Best Infrared Grills

Review & Comparison, Last Update October 24, 2024
The days of charcoal grills are over. Electric and infrared gas grills are the best options for both indoor and outdoor use now. ...Read more
PROS

The push-to-start electronic ignition system makes pre-heating simple. The 3 burners with separate controls allow for creating either one single stable temperature across the cooking grate or 3 separate zones with different heat levels.

CONS

It's quite bulky, which complicates its transportation.

OUR VERDICT

This particular model will be an ideal pick for users that can't imagine a single weekend without grilling mouthwatering burgers or steaks. An enormous grilling grate allows for grilling up to 24 burgers (or 16 steaks) simultaneously, which will be more than enough to feed a large group of guests.

detailed parameters
Type

Outdoor

Power Source

Gas

Cooking Surface

3 burners (grates for cooking + upper warming tray), 1 side burner with lid

Convenience

Side table, Piezo ignition, 2 wheels for easy transportation, Built-in thermometer, Storage area underneath

Cleaning

Easy-to-clean porcelain-coated grates, Removable grease tray

Dimensions

54.1" x 23.4" x 45.5"

98 lbs

Warranty

1 year (2 years for firebox and lid, 5 years for burners)

PROS

The removable grease tray simplifies the cleaning process, allowing you to wash and clean multiple parts separately from each other. The housing, on the other hand, can be cleaned with a regular wet wipe.

CONS

Slow ignition time can be a drawback for some users.

OUR VERDICT

The Tenergy Redigrill's main selling point is its exceptional ease of use. And as for an indoor-only model, this is, perhaps, one of the most crucial things. With this compact IR grill, you can sear meats and vegetables with ease in the comfort of your own kitchen.

detailed parameters
Type

Indoor

Power Source

Electric

Cooking Surface

Grate for cooking

Convenience

Keep-warm feature, Handles for easy transportation, Non-skid feet

Cleaning

Dishwasher-safe aluminum grate with non-stick coating and removable grease tray

Dimensions

19.5" x 13.5" x 7"

13 lbs

Warranty

1 year (2 years upon product registration)

PROS

The 2 tables located on the sides of the grill make mixing the ingredients and glazing meat a real breeze. On top of that, you can control the heat output using a single temperature knob.

CONS

The unit takes reasonable time to assemble.

OUR VERDICT

The infrared electric Patio Bistro from Char-Broil is definitely a must-have product in case you and your family can't live without BBQ food. The heat output of a charcoal grill combined with the cooking speed of an infrared heater lets you make both rare and well-done steaks in just 15-20 minutes.

detailed parameters
Type

Outdoor

Power Source

Electric

Cooking Surface

Grate for cooking, Upper warming tray

Convenience

2 side tables, 2 wheels for easy transportation, Built-in thermometer, Storage rack underneath

Cleaning

Easy-to-clean porcelain-coated grates, Removable grease tray

Dimensions

39.8" x 25.6" x 39.8"

60 lbs

Warranty

1 year (2 years for firebox and lid)

PROS

The housing of this grill remains pleasantly warm, even during long barbeque sessions, which is a big plus when it comes to user safety. And the cool-touch handles make it easier to carry the unit around without waiting for it to cool down.

CONS

The power cord length is somewhat limited.

OUR VERDICT

This grill from Simple Living Products stands out from other electric models with its quick heating capabilities. Thanks to the fast prep speed, you no longer need to wait 10-15 minutes to start grilling meats and vegetables. Moreover, the grill doesn't produce smoke contrary to gas-powered models.

detailed parameters
Type

Indoor

Power Source

Electric

Cooking Surface

Grate for cooking

Convenience

Keep-warm feature, Handles for easy transportation, Non-skid feet

Cleaning

Dishwasher-safe aluminum grate with non-stick coating and removable grease tray

Dimensions

20" x 14" x 6.2"

10.6 lbs

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The lid features 2 steel latches that hold it firmly during transportation. Additionally, the lid features an accurate temperature gauge, which enables cooking at the pre-set temperature level, even with the top cover closed.

CONS

The stainless steel grate may be problematic to clean.

OUR VERDICT

This is a perfect grill unit for camping, which saves both free space in your car trunk and your valuable time. Thanks to its compact size and reduced weight, it is easy to carry around. To add more, the high-impact housing won't let the grill break even if you drop it accidentally.

detailed parameters
Type

Outdoor

Power Source

Gas

Cooking Surface

Grate for cooking

Convenience

High-impact frame with legs and carry handles, Lid with dual stainless steel latches and temp gauge

Cleaning

Removable grease tray

Dimensions

23.5" x 16" x 13.75"

24.7 lbs

Warranty

1 year (2 years for firebox and lid, 5 years for burners)

The One that Beats Them All

What makes an infrared grill great? Is it the size? No, not exactly. Surely, it has to be the heat output! However, this is not the case either. In reality, a good infrared grill combines all those aspects that put it a step ahead of a regular charcoal-fueled stove.

People at Char-Broil definitely know how to make this type of cooking appliances, and the Performance TRU-Infrared gas grill model is great proof.

First things first, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared is a stainless steel grill designed for outdoor use. With the weight of 98 pounds, this grill is definitely not a small device - if you are looking for a great stationary grill, you won't find a better deal. And if you need to move it from time to time, it comes equipped with sturdy wheels. Do note that in order to ease the transportation process, it's recommended to detach the grates.

However, where the unit really shines is in the heat output. It delivers whopping 24,000 BTU spread across three stainless steel burners and 10,000 BTU for a side burner.

The actual cooking process is made as easy as possible. Thanks to the ignition system implemented in this model, it takes just a few minutes to heat up the ceramic element of the grill with little to no gas loss. And the Piezo element ensures that gas will ignite regardless of the weather conditions outside, which is a great feature making the grill more reliable.

Extra-Large Cooking Surface

Now, about the cooking surface, it is really huge here. You get 450 inches of space for grilling and additional grates for drying buns, vegetables, and other ingredients. These grates are easily detachable and can be cleaned without breaking a sweat, using either a grill brush or wet sponge.

Another perk of the grill is the TRU-Infrared cooking technology, which allows for retaining more moisture in the food, compared to standard barbeque stoves that basically vaporize the water out of meat and vegetables. Additionally, the porcelain-coated grate doesn’t create any hot or cold spots and spreads the heat evenly all across the surface, allowing you to achieve the best results.

But what makes this configuration truly stand out is that it doesn’t create any flare-ups that can potentially ignite the food. This is achieved by elevating the grate just a few inches above the ceramic plate. All these features make the whole outdoor barbequing process safe and unique.

All in all, the TRU-Infrared from Char-Broil is simply the best infrared grill for outdoor use available on the market today. Well-built, durable, and easy to use, it's proved to be much more effective than conventional barbeque grills.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $310.52
Stock In stock
ASIN B07JYQBQG5

Smokey Flavor without Any Smoke

If you are in search of an infrared grill that can be used in your kitchen without the need for charcoal or liquid propane, you need an electric model. And the Redigrill from Tenergy embodies everything an electric infrared grill should be - it has a small footprint, it is easy to ignite, and it is to clean. With 13 pounds of weight and dimensions of 19.5 x 13.5 x 7 inches, the Redigrill is highly portable as well and doesn’t take a lot of space when assembled.

The only thing that did bother us about this model, though, is its slow ignition time. Due to this, it is recommended to pre-heat the grate for 5 minutes before cooking. The device is able to reach the grilling temperature of 446° F in just 6 minutes. Although it is not the fastest result out there, the grill does its job fairly well and will help you achieve stunning results. Made of premium materials, the Tenergy Redigrill provides customers with a high-quality grilling surface that can be used to grill any ingredients without a hassle.

Materials aside, let’s talk about the power means of the unit. The input voltage of the device is capped at 120 volts, which is standard for the majority of home appliances. Thanks to this, the grill can be utilized alongside with other electric appliances without the risk of overloading the power grid.

Moving on, the Smoke-Less electric grill still produces some smoke; however, with its patented technology, the grill reduces its levels down to only 20%. Compared to standard gas-powered models, the smoke output of the Redigrill is the same as that of a regular frying pan. Hence, the appliance can be used in the kitchen as long as the cooking hood is turned on.

Smart and Safe

This two-piece home appliance for grilling will be an ideal solution for users that don’t have a patio or when using an outdoor grill simply isn’t an option. The combination of the porcelain-coated grate and high-quality heating element enables a good sear on rare, medium, medium-rare, and well-done. Also, the grill offers a special Keep Warm mode that will come in handy if you need your steaks or burgers to remain hot without frying them to a crisp.

As for the safety measures, this grill model is certified by North American ETL and safe for indoor use. The unit is equipped with an overheat protection that will automatically shut the grill off if the temperature gets too high. Thanks to this, you can move to other cooking appliances while you grill.

Wrapping things up, the budget-friendly Tenergy Redigrill is one of the top electric grill models available on the market today. Thanks to its compact size and ease of use, you can finally grill meat and vegetables in the comfort of your own home.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $99.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07BZ412HT

Versatility and Adjustability Above All

Even though this grill may seem like nothing special, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240 has quite a few aces up its sleeve that allow it to surpass most indoor models in terms of heat output.

To start off, let’s take a closer look at what features the Patio Bistro offers to users. Owing to the high-quality heating element, the grill is capable of reaching its top temperature in a matter of minutes. For greater cooking flexibility, it includes several stages of temperature control that can be configured using an all-in-one temperature knob located on the grill’s front panel.

Furthermore, the grates located on top are fairly easy to clean thanks to the porcelain coating that won’t let the grime soak in. As for the exceptionally hard stains, we recommend using strong cleaning solutions designed for kitchenware. Additionally, you can always remove the grease tray underneath the grill for a thorough cleaning.

For added convenience, the grill includes two folding tables that can be used for mixing ingredients on both sides of the cooking surface, as well as a warming tray for drying burger buns while you prepare other ingredients.

Cooking surface out of the way, let’s talk about the actual appearance of this grill. To make transportation of the appliance a tad bit easier, it is equipped with two durable wheels. Once assembled, the unit is only 39.8 inches high, which makes the grilling process comfortable. The weight of 54 pounds, on the other hand, makes the appliance fairly easy to transport from one spot to another. And the 5-foot built-in power cord should suffice most yard and patio layouts.

For Best steaks in the Neighborhood

Moving on, the infrared capabilities of this grill allow you to retain up to 80% of moisture in food, making it tender and juicy. Alternatively, you can always turn up the temperature knob and open the metal lid of the grill in case you want your food to be well-done.

With the Patio Bistro 240 at your disposal, you can finally forget about charcoal. Just strap in a gas tank, turn on the ignition and you will be ready to make grilled steaks. The primary cooking surface is 240 square inches, which allows for grilling several steaks or up to 8-12 burger patties simultaneously.

All things considered, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro 240 is one of the top portable grill models out there. Fairly light and extremely easy to use, it turns regular barbeque into the work of art owing to the premium-quality heating element. Perfect for yards and decks, it will become the next big thing in your household if barbeque is your second nature.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01KJGBEZO

Grill on Any Tabletop with SLP

The SLP-SG-001 BBQ Grill will be a great pick for users looking for a small indoor unit that can be placed on any countertop, plugged in, and get ready for cooking in an instant.

Proudly designed in the USA, this appliance with a small footprint allows you to store it virtually anywhere in your kitchen, be it a tabletop or a shelf.

The cooking surface is nothing to write home about, but its size should suffice multiple burger patties or two big steaks at the same time. To be more precise, the grill grate this unit comes equipped with has dimensions of 14 x 8 inches which is more than enough for a homemade barbeque.

Even though there are not many things that really bothered us, the one which we think is worth improvement is a power cord. Unfortunately, the original one that you get in the box isn't very long which can be problematic if your kitchen has limited access to power outlets.

On the bright side, thanks to the patented smoke-less technology, you can finally achieve a true BBQ taste without the smoke usually produced by standard charcoal or gas-powered grills. What is more, the technology allows you to grill your favorite foods to perfection, even if you have no barbeque experience. This is achieved by negating the risks of flare-ups that are a common problem associated with less sophisticated charcoal grills.

Compact Solution for Indoor Grilling

With the weight of only 10.5 pounds, the SLP-SG-001 is one of the lightest electric grills that are available on the market today. But even despite its light weight, the unit is capable of delivering enough heat to grill meat steaks with ease to match.

The non-stick grill surface, on the other hand, allows for picking up the cooked food quickly and without too much effort. After grilling, the aluminum grate can be cleaned in a dishwasher, which will definitely save a lot of time on cleanups. Underneath the cooking grate, there is a removable grease tray that is easily accessible and easy to clean with anti-grease detergents.

After the ignition button is pressed, the grill will heat up to 446° F in just a few minutes and will maintain the stable temperature as you cook. Due to the improved Infrared heating technology, the grate leaves an authentic grilled texture on the food, which results in tasty, evenly cooked results.

Finally, the SLP-SG-001 indoor BBQ grill is, perhaps, the best solution for making grilled food in your kitchen. Fully-electric, easy to use and simple to clean, it's definitely a must-buy if you crave for that original BBQ taste.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $129.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01MR3OOGU

Portable Device for Your Next Camping Trip

If fully-fledged barbeque grills are just too bulky for your taste, while the compact electric models are not powerful enough for your needs, we have a product that offers you the best of both worlds. Despite being small, the Char-Broil Grill2Go features the same TRU-Infrared technology as its bigger counterparts.

You can take it with you wherever you go and grill anything you want. With the dimensions of only 23.5 x 16 x 13.75 inches, this barbeque fits any car trunk with ease, allowing you to make mouthwatering patties and steaks almost anywhere. All you need is a propane tank, a pair of tongs, and a spatula to grill your favorite BBQ dishes.

Thanks to the TRU-Infrared cooking technology, the grilling grate heats up evenly and maintains a stable temperature of 450-500° F depending on the heat settings. Speaking of the heat settings, you can control the gas output level using a simple temperature gauge that is mounted on top of the lid.

What surprised us the most is that even if you set the maximum gas output level, there will be almost no flare-ups. Hence, you'll always know that your patties, steaks, or vegetables won’t fry in an instant. Lastly, we would like to point out that the ignition system works flawlessly even in freezing temperatures, making this model an ideal pick for camping.

Easy Maintenance

As for the additional features, the kit includes a removable cooking grate and a detachable grease lid. Thanks to this nice addition, you can clean the parts separately without the risk of staining the housing with grease. The grilling grate offers 200 square inches of cooking surface, which should suffice for feeding even a big company.

The firebox and the top lid of the unit are made of cast aluminum that can withstand high temperatures easily and then cool down fairly quickly after use. To specify, you'll be able to clean the unit in just 30-40 minutes after you are done with grilling.

Further down the list of features is the housing of the grill box itself. The combination of a high-impact frame, high-quality stainless steel latches, and temperature gauge ensures that the grill will remain intact even if you accidentally drop it on the ground. Yet, to prevent the internal components from damage, we strongly recommend keeping the latches shut during transportation.

In the end, we would like to say that the Grill2Go X200 from Char-Broil is simply the best infrared grill for camping out there thanks to its compact size, reduced weight, and reliable ignition system which make it easy to use in any weather. Lightweight and easy to carry, it can provide you with an exceptional BBQ experience wherever you go.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $128.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B00BFPMLI8

What Is an Infrared Grill?

Contrary to grill appliances that rely on charcoal as their main heat source, infrared grills operate by heating up a special ceramic tile. This way, they emit infrared radiation which cooks food using direct heating.

Due to this, you don’t have to worry about burning your steaks or burgers. When cooked on an infrared grill, your food retains up to 40% more moisture compared to conventional charcoal or gas-powered grills. Depending on your needs, you can choose between outdoor and indoor IR models. Electric IR grills require a little bit more time to heat up compared to gas-powered models. However, their obvious benefit is the fact that they can be used either indoors or on your patio, while gas-powered grills are meant for outdoor use only.

In general, with an infrared grill at your disposal, you can cook pretty much anything from fish and meat steaks to vegetables and hot-dogs. So, forget about messy charcoal and choose the future by picking a fast and reliable infrared grill.

In case you need something less sophisticated, we also recommend taking a look at our review of the best outdoor grills and camping grills. And to keep your grill clean and well-maintained, you may need a good grill brush.

What Features to Compare

As mentioned, infrared grills offer significant advantages over conventional barbeque stoves and that is no wonder - they are cleaner, faster, and easier to use. Picking the right model for your needs might seem like a baffling task at first, but knowing what you are looking for may ease the search process quite a bit.

Grill Type

There are two main IR grill types out there - indoor and outdoor. If you are looking for something that can be used in your backyard or patio, opt for models made of rustproof materials. In addition to that, outdoor-only grills are often well-insulated which allows using them in any weather.

The grills designed for indoor use are often electric-powered. Due to this, it is crucial to look for models that have a long, durable power cord for added usability. These grills are also much smaller than their outdoor counterparts and can be even put on tabletops.

Fuel Type

As for the fuel used by infrared grills, there are two kinds of IR grills you can choose from - gas-powered and electric.

  • Gas-powered units can ignite in a matter of seconds and reach the maximum temperature level almost instantly. The drawback, however, is the increased level of smoke produced. Since almost any gas-powered grill is designed for outdoor use, this will be an obvious choice for backyard barbeques.
  • Alternatively, electric grills won’t surprise you with quick heating time but won’t clog smoke as they warm up, which makes them ideal to use in your kitchen.

It is worth noting that the only difference between these two types is the ignition, not the type of heat used for grilling. So regardless of fuel type, you can always achieve the perfect sear, using an infrared grill.

Temperature Control

Contrary to standard grill stoves, modern infrared barbeques have a lot of different control features. These include gas output knobs and heat intensity gauges that you can use to either increase or decrease the temperature under the lid.

To add more, some of them can also feature warm-up modes that can be used to keep the cooked food hot without burning it.

Additional Features

The extra features may include transportation wheels, a reinforced base or detachable cooking grates for maximizing the overall cooking output. Portable grills can be equipped with additional handles to ease their transportation. Moreover, many camping grill devices often have a high-impact housing that will protect the unit in case it is dropped to the ground.

Almost all infrared grills are equipped with a removable grease tray that simplifies the cleaning process, allowing you to wash different parts of the unit separately.

Electric grills can also come equipped with pre-emptive safety measures such as overheating protection. If you somehow forget about your steaks being grilled, the barbeque device equipped with this system will turn itself off before the meat bursts into flames.

Did you know?

Infrared Grill Cooking Basics

What makes infrared grills great is the added room for experimentation. Do you want a smoke flavor? No need for pre-soaking the meat, just add a few wood chips on the grilling grates and close the lid for a few minutes (in case you are using a gas-powered grill closing the lid is not recommended). As for the perfectly-grilled burgers, only flip them once to prevent the patties from falling apart. And here's some more useful information and tips:

  • Although the temperature is crucial for grilling food, the majority of modern infrared grills feature temperature control systems. So having an electric or a gas-powered grill won’t affect the quality of cooked food too much.
  • That said, you can always reduce the heat level you normally use by 30% and the grilling time by a few minutes to achieve a unique BBQ taste. That is the unique characteristic of infrared grill models.
  • For making sear marks, we recommend using the fresh grill sections that have been already pre-heated. To make them more visible, it is also important to fully cook the meat before flipping it over. This way, the grill will make marks just like at a steakhouse. Additionally, you will eliminate the risk of flare-ups and keep the moisture inside.
  • In case you would like to add some glazing, it is important to apply and brush it on the food during the last 10 minutes of cooking. If applied in time, the glazing won’t burn as you grill the meat or other foods.
  • To prevent the food from flaring up, we also advise spraying each piece with high heat oil. This way the meat, fish, and veggies will retain the maximum amount of moisture inside.

When it comes to using an infrared grill, timing is everything. Even though the tips and tricks are almost limitless, nothing beats practice. To improve your cooking skills, it is also important to use the timer according to the ingredients being grilled. Look for flares of blue light to remove them in time and you will be well on your way to becoming a real barbeque chef. Take your time and make sure to experiment with various temperature settings and methods of cooking.

How to Clean Your Infrared Grill

The basic cleaning process of an infrared grill is the same as for any type of grill. However, it is important to do it carefully. Extra caution is needed for the infrared surface and the heating element.

  • Use a brush to clean the heating element. It will remove any debris and clear all the obstructions that might block the gas elements.
  • The grate, on the other hand, is another beast. In case yours is a metal one, use a standard wire brush on both sides to remove any grit and grease that is left after the initial cleaning. The cast-iron grates or ones that feature a porcelain cover are better to clean with nylon bristles. This way you won’t damage the non-stick coating.
  • In the end, the best way to remove any remaining dirt is to turn the grill on and let it burn everything away. Afterward, remove any particles that are left.

It is never a bad idea to coat the grill grate with high-quality cooking oil after you are done with the cleaning. By doing this, you will prevent the grease build-up in the future and keep the grate from getting burned during intensive grilling. Just remember to put a light cover and not to pour the whole bottle of high-heat oil.

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