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How to use a Tefal OptiGrill

Updated: 16 October 2026

Learning how to use a Tefal OptiGrill is mostly about following the right sequence. Select the programme, allow the purple preheat stage to finish, open the lid fully so the sensor can reset, then close it over the food and follow the colour cue. Dial-controlled Tefal grills work differently, so do not force OptiGrill instructions onto an Inicio or SuperGrill. If you are still choosing a model, start with the [Tefal contact grill comparison](/hub/grills-and-barbecues/tefal-contact-grill). This page is from the Products Compared editorial team on 16 October 2026. It is not a lab cook. A qualifying amazon.co.uk purchase can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Learning how to use a Tefal OptiGrill is mostly about following the right sequence.

Our top picks

Tefal Tefal OptiGrill+ XL GC722D40

Best overall

Tefal Tefal OptiGrill+ XL GC722D40
8.8/10about £129.99
View offer
Tefal Tefal GC3050 Ultra Compact

Preis-Tipp

Tefal Tefal GC3050 Ultra Compact
8.0/10about £109
View offer
Tefal Tefal SuperGrill 3-in-1 GC520DG1

Alternative

Tefal Tefal SuperGrill 3-in-1 GC520DG1
7.0/10about £114.99
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On this page
  1. 1.Before the first cooking cycle
  2. 2.Follow the OptiGrill sensor sequence
  3. 3.Cook a second batch or use manual mode
  4. 4.Use dial grills and SuperGrill differently
  5. 5.Avoid common errors and know when to stop

Before the first cooking cycle

Check the lead, plug and plates, then wash removable plates and the drip tray, rinse off detergent and dry them. The plates must click into the upper and lower positions. Use a stable, heat-resistant worktop and an earthed wall socket, with the cord unwound and clear of the sink or hob. Confirm a UK BS 1363 plug, fit the drip tray before heating, and do not line the plates unless that manual allows it.

Follow the OptiGrill sensor sequence

Switch on, select the programme that matches the food, and use the frozen-food function first where the manual says so. Press OK. Wait through the purple preheat until the ready signal before you add food. Open the lid fully. Tefal’s UK guidance says the sensor needs that complete opening so it can recognise the food. Place food on the lower plate without overfilling, then close the lid without pressing down. The floating top plate should rest on the food. The colour indicator moves through the stages, with beeps at the changes. Follow the guide for your model and lift each portion at the stage you want. Poultry, burgers and other foods that must be cooked through still need proper handling and, where necessary, a clean food thermometer.
Tefal Tefal OptiGrill+ XL GC722D40

Testsieger

Tefal Tefal OptiGrill+ XL GC722D40
8.8/10about £129.99
View offer

Cook a second batch or use manual mode

For a second automatic batch, remove the food and open the lid fully. OptiGrill+ XL instructions say to close the appliance and press OK for another preheat without switching off. Wait for the new ready signal before you load again. Use manual mode when no automatic programme fits, and judge safe cooking yourself. For frozen food, select the frozen-food control in the manual’s order, then the programme. Separate pieces, follow the packet, and never thaw food on an unheated grill. The Tefal contact grill buying guide covers whether this workflow suits you.

Use dial grills and SuperGrill differently

An Inicio or GC3050 uses a thermostat, not an OptiGrill doneness sensor. Preheat to its own manual, set the heat, add food and decide when to lift, turn or remove it. The SuperGrill adds contact, a raised oven position and a flat-open barbecue. Opened through 180 degrees, you turn food because only one side touches a plate. Its three marks set heat, not thickness. Leave room for both halves, keep the lead off the plates, and do not tilt or overcrowd the surface so grease can reach the tray. The OptiGrill versus SuperGrill comparison matches the workflow to the household.

Avoid common errors and know when to stop

A part-open lid can confuse the sensor. So can loading before preheat finishes, pressing the lid down, or starting a second batch without a fresh preheat. If the grill drops into manual mode unexpectedly, use that model’s troubleshooting guide. Smoke during preheat often means grease left on the plates. Switch off, unplug and let it cool before you clean. Do not pour water on hot plates or immerse the body. The wash is in the guide to cleaning Tefal OptiGrill plates. Stop if the plug or socket becomes unusually hot, the lead is damaged, there are scorch marks, or the grill repeatedly trips a breaker or residual-current device. Disconnect only if that is safe, then contact the retailer, Tefal or a qualified electrician. Do not keep resetting the circuit, and do not open the electrical body.

Common questions

What does purple mean on a Tefal OptiGrill?
Purple is the preheating stage in the relevant Tefal OptiGrill instructions. Wait for the ready signal before opening the grill and adding food. Indicator behaviour can vary by model, so use the manual supplied for your exact model code rather than a generic online diagram.
Must I open the lid fully every time?
Yes, for a new automatic sensor cycle Tefal says to open the lid fully. This allows the system to recognise the food and thickness correctly. A partial opening may cause the grill to enter an unintended mode or give unreliable guidance.
When should I remove food on yellow, orange or red?
On applicable meat programmes, the sequence commonly indicates rare at yellow, medium at orange and well done at red. Follow your exact manual and apply food-safety requirements: foods such as poultry and burgers should not be served rare merely because a colour cue is available.
Can I cook frozen food on an OptiGrill programme?
Use the frozen-food control if your model provides one, following the order in its manual before selecting the programme. Separate pieces first and follow packet instructions. Do not assume that adding time to an ordinary cycle safely compensates for a frozen centre.
How do I start a second batch?
Remove the first batch, open the lid fully, then close it and press OK to start a fresh preheat where your model instructions specify this sequence. You normally do not need to switch off between batches. Wait for the ready signal before reloading.
What should I do if the grill trips the electrics?
Stop using it and disconnect it if safe. Check neither the lead nor plug is visibly damaged, but do not dismantle or modify them. Contact the retailer or manufacturer. If the socket or household circuit may be involved, use a qualified electrician.

Related pages

Best Tefal contact grill

Tefal contact grill

Tefal contact grill buying guide: check control first

Clean Tefal OptiGrill plates: cool, wash and refit

OptiGrill vs SuperGrill: which one suits your cook

Sources

Listing prices and ratings are from the amazon.co.uk files for these eight ASINs, kept on 15 October 2026. The public sources below cover the maker claims, the plug guidance, and the 30-day right to reject.

  1. Tefal shop: OptiGrill+ GC713D40 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  2. Tefal shop: OptiGrill Elite GC750D40 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  3. Tefal UK: two-year guarantee (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  4. Tefal UK: repairability and spare parts (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  5. Electrical Safety First: portable grills (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  6. Electrical Safety First: plugs and fuses (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  7. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
  8. Tefal UK: PTFE and PFOA-free claim (retrieved 15 October 2026)