Infrared grills are grills that use infrared technology to cook food quickly and more efficiently. These grills use heat weaves that are emitted from hot objects (heating elements). The heating elements are typically headed by gas or propane, like a traditional grill, but the Infrared radiation helps the grill achieve higher temperatures. This provides a more well-rounded cooking experience and makes Infrared grills some of the best grills around.
That said, shopping for an infrared grill is easier said than done. With dozens of options claiming to be the best, it’s hard to know which ones provide the best cooking experience. Our guide is going to take you through the best infrared grills and everything you need to know about them. After hours of thorough research, we landed on the Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill as our top pick.
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Electric
- Temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 320 square inches
- Removable warming rack
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Grease tray
- Lower shelf for storage
- Rust-proof, porcelain-coated grate
- Only suitable for outdoor use
- Lacks portability
The Best Infrared Grills
- Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Bistro Gas Grill
- Removable warming rack
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Grease tray
- Lower shelf for storage
- Rust-proof, porcelain-coated grate
- Only suitable for outdoor use
- Lacks portability
Top Pick: Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Electric
- Temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 320 square inches
- Removable warming rack
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Grease tray
- Lower shelf for storage
- Rust-proof, porcelain-coated grate
- Only suitable for outdoor use
- Lacks portability
Why We Like It: We love the Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill because it’s perfect for patios and decks of any size. That said, it still features a generous amount of cooking space.
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Electric
- Temperature: 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 320 square inches
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is a basic patio grill that comes with everything you need to grill chicken, burgers, fish, and even thick steaks. The Infrared technology prevents flare-ups and cooks food evenly across the entire grill, so no more worrying about some items cooking faster than others. It doesn’t require gas or charcoal, which makes it a convenient way to cook without needing costly fuel. It also features a porcelain-coated grate that’s resistant to rust and easy to clean, which makes it ideal for outdoor use.
What Sets It Apart
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is unique because it comes with all of the features you’d find in a larger, more expensive grill for a fraction of the cost. It has premium features like an easy-access grease tray, lid-mounted temperature gauge, and even a warming rack that you can remove if needed. Overall, it gives you the key features most people look for in a grill but in a compact design with an affordable price tag.
Things to Consider
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill is a solid infrared grill but it’s not the right fit for everyone. This is because of its bistro-style design and stand. Therefore, it’s primarily an outdoor grill. That said, Char-Broil has great indoor infrared grills that are portable and easy to use. If you’re looking for an indoor or portable alternative, the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a great choice.
Pros
- Removable warming rack
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Grease tray
- Lower shelf for storage
- Rust-proof, porcelain-coated grate
Cons
- Only suitable for outdoor use
- Lacks portability
Upgrade Pick: Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill
Why We Like It: We’re big fans of the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill because it gives you a ton of cooking space, heating options, and features a stainless steel finish. It’s the best choice for backyard cookouts.
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Propane
- Temperature: 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 450 square inches
The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill comes with everything you need for a full day of backyard cooking. On the outside, it features a stainless steel shell that protects it from rust and the elements. On the inside, it features a porcelain-coated grate that’s easy to clean and corrosion-resistant. The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill also comes with a push-to-start setting that lights the grill each time. Plus, the infrared technology provides an even cook that’s superior to more expensive, traditional grills.
What Sets It Apart
What makes the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill unique is its burners. It comes with 3 stainless steel burners that are top-ported. These burners are reliable and provide consistent performance for long-term performance. Another unique feature is the 10,000 BTU side burner. The side burner features a lid and is perfect for prepping food and sauces. Overall, it’s the best option if you’re looking for a reliable backyard grill.
Things to Consider
The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill works great and performs as advertised but it’s not the best fit for everyone. First and foremost, it’s priced higher than other infrared grills because of the technology it comes with. Secondly, it’s bulky and lacks portability. If you’re looking for a more compact grill, Char-Broil offers the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 as an alternative.
Pros
- 3 stainless steel top-ported burners for durability and reliability
- Large cooking area, fits over 20 burgers
- Features a 10,000 BTU side burner
- Stainless steel shell
- Porcelain-coated grates
Cons
- More expensive than other infrared grills
- Bulkley design that lacks portability
Budget Pick: Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology
Why We Like It: We love the Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology because it can be used anywhere. Plus, it comes at an affordable price.
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Electric
- Temperature: 446 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 8×14 inches
The Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology is a reliable indoor infrared grill. For a small grill, it can reach impressive temperatures and deliver consistent heat across the cooking space. Moreover, it comes with several quality of life features that make it easy to work with. First and foremost, it produces very little smoke because of the innovative grease tray. It also has dishwasher-safe parts, which makes cleaning the grill hassle-free. Another noteworthy feature is that it doesn’t produce a strong cooking odor, so no need to worry about lingering meat smells.
What Sets It Apart
The Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology is unique because it gives you everything you need to comfortably grill inside for a great price. While it’s not as big as other infrared grills, it makes up for the lack of size with ease of use and quality of life features. When it comes to grilling on a budget, the Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology is second to none.
Things to Consider
The Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology is a great indoor grill but it doesn’t have the most cooking space. While it can fit about 4 large steaks, it’s not something we recommend using for a backyard barbecue. If grill space is what you need, we recommend going with an outdoor grill like the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill.
Pros
- Compact design
- Great for indoor use
- Little to no smoke
- Little to no odor
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Limited grill space
Read also: The Best Indoor Grill Griddle Combo
Also Great: Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Why We Like It: We love the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 because it’s the perfect travel grill. While it’s compact it comes with a portable stand and only weighs 20 pounds.
Quick Facts:
- Power Source: Propane
- Temperature: 550 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cooking Space: 200 square inches
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a portable infrared grill that performs like a stationary grill. It can reach high temperatures and the infrared technology cooks food evenly throughout its 200 square inches of cooking space. It also features a durable stand that helps you set it up on the go and features several heat settings, including a heat gauge on the lid. The Char-Broil doesn’t have any flare-ups and has a stainless steel grate that’s resistant to rust and corrosion. When it comes to portable grilling, the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is among the best.
What Sets It Apart
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a special grill. While it’s compact, it performs as well as most stationary grills. It doesn’t produce a lot of smoke and has an impressive amount of grilling space for its size. It’s also unique because it uses propane, which is rare to see in many portable grills. That said, it’s designed for outdoor use and should never be used indoors.
Things to Consider
The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a well-rounded portable grill but it’s not for everyone. This is because it shouldn’t be used indoors. For shoppers that want an indoor grill that’s similar in size, the Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology is a great choice. While it’s smaller, it’s also portable and safe to use indoors.
Pros
- Portable and features a stand
- Stainless steel, corrosion-resistant grates
- High temperature range
- Durable frame and strong cooking ability
- Only weighs 20 pounds
Cons
- Not safe for indoor use
- Not a lot of cooking space compared to stationary grills
Everything You Need to Know About Infrared Grills
Infrared grills have been around for a while but the innovative technology continues to improve. New models continue to flood the market, so it’s important to be able to tell a good grill from a bad grill. The good news is that we’re here to help. We’re going to take you through everything you need to know about infrared grills to help you narrow down your options.
Infrared Grills Vs. Traditional Grills
Infrared grills and traditional grills (gas and charcoal) accomplish the same task. Regardless of the grill, you’re using, it cooks the food. That said, there are key differences between infrared and traditional grills. The main difference is that infrared grills use heat waves to heat food, while traditional grills heat the air to cook food. When you use an infrared grill, your food is being cooked by heatwaves.
That said, there are also some notable differences between how infrared grills perform against traditional grills. For example, infrared grills heat faster and save energy because of this. This cooks food faster and saves you money on your electric bill. Another difference is that infrared grills don’t have flare-ups because they don’t have a flame. Plus, some portable models are safe to use indoors.
Infrared grills are also similar to traditional grills in that they come with multiple fuel types. You can choose between electric and gas-powered infrared grills, which are both viable options. That said, gas grills are typically more powerful and heat faster but electric grills are more fuel-efficient. With these fuel types, it comes down to your preferences.
Infrared grills are a recent innovation but one that has made cooking more efficient and more affordable.
Get the Space You Need
Grill space is everything when you’re having a backyard barbecue. Being able to fit all of the food you need on the grill is important because it can save energy and finish your meals faster. Plus, it’s easier to serve more people if you have more space on the grill to work with. The good news is that some infrared grills offer the same amount of space, if not more, than traditional grills.
One example is the Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-burner Cart Style Gas Grill. It’s a gas grill that uses infrared technology to evenly cook dozens of food items at a time. It has 450 square inches of space and a side burner that you can use to prep your food.
Grilling Indoors
One of the unique benefits of owning an infrared grill is that some of them can be used indoors. This means that you can grill every month of the year without having to worry about temperature variation. In fact, some infrared grills have dishwasher-safe parts, which makes cleanup hassle-free.
When it comes to grilling indoors, our favorite choice is the Smokeless Grill Indoor Electric With Infrared Technology. It’s an affordable indoor grill with plenty of space and power to cook whatever you need. While it shouldn’t be your primary grill, it’s a great way to cook a few steaks in the winter.
Need Something Portable?
The barbecue shouldn’t stop because you’re on the road. Plus, what’s better than cooking burgers at a tailgate? The good news is that there are portable infrared grills that you can take with you on the road. Some are even powerful enough to rival grills that are designed to be stationary. This is because infrared technology allows grills of all sizes to be as efficient as larger models.
One example of this is the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200. This grill is a gas-powered infrared grill that can cook over 6 burgers at once. It comes with a stand and is designed to be used on the go. Therefore, you can use it for tailgating, in an RV, and anywhere else you please. Plus, it’s not a bad grill to keep around the house if you don’t have a stationary grill.
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Infrared Grills FAQ
If you have questions about infrared grills, we have you covered. Find answers below:
Are Infrared Grills Healthier?
Infrared grills are healthier because the meat doesn’t get charred. This prevents rust and other bacteria from sticking to the grates of the grill. Infrared is also safe because the heating element uses the same heating method the sun uses to heat the earth –just in a much less powerful way. So you don’t have to worry about eating any radioactive food.
What Are the Advantages of an Infrared Grill?
Infrared grills are unique grills that come with several advantages over traditional gas or charcoal grills. Some of these advantages include:
- Starting faster
- Reaching full heat almost instantly
- Easier to clean
- More energy-efficient
- Helps the meat retain more juices
- No flare-ups
- Meat doesn’t get charred
These are some of the notable advantages of using an infrared grill.
Is an Infrared Grill Good for Steaks?
Yes, infrared grills are good for steaks and other meats. That said, they work well for steaks because the grill can sear meats faster than traditional grills with regular burners. Plus, the infrared heat can cook the steak more evenly, so you don’t have to worry about it being too rare.
Are Infrared Grills Hard to Clean?
Infrared grills are not hard to clean. Grills with porcelain-coated grates are easiest to clean but all infrared grills can be cleaned in the same ways that you would clean a regular grill. So, always be sure to clean up after you finish cooking!
Let’s Get Grillin’
Infrared grills are innovative grills that outperform most traditional grills. The infrared technology provides a more even cook to most types of meat and vegetables and works well indoors and outdoors. Plus, infrared grills are less likely to flare up and burn things.
That said, there are plenty of infrared grill options. You can shop for a new permanent patio grill, a portable tailgating grill, or even a grill to use indoors. Depending on your needs, each grill can be a valuable asset for your barbecue needs.
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