George Foreman Grill

The George Foreman Grill enjoys strong community affection, with many users reporting units lasting 15–30 years with regular use. It's praised for simplicity, durability, and versatility as both a contact grill and panini press. The community broadly considers it a legitimate BIFL appliance, with its simple design and lack of mechanical complexity cited as key reasons for longevity.

Decades of real-world use reported across the community, an extremely simple and failure-resistant design, and low entry cost — including easy thrift store availability — make this a reliable BIFL choice for everyday grilling and sandwich pressing.

Users consistently highlight the grill's remarkable longevity and low-maintenance simplicity. It's valued as an affordable, no-fuss appliance that handles everyday cooking tasks reliably for decades.

• Many users report units lasting 20–30 years without failure
• Simple design with few moving parts means little to break
• Doubles effectively as a panini press for sandwiches
• Newer models feature dishwasher-safe removable plates
• Widely available secondhand at thrift stores for very low cost
• Excellent value — frequently cited as one of best small purchases ever

Criticisms are mild and mostly relate to the grill's limitations as a cooking device rather than durability concerns. Some users have moved on to air fryers or more capable appliances.

• No heat settings or on/off switch on classic models
• Non-stick coating raises some health concerns among users
• Some users abandoned it in favor of air fryers or Breville grills
• Abundance at thrift stores suggests many people eventually outgrow it

One commenter argued the grill's abundance at Goodwill stores is actually proof of durability — they never die, so people donate them rather than trash them.

A user whose wife bought the cheapest model in the early 2010s noted it survived five apartments, a house renovation, and years of hard use, still grilling toast perfectly every time.

Someone pointed out the grill's longevity comes down to its fundamentally simple engineering — just a thermostat and a heating element with no sensitive electronics or mechanical complexity.

Multiple users mentioned still regularly using units from the 1990s and early 2000s, with one noting their 90s-era grill is now approaching 30 years old and still going strong.