Sauce , and, of course, a buttery toasted sesame seed bun. Yeah, that’s the one.

But firing up the Big Green Egg every day just to make one (or two) solitary burgers isn’t exactly the best use of time. And if you happen to live in an apartment, you probably have minimal access to a professional-grade grill in the first place. So, what do you do? Well, you could grab a cast iron grill pan, but depending on the brand, it can be a bit costly. Not to mention, you still have to carefully maintain it to ensure it lasts for years to come. You could also just toss your burger in an oven or into a skillet, but we’re going for smokey, chargrilled flavor here, and a frying pan just isn’t going to cut it. The only true solution is an indoor grill, and thankfully, Big Lots has a handy option we’ll be using all summer long.

Related: Big Lots Is Selling the Perfect Summer-Friendly Gadget for Under $30—But It Won't Last Long On Shelves

The wallet-friendly paradise just added the New House Kitchen Stainless Steel 2-Slice Panini Press to its lineup, and we’re racing to grab ours. This incredibly versatile indoor grill is the perfect countertop appliance to have on-hand when you’re craving grilled food but don’t have the space for a bulky professional grill. The gadget's secret lies in its ingenious floating hinge that allows the grill to be used for anything from a hot pressed panini to veggies or a sizable steak. Additionally, the grill features a drip tray to capture excess grease and oil, as well as a sloped design to ensure a no-mess cooking experience.

The grill grates are also non-stick coated, which allows you to remove stuck-on meats or cheeses with exceptional ease. Similar gadgets—like Hamilton Beach's Panini Press & Indoor Grill—can cost upwards of $45, but Big Lots is hawking theirs for the low cost of just $15.99. Now there’s nothing stopping us from whipping up a burger whenever the craving hits. Sounds like my kind of summer.

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