They say, "work with no play makes John a dull boy." This is not just about our office work but also in our everyday lives. When we are too much involved in our daily activities, it is normal to wear out. It is advisable to take time out and enjoy fun times with our family and friends to remain stable. What about a barbecue night in your backyard or at your favorite picnic site with a meal cooked on a best infrared grill??
Why Choose Infrared Grills
If you are a fan of grills, you will realize that one of the most common words you come across at any grill shop is 'infrared'. Some people think that this is being exaggerated.
We can all agree that infrared burners offer excellent heat distribution for searing and even heating. This article will list down a few infrared grills that many people have tried and loved over the years.
Best Infrared Grill in 2024
1. Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 3-Burner Cart Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Infrared technology was initially applied to the most expensive grills. Char-Broil saw how unfair this was and decided to make infrared grills affordable to all their clients regardless of their social status. This is what gave rise to Char-Broil TRU-Infrared gas, which is a high-performance grill with three burners. This has become the best choice for most people using grills today.
Char-Broil Performance offers you a primary cooking space of 450 square inches. 24,000 BTU is spread across its three burners, and the remaining 10,000 BTU goes to the side burner.
In case you want to warm your food, you will get a total of 150 square inch warming rack. The rack is coated with porcelain, and when not in use, it swings away.
If you are looking for a reliable grill with high performance and capable of reaching high temperatures, you are at the right place. Searing is a pleasure with the Char-Broil Performance TRU best Infrared grill. This is because the heat is evenly distributed across the cooking plate.
The consistently good results achieved with this grill challenges some of the most expensive grills we have in the market. The firebox and lid of this grill are coated with porcelain increasing their durability
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
For some people, placing the gas bottle under the unit was a good idea as it makes it compact and easily portable. However, they prefer to place some shelves under the unit to store utensils and bottles for some people. However, the two side shelves provide you with plenty of room to prepare your food. The grill also features some natural gas conversion kits, which is an added advantage to many.
2. Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Propane Gas Grill
To get a grilling machine that results in great flavor from intensely hot charcoal is the dream of every cook. This is why Solaire SOL-EV17A has become very popular over the years.
There are a few factors that have made this tool many people's favorite. One of the most important is gas consistency, the convenience it brings, and the hot charcoal fire control.
We all love camping, and it is very healthy for any relationship to grow. Whether you are going camping with your friends or family members, you will need a grill that you can take along wherever you go.
Solaire SOL-EV17A is identified as "Everywhere Portable Propane Gas Grill" because of its portability. It is the ideal grill to carry when going boating, RVs, tailgating as well as camping.
When packing for your picnic with family or friends, this grill will fit impeccably into your parking lot. This product is made in the USA, and it features an infrared burner that is easy to light.
The burners easily heat up, and within three minutes, you will get into its maximum. Simultaneously, it helps lock in the moistures of your food, giving them great flavor and eliminating any flare-ups.
Although the product doesn't come ready to use, the assembling needed is very minimal. Hence, within a very few minutes, you will get things rolling.
This is because the only thing you will need to assemble is attaching the four adjustable feet and six-bolted handles. To make it easy for storage and for protecting the burner, the grill features a hood with spring-loaded latches.
Every great product in the market has its pros and cons. Below are the pros and cons of Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Propane Gas Grill.
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
Although Solaire SOL-EV17A is among the lightest models in the market, it is not among the safest. This was concluded after several reviews by different users, saying the grill is prone to flare-ups. Therefore, although the grill is perfectly okay for experienced cooks, you need to take extra caution if you are a novice cook.
3. Napoleon Prestige 500 Freestanding Propane Gas Grill With Infrared Burner
Apart from choosing Char-Broil infrared grill, Napoleon Prestige 500 Propane gas with Infrared Burner is another great choice. Although it is not very cheap, it is worth you're trying out. The grill offers you a total of 500 square inches of cooking space. It can grill, bake, sear, roast, and smoke your favorite meal.
The well-insulated grill makes it a great smoker when closed. With a smoker tube filled with choice, wood chips make the meat as smoky as you would expect.
The lid will fold away when all you want is to enjoy your favorite grilled chops, and you will have things done within a few steps. In this case, not all the burners on this grill are infrared.
The prestige 500 grill features an infrared side burner (rotisserie kit and a 14,000 BTU) and an 18,000 BTU rear infrared burner for high temp searing.
The sear plates reach a surprising 1800 degrees F making your searing experience much easier than you expected. The unit is manufactured in Canada, and all components boast of quality material.
For those who love the flavor of coal on your grilled foods, you would consider ordering a charcoal tray for prestige 500 grill. However, the charcoal tray has to be ordered separately. This explains why the unit has become a favorite for many.
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
If you are not trying your luck in the grilling world, but you are here to give it your best, it'd be more advisable to provide Napoleon with Prestige 500 a chance. Although there are many other cheaper grills in the market, they might lack some of the features available on Napoleon 500.
4. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill
If you love camping, going on picnics, boating, and all those outdoor activities and need an Infrared grill that you can take wherever you go, this might be an ideal choice for you. This is among the most common perfect-sized grills for camping trips, motorhomes, and the rest. The firebox is made of cast aluminum, and you can latch shut it for travel.
Your next thought now should be, this is a flimsy grill. However, that is far from the truth. This grill is small and light in weight (weighs 20 pounds) doesn't make it delicate.
It is made to last for life, and it can withstand all the bumps and bruises on the road without any disappointments. The small size of this grill also doesn't prevent it from packing a punch temperature-wise.
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 gets as hot as the big boys. Hence, you can use it to prepare almost any food to prepare for the other grills. There are a few points that we loved about this grill while there are others that need improvement, as shown below:
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
The cooking space of this grill is 200 square inches. This means it will perfectly cook food for two. However, depending on how much your team feeds and how hungry you are, some people say they comfortably grill food for six at a go.
5. Saber Cast 500 32-Inch 3-Burner Infrared Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner
For those who love grilling and are ready to go for a high-end infrared gas grill, you would never go wrong with Saber. One of the unique features that Saber has managed to add to their grill is their original cooking system, which uses infrared heat.
Although this grill is quite expensive than many other infrared grills in the market, it is worth the sacrifice.
All the burners on Saber Cast 500 32inch 3 Burner use this technology. Unlike most infrared grills that feature a single temperature only (blazing hot), Saber grills' new system gives room for great temperature controls.
The grill also offers fuel efficiency, flare-up reduction, room for incredibly high temperatures. We can also not forget the durability and resilience of stainless steel construction.
The grill offers you 500 square inches of grilling space and an additional 175 square inch warming rack that is enamel-coated. The adjustable warming rack can be folded away in case you need more working space.
At the same time, the folding down of the racks helps in keeping the food warm. The infrared emitters, all burners, cooking grates, and side shelves are made of 304 stainless steel to add to its durability.
At the same time, the grill features an 18,000 BTU side burner, which is dual control. Therefore, you no longer have to struggle in case you need to keep food warm, boil water, or even wok cooking. This is because the side burner is there to do all these for you.
Just as the Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 3-Burner, this grill also features a lid that you can convert to a side shelf, providing you with enough preparation area.
The manufacturer guarantees its clients of efficiency using this grill. At the same time, it can use 30% less propane, making it more affordable. You can also convert the grill to natural gas as its conversion kit.
Two halogen lights are also available and are positioned inside the grill. The halogen grill comes in handy if the grill is placed outside where there is not enough light. If you are also a fan of cooking in the dark at night, this grill will fall into place as an elaborated lighting system will not be necessary.
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
If you are in love with Saber products but cannot reach up to their price, you have an option of powder-coated steel, which is $300 cheaper than stainless steel grills. Simultaneously, for those who aren't concerned about the price but care more about quality, Saber Elite would do. This is the best as the quality is concerned, but its price makes your eyes water.
Since infrared grilling doesn't work the same way as a regular convection cooking, you will need to take some time to learn how it works. The first few times you will use the grill might be challenging, but this will change with time. With the adjustment, the speed and ease you can cook with Saber units will be tremendous.
6. Magma A10-918-2GS Newport 2 Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill
Magma has been in the grill industry for more than 40 years now. They have been recognized for manufacturing quality cookware. Their Gourmet Series features several models with sophisticated design and the latest technology.
One of their Gourmet Series is the A10-918-2GS Newport 2 Infrared, which has entirely been made of 18-9 marine grade pure polished stainless steel.
Hence, this grill can withstand rough environments as it features superior corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is a reliable and durable tool.
At the same time, this grill has been redesigned to eliminate the sharp edges. The elegant round edges featured on A10-918-2GS reduces the chances of accidental bruises.
This new design's dynamic combustion system keeps the flame on and controlled even under heavy winds. You will also enjoy a lower safety shell that is fully double. This highly lowers the possibility of heat discoloration and flare-ups. The hermetically sealed thermometer gives you a comfortable time trying to control this grill's heat level.
The assimilated foldable table legs make this grill easy to move around. Since it weighs about 90 pounds, it makes it a perfect companion for a barbecue party and a family picnic with friends.
The new tempered viewing window is made of glass, making it easy for you to watch the dish constantly. Although the grilling area is a bit smaller, it is still perfect for a small family.
Magma A10-918-2GS Newport 2 grill produces an intense amount of heat thanks to the infrared ray screens. At the same time, you are assured of even heat distribution resulting in a perfectly cooked meal.
Hence, the 162 square inches space should not be enough reason to give up on the grill.
We can also not forget the reliable electronic ignition system that makes it easy to turn on this grill. Additionally, there is an onboard CNG or LPG system or disposable canister.
This means you are given the freedom to choose the fuel source to use. Exchanging the canisters with the valve regulator or swiveling control is much faster and safer.
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
Magma A10-918-2GS Newport 2 is an excellent grill for those who don't care much about the price range. However, the qualities that come with this grill is a choice that you would be grateful and be ready to part with a few bucks to get this unit.
7. Broilmaster R3b Grill Head Infrared Combo Natural Gas
There is always a first time in everything and being new to something is not wrong. However, the problem comes in when you choose the wrong tool during your first experience. When it comes to outside grilling, your success will be determined by the grill you choose.
Therefore, it is advisable to go with an easy to use grill like Broilmaster R3b Grill Head Infrared Combo Natural Gas.
This grill takes less than a minute to heat up and gives you even heat distribution. Cooking is designed to be consistent and even, which helps in removing the guesswork from home grilling. The grill is also a perfect choice for those who love camping and picnics as it weighs approximately 87 pounds.
If you are scared of setting up the grill, you have nothing to worry about as the grill is almost ready the moment it lands in your hands. All you will need to do is select a perfect cooking area, turn it on, and start your grilling.
You'd never go wrong with the two-burner grills of this grill. One of the burners run on natural gas while the other one runs on infrared. This means you will be left with a very versatile and large grilling space to enjoy.
Each grill or burner has its temperature gauge enabling you to cook different types of food to perfection simultaneously.
Both burners deliver approximately 20,000 BTUs meaning you will cook all types of food within a very short time. In case you prepared too much food, the large warming rack on the side will keep it warm for you.
Therefore, you have no excuse for not preparing enough hotdogs, burgers, and other items you might need for the next round.
Although this grill works perfectly well, it might not be as effective as Char-Broil and Saber grills reviewed above. Some of its downsides are the lack of a base stand, which means you must purchase it separately if you need it.
You will also not get storage space for your utensils, as it is the case with some models. Below are a few of its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
Cons
Why do we recommend ?
Although the Broilmaster grill doesn't come with a base stand, it is still easily portable. Therefore, you can quickly move it up and around without any problem; at the same time, it is easy to use, making it a perfect choice for beginners.
Best Infrared Grill Buying Guide
Like any other product, buying the best Infrared grill might be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with it. Therefore, we prepared this buying guide to make it easy for you to identify the best among the hundreds of models available in the market. Below are a few qualities of best-infrared grills:
Size
The size of the unit you buy is very important. You need to know what exactly you are looking for. Are you looking for an infrared grill that you can use at home but for traveling, camping, and boating purposes? Your needs will naturally determine the size and model of the grill you go for. If you need a portable grill, ensure it is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry.
At the same time, it is essential to remember that the larger the griller, the longer it takes to preheat. Although you will cook more food with a large grill, it might take longer to have it ready than when cooked in a small grill. Simultaneously, storing a small grill will be much easier and convenient than a large one.
Ease of use
If you are the one using the grill and are quite familiar with most of them, this might not be a problem at all. However, if you are new in this field, it might be wise to get a less complicated grill. The good thing is that many infrared grills only need to be plugged in to work.
Therefore, be honest and realistic about your cooking experience. If you are good at grilling, then even the most complicated grill will work for you. However, a complicated grill might turn out to be a decoration in your house for a novice.
Energy Source
There are different infrared grills in the market today. Some work with gas, electricity, or even charcoal. Therefore, when selecting the right grill, you again need to consider your specific needs. Although electricity is the easiest and the cleanest energy source in general, it might not be practical for those who need the grill for camping.
Just as with the grill size, if you need a unit for home use, an electric one would do. However, if you need one for outdoor use and especially picnics, camping and searching for a charcoal grill might turn out to be the best choice for you.
The Cleanup
When grilling meat, it is almost apparent to find grease drips on the outside, making it very messy. The grease drips can also cause the grill to smoke, which can be very uncomfortable. Therefore, to make your life easy, go for a grill that comes with a drip tray. This eliminates the grease drips quickly and also reduces the cleanup stress.
Strong and Durable
Another critical point that you need to keep in mind when choosing an infrared grill is its durability. Choose a grill that is strong and able to handle most of the challenges faced when grilling. This is because you might be using the grill outside on a windy day, and if not strong enough, it will quickly fall.
Simultaneously, the grill should be weather resistant and able to serve you for many decades. The easiest way of dealing with the challenge is getting a grill with a lid for protecting your food from wind and rain.
The Number of Burners
Although infrared grills are known for heating up fast and cooking very fast, checking the number of grills in a burner is also important. At the same time, consider the independence of each burner. This is because burners with different temperatures make it easier for you to cook different types of foods at a go.
Any medium-sized grill should not have less than two burners, while large grills should have at least three burners. With this, you will be guaranteed of fast and even cooking results.
Budget
One of the essential points you need to consider when purchasing any product is the price range. Up and above the other features, your budget is very important when choosing the product you will go for. If you are willing to spend less, there are great choices at your disposal. However, your choices might be limited compared to someone willing to spend more.
When you choose the expensive grills, you will enjoy some features not available on cheap grills. However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't enjoy your grilling experience simply because you don't have much.
Conclusion
Regardless of the choice of grill you make, ensure that you go for a product that you will be comfortable with. The top 7 grills listed above will give you value for your money. They are also a sure guarantee of quality and durability.