I have both, and don't use either anymore because they are a pain to clean. the Jenn-air is an electric grill with a downdraft, and I never really liked it and would rather grill outside. The Foreman is really more like steaming food rather than grilling, but I really liked it because it could cook real quick, like a chicken breast in five minutes. Just a bit of a pain to clean.

I LOVE our Foreman. We use it all the time--meats, veggies, calzones, quesadillas. The first one I had did not have removable grill plates and was a HUGE pain to clean. The one we have now has removable plates that come off very easily. IT is very easy to clean--you can even put them in the dishwasher. I don't know what the other grill she has is like, but if you get her, go for one of the bigger sizes with the removable plates.

Amen on the Foreman! I cook on it 6 nights out of 7 and we usually go out to eat the 7th night. LOL!

Everything cooks so fast and no added fats. The removable grills are a snap to clean until they get old and start losing their coating. As much as I use mine, that happens after about two years. Then I just go get a brand new one. I think I'm on grill number 3 or 4. I do wish the manufacturer would start selling replacement grills cause I feel kind of guilty throwing away the heating element part when it is perfectly good... but I'd rather do without my oven than my George Foreman!

I always think that something built in like that that can break is something you have to fix at some point. And how is the venting on those units? I hate greasy smoke, so that would be a minus.

I have something similar to a foreman that I use constantly -- the Cuisinart Griddler. It's something to consider in the middle.

It is expensive though, I think around $110? $120? I honestly don't remember. I bought it years ago. But it has lasted longer than any grill I have ever used, and I use it more than most people use their grills, I think. Almost daily for something. Grilling muffins or naan or reheating tortillas or even a frozen burrito or something.

Comes with 2 removable sets of grill plates - 1 flat, 1 ridged, comes with a tool to clean them. They go in the dishwasher. The coating is perfect after 3 years of daily use. I wouldn't buy any grill without removable plates. They stink after just a few uses!

You can even open it out flat and cook eggs or pancakes and things on it if you need to. And the lid hinge swings free, ensuring that the lid presses flat down on everything, not pinches it at an angle, like a pair of scissors.

I used it almost exclusively during my renovation, as my microwave tended to blow the circuits.

It can get very hot (you can control the temperature, warm to very hot). And it caramelizes without burning (unless I'm very careless).

True, it's not a substitute for a gas grill, but neither is the electric.

But if the foreman has these features, or the features that you care about, and it's cheaper, then go with that!

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure I know any better, but there are a few more things to look at. My mom's JA grill pops out and a regular coil goes in its place when not in use. Maybe 2 coils. Apparently she uses it a lot, and with a downdraft! I think she only ventilates when there is smoke, so frequently hahaha.

My parents insist they MUST downdraft. I'm working on that but the only modular grill cooktops I've found have a builtin downdraft. Weird. They do have to stick with electric. I'd like to switch them to induction.

I don't know how either of those work--I have used the GF grill once (during a prior remodel) and got rid of it immediately. The removable plates are a good advancement.

Looking at grills, I think something like Growlery described might work better for them.

And next time someone gives me a GF grill I guess I'll give it a better try. I know people love them. Must be a reason!

This is my opinion/advice. It's free so take it for what it's worth. Let your mom get what she likes. Don't try to talk her into something. If she ends up not liking it she'll be sorry and you'll be sorry for talking her into it.

I say this because I tried talking my mother into a few things over the years. Some she did and some she didn't. More often than not the ones she did she wasn't thrilled with. You know she was at that point in her life where she was pretty much set in her ways.

I don't know a whole lot about the grill your mother has, but I would bet that the GF grill is not going to match up to it. Those GF grills aren't for everyone. I got talked into buying one (by my son! LOL) and used it a few times, but honestly, it doesn't thrill me. It's the kind with the removable plates (I wouldn't buy an appliance that has to be hand washed - btdt).

The food comes out good, but honestly nothing so special I can't do it on my cooktop or regualar grill. Plus it releases a bunch of steam/grease so I have to use it on top of my cooktop in order to vent that out. For me, that's a pain.

If you really feel that she'd be better off with the GF, buy her one now. Let her use it BEFORE she remodels. Then she can decide before it's permanent and she's stuck with it.

That's what I was thinking, LS. Introduce her to the options before she commits.

Hmmm if she likes what she has so much, she could just keep the darn thing.

Hmmm if she likes what she has so much, she could just keep the darn thing.
LOL!! Believe me, I completely understand!! There were times I was just SO sure I was right and she'd be so happy she'd listened to me but she refused to budge! OTOH, I'm rapidly approaching that phase of my life myself in some ways, so I'm beginning to see it from her point of view. :)

Yes, maybe an early "present to get you through the remodel". It's not a bad thing to have for that purpose anyway.

Then if she hates it, you can avoid the feeling you talked her into something she hates. And if she likes it ...