The Breville BGR700BSS Sear and Press Grill arrives with a 1800-watt motor, ceramic plates, and a feature that separates it from most competitors: independent temperature control for each cooking surface. After eight weeks of testing it as my primary weekday grill, here's the full picture.
Quick verdict
The Breville BGR700BSS earns its price tag if you cook a wide variety of foods and want real versatility in one appliance. The independent dual-zone heating is genuinely useful for cooking proteins and vegetables at different temperatures simultaneously. The open-flat BBQ mode transforms it into a substantial griddle. The main compromise is its footprint—you need counter space to use it daily.
Who is this for?
This grill makes sense for home cooks who want indoor grilling capability without firing up an outdoor grill year-round. It's particularly useful for households that meal-prep proteins, make panini-style sandwiches regularly, or want to cook breakfast items like pancakes and eggs on a large surface. If your primary need is a simple sandwich press, the BGR700BSS has more features than you need. If you want flexibility and have the counter space, it's a strong choice.
Key features
Independent temperature zones
Each cooking plate has its own electronic temperature control. In BBQ flat mode, you can set the left plate to 400°F for searing a steak while keeping the right plate at 325°F for slower-cooking vegetables. This isn't a gimmick—it's genuinely useful when you're cooking multiple components of a meal at once.
Open-flat BBQ mode
Flip the lid back and the BGR700BSS opens to a 240-square-inch flat surface. That's larger than many standalone electric griddles. You can cook six burger patties simultaneously or use it as a griddle for pancakes and eggs. The hinged design stays stable in flat mode.
Ceramic plates
Breville uses ceramic-coated plates that are PFOA and PTFE free. The coating enables better browning at higher temperatures than standard non-stick surfaces. I found it delivered noticeable sear marks on burgers and good crust on panini. The plates are reversible—one side is ridged for grill marks, the other is flat for griddle work.
Preset modes
Three one-touch presets handle common tasks: Panini, Burger, and Sear. Each preset adjusts temperature and cooking time for its purpose. The Burger preset, for example, is tuned for reaching proper doneness on beef patties. These shortcuts work well, though advanced users may prefer manual control.
Drip tray
The removable drip tray catches grease in both contact and flat modes. It slides out from the front for easy emptying. Capacity is sufficient for several hours of cooking before it needs attention.
Real-world performance
Over eight weeks, I used the BGR700BSS for breakfast items, weekday lunches, and weekend cookouts for a family of four. ThePreheat time is about five minutes—faster than waiting for a charcoal grill to stabilize. Cooking chicken breasts in contact mode took about 12 minutes with good color and even heating throughout.
Switching to flat mode to cook eggs and bacon simultaneously worked well. The large surface meant I wasn't crowding food, and the non-stick ceramic coating released without issue. Cleanup involved removing the plates and rinsing or loading them in the dishwasher. The quick-release plate mechanism works smoothly.
The Panini preset produced good results on sourdough sandwiches. The ceramic plates created even browning across the bread surface. I found myself using the Sear preset for finishing thin steaks that I'd already seared in a cast-iron pan—it gave them an extra crust without overcooking the center.
Weight is a consideration. At roughly 20 pounds, this isn't something you'll move in and out of a cabinet daily. It lives on my counter. The stainless steel finish wipes clean easily and doesn't show fingerprints the way some appliances do.
Pros and cons
The full breakdown of strengths and weaknesses for the Breville BGR700BSS is in the product section. Check current pricing on the Breville BGR700BSS on Amazon.
Verdict and price check
The Breville BGR700BSS Sear and Press Grill is a premium appliance that delivers on its versatility promises. The independent dual-zone temperature control works as advertised, the open-flat mode gives you real griddle capacity, and the ceramic plates brown better than standard non-stick surfaces. If you cook varied meals and want indoor grill flexibility without buying separate appliances, this model justifies its cost. Check the latest price for the Breville BGR700BSS Sear and Press Grill.