This is one of the few electric grills that I have seen, where meat drippings have a chance to come into contact with the heating element. This creates some smoke and the occasional flare up, but in turn, you get a better grill flavor. That, plus the fact that the element sits over a vaporizer/flavorizer shelf, definitely adds to the smoke level. It definitely is not meant for indoor cooking due to this, but the tradeoff is definitely a great non gas/charcoal grilling alternative. I've cooked a couple of steaks and whole chicken breast's and they have all came put juicy and delicious. I would definitely buy this again.