Best Infrared Gas Grill 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about firing up the grill and enjoying some delicious barbecued food. If you’re in the market for a new grill, you might want to consider an infrared gas grill. Not only do these grills provide faster cooking times and even heat distribution, but they also produce less smoke and flare-ups compared to traditional gas grills.
But with so many options on the market, how do you know which infrared gas grill is the best for your needs? That’s where our comprehensive guide comes in. We’ve done the research and testing to bring you the top picks for the best infrared gas grills available. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grill master, our guide has something for everyone.
From infrared technology to cooking space, construction quality, temperature control, and ease of use, I’ll break down the key features you should look for when shopping for an infrared grill. Plus, I’ll provide tips on how to maintain your grill to keep it in top condition for many summer seasons to come.
So, get ready to take your summer barbecues to the next level with our ultimate guide to the best infrared gas grills.
Contents
- What is the difference between a regular gas grill and an infrared gas grill?
- Infrared Cooking Benefits
- 3 Best Infrared Gas Grill Reviews
- Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 42o
- Napoleon BIP500RBNSS-3 Built-in Prestige 500 Stainless SteelNatural Gas Grill With Infrared Rear Burner
- Mont Alpi MAi805 6-Burner Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Modular Island Gas Grill with Infrared Side & Rear Burners
- Infrared Gas Grill Buying Guide
- Conclusion
What is the difference between a regular gas grill and an infrared gas grill?
The main difference between a regular gas grill and an infrared gas grill lies in the way they generate heat.
Regular gas grills typically use metal flame tamers or diffusers to spread the heat from the burners to the cooking grates, whereas infrared gas grills use a special type of burner that emits high-intensity infrared heat directly onto the food.
With infrared technology, the heat is created by burning propane or natural gas to super-heat a metal block or ceramic tile cooking surface. When this surface gets hot, it emits intensive thermal radiation. This radiation and contact with the hot surface is what burns the food to high temperature very quickly.
This difference in heating technology can have a significant impact on the cooking performance of the grill. Infrared grills are often capable of reaching higher temperatures more quickly than regular gas grills, which can result in faster cooking times and better searing of meats. Infrared grills also tend to be more fuel-efficient, as they require less gas to generate the same amount of heat as a regular gas grill.
In addition, infrared grills often have a more even heat distribution across the cooking surface, which can help to prevent hot spots and ensure that food cooks evenly. However, it’s worth noting that infrared grills can also be more expensive than regular gas grills, and may require more maintenance due to the complexity of the burner design.
Infrared Cooking Benefits
The benefit of this method is that meat is not only heated from direct contact with the hot surface (similar to frying with a kitchen pan), it’s also heated by hot thermal radiation (just like the way microwave or toasters work). The results are reduction in pre-heating time and more moist and juicy barbecue, because infrared gas grills cook the food directly without using hot air as a conductor.
A typical infrared grill can easily reach over 500 °C (900 °F) in matter of second even without closing the hood, allowing you to sear steaks right away.
Another advantage is uniform distribution of grilling temperature across the whole surface, as food does not have to make contact with cooking grate in order to be grilled or roasted.
Grilling enthusiasts also claim barbeque cooked on infrared grills tastes similar to food from charcoal grills. This is because when coals are burnt, they also emit infrared radiation.
And when it comes to cleaning, infrared bbq grills make it simple and easy. Mainly because you won’t have to use any of these gas barbeque accessories: flavorizer plates, heat shields, lava rocks, briquettes, and tray that deflects dripping fat grease away from the burner.
I have analyzed advantages and disadvantages in my infrared gas grill pros and cons article.
3 Best Infrared Gas Grill Reviews
Let’s look at the best infrared gas grills of my choice.
Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 2-Burner grill is a high-quality grill that is ideal for people who love outdoor cooking. It has an exclusive metallic gray finish that gives it an elegant look and is durable. The grill is designed with TRU-Infrared cooking technology that eliminates flare-ups, delivers even heat, and cooks up to 50% juicier food. The grill has a primary cooking space of 310 square inches and a warming rack of 95 square inches. The grates are made of porcelain-coated steel that is rust-resistant and easy to clean. This Char-Broil grill has a single-door cabinet design that offers storage space for propane tanks, grilling tools, and accessories.
One of the standout features of this grill is its TRU-Infrared cooking technology that ensures even heat distribution and eliminates flare-ups. The grates prevent food from coming into direct contact with the flames, ensuring that food is juicier and more flavorful. Additionally, the TRU-Infrared technology facilitates faster cooking using less gas, making it a cost-effective option for those who enjoy outdoor cooking.
The grill’s stainless steel burners emit flames from the top for even heat distribution, ensuring there are no hot or cold spots on the grill’s cooking surface. The burners are also durable, ensuring that the grill provides long-lasting performance. Furthermore, the electronic ignition system is powered by one AAA battery and offers fast and reliable burner lighting with the push of a button.
This Char-Broil grill has folding side shelves that offer additional work and prep space, making it convenient for people who enjoy cooking outdoors. The shelves fold down for storage or to accommodate smaller spaces, and they are Gear Trax enabled for extra workspace with custom options. The grill sits on four casters, two of which lock, making it easy to move around the deck or patio.
The cabinet design offers convenient storage for propane tanks, grilling tools, and accessories. The porcelain-coated grease pan can be easily removed from the back of the grill for mess-free cleaning. The grill also includes a custom-cleaning tool with SAFER red nylon bristles. Furthermore, the lid-mounted temperature gauge provides the griller with increased heat monitoring and control.
The grill is relatively easy to assemble, thanks to its simplified design with standardized hardware. The assembled dimensions of the grill are 44.5-inches wide x 22.4-inches deep x 45.3-inches high, making it compact and easy to store.
Despite its many features, this Char-Broil grill has one notable downside. The grates can be difficult to clean, and the cleaning brush that comes with it is not very effective. This problem may be particularly frustrating for people who use the grill frequently, but it is not a deal-breaker as aftermarket stainless steel grates are available that are easier to clean.
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 42o
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 420 3-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill Check Price
The Char-Broil Signature 420 is priced above the cheap price range mark, but the reason that it is in the list is the features that it offers at that price. This 3 burner model has all the features that a premium gas grill offers but it is not that expensive. The company has improved the design and capabilities of its products over the past few years, and this is one of the innovative models from char broil. The product is designed to last long and the stainless steel gives the user a more solid feel. The weight of this unit is only 120 pounds, and this makes it a barbecue that is easy to move.
The heat output of the liquid propane gas grill is not that extremely high but there are few innovative features included to make the most out of this grill. This product has an overall heavier construction as compared to its previous models, and with powerful side burners, it is perfect for its price. But it has low-quality stainless steel construction and the grill of the product is also on the lower side.
Some of the eye-catching features of the model include 3+1 burners and it has a 420 square inches of primary cooking area with a 575 square inches of cooking space. There is an electric ignition system provided in the grill, and the cooking grates are made up of stainless steel.
Quick Specs
- 3 burners + 1 side burner
- 420 square inch primary cooking space + 155 square inch warming rack
- 575 sq in total cooking space
- Fuel Type – propane
Napoleon BIP500RBNSS-3 Built-in Prestige 500 Stainless SteelNatural Gas Grill With Infrared Rear Burner
The Napoleon Built-in Prestige 500 BBQ Grill is an excellent addition to any outdoor kitchen. With 760 square inches of cooking space, it can accommodate up to 20 burgers at once, making it perfect for large gatherings. The four powerful infrared main burners are capable of producing up to 66,000 BTUs, ensuring that your food is cooked evenly and quickly. The cooking grids, tube burners, sear plates, basin, and body are all made of durable stainless steel, making it a long-lasting investment.
One of the standout features of this grill is the Accu-probe temperature gauge, which provides an accurate measurement of the temperature for optimal barbecuing. The 7.5mm iconic wave cooking grids also provide even heat transfer and prevent small items from falling through, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection.
The SafetyGlow Feature is also a nice touch, as the control knobs glow red when the burner is on, helping to prevent accidents. The JETFIRE ignition system ensures that the grill ignites on the first turn of the dial every time, making it easy to use.
Although the grill is a bit pricey compared to some other models on the market, the overall quality and features make it worth the investment. In fact, it may even be worth the extra cost compared to a Weber grill, as it can operate in high winds and comes with a rotisserie and optional charcoal tray for even more versatility.
One downside of the grill is that the installation instructions could be better, but this is a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, if you are looking for a high-quality, durable, and versatile grill for your outdoor kitchen, the Napoleon Built-in Prestige 500 BBQ Grill is an excellent choice. Its large cooking space, powerful burners, durable stainless steel construction, and accurate temperature gauge make it a top-of-the-line option for serious grill enthusiasts.
Mont Alpi MAi805 6-Burner Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen Modular Island Gas Grill with Infrared Side & Rear Burners
If you are in the market for an outdoor kitchen grill, the Mont Alpi MAi805 44-inch 6-Burner 115,000 BTU Stainless Steel Gas Outdoor Kitchen Bar Barbecue Modular Island Grill w/ Infrared Side & Rear Burners might be the one you are looking for. The island grill is shipped fully assembled, and it features 6 tubular stainless steel high-efficiency burners that generate a powerful 115,000 BTU’s of heat output. It has a generous cooking area of 38-inches x 18-inches, with 990 square inches of total cooking area, and an infrared side burner and rear burner for additional cooking options.
The grill is made of high-quality 304 marine grade stainless steel that is durable and can withstand the elements, making it an excellent choice for those who live near the ocean. It comes with a stainless steel warming rack and 8mm stainless steel cooking grids, providing an easy-to-clean surface that is perfect for grilling. The grill’s double-lined hood with temperature gauge is standard for maximum heat retention, and it has two cooking surface halogen lights and on/off red/blue changing control knob lights for easy grilling in the dark.
In addition to its excellent performance, the MAi805 Island Grill has many additional features that make it an ideal choice for outdoor cooking. It includes granite countertops, storage drawers, and cabinets, providing plenty of space to store grilling tools and accessories. The easy-access full front pull-out grease tray makes cleaning the grill a breeze. The grill comes with gliding castor wheels that make it easy to move and maneuver, providing increased stability when cooking.
Another feature that makes the Mont Alpi grill stand out is its natural gas conversion capability. While it comes with a propane hose and regulator, it can be easily set up for natural gas use, providing a cost-effective and reliable source of heat for outdoor cooking. The natural gas conversion kit is sold separately.
Finally, the MAi805 Island Grill comes with a limited lifetime warranty, demonstrating Mont Alpi’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The company stands behind its products and is willing to assist customers with any questions or concerns they may have about their products.
Overall, the Mont Alpi MAi805 44-inch 6-Burner 115,000 BTU Stainless Steel Gas Outdoor Kitchen Bar Barbecue Modular Island Grill w/ Infrared Side & Rear Burners is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a high-quality outdoor kitchen grill. Its powerful burners, spacious cooking area, and additional features make it a great investment that is sure to last for years.
Infrared Gas Grill Buying Guide
If you are shopping for an infrared gas grill, these are the things should be considering.
Infrared Technology
The infrared technology is one of the most critical features to consider when shopping for an infrared gas grill. It uses high-quality infrared burners to provide even heat distribution and quick heating times. Infrared grills use radiation to cook food, which results in a more efficient transfer of heat and eliminates hot and cold spots. This means that your food will be cooked evenly and to perfection. Ceramic and stainless steel burners are considered the best infrared burners, as they are durable and provide consistent heat.
Cooking Space
The cooking space of the infrared gas grill is another essential feature to consider. The cooking space should be large enough to accommodate your needs, and the grill should have multiple burners to allow for cooking different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. Having multiple burners allows you to cook different foods at the same time without having to worry about the flavors mixing. A large cooking space also allows you to cook for a larger group of people, making it an ideal feature for those who love to entertain.
Construction Quality
The construction quality of the infrared gas grill is another vital factor to consider. You want to make sure that the grill is made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel or cast iron, to ensure its durability and longevity. These materials are not only durable but also rust-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor use. Additionally, high-quality construction will ensure that the grill can withstand the elements and is less likely to break or malfunction.
Temperature Control
Temperature control is another essential feature to look for when shopping for an infrared gas grill. The grill should have accurate temperature control, with a range of temperatures to suit different types of food. The ability to control the temperature accurately is critical to achieving the desired cooking results. You should look for models with built-in thermometers or digital temperature controls for easy monitoring. This will allow you to cook your food to perfection every time.
Ease of Use
Finally, when shopping for an infrared gas grill, you should consider how easy it is to use and maintain. Look for a grill with features such as removable grease trays and grates for easy cleaning. The design of grill should also allow for easy access to the cooking surface, making it easy to flip and remove food. A grill that is easy to use and maintain will save you time and effort, making it a more enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
An infrared grill can be a game changer for your outdoor cooking experience. With its ability to provide quick and even heating, it’s no wonder why it has become a popular choice among grill enthusiasts. In this guide, I have explored some of the best infrared grills available on the market, taking into consideration features such as infrared technology, cooking space, construction quality, temperature control, and ease of use.
Whether you are a seasoned griller or just starting out, investing in a high-quality infrared grill can make all the difference in your cooking. I hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision on which infrared grill is right for you.
So get ready to fire up the grill and enjoy delicious, evenly cooked meals all summer long!
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