Do you prefer cooking fast, while retaining the flavors of your food? Then, using infrared grills is the way to go for you. Best infrared grills
Infrared grills are very popular for outdoor food preparations. In these, an infrared element is heated, which radiates heat that cooks food, while not drying up the air around the food, so that its moisture remains intact. In this guide on best infrared grills, we will cover different types of infrared grills available in the market, benefits of using them, their safety and maintenance tips, essential features that you must look for while buying infrared grills, and a curated list of best infrared grills you can choose to purchase from. Read our latest guide about the best griddles.
What Are the Different Types of Infrared Grills?
You must recognise the type of cooking you’d like to do, and accordingly choose a type of infrared grill from the following types, to best suit your needs. Also pay attention to the quality of components comprising an infrared grill.
Ceramic infrared grills: These burners are used for quick cooking at high temperatures. They have a stainless steel burner that has a ceramic surface on the top. Very hot flames of 600-1000 degrees are produced by the ceramic surface. The flames cook the food and when the food’s juice drips on the grill, some flames flare up and may charr the food, which many people prefer. Some ceramic infrared burners may provide low temperature too, but most of them have very high temperature.
Radiant glass-panel infrared grills: This wonderful technology offers even heat distribution from 200 to 900 degrees. Radiant glass-panel infrared grills comprise of a radiant glass panel placed over a stainless steel burner. It does not result in flare ups, as the heat is equally distributed on the surface. You can use a grill like this for versatile
Heat-emitting grills: In such grills, a metal heat panel is placed over a stainless steel burner. The grill lies atop the metal surface. In these also, the heat distribution is even, and the temperature can vary from 300 to 650 degrees. The pipe burners on heat emitting grills may not offer the high level of heat you may get in other infrared grills.
Hybrid Infrared Gas Grills: These hybrid cooking equipments offer both convection and infrared burners. Therefore, you can cook at a low temperature with a convection burner, or use the infrared burner to quickly sear your steaks before moving it to a low temperature. You can purchase a hybrid convection burner with a built-in infrared burner, a separate, removable infrared burner or a side-installed infrared burner, depending upon your requirement and preference.
Top Benefits of Infrared Grills?
Even heat and minimum flare-ups: Infrared grills are designed to give even heat across the surface. Therefore, your food also cooks evenly. Also, there are very minimal flare-ups when food releases grease, while cooking with an infrared grill.
Quick preheating and cooking: Infrared grills preheat at a very high temperature in very less time—as less as 3-5 minutes. You can grill food quickly on an infrared grill, making it easier to use more often.
Retention of food moisture and quality: Infrared grills do not dry up your food. They ensure that your meat and other food retain their moisture to a good level. You can even sear your steaks with perfect high temperature settings of an infrared grill.
Energy efficient: Infrared grills require much less gas than a traditional gas grill.
Easy to maintain and clean: Once you’re done cooking, you can turn the temperature of the grill to high to burn food debris to ash, so that the grill and plates can be easily cleaned off.
No health risk: Infrared cooking uses electromagnetic energy (EM) that is used in microwaves. EM is a form of
Safety and Maintenance Tips
Even the best infrared grills require some care in safety of usage and maintenance. You must consider the following points to ensure healthy cooking and a long life of your infrared grill.
- After cooking, clean out the gas or electric element of the grill, to clear off all debris.
- After cooking, turn the temperature of the grill to the highest to burn off all the debris, and then let the grill cool before removing the burnt ashes of the debris.
- If the seal or latch of your infrared grill is damaged, do not use it.
- Beware of the high temperature while cooking. Take precautions to not burn yourself, and keep children away from the grill.
- Infrared grills are best repaired by professionals, as some of its inner parts might cause a shock even when they are not connected.
- Once in six months, check your heating element, infrared plate and grate for damage or wear.
- Clean the grate properly with a metal wire brush, or with a nylon brush in case of a cast iron or porcelain-coated grate.
- The heating surface made of metal, ceramic or glass should be cleaned gently.
What Are the Essential Features You Must Inspect While Buying Infrared Grills?
When buying an infrared grill, you must check its features to ensure good quality of the grill and that it matches your style of cooking and requirement.
Construction and material
Ensure that your grill has a sturdy frame that is big enough to support the cooking box. Most of the good infrared
Its handle should also be sturdy and properly placed, so that it’s not uncomfortable or hot to hold.
The controls of the grill should be easy to use. Many new models come with LED displays and back-lit signs, so that you can easily use them outdoors, at night. The ignition mechanism of the burner should be made of good-quality material, and should not fail and not work when a gas build-up occurs.
Burners and cooking
A good infrared grill must have two or more burners. Infrared burners evenly distribute the heat, and reach high temperatures, which is preserved by a good lid and the convection created by the lid. Two burners ensure that the heat panels get efficient energy, so that they offer even heat to the food. Professional burners sometimes come with more than two burners.
Many burners also have hybrid burners—including both convection and infrared burners—which can be used to cook on high temperature first with an infrared plate, and then to switch to the convection mode for low temperatures for thorough cooking of food.
Ease of use and maintenance
Infrared grills work with gas and have tanks or line hookups. A grill that can be easily switched from a line to a tank or vice versa, is a good option.
Also, ensure that the grill is portable, so that you can move it around or take it along on trips. Finally, having a storage place for accessories in your grill is a good thing.
Top 12 Best Infrared Grills in 2022
1. Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 300, 2-Burner Gas Grill (Top pick)
A dual burner, compact infrared grill for versatile cooking
Char-Broil is known for its quality products. This model by Char-Broil takes up only 465 square inches of total
Construction and material
This infrared grill has a stainless steel lid. It also features good-quality handle, control panel and fascia. Its in-built cart with a stainless steel door gives it its elegant look and adds to its utility.
It weighs about 77 pounds. It derives its name, Char-Broil TRU Infrared Grill, from their patented and award-winning TRU infrared cooking system.
It avoids flare ups and is compact, making it ideal for a small patio or similar spaces. Its primary cooking area with a stainless steel grate is 300 square inches in size, and its secondary cooking area with porcelain-coated wire grate, for slow cooking or warming food, is 125 square inches in size. It also features Surefire electronic ignition, eliminating any ignition fail.
Burners and cooking
This model by Char-Broil has two burners, each with its own temperature control gauge and knob. The burners are efficient, as they feature good-quality patented infrared grates that offer a wide range of cooking temperatures.
You can even add wood chips to the cooking grate to add flavour to the food, without any flare ups.
The grill allows even cooking of food with its two burners that produce 20,000 BTUs of heat. Its infrared cooking keeps the food juicy and flavourful.
Ease of use and maintenance
The package comes with an operating guide and assembly instructions, making it easy for you to start using this equipment to its best ability. It has side shelves that allow you space to keep food or accessories.
All the parts of the grill have 1-year limited warranty related to perforation and manufacturing and material defects.
It is recommended to keep its firebox clean to avoid unwanted flare ups. Also, cover the grill when it is not in use. The cart has four rolling casters, out of which two can be locked for easy storage.
Pros:
- Two burners with individual temperature control gauges
- 1-year limited warranty
- Great features
Cons:
- Stainless steel grates will clog up if not cleaned regularly
2. Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450, 3-Burner Cart, Liquid Propane Gas Grill
High-quality burners for mid-sized grilling requirement
If you’re looking for a burner that helps you cook fast for a mid-sized grilling requirement, then Char-Broil
Construction and material
Char-Broil Performance TRU infrared burner has 450 square inches of primary cooking area. It has porcelain coated graes, and hence offers even heating and great performance. The burner also has a 15- square inch rack for warming food. This rack can be slided away and is coated with porcelain.
It is easy to clean porcelain-coated grates and stainless-steel burners. They deliver even heat throughout the burner, at both high and low temperatures.
The burner features Surefire ignition system, that ensures that there are no spark failures, making grilling safe.
If you plan to use your grill outdoors, this Grill offers you a perfect temperature gauge on the lid. It can be used to monitor heat, so that you can cook your food at a perfect temperature.
The lid and firebox stands are made with porcelain coating, which makes your burner durable.
Burners and cooking
This grill has three burner, which gives you efficiency while grilling and in energy. Its top-ported tube burners heat faster and evenly and has next to no flare ups. It doesn’t dry up your food.
The side burner has the heat capacity of up to 10,000 BTU. It can be used to cook sides and sauces. Its lid can be put down, and the space can be used as a shelf for food and accessories, when the burner is not in use.
The TRU infrared cooking system used in this grill helps cook food at various temperatures. Its even heating ensures that you get perfection of heat on your grilling surface. This gives you grilled food that is full of flavour.
Ease of use and maintenance
The grill has a convenient cart design. It has two wheels that can be used to move it around for placement as per your requirement. It also has a front panel, which helps you conceal the propane tank.
If you require some workspace, then you can use the fixed stainless-steel side-shelf, which can be folded, when not in use.
There is limited warranty for 1 year, on all the parts of the grill—perforation and manufacturing and material defects.
Pros:
- Three top-ported tube burners
- Side shelf
- 1-year warranty
- TRU infrared cooking system
Cons:
- May be big for certain compact places
3. Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D Smart Space Living, 3-Burner Grill
Infrared burner with compact design and high performance
Dyna-Glo Smart Space Living grill is equipped with three burners, has a durable design, and is perfect to be placed
Construction and material
This grill has a porcelain-covered steel firebox, which features three stainless steel burners. The burners offer heat of up to 36,000 BTUs.
It has 390 square-inch of primary cooking space and 507 square-inch of total cooking space.
The three burners allow efficient and even heat delivery to each burner, and ensure that there are no hot or cold spots on the plates.
Its electronic pulse ignition enables sure and quick start up.
The lid is made of stainless steel, and is designed to retain heat to cook food fast and evenly. It is mounted with the temperature gauge, so that you can monitor the temperature at all times.
When you are cooking, the heat is retained in the grill by Its cast-iron grates. The food can be seared and cooked to perfection, as desired.
Its infinite control valves are chrome-plated and allow easy control of the burners.
Burners and cooking
The grill has three burners that are porcelain-enameled to ensure even heating of food. The steelhead tents are heavy-gauge and hence ensure that food gets cooked to retain its natural flavours and does not dry up.
Ease of use and maintenance
The cart also has side shelves, tool hooks and a towel bar, which allow easy access to accessories and food material while you are grilling. The side shelves can support 25 pounds each and can be folded to ensure that the grill can be set up in areas with less space. It has two wheels, which can be used to move the cart around with ease for placement at a preferred place.
It has a limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship for one year.
Pros:
- Three high-quality burners
- Two foldable side shelves with towel bar and hooks
- Compact in size
Cons:
- Has an analog temperature gauge
4. Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Portable Infrared Grill
A portable grill for juicier and faster cooking
Solaire portable infrared grill, as the name suggests, is perfect for people who like to go for adventurous trips and
Construction and material
The grill has a ceramic and stainless steel burner. Its electronic push-button ignition makes it easy to start up. It has 140 square inches of grilling area that can accomodate enough food for a mid-sized picnic lunch. The main burner has a v-grate design that cooks food without flare ups and retain the flavour of the food. It has 14,000 BTUs of power.
There is also a 67 square-inch warming rack inside the hood of the grill.
The grill works with 1 pound propane bottles that have to be purchased separately, but it can be used with larger propane tanks or natural gas with the right adapters and conversion kits.
Burners and cooking
The burner heats up in three minutes to offer searing hot temperatures for perfect grilling. This results in food cooked with natural flavours and a great texture. The drippings from the food get burned up on the grill, adding smoky flavour to the food.
The grill is designed for efficient cooking and has no hot or cold spots.
Ease of use and maintenance
The grill’s weight is around 20 pounds in total, and its dimensions are 20 inches (width) * 13 inches (depth) and 12 inches (height). Hence, it is very easy to carry along on your expeditions. It comes with a carrying bag, which can accomodate the grill and three one-pound propane bottles
Its burners heat up in three minutes to very high temperatures to lock in food juices. Just attach the handles, and you are good to go.
The hood of the burner protects it during transportation and storage. It has spring latches for easy opening.
Pros:
- Portable and compact
- Good-quality burner with v-grate
- Can be connected to bigger propane tanks with an adapter
Cons:
- Limited cooking space
5. Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill, Black
Small in size, good for your taste buds
A masterpiece designed by the team of Char-Broil. The TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro has an exclusive infrared cooking
Construction and material
An important saying says: ‘Good things comes in small packages’. Similarly, this huge-featured product is small in size, so that can best fit in your balcony or on your patio. It weighs only 54 pounds. Its lustrous and up-to-date design makes it an added bonus to any apartment’s balcony or small courtyard. The wheels of the product allow for its smooth mobility. It has Easy Light integrated ignition and a stainless-steel cooking grate which not only cooks well, but also looks well.
Burners and cooking
It provides you Gas TRU-Infrared™ cooking system. Not only this, you get a wide range of temperatures. It has a primary cooking area of 240 square inches, and 80 square inches of secondary cooking area. Its assembled dimensions are 25.2” (Width) x 24.4″ (Depth) x 38.2″ (Height).
Ease of use and maintenance
This masterpiece requires only 320 square inches of cooking area. A perfect size for grilling some good stuff for your friends and relatives. You can grill some burger or sandwiches; not only 1 or 2, but around 12 of them in one go. The towel bar and stand not just hold your tools and accessories, but also save you from dropping or misplacing accessories while cooking. Its stainless burner, firebox and lid come with a warranty (from the date of purchase) of 5 years. All other parts come with a warranty of 1 year. Please note that warranty includes perforation, manufacturing and material defects only.
Pros:
- Small size
Cons:
- Requires assembly of the product
6. Solaire Anywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill, Marine Grade Stainless Steel
A portable, small-sized grill—Nothing but the best
The compact and portable Solaire Anywhere Marine grill will eliminate your hunger, as it can be used almost
Professional chefs demands high heat for not only cooking food which looks good, but also tastes great.
Construction and material
This portable infrared grill uses 1 pound propane cylinder (can use a larger tank with a seperate adapter). The spacious grilling space of 155 square inches will fit approx. 6-10 hamburgers at the same time. The high heat of 14000 BTUs and approximately 61 Infrared intensity index will help you to grill your food while keeping its flavor intact.
For keeping the flavor of your food undamaged, its V-shaped stainless grilling grid plays a big role. The grill is 21” wide, 13” deep and 12” high. It weighs around 32 pounds only.
Solaire Anywhere has a stainless steel, honeycomb ceramic infrared burner underneath its grilling area, and it lights up with a push-button rapid-spark electronic igniter.
Burners and cooking
Each Solaire grill has a “rocket under the hood”—The Solaire Infrared Burner. This superior burner helps you to lock in the juices for more tasty, flavorful food through its high-heat cooking. You can cook tastier food than you can ever get from your local barbecue.
Become a professional in cooking food with Solaire Infrared Portable Grill. It is a perfect companion for your belly and your taste buds. Made of Marine Grade type 316 stainless steel, forget the worries of corrosion even when you are using this grill near salty water.
Ease of use and maintenance
It has an electronic push button for your ease. It weighs less (only approx. 20 pounds), so it’s easy to carry when you are travelling. One-year limited warranty of this grill is adds to it credibility. No doubt, the product will last longer than imagination.
Pros:
- Includes carrying bag
- Portable
Cons:
- Avoid operating this grill when wind is blowing at high speed, as that may affect your burner
7. Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
A portable grill to accompany you everywhere
Solaire Everywhere is perfect for picnics, RVs, boating and many other places. Place it in your balcony, camping site
It’s known for its infrared ceramic & stainless steel burner and quality igniting. It has an electronic push-button that adds to its convenient operation. It requires a compact grilling area of 140 square inches. You can easily grill up to 6-8 burgers easily, at one go. The special v-grate helps you improve the flavor of the food and virtually eliminates flare-ups. It weighs less and is compact in size.
Construction and material
Used by over thousands of families, Solaire Everywhere is perfect for outings, camping, RVs, backyard and many such places and occasions. This grill assures that you will get finger-licking food everywhere and every time you want. It also has the Solaire V-grate, which enhances flavor and eliminates flare-ups, so that you do not get overly burnt food. The dimensions of product are follows: 13.5” x 21” x 8.2” inches
Burners and cooking
Considered as the undisputed cooking partner at a campsite and the champion of your parking lot, it helps you serve juicy, and flavorful food.
It reduce hot and cold spots often found on traditional gas or charcoal grills, as the infrared burners of the grill distributes heat evenly across the grill.
This masterpiece delivers high heat and helps in locking the natural juices of your food, thereby cooking your food tastier.
It operates with 1-pound propane bottles (which are not included in the package). It can even be used with large propane tanks with the help of an adapter, on natural gas with a natural gas conversion kit, or with an installed low-pressure propane system with a low pressure LP Conversion kit. Its hood protects the burner during carriage and storage, and has spring-loaded latches
Ease of use and maintenance
It’s easy to assemble, is almost ready to use out of the box and hardly requires any maintenance.
Pros:
- Easy assembly of the product
Cons:
- Has some sharp edges in the design
8. Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 3-Burner
Signature product for people with skills
A perfect piece for a grilling enthusiast who is looking for a grill to match his caliber of cooking great food. The grill
Construction and material
The grill has 420 square inches of primary cooking area, 155 square inches of warming rack and a 13000 BTU side burner.
The premium features of this grill include porcelain-coated cast iron grates and top-ported 443 Stainless steel burners. It weighs around 131 pounds and has dimension as 23.5” x 51.1” x 47.2” inches.
Burners and cooking
This signature piece has 3 top ported 443 stainless steel tube burners for improved temperature control.
The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking system uses infrared technology, which allows its user to cook their food evenly and with superior temperature control. The Infrared heat helps prevent hot and cold spots on the grill’s cooking surface and enables faster cooking with the use of less gas.
The specially-designed cooking grate at the core of TRU-Infrared technology spreads heat evenly across the grill top. It creates a barrier between food and flames, flare-ups are history. So, just enjoy juicier food with all its flavor retained in it.
There is porcelain coating on the 155 square-inch warming rack, as well.
Ease of use and maintenance
To give you a reliable spark every time, this product comes with a ‘surefire electronic ignition’. You can separately purchase a natural gas conversion kit which will help you to easily convert from usage of one kind of gas to another
It comes with a warranty of 1 year on all parts (perforation, manufacturing & material defects only).
Pros:
- Even heat
- Surefire electronic ignition
- Durable porcelain-coated cast iron grates
- Enclosed storage cabinet
- Dual fuel support
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
Cons:
- Heavy weight
- Big size
9. Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro 180 Grill
Compact in size, high on features
The small-sized grill by Char-Broil is compact in its design but high on features. You can use it in your RV, balcony,
The compact design of this model and the quality of the grill is top-quality.
Construction and material
This small-sized grill has a durable porcelain finish. The high-quality material used in this grill does not only look good, but also gives you a better grilling experience. Not only this, the TRU-Infrared Electric Patio Bistro grill offers you even heating and high temperature in a short span of time, so that your cooked food has all it flavors and juices locked-up in it.
This item weighs only 27 pounds and is 17.7” x 21.4” x 17.3” inches in size.
Burners and cooking
For the moments when you cannot use gas or charcoal grills, this device is an option to impress the food buds of the one being served the delicious grilled food from this device. The TRU-Infrared grill will make your balcony, deck, patio or any other similar place into a grilling centre or a party hub.
The 550-degree Fahrenheit temperature and infrared heating system heats your food directly, so that you get grilled food with its natural flavors and juices intact.
Ease of use and maintenance
It has a warranty of 90 days on all its parts against any perforation, manufacturing and material defects.
The 245 square-inch cooking area of this grill, covered with porcelain-coated grilling grate, is easy to clean. Its convenient warming rack will make your cooking experience smoother.
Pros:
- Tru-Infrared heating
- Compact size
Cons:
- Does not have castor wheels
10. Char-Broil Performance 300, 2-Burner Grill – Black
Professional, chic look for stylish grilling enthusiasts
Char-Broil Performance 300 is a 2-burner cabinet gas grill which assures you grilling of great food. Its long-lasting
Construction and material
The very-well and elegantly designed grill with rust resistant material and porcelain coating helps prevent your food from sticking. It also has a porcelain-coated lid which looks good and equally cooks great. A lid-mounted temperature gauge for added heat control accompanies the electronic ignition for a lightening speed start-up.
The brilliantly constructed grill has metal side shelves which can be folded when not being used.
The weight of this product is 82.5 pounds and dimensions are 24.5” x 42.9” x 44” inches.
Burners and cooking
Both the burners of this grill can give you ample heat of 24000 BTUs. Char-Broil’s grill offers 300 square inches of primary cooking area, porcelain coated cast iron grills, and 100 square inches of rack with porcelain coated grates.
Ease of use and maintenance
The grill comes with a specially designed removable grease pan for your easy cleaning.
Also, it comes with an electronic ignition for a speedy start-up.
The black painted door of the cabinet can be opened and used as the cabinet to store your propane tank, accessories, tools, etc.
The grill stands on four casters, two of which can be locked for flexibility and stability.
Pros:
- Casters for easy movement
- Easy to clean
- Metal side shelves
- Cabinet and casters
- Removable grease pan
Cons:
- Bulky size
11. Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro 240 – Red
A beautifully designed and comfortable to use grill
The easy to use, Electric Patio Bistro by Char Broil features infrared technology to offer you a superb cooking
The infrared technology heats up in short time with evenly distributed heat so that you get crispier food.
The features like electric TRU-Infrared cooking system, folding side shelves, lid-mounted temperature gauge, warming rack, easy cleaning and lighted ring bezel, add to the pile of advantages it has.
Construction and material
The compact sleek design with porcelain coated iron cooking grill, and high end quality material used in this grill, will keep rust away from your grill for a very long time.
Even after having a lid-mounted temperature gauge, chrome-plated storage rack and wheels for easy mobility, the product weighs only 54 pounds, having a dimension of 25.6” x 39.8” x 39.8” (inches).
It’s an ideal solution for those living in apartments or buildings which don’t allow use of gas or charcoal grills.
Burners and cooking
The TRU-Infrared grill will keep all the flavors and juices of your cooked food locked in it. 240 square inches of primary cooking area can be used to grill around 10-12 burgers at the same time. It also gives you 80 square inches of warming rack. Just plug your grill in standard 110V outlet and it is ready to grill by giving a power of 1750 W.
Ease of use and maintenance
The high-quality porcelain coating on cast iron cooking grills are rust proof and easy to clean. Folding side shelves can be used to keep sauces and accessories, or it can be folded down to give you some more space.
Not only this, it also has a storage rack, cord management, and porcelain-coated removable grease tray. All this will add to your convenience
Pros:
- Compact design with loads of features
Cons:
- All legs of this grill do not have caters
12. Char-Broil Signature 350 2-Burner Grill
Designed for the professionals
It’s designed for grilling enthusiasts. Char Broil signature 350 2-burner cabinet liquid propane gas grill is especially
Construction and material
The Char Broil signature 350 2-burner gas grill comes with a primary cooking area of 350 square inches. Also, 135 square inches of secondary cooking area on a robust stainless steel warming rack will add to its utility. The V-shaped firebox of stainless steel and top-ported burners are meant for more efficient cooking.
This fully-loaded grill weighs 98 pounds with dimensions as 27.6” x 45.9” x 46.3” inches.
Burners and cooking
This masterpiece is designed with 2 burners that offer 16000 BTUs of heat, and it comes with a premium cabinet gas grill. Its surefire ignition system offers lightning fast start-ups. The durably-constructed grill of stainless steel and its dual fuel compatibility for easy change from propane to natural gas, make it a good grill option to buy.
For the conversion of liquid propane to natural gas, you must purchase the natural gas conversion kit which is sold separately.
Ease of use and maintenance
Use this product with utmost comfort at your deck, in a lawn or on a patio. The removable grease pan and all its parts are manufactured with material which can be cleaned easily.
Keep your tools and other accessories in the provided cabinet. It has a warranty of 1 year on all its parts against perforation and manufacturing and material defects only.
Pros:
- Premium cabinet gas grill
- Big cooking surface
- Greater zonal cooking
- Easy clean ups
- Dual fuel compatible
- Surefire ignition system
- Cabinet to store your accessories and tools
Cons:
- Not comfortable for small transfer/movement of the grill