Be ready, you’re about to read the ultimate guide for the best-infrared grill, I will list some recommendations for you, one or two for every usage and every budget.
SO whatever your budget is, you’ll find a suitable option that fits your needs and your budget.
If you’re in a hurry you can jump directly to the conclusion from here, you’ll find the final answer there.
What’s An Infrared Grill And What’s Different About It?
I know that since you searched about the best-infrared grill then you probably have an idea about what it is, or maybe have already decided to buy one. If you do, feel free to jump directly to the comparison and the recommendations from the index.
But for those who don’t know much about it, you’re in the right place. Let’s learn more about it first so we can pick your own best one.
Well, I will try to translate the science behind this into English.
The infrared grill technology was first introduced by the Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) back in the ’80s.
Usually, regular gas grills cook by heating the air around the meat and the grates, the grates sear the surface of the meat, and the hot air cooks the inside. Or in other words, gas grills use the air to transfer the heat into the meat.
But infrared grills are a bit different, it’s simply an element between the actual burner/flame and the cooking grates. The burners heat the air, Then that element absorbs the heat, converts it into infrared heat radiation to cook the meat directly. Like the radiation used in the microwave ovens and some toasters.
Are They Safe To Cook On?
This is a very common question. I know that the word “radiation” has a dangerous sense. But relax it’s perfectly safe, radiation becomes dangerous when using a much much more amount of radiation than the case in the infrared grills.
It’s like the case in the microwave ovens, they both use a very similar concept which is cooking by radiant heat.
What’s So Great About Infrared Grills?
There are many things that make infrared grills one of the best grills types, let’s list some of them.
Hotter And Faster
- In my opinion, the main and the most amazing advantage of having an infrared grill is that it can produce much more heat in much less time.
- Sometimes Infrared grills can hit 700°F in ONLY 7 MINUTES! You will finish cooking your dinner and get to enjoy it with your friends and family in less time. Which makes you wanna host more
- BBQ parties without worrying about the much time it takes to finish cooking.
Better Heat Distribution
Cooking with an infrared grill means even distributing the heat over the cooking space.
So, you won’t face ANY cold or hot spots, which was a very annoying problem in the regular grills, but from now on, all of your food will be evenly cooked!
No Flare-Ups
In the regular gas grills, when the meat drippings hit the flame, you see flare-ups. But as the infrared grills have a plate between the grates and the flame, then no drippings will catch the fire, which means no flare-ups at all! Instead, it smokes these drippings and gives your meat a lovely smoky flavor.
More Tasty And Juicy
Remember when I told you that Infrared grills cook directly? It means that it won’t dry out your meat or sausage, it helps retain juices inside.
Less Gas
Since infrared grills are faster heating than other grill types, logically they consume less fuel. They use the fuel more efficiently so require less by up to 30%
Easier To Clean
As we agreed that infrared grills emit higher heating, the high heat helps to break and remove dirt and sticks. It’s not the easiest, but it is still easier than many types.
And here are some tips from Char-broil on cooking with infrared grills.
What’s Not So Good About Them?
Every grill type has advantages and disadvantages, infrared grills aren’t different.
I will list some of the infrared disadvantages for you.
Need More Monitoring
It’s a side effect of the advantage of the high temperature, you need to keep a continuous eye on your food. Otherwise, it may be burnt out!
Higher Price Tags
This also is a side effect but this time to the terrific performance, it’s kind of logical and predicted that the higher quality means higher price tag. However, as we will see in the best-infrared grill recommendations, there are some affordable models. Of course, they won’t be as good, but they still have the outstanding advantages of being an infrared grill.
What’s The Best Infrared Grill?
No one can tell, it depends on your very own needs. However, I will provide you with some recommendations for all budgets and different needs. So whatever your budget or needs, you will find a suitable option for you on the list. Let’s GO!
1: Char-Broil Signature 420 Infrared Grill
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This our winner today. And it’s been the winner before in our best 3 burner gas grills guide. However, it’s not the absolute winner, there’s no such thing. But it’s the right option for you if you’re looking for performance and durability.
Description And Key Features:
Char-Broil’s signature 420 comes with 3 stainless steel burners that produce a total heat of 25,500 BTUs per hour – mostly stainless steel finish – 420 square inches primary cooking area along with 155 square inches warming rack – measures 23.5 IN length x 47.2-IN high x 51.1-IN wide.
Pros
- Porcelain-Coated cast-iron grates: this material of grates is the best in terms of performance. These grates get hot, keep the heat, and distribute it evenly.
- Side burner: this provides you more options, you can make sauce or other sides while grilling.
- Dual fuel: this allows you to convert the grill from liquid propane to natural gas back and forth with a special conversion kit (sold separately)
- Around 65% of users said that it’s easy to assemble if this is not your first time
- It’s very good for smoking as well, you can put wood chips between the grates and enjoy a great smokey flavor.
- Sits on 4 wheels style: which makes it easier to move.
Cons
- Expensive.
- A bit heavier: weighs 131.4 pounds.
2: Char-Broil 463370719 Performance Infrared Grill
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This is an alternative lower budget option for the Signature 420 (the last option), not the winner but it has great value for less money. Please read the pros/cons list and read the bottom line after that if you really want to get the best infrared grill for the budget.
Description And Key Features:
The Char-Broil 463370719 comes with 3 stainless steel burners capable of producing 24,000 of total heat per hour – 3 stainless steel flavorizer bars – 600 square inches total cooking space, divided as 450 primaries, which can accommodate about 24 burgers at a time + 150 warming rack – foldable side shelves – the easy push of a button ignition system – measures 54.1 W x 23.4 D x 45.5 H and weighs 98 pounds.
Pros
- More affordable than the past option.
- More value for the money.
- Stainless steel finish makes it rust-resistant and lasts longer.
- Side burner: it’s like you have a stove with your grill, which allows you to prepare side dishes.
- Easy to assemble.
- Not very difficult to clean.
- Durable materials. (check the first con).
Cons
- Porcelain-coated steel grates: this is the least acceptable quality, it gives you a satisfactory performance, but it’s more likely to rust over time. Check the bottom line for the solution.
The Bottom Line:
An outstanding option to get a good performing grill and save some money. It has only one problem standing in its way to be the best-infrared grill and move to the top of the list. The good news is you can get rid of the grates material problem thing.
The absolute answer is to upgrade to the fantastic hard-anodized Aluminum Grill Grates.
This will make you enjoy a terrific performance, the infrared system, and the GrillGrates
is really, REALLY great combination. It will even beat the winner.
3: Char-Broil Signature 525 Infrared Grill
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The Char-broil’s Signature 525 is an excellent option for you if you’re looking for a larger space than the past options. Let’s jump and see its features together!
Description And Key Features:
It comes with 4 gas stainless steel burners – has 725 inches of total cooking space divided into 525 primary and 200 warmings rack – porcelain-coated cast iron – stainless steel finish (lid, doors, fascia, side shelves, and control panel) – electronic ignition system – built-in temperature gauge – side burner – measures 23.5 x 57.2 x 47.2 inches dimensions and 162.9 pounds weight.
Pros
- Plenty of cooking room: 725 total allows you to host more people into your place to enjoy a perfect weekend together.
- Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates: it does a better job in terms of heat retention and distribution.
- Good value for the money.
- 13,000 BTUs capability side burner with a griddle
- Stainless steel finish makes it good-looking and durable.
- Dual fuel: you can convert it from liquid propane fuel to natural gas back and forth with a special kit (sold separately).
- Enclosed cabinet: good looking and allows you to store a lot of stuff besides the tank.
- Sits on 4 casters: make it easier to move.
Cons
- The most expensive on the list (around $800 – $900).
- Time-consuming assembly because of its size.
The Bottom Line:
Buy it or not?
As I told you if you’re hosting more people and looking for a larger size, and most importantly can afford it, then yes of course! go ahead without a doubt you should go for it. The signature 525 will satisfy all of your needs and more, I can say it’s the best-infrared grill under $1000.
But why didn’t I put it on the top of the list? Because it’s not the best for everyone because of the size and the price, I thought the 3 burners Signature 420 would be suitable for more people.
4: Char-Broil Signature 325 Infrared Grill
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This signature 325 infrared grills has been featured in our Best 2 burner gas grill guide as the winner of the big prize, so I thought that it should be on this list too. However, it’s quite similar to the Signature 525 4 burner grill, the differences will be mainly in the cooking space and the number of burners and the lid and firebox material.
Description And Key Features:
The 325 has 2 stainless steel burners producing 18,000 BTUs of heat – 445 square inches of total cooking space (325 primary – 120 warming rack) – porcelain-coated cast-iron grates – Porcelain-coated steel finish (lid and firebox) – stainless steel cabinet door – folding shelves – electronic ignition system – measures 23 x 46.8 x 47.2 dimensions and 96.3 weight.
Pros
- Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates: better performance.
- Dual fuel: more freedom in choosing the fuel – convertible back and forth.
- Enclosed cabinet with a stainless door to store wood chips and other stuff.
- Large space for a 2 burner grill.
- Durable and reliable.
- Has a side burner version.
- Sits on 4 casters.
Cons
- Not the easiest to clean or to assemble.
The Bottom Line:
It’s a good grill, buy it if you don’t host as many people and don’t need the larger space in the 3 or 4 burner grills. This will be suitable for you.
5: Char-Broil Patio Bistro Infrared Grill
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This grill has won the big prize before on our best gas grills under the $300 guide. I think it’s obvious why this grill is on the list. It doesn’t need much space which makes it ideal for those who wanna grill on their balcony or who don’t have plenty of room to put the grill. Let’s take a look at its main features.
Description And Key Features:
The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro comes with 1 gas stainless steel burner – Porcelain-coated steel finish – 240 square inches primary cooking space and 80 square inches warming rack can accommodate 8-12 burgers – measures 25.2″W x 24.4″D x 38.2″H – weights 43 pounds.
Pros
- The main advantage is that Its small size makes it fit in small spaces.
- Pretty affordable.
- Stainless steel grates: rust-resistant, durable, and live longer. (check the second disadvantage).
- Easier to clean.
Cons
- Not very easy to assemble
- Stainless-steel grates: not the best performance.
- Not very durable because of its modest finish materials.
The Bottom Line:
Well, this is gonna be fast. As you may understand from the pros and cons, there are ONLY TWO reasons to buy this grill:
1- if you don’t have much space and need a slim cute option.
2- if you have a small budget.
So if you have the budget and space then PLEASE DON’T buy it.
6: Char-Broil Electric Patio Bistro Infrared Grill
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Description And Key Features:
Char-Broil 17602047 is a 1,750 Watts grill – works on a 120-volt outlet – has 240 square inches primary cooking surface and 80 warming rack, can accommodate 8-12 burgers (exactly like the last one) – folding side shelves – measures 39.8 in. H x 25.6 in. Dx 39.8 in. H, and weighs 54lbs – a porcelain coated lid with a built-in thermometer.
Pros
- Cleaner cooking because of the electric system.
- Like the last one, it doesn’t take much space.
- Porcelain-Coated cast iron grates: a very well-performing material.
- Affordable.
- Has a porcelain-coated grease tray: helps with making an easier cleaning process.
- Comes in different colors.
- Good in terms of temperature control.
- More reliable than the last option because of its more features.
Cons
- The electric system gives you narrow options for cooking and flavors.
- Not the easier to clean, but not a mess.
- Not very durable.
- Not very easy to assemble.
The Bottom Line:
This is an ideal option for those who don’t prefer the charcoal or gas grills, also as I said, it doesn’t take much of a space. So it will be a reliable option for you if you wanna cook indoors, that’s all.
The Portable Category
The portable infrared grill (also known as a tabletop infrared grill) is an important category actually. I was thinking of discarding this section, but it is worth mentioning and reviewing as it has a high demand.
The portable category is simply a small grill that allows you to take it and go grilling by the beach or while you’re camping. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best-infrared grill (portable).
7: The Amazing Magma Newport II Infrared Grill
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It’s my recommendation in the portable category, it has some really cool features, besides the main feature that it’s portable of course! Let’s take a quick look at it.
Description And Key Features:
The Newport II comes with one stainless steel gas burner producing 11,200 BTUs of heat per hour – electronic ignition system – folding away legs – measures 22.5 x 11.63 x 11.63 in – and weighs 20 pounds.
Pros
- Stainless steel cooking grates: make it easier to clean and last longer.
- Marine-grade (316) stainless steel body finish: this is a higher grade of stainless steel, it makes the grill more corrosion resistant, which makes it last longer and longer
- Multiple fuel ability: it’s convertible from the 1 lb liquid propane canister to on-board LPG or CNG systems.
- No assembly is required.
- Front access grease tray: collects the escaped drippings from the infrared element.
- Glass viewing window: allows you to keep an eye on the food without opening the lid.
Cons
- Smaller cooking space: it measures 162 square inches.
- Expensive.
The Bottom Line:
The question now is, does it deserve its price and worth investing in or not?
My answer is: absolutely! As you just read, this piece of art makes it for many years in the future because of its high-quality materials. So if you do have the hope of enjoying grilling by the beach or during a camping trip and have the budget, I think you should go for it. But if that’s not your case, you should take a look at the next low-budget option.
8: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Infrared Grill
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This is the 2nd and the last recommendation for the portable category, and for the whole guide. I consider it an alternative for the magma’s Newport II for a lower budget.
Description And Key Features:
Grill2Go X200 comes with a stainless steel gas burner capable of producing around 9,500 BTUs hourly – stainless steel grates – porcelain-coated aluminum finish – a hood with a built-in thermometer – a couple of stainless steel latches – push a button ignition system – uses a 16.4 oz (1 lb) liquid propane cylinder as standard – 23.7″W x 15.7″D x 13.6″H dimensions – and 20 lb weight.
Pros
- Quite affordable.
- Plenty of space: it has a 200 square inches cooking surface which is very good for a portable grill, suitable for at least 2 people.
- No assembly is required.
- Easily convert from the standard 1 lb propane canister to the regular 20 lb tank
- Designed to stand out against traveling hits.
Cons
- Very poor gas control: there are plenty of complaints about the poor quality of the regulator, you will need to buy a “Bayou classic valve” with it to have better control of the temperature.
The Bottom Line:
It’s a good option if you’re looking for something to get the job done. Not the best performance but it’s a quite affordable option which can satisfy your needs for some seasons.
The Conclusion
That was my list of recommendations for the best-infrared grill, I made sure to include a variety of options for every budget and every need more. So here’s a quick recap for you.
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By: Team
Title: The Top 8 Best Infrared Grills For Different Budgets And Needs
Sourced From: bestgrillfinder.com/best-infrared-grill/
Published Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2022 08:28:38 +0000
