Chefman Electric Smokeless Indoor Grill RJ23-SG Review
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A 15" × 9" extra-large nonstick grill surface with raised ridges, water-filled removable drip tray for virtually smoke-free indoor BBQ, adjustable temperature from warm to sear, dishwasher-safe parts, and a lightweight 4.4 lb. build—Chefman's most popular entry-level smokeless indoor grill at an unbeatable price.
The Chefman RJ23-SG is the original black edition of Chefman's bestselling smokeless indoor grill platform—the model that introduced tens of thousands of apartment dwellers, renters, and year-round grillers to the concept of genuine indoor BBQ without the smoke, charcoal, or outdoor space. Since its launch it has accumulated thousands of verified reviews and earned a reputation as one of the most reliable, easy-to-use, and well-priced smokeless indoor grills available. At its core, the RJ23-SG uses the same water-filled drip tray system that defines the Chefman smokeless lineup: rendered fat and grease fall through the nonstick grill grate and land in a water-filled tray below, where they are instantly cooled before they can reach combustion temperature. No combustion means no smoke—and buyers consistently report that even the most sensitive apartment smoke detectors stay silent during normal cooking sessions.
The extra-large 15" × 9" nonstick cooking surface—raised ridges included—delivers authentic grill marks and accommodates generous family-sized portions in a single pass. The adjustable temperature knob runs continuously from a gentle warm setting through a high-heat sear, giving you the full range needed for everything from delicate fish and vegetables to thick steaks and chicken thighs. At just 4.4 lbs., the RJ23-SG is one of the lightest indoor grills in its size class—easy to move from storage to countertop, carry to a dining table for communal grilling, or pack for travel. Both the grill grate and water tray are removable and dishwasher safe, making cleanup fast and genuinely effortless. UL approved and backed by Chefman's 1-year assurance, the RJ23-SG remains one of the best-value smokeless indoor grills available at any price point.
Product Specifications
| Model | RJ23-SG (Black) |
| Brand | Chefman |
| Power | 1,500 Watts / 120V |
| Cooking Surface | 15″ × 9″ nonstick grill grate (~135 sq. in.) |
| Grill Surface Style | Raised ridges for grill marks & grease drainage |
| Smoke Reduction Method | Water-filled removable drip tray cools falling grease |
| Temperature Control | Continuously adjustable knob — Warm to Sear |
| Unit Weight | ~4.4 lbs. |
| Exterior Finish | Black |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes — grill grate & water drip tray |
| Safety Features | Cool-touch handles, overheat auto shut-off |
| Certification | UL Approved |
| Warranty | 1-year assurance from Chefman |
| Available Variants | Black (RJ23-SG), Stainless Steel (RJ23-SPG-SS), Copper (RJ23-SPG-BK-CP) |
Key Features
- Water-Filled Drip Tray Smokeless System: The core technology that has made this grill a bestseller—a removable water-filled tray sits beneath the grill grate and instantly cools rendered fat and grease as it falls through, preventing combustion and virtually eliminating indoor smoke. Fill to the marked lines before every session and the system performs consistently for standard grilling without triggering smoke detectors.
- Extra-Large 15" × 9" Nonstick Grill Grate: One of the most generously sized cooking surfaces available at this price point in the smokeless indoor grill category. Raised ridges deliver authentic grill marks, lift food above its own rendered fat for healthier results, and channel grease efficiently into the drip tray below. The nonstick coating releases food cleanly with minimal oil and resists stubborn buildup.
- 1500-Watt Heating Element: Powerful 1500W element heats up quickly and sustains consistent cooking temperatures throughout the session. Significantly faster heat-up and better temperature recovery between batches than lower-wattage 1000–1120W entry-level competitors.
- Continuously Adjustable Temperature — Warm to Sear: A smooth rotary knob provides infinite temperature adjustment from a gentle keeping-warm setting through to high-heat searing—no fixed steps, so you can fine-tune heat precisely for different foods and cooking styles.
- Lightweight 4.4 lb. Design: One of the lightest indoor grills in its size class. At 4.4 lbs., the RJ23-SG moves easily between storage and counter, can be carried to a dining table for tabletop communal grilling, and travels well for use in vacation rentals, dorm rooms, and temporary kitchens.
- Dishwasher-Safe Grill Grate & Water Tray: Both main cooking components lift out and go straight into the dishwasher for hands-off cleanup after cooking. The nonstick surface also hand-washes cleanly with minimal scrubbing even after high-heat searing sessions.
- Cool-Touch Handles & Overheat Auto Shut-Off: Cool-touch handles keep your hands safe during and after cooking. The built-in overheat protection automatically cuts power if the unit exceeds safe operating temperature limits, protecting both the appliance and your countertop.
- Natural Heat Zones: Like all open-element grills, the RJ23-SG develops a naturally hotter center zone and slightly cooler outer edges—a practical feature that lets you cook multiple items at different ideal temperatures simultaneously by positioning them strategically across the cooking surface.
- Compact Countertop Footprint: Despite its large 135 sq. in. cooking area, the RJ23-SG's footprint is sized to fit on standard kitchen countertops without occupying excessive space. Its lightweight build also makes it easy to slide into a cabinet between uses.
- UL Approved & Chefman Warranty: UL approval confirms compliance with North American electrical safety standards. Chefman's 1-year assurance provides reliable post-purchase support for one of the brand's most established and widely sold products.
What We Like
- Water-filled drip tray delivers consistently strong smokeless performance—verified by thousands of apartment users who report no smoke detector triggers during standard grilling sessions
- Extra-large 15" × 9" cooking surface handles family-sized meals in a single pass—big enough for 5–6 burgers, 4 full chicken breasts, or a mixed protein-and-vegetable meal simultaneously
- Lightest grill in its size class at 4.4 lbs.—genuinely portable for tabletop use, travel, dorms, and vacation kitchens
- 1500W element heats up fast and maintains temperature well even after cold food is added—better heat recovery than sub-1200W budget grills
- Continuously variable warm-to-sear temperature knob gives precise, flexible control without fixed step limitations
- Raised ridges deliver real, attractive grill marks and keep food elevated above its own rendered fat for healthier, less greasy results
- Grill grate and water tray are both dishwasher safe—among the fastest and easiest cleanup routines in the indoor grill category
- Nonstick surface releases food cleanly with minimal oil and resists stubborn post-cook buildup
- One of the most affordable entry points into water-tray smokeless indoor grilling from a recognized, trusted brand
- UL approved with Chefman's 1-year assurance provides confidence and reliable post-purchase support
What Could Be Better
- No glass lid included—covered cooking for thick proteins like bone-in chicken requires improvising with foil or a separate lid, unlike the Elite Gourmet EMG-980BX which includes a domed glass lid
- Temperature knob has no degree markings—flexible but less precise than labeled dial positions; calibrating your preferred settings requires some initial trial and error
- Water tray requires pre-filling before every session and periodic top-up during extended high-fat cooking—an extra preparation step vs. dry drip-tray grills
- Some users note the temperature knob is smooth and doesn't protrude much from the base, making it slightly harder to grip and turn precisely during cooking
- Thick-cut fatty meats (pork belly, skin-on chicken thighs at maximum heat) can still produce some visible smoke even with the water tray filled—not a fault, but a realistic expectation
- No built-in timer or cooking guide—requires a separate timer and recipe reference for precise cook times on new foods
- Black plastic exterior, while functional, shows grease smudges more visibly than the brushed stainless RJ23-SPG-SS variant and may look worn sooner with heavy use
Why This Product Is Popular
The Chefman RJ23-SG has sustained its position as one of Amazon's top-selling indoor grills for years through a combination of genuine performance, accessible pricing, and strong word-of-mouth from a loyal base of apartment and condo dwellers who've tested it in exactly the kind of real-world conditions where most indoor grills fail. The water drip tray smokeless system works—and buyers who've been burned by cheaper "smokeless" grills that produced a haze of grease smoke at any serious cooking temperature consistently note the RJ23-SG's measurable improvement. Verified buyers from apartments with sensitive smoke detectors, studio kitchens with no exhaust fan, and enclosed living spaces regularly report completing full grilling sessions without triggering alarms or filling rooms with cooking smoke. That real-world credibility, built across thousands of reviews over multiple years, is the primary driver of its sustained popularity.
The combination of extra-large cooking surface and ultra-lightweight design is the second major draw. Most indoor grills in the smokeless category force a trade-off: either a compact, portable unit with a 100–120 sq. in. surface that requires batch cooking, or a larger, heavier unit that's a chore to move. The RJ23-SG breaks this pattern with its 135 sq. in. surface and 4.4 lb. build—genuinely large enough for a family meal and genuinely light enough to carry to the dining table, transport to a friend's place, or store in a cabinet between uses without a second thought. This combination has made it the default recommendation in online communities centered on apartment cooking, Korean BBQ at home, and budget-conscious family grilling.
Finally, the RJ23-SG benefits enormously from Chefman's brand equity in the indoor grill category. Chefman was among the first mainstream brands to standardize the water-tray smokeless design at an accessible price point, and the RJ23-SG has been refined through multiple production runs based on direct customer feedback. The result is a product that feels considered rather than rushed—from the easy-to-clean nonstick grate to the logical assembly and disassembly process that makes dishwasher cleanup a genuine habit rather than an occasional task. For buyers entering the indoor grill category for the first time, the RJ23-SG is the benchmark model that all others are compared against.
Final Verdict
The Chefman RJ23-SG is the indoor smokeless grill that defined the category for everyday buyers and it remains one of the most compelling options available today. Its water-filled drip tray smokeless system delivers consistently reduced smoke for standard grilling—lean proteins, burgers, fish, vegetables—that has earned the trust of apartment dwellers and enclosed-kitchen cooks across thousands of real-world cooking sessions. The extra-large 15" × 9" nonstick grill surface handles family-sized meals without batch cooking, the 4.4 lb. build is the most portable in its size class, and dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup genuinely fast. At its price point, no other smokeless indoor grill offers a comparable package of proven performance, cooking capacity, and ease of use from a recognized brand with UL approval and a 1-year warranty.
Its limitations are worth knowing. There's no glass lid, so thick bone-in proteins need more attention or foil assistance. The temperature knob's smooth profile can feel imprecise, and the water tray adds a pre-cook prep step. Very fatty meats at maximum heat can still produce some smoke. And if a premium stainless exterior is important to you, the RJ23-SPG-SS variant is worth the slight price difference. But for the buyer who wants the most trusted, most battle-tested, most value-optimized entry into smokeless indoor grilling—the Chefman RJ23-SG is the obvious starting point and, for many buyers, the only grill they'll ever need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the water drip tray reduce smoke?
The system works through basic physics. As food cooks on the raised-ridge grill grate, rendered fat and grease drip through and fall into the water-filled tray positioned directly below. When hot grease contacts the cool water, its temperature drops immediately below the combustion point—so it cannot burn, and produces no smoke. On a standard grill without water, grease lands on a hot dry surface where it combusts instantly and creates the smoke cloud you'd normally expect from indoor grilling. The water tray eliminates this by quenching grease at the point of impact. The system only works correctly when the tray is filled between the minimum and maximum fill lines before cooking—always check the water level before starting a session.
Will it set off smoke detectors in an apartment?
For the vast majority of standard cooking—boneless chicken breasts, fish fillets, burgers, vegetables, sausages, pork chops, and lean steaks—the RJ23-SG with a properly filled water tray produces little to no smoke, and verified buyers with sensitive apartment smoke detectors consistently report no false triggers during normal use. The honest caveat: very high-fat items like thick-cut bacon, pork belly, or heavily marbled ribeye cooked at maximum heat can still produce some smoke vapor even with the water tray, because some smoke comes from the food's surface itself rather than from burning grease. For best results with high-fat items, use medium-high rather than maximum heat, ensure your kitchen fan is running, and crack a window. For lean proteins and vegetables, the performance is consistently smoke-free.
How much cooking space does it actually provide?
The grill surface measures 15 inches by 9 inches, giving you approximately 135 square inches of cooking area. In practical terms: 5–6 standard burger patties (4 oz.), 4 large boneless chicken breasts, 3–4 bone-in chicken thighs, 4–5 fish fillets, 6–8 sausages or bratwurst links, or a generous mixed tray of vegetables and protein simultaneously. The rectangular shape is especially well-suited for elongated foods like asparagus, corn cobs, zucchini halves, whole fish fillets, and sausage links. For a family of 3–5 people eating the same food, you can typically serve everyone in a single cook rather than running multiple batches.
Are all parts dishwasher safe and how do I clean it?
The grill grate and water drip tray are both fully dishwasher safe—lift them off the base unit after the grill has cooled completely, empty and rinse the water tray, and place both components on the top rack of your dishwasher. The nonstick grate also hand-washes easily with warm soapy water and a soft sponge. The base unit should be wiped with a damp cloth only—never submerge the main electrical unit or place it in the dishwasher. To extend nonstick coating life, avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbing pads on the grill surface, and avoid aerosol cooking sprays which can build up a residue that causes sticking over time. Use brush-applied oil sparingly if needed.
How does the RJ23-SG compare to the stainless steel RJ23-SPG-SS?
The RJ23-SG (black) and RJ23-SPG-SS (stainless steel) are functionally very similar—same 15" × 9" cooking surface, same water-tray smokeless system, same 1500W power, and same dishwasher-safe parts. The main differences are cosmetic and minor build refinements: the RJ23-SPG-SS has a brushed stainless steel exterior that resists fingerprints and grease smudges better than the black plastic of the RJ23-SG, and typically feels slightly more premium to the touch. The RJ23-SPG-SS generally costs a bit more. For buyers focused purely on cooking performance and value, the RJ23-SG delivers identical results at a lower price. For buyers who want the grill to look sharp on a modern kitchen counter over years of heavy use, the RJ23-SPG-SS stainless finish holds up better aesthetically.
Can I use it for Korean BBQ at the table?
Yes—and the RJ23-SG is one of the most popular choices for at-home Korean BBQ precisely because its design suits communal tabletop grilling so well. The unit is lightweight enough to carry and position at the center of a dining table, and the cool-touch handles mean it can be repositioned safely during a meal. The 15" × 9" surface handles multiple portions of thin-sliced bulgogi, samgyeopsal (pork belly), galbi short ribs, mushrooms, and vegetables simultaneously. The nonstick grate grips thin-sliced meats effectively and doesn't let them slip through gaps. Keep in mind that pork belly—a staple of Korean BBQ—is a high-fat cut that may produce some smoke at maximum heat; using a medium-high setting and keeping ventilation open is recommended for pork belly sessions.
How do I fill the water tray without making a mess?
The most common tip from experienced RJ23-SG users is to use a pitcher or measuring cup with a spout rather than trying to pour directly from a large jug or fill the tray while it's already positioned under the grill. Slide the water tray out fully before filling, carry it to your sink, fill to between the minimum and maximum lines marked on the tray interior, and carefully slide it back into position under the grill before turning the unit on. Alternatively, use a pitcher to pour water into the tray after it's positioned under the grill—the pour spout gives you better control. Never pour water directly over the hot grill grate or the heating element.
What temperature settings work best for common foods?
Since the knob has no degree markings, here are practical positioning guidelines: for warming and keeping cooked food ready to serve, use the lowest 10–20% of the dial range. For fish fillets and delicate vegetables like asparagus and thin zucchini, use 40–50% (medium-low). For chicken breasts, pork chops, and sausages, use 60–70% (medium-high). For burgers, steak, and high-heat searing, use 80–100% (high to maximum). After a few cooking sessions you'll develop a reliable feel for your preferred positions. An infrared thermometer pointed at the grill surface after a 5-minute preheat is the most accurate way to calibrate specific temperatures to knob positions if you need to follow recipe-specific temperatures precisely.
Can it handle thick-cut meats like bone-in chicken?
Yes, with some additional technique compared to boneless cuts. For bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks, use a medium-high heat setting (around 65–70% of the dial), loosely tent the food with aluminum foil after the initial sear to help trap heat around the top of the piece, and plan for 25–35 minutes total cook time depending on size—flipping once at the halfway point. Always verify internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer before serving. For very thick bone-in pieces, you can finish them in a 375°F oven after searing on the grill to ensure fully cooked-through results without over-charring the exterior. The grill performs best and most effortlessly with boneless proteins under 1 inch thick.
What warranty and support does Chefman provide?
The RJ23-SG is backed by a 1-year assurance from Chefman covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase. Chefman customer support is accessible through chefman.com, where you'll find product registration, downloadable user manuals, parts replacement requests, and direct contact options. The RJ23-SG is one of Chefman's most established and widely distributed products, available through Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Macy's, and other major retailers—making warranty exchanges and returns straightforward through standard retailer return policies. As a high-volume product with years of production history, replacement parts and accessories are generally available and well-documented through Chefman's support channels.