A complete buying guide for the best-infrared grill

When you hear the word grilling, the first thing that comes to mind is barbeque. There are many food items you can grill but the most popular is steak and the best way to grill meat at home is to use an infrared grill. These grills are versatile and convenient and they don’t use flames, charcoal, grates, or electricity. They use infrared technology to prepare the best food in the shortest time.

Although not most people own infrared grills, they’re gaining popularity when it comes to outdoor cooking. The best thing about them is their ability to emit intense heat to create the perfect sear on any kind of meat. They perform better at searing than any charcoal or standard gas grills and aren’t affected by adverse weather conditions, even strong winds. So if you’re looking to cook outdoors and want the perfect crust on your steaks and burgers, an infrared grill would be the best option.

Summary table for the best infrared grill

ProductFeaturesCheck on Amazon
Char-Broil Signature True Infrared 525 4-burner525 sq. inch cooking area, 200 sq. inch warming rack, 4-burners with 13,000 BTU heat, extra storage space, and shelves, porcelain-coated cast-iron gratesCheck Price
Solaire SOL-EV17A portable infrared grill140 sq. inch grilling area, 14,000 BTU heat, adjustable legs, v-shaped grates, push-button ignitionCheck Price
Char-Broil Performance Tru-infrared 450 propane grill450 sq. inch cooking area, 24,000 BTU heat, 10,000 btu for side burner, lid-mounted temp. gauge, side steel shelvesCheck Price
Char-Broil Grill2go portable Tru-infrared propane grillPush-button ignition, temp. gauge, 200 sq. inch cooking space, heavy-duty legs and carry handlesCheck Price
Char-Broil Tru-infrared Patio Bistro electric grill240 sq. inch cooking space, 120 sq. inch removable warming rack, temp. gauge, heat control knob, pull-out grease tray, porcelain-coated gratesCheck Price
Magma Newport Gourmet Gas Grill162 sq. inch grilling space, foldable legs, tempered glass viewing windowCheck Price
Char-Broil Tru-infrared Smoker Roaster & GrillSmoker, roaster, and grill, 180 sq. inch grilling area, 12,000 sq. inch smoking and roasting basket, removable grease tray, side-mounted smoker box, metal thermometer, side-mounted carrying handlesCheck Price

Char-Broil Signature True Infrared 525 4-burner

A high-quality grill that’s user-friendly, efficient, durable, and perfect for medium to large families or groups. It has 525 sq. inches of cooking space with an extra 200 sq. inch warming rack and 4 stainless steel burners that will evenly distribute the heat and easily adjust the temperatures. There is also a 13,000 btu side burner that you can sue to prepare your veggies, sauce, and any side dishes. The burner has a fold-down lid to provide extra prep space and a lid-mounted temperature gauge to help you control the heat. There’s no contact between the flame and your food and you’re guaranteed a delicious, juicy, and evenly cooked meal in the shortest time possible. There’s extra space in the shelves and storage cabinet to keep your tools and anything you need and the porcelain-coated cast-iron grates are easy to clean and last longer.

Pros

  • Side burner for cooking other dishes
  • Roomy prep and cooking area
  • Strong and durable construction
  • Can use either propane or natural gas

Cons

  • Iron grates are prone to rust
  • Can be tricky to assemble

 

View price on Amazon

 

Solaire SOL-EV17A portable infrared grill

A portable outdoor grill with a lightweight and compact design and carry handles for easier portability to any place. This small, infrared propane grill comes with 4 adjustable feet, 6 bold angles, and stainless steel construction for enhanced durability. Its unique v-shaped grates make sure that heat is evenly distributed for faster cooking and the ceramic infrared plates make it easier to clean to prevent rusting. This grill provides a 140 sq. inch cooking surface area enough to fit 6 medium burgers and a single main burner with 14,000 btu.

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy to use
  • Durable stainless steel material
  • Evenly distributes the heat for tasty food

Cons

  • Small grilling surface
  • Hard to clean

 

View price on Amazon

 

Char-Broil Performance Tru-infrared 450 propane grill

A 3 burner gas grill perfect for your mid-sized grilling needs. It features 450 sq. inch cooking surface area, porcelain-coated grates, durable and easy to clean warming racks. The 24,000 btu heat from the 3 burners provides the right grilling temperatures for fast cooking. You can easily adjust the burner’s position within the cooking area to ensure even distribution of heat in the grates. It also comes with a 10,000 btu side burner for cooking delicate foods and sauces. The side steel shelves and fold=down burner lid provide enough prep space. The lid-mounted temp. gauge helps you to easily monitor and control the heat so your food doesn’t over or undercook.

Pros

  • Cooks fast and sears well
  • Even and consistent heat distribution
  • A cart design for easier mobility
  • Can monitor and control the heat

Cons

  • Difficult to clean the grill plates
  • Takes time to assemble

 

View price on Amazon

 

Char-Broil Grill2go portable Tru-infrared propane grill

A portable small gas grill ideal for balcony barbeque or cookouts. It has 9,500 btu burner power and a 200 sq. inch cooking space which is enough space for preparing quick grill items for 2-4 people. The carrying handle has lock clips that make it easier to transportation plus 2 side handles if you want to move it around when using it. the 2 heavy-duty legs give it stability and prevent it from moving around. This small, road-friendly grill comes fully assembled with an aluminum lid and a temperature gauge built into the lid.

Pros

  • Sears food very well
  • Heats up very fast
  • Perfect for traveling
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • The regulator doesn’t always work properly
  • Grates rust

 

View price on Amazon

 

Char-Broil Tru-infrared Patio Bistro electric grill

An electric infrared grill with a compact and stylish design for easy storage and can fit in most gardens, balconies, and patio. It features an integrated control knob that helps you to easily adjust the temperatures and the time your food takes to cook. The cool kettle-shaped grill is very easy to use and heats up very fast to produce even heat distribution. The 240 sq. inch cooking space and the 120 sq. inch removable warming rack provides enough space for grilling 6-12 burgers. The porcelain-coated grates and grill help to prevent rust and increase durability making it easy to clean. The 2 wheels make it easy to maneuver and move around your backyard or porch.

Pros

  • Compatible size for balcony or patio
  • Can add wood chips to enhance a smoky flavor
  • Compact for easy storage
  • Easy to use and clean

Cons

  • Not easy to assemble
  • Takes time to heat up

 

View price on Amazon

 

Magma Newport Gourmet Gas Grill

An elegant and sleek-looking compact grill that you can use for frequent cooking. it comes with a lockable lid and foldable legs that make it easy to pack and transport. It has a 162 sq. inch grilling area and burners that can deliver 14,000 btu heat to ensure there’s an even distribution of heat to cook your food well. The grill heats up quickly and has high heat retention which reduces your cooking time. The hermetically-sealed thermometer allows you to monitor and control the temperature and the tempered glass panel allows you to see your meal as it cooks. The easily removable tray collects drippings and grease and is easy to clean.

Pros

  • Has a glass viewing window
  • Durable and sturdy stainless steel construction
  • Foldable legs are very handy
  • Built-in thermometer makes grilling easy

Cons

  • Small grilling area
  • Doesn’t have a warming rack

 

View price on Amazon

 

Char-Broil Tru-infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

A 3-in-1 grill that is a smoker, roaster, and grill with a compact and sleek-looking design, 2 side carrying handles for moving the unit easily and steel legs to give the grill stability. The 1200 sq. inch smoking and roasting area can accommodate large cuts of meat, the 180 sq. inch grilling area can grill your favorite foods and the removable grease tray makes it easy to clean up. You can add wood chips without opening the lid using the side-mounted smoker box to give your meat a smoky flavor. Other features include a metal thermometer, two half shelves, a hose with a regulator, and a basket lift hook.

Pros

  • Easy to assemble and use
  • Heats up quickly
  • Easy to control the temperatures
  • Lightweight and portable

Cons

  • The drip tray design is flawed
  • Poor quality construction

 

View price on Amazon

 

What is an infrared grill?

The grill plates on an infrared grill are designed to hinder direct flames from reaching your food while evenly distributing the heat to cook your food. This reduces the cooking time significantly. Because of the very high temperatures, infrared grills cook very fast. The key to cooking a steak is cooking it as quickly as possible over high heat as possible in the least bit of time. This is because steak gets tougher the longer it stays over the heat. So your goal is to sear the outside of your steak to produce a flavorful brown crust while at the same time making sure the inside remains juicy and tender. With an infrared grill, it might only take you a few minutes on each side or less if you’ve cut thin cuts of steak.

How to pick the best infrared grill

There are different types of infrared grill brands available which can be overwhelming when you’re trying to choose the right grill for you. Here are some of the key features you should look for to make your work easier when picking the best infrared grill.

Size of the grill

The size of the grill is a very important feature which will be determined by the space in your backyard, patio, or balcony and the amount of food you expect to be cooking. The intended purpose of the grill will affect the size. If you get a portable grill, it should be easy to carry, lightweight, and compact. Large grills take longer to preheat and although they cook more food, the food might not cook as easily. It might also be hard to find storage. Buy a grill with a cooking surface area that will cater to your needs.

Fuel source

The most commonly used fuel source is natural gas or propane. It’s up to you to decide which fuel source you prefer, but propane is mostly used with more compatible models. Some grills use electricity as a single power source.

Portability

If you grill on the go, portability is an important factor. Some large grills have a cart design with 2 durable and rugged wheels that help with easy maneuverability and mobility. Other smaller grills have a lightweight and compact design that makes them easy to handle, transport, and store.

BTU ratings

The BTU rating of any type of grill is an important factor to consider. A grill with a higher BTU rating will take less time to heat up than one with a lower rating. However, it cooks faster and consumes less fuel compared to other types of grills. However, you need to make sure the grill you choose has the right BTU rating sufficient to sear and grill your food. Go for a grill with a BTU rating of at least 8,000.

Shelves and storage space

Some grills come with ample space and shelves that you can use to store your wood chips, tools, and anything else you’ll need to barbeque. A grill with cupboards and shelves will make your work easier and you don’t have to move up and down too much.

Number of burners

Most infrared grills come with more than one burner which means you’ll have more cooking surface area for a large meal. Other grills are rotisserie-ready to cater to all your needs. Most grills also come with a warming rack which keeps your food warm allowing you to cook smaller dishes as you continue to grill on your main burner.

Ease of use

Some grills only require you to plug it in and get to work while others are more complicated. Professional chefs may not have a problem with it, but you need to be realistic about your grilling skills. A grill that is less complicated to use is better so you’re able to use your grill more often.

Extra features

Check if there are extra features that come with your grill. Most grills come with additional items that you’ll need for your barbeque while others you’ll need to buy them separately. These items include warming racks, integrated thermometers, internal lights, and side burners for cooking your veggies and sauces.

Price

Whichever grill you decide to buy, how much it costs is always a determining factor. Your budget will determine the grill your get to suit your needs so make sure you consider the quality of the grill because cheap is expensive in the long run. To get the best infrared grill, get a balance between quality and price. If you’re on a tight budget, you can get mid-range grills that have all the features you need, but if you have more money to spare, go for a reasonably expensive grill with everything you need to give you efficiency, durability, performance, and experience.

Infrared grill pros

Reduced flare-ups

If you’re a beginner, flame management and flare-ups can be very hard to control. Even an experienced griller if distracted when cooking can have flare-ups. Infrared grills are safe because the frame doesn’t reach the grates and get out of control.

Better flavor

You not only get to sear your food quickly and get that caramelized look, but any drippings from your meat or sauces drop to the plate near your food and vaporize back to your meat.

Heats up quickly

Infrared grills heat up much faster than gas or charcoal grills thanks to their uniform heat distribution system. This means you spend less time waiting for the grill to heat and also less time to cook or sear your meat.

Safety

Infrared grills are one of the safest ways you can cook your food because they use electromagnetic energy in low amounts that don’t pose a risk to your health when using them.

Effective outdoors

Infrared grills arent by wind or harsh weather, unlike charcoal and gas grills that slow down and dampen out your grill’s heating process. This makes infrared grills the most effective for camping or any outdoor setting where you need to travel with a grill.

Infrared grill cons

Burn easily

If you’re not careful, such intense heat can easily burn your food. Some meat like fish is very delicate and can easily burn on an infrared burner.

Not very versatile

Infrared burners are very good at searing meat, but the intense heat limits your options. It can reach such high temperatures which can make it difficult when it comes to time-temperature balance. It also doesn’t have lower temperatures than you’ll find in a gas or charcoal grill. This means you cant cook delicate foods like fish and veggies on your infrared grill.

Expensive

Most infrared grills are way more expensive than gas or charcoal grills because they use infrared energy. That’s a lot of money to spend on a grill that’s only good at searing meat since cooking chicken, hamburgers, fish, veggies, and seafood required low heat.

Final verdict

The Char-Broil Signature True Infrared 525 4-burner is an efficient, durable and perfect grill for a medium to large family and comes with all the features you need and ample cooking space to feed a large crowd.

Using the best infrared grill is the best way of cooking for a large crowd compared to other grills, and the best part is you get to make the most delicious food. Although they’re expensive and can burn your delicate food very easily, infrared grills are convenient and fuel-efficient.

Gavrie Ricci is a design manufacturer and one of his latest projects is the Eco grill, an electric grill that comes equipped with a revolutionary heating system. Gavrie is a design enthusiast and is passionate about simplification, there are so many types of grills in the market but people find it hard to narrow down to one unit that will suffice for all their grilling and smoking needs. The comprehensive articles about grills at Grillception are, therefore, a guide to choosing the perfect unit that suits different user needs. Gavrie seeks to empower people with knowledge about grills, to simplify their search process.

Leave a Comment