Gas grills have long been the reigning champions of the outdoor cooking scene, and are often celebrated for their exceptional convenience and efficiency.
But what if we told you there was a way to take that convenience and efficiency even further?
Allow us to introduce you to infrared gas grills.
With lighting-fast preheat times and scorching hot searing abilities… They’re like your trusty old gas grill, but better.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at these beefy BBQ machines… To help you decide if they deserve a spot in your outdoor cooking area.
From understanding what they are, to reviewing the best infrared gas grill brands, and more… We’ll make sure that no meat is left unseared, so to speak.
But before we get cooking… What gives our opinion on the matter any merit?
Over the years… We’ve thoroughly researched tons of gas grills, many of which boast infrared technology.
And on top of that, we partner with an appliance brand that manufacturers high-quality gas grills with infrared burners.
At this point, we practically have a sixth sense for identifying solid grills!
So with that said… Allow us to share our insights with you.
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Interpreting Infrared: What Sets These Gas Grills Apart?
GAS BURNER
INFRARED BURNER
Before we jump into the world of infrared gas grilling… Some clarification is in order.
What is an infrared gas grill?
To best answer this… We need to start with a quick science lesson on infrared heat.
Infrared heat is the simplest form of heating, involving the direct transfer of heat from a source to an object or material, without warming the surrounding air.
Now, how does this concept apply to grilling?
Simply put, infrared gas grills use special technology to cook with infrared heat.
This infrared technology refers to an element between the flames and the grill grates. As flames from the grill burners heat up this element, it in turn emits the heat directly and evenly onto the cooking surface, without losing excess heat to the air.
Following along so far?
To paint an even clearer picture… Let’s now examine how gas infrared grills stack up against the standard gas grills we all know and love.
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Infrared Grill vs Gas Grill
To further flesh out your understanding of infrared gas grills, let’s conduct an infrared vs gas grill comparison.
Both cooking systems feature gas-powered burners… So how different can they really be?
Quite different, as it turns out!
As a reminder, infrared gas grills use a special element between the flame and cooking grates, which allows heat to directly transfer to food on the cooking surface.
Traditional gas grills, however, don’t have that barrier between the flame and grates.
This means that standard gas grill burners don’t directly transfer heat to the grill grates… And will instead heat the surrounding air, which then cooks your food.
As you can see, infrared grills undoubtedly take a different approach than their conventional counterparts.
So, let’s see how this different approach may put you at an advantage. (Or dare we say disadvantage.)
Infrared Grills Get Hotter, Faster
Infrared grills directly impart heat to an element, while standard gas grill burners strive to heat every square inch of air in your grill.
This key difference gives infrared grills the ability to reach significantly higher temperatures at a much faster rate.
We’ll share more specifics, shortly… But generally speaking, high-quality infrared grill models can reach maximum temperatures pushing 1,000 Fahrenheit in under ten minutes.
These sky-high temperatures drastically cut down total cook time… Making infrared gas grills the all-around more efficient option.
Infrared Grills Retain More Moisture
Traditional gas grill burners heat up the air inside your grill… And it’s this hot air that actually cooks your food.
Unfortunately, this process is not only more time consuming… But it also affects the quality of your dishes.
In standard gas grills, the hot air leeches quite a bit of moisture from your food as it cooks, resulting in drier meals.
But since infrared grills don’t rely on hot air to cook… Food cooked with infrared technology is able to retain more moisture.
Additionally, quicker cook times give meats less time to lose delicious drippings… Keeping your food even juicier. (Not to mention, simplifying the cleanup process!)
d gas grill burners strive to heat every square inch of air in your grill.
This key difference gives infrared grills the ability to reach significantly higher temperatures at a much faster rate.
We’ll share more specifics, shortly… But generally speaking, high-quality infrared grill models can reach maximum temperatures pushing 1,000 Fahrenheit in under ten minutes.
These sky-high temperatures drastically cut down total cook time… Making infrared gas grills the all-around more efficient option.
Infrared Grills Allow For More Consistent Heating
When grilling over conventional gas burners… Inconsistent heating is a common challenge.
Flare-ups from drippings can cause hot spots… And if you’re grilling on colder days, ensuring even heating across the entire cooking surface can be a struggle.
However, infrared grills won’t be as prone to these pesky cooking inconsistencies.
Because the infrared element evenly distributes heat across the entire cooking surface… Hot and cold spots become practically non-existent, and maintaining a consistent temperature is almost always trouble-free.
Versatility Can Be Limited
As with most good things, there are some potential drawbacks to infrared cooking.
Many infrared gas grills could be considered one-trick-ponies… With a sole ability: fast and hot searing.
Now, if you’re someone who’s always on board to savor perfectly seared, steakhouse-quality meats… This isn’t a bad thing.
But for those who want to diversify their menu, gas grill infrared burners may feel limiting.
Because traditional gas grills offer more leeway for cooking at lower temperatures, you might find them better suited for preparing a wider variety of cuisines.
That said, not all infrared grills are single-skilled… So stay tuned for a simple workaround to this.
There’s A Learning Curve
In the same vein… Infrared grills do introduce a bit of a learning curve.
Unlike a standard gas grill, things won’t start off so cut and dry.
Particularly if you’re not accustomed to intense, high-heat grilling… It’s quite easy to accidentally overcook or burn your food on an infrared gas grill.
So, if you choose to upgrade to infrared… Expect a period of trial and error.
Pricing Is Higher
Lastly, it’s worth noting that gas grills with infrared burners often come at a higher cost than traditional gas grills.
It makes sense!
Infrared grills incorporate special technology… And you’re paying a premium for those additional features.
While the elevated price may give some homeowners pause… For others, investing in infrared is a no-brainer.
And if you find yourself agreeing with the latter sentiment… Of course, you’ll want to be sure that your money is well spent on the absolute best infrared grill.
Infrared Grill Buying Guide
So, you’re on board to get an infrared BBQ grill.
But before you do… There’s still much to know.
Let’s run through some key purchasing considerations.
What Type Of Infrared Burner Is Right For You?
When considering an infrared gas grill… Your first course of action should be deciding what type of infrared burners are best suited to you.
There are three common types of infrared burners, each with distinct designs, different temperature ranges, and varying preheat times.
All of these factors play a huge role in your overall cooking experience… So let’s see what each burner type brings to the table.
Ceramic Infrared Burner
Ceramic infrared burners are the most common option.
These consist of stainless steel burners topped with a ceramic surface, positioned below the cooking grids.
This design produces tons of small, intensely hot flames… Allowing ceramic infrared grills to reach consistently high temperatures within mere minutes.
Typically, the temperature range for ceramic infrared burners is between 600-1,000° Fahrenheit.
Now, this cooking system does fall victim to the “one-trick-pony” trope we touched upon earlier… As it can’t operate in the lower temperature ranges. That said, it’s still a solid option for searing meat hot and fast.
Radiant Glass Burners
Compared to ceramic infrared burners… Radiant glass infrared grills aren’t nearly as commonplace.
In fact, this type of infrared burner is really only found in TEC grills… The brand which pioneered infrared grilling.
In this system, the cooking grid is positioned directly atop a radiant glass panel above a stainless steel burner.
This allows for even heat distribution, eliminates flare-ups, enables preheat times under ten minutes, and provides an impressive temperature range spanning from 200 to 900°.
This wider temp range opens the door to more cooking versatility… Which certainly has some appeal.
Heat Emitter System
Lastly, heat emitter infrared systems are the most practical choice for infrared grilling… But admittedly, these tend to pack the smallest punch.
This system features a stainless steel burner equipped with a metal heat emitter panel beneath the cooking grid.
The metal heat emitter panel usually features a unique grate design to ensure airflow is channeled away, allowing meats to stay tender and juicy.
Further, the heat emitter system will prevent flare-ups and effectively ensure even heat distribution.
But unfortunately, the temperature range is where this burner type falls short. Typically, this system can reach only 650°… Meaning it doesn’t even come close to matching the power offered by other infrared burners.
How Much Searing Power Do You Need?
When purchasing an infrared gas grill… You’ll usually encounter two options: all-infrared or hybrid-infrared.
As the names imply… An all-infrared grill features, well, all infrared main burners, while hybrid-infrared grills come with a mix of both standard grill burners and infrared burners.
Before you commit to any old infrared grill… You’ll definitely want to consider just how much searing power you really need.
If you’re all for hot and fast, bistro-style searing… An all-infrared grill may be the obvious choice.
But if you want to enjoy a broader temperature range and enhanced cooking versatility… Opting for a hybrid-infrared grill will be your best option.
Now, you may be drawn to the benefits of infrared… But perhaps not enough to give up space in your grill. In this case, infrared side burners are another option worth considering.
You’ll have a dedicated BTU hotspot for all your searing needs… Separate from your actual gas grill.
But, we digress.
Let’s shift our focus back to infrared grills…
Convenient Outdoor grilling
Infrared Gas Grill Reviews: The Top Brands Of 2024
If you’re in the market for a top-tier infrared gas grill, you’re in the right place.
We’ve handpicked a variety of the best infrared grill brands spanning a range of price points… So how about we take a closer look at each?
Best Budget: Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Gas Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $300.00 – $800.00
Warranty: 10 years for burners, 3 years for the grate heat emitter, lid, and firebox, and 1 year for all other components.
Materials: Porcelain coated cast iron, stainless steel, and silver painted steel.
If you want to get a taste for infrared grilling, without breaking the bank… Char-Broil offers a line of budget-friendly freestanding or modular infrared gas grills.
Their selection ranges from compact 2-burner models to larger 5-burner grills.
Char-Broil’s Tru-Infrared cooking system uses heat emitter plates beneath the cooking grates. As a reminder, these typically have lower temp outputs, capping at 650°.
Despite the lower temp range… This system will still provide even heat distribution, prevent hot and cold spots, enable precise temperature control, and simplify cleanup.
Looking at build quality… Char-Broil’s infrared gas grills feature porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates, stainless steel burners and housing (the grade isn’t specified), and silver painted steel side shelves.
As for warranty, Char-Broil offers a 10-year coverage for the burners, three years for the grate, heat emitter, lid, and firebox, and one year for all other components.
This warranty could certainly be better… And it implies that Char-Broil doesn’t use rust- and corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel for their grill burners and housing, which is what we typically recommend.
So, just know that this type of grill won’t last forever!
Despite this, the value is fair for what you get… With prices averaging between $300 and $800. (However, their modular options do cost a pretty penny, with prices hovering around two grand).
Best Product Variety: Solaire Infrared Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $269.00 – $10,759.00
Warranty: Lifetime
Materials: Full 304 stainless steel
Stepping up the quality… Solaire offers an extensive line of freestanding, built-in, and portable infrared grills.
Their freestanding and built-in models range from 27” -56” in size… While their portable gas grills measure below 21.”
All Solaire infrared grills feature ceramic infrared burners… Which come to temp in under three minutes. (Remember: ceramic infrared burners average 600 – 1,000°.)
Their Deluxe models also include rear infrared rotisserie burners.
In addition to their all-infrared grills… Solaire boasts a handful of “InfraVection” gas grills, which feature both infrared and convection burners.
The burners in Solaire grills are easily removable or replaceable… So it’s possible to convert to all-infrared or all-convection if you so desire.
What’s more… Solaire infrared grills feature V-shaped cooking grates, which reduce flare-ups and divert airflow to enhance flavor.
This brand boasts full 304 stainless steel construction… With a lifetime warranty covering the exterior and interior body, grilling grids, and burners.
Currently, pricing for Solaire’s infrared grills starts at $269, and tops out at a whopping $10,759.
Best “Middle-Of-The-Road” Option: Saber Infrared Gas Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $1,599.00 – $5,999.00
Warranty: Lifetime on exterior components, 10 years for burner tubes, and 5 years for remaining components.
Materials: Full 304 stainless steel
After a good middle ground option? Saber infrared gas grills may be for you.
Their 2- to 4-burner freestanding or built-in natural gas or propane infrared grills fall into three collections: Deluxe, Premium, and Elite.
The main difference between each line is material quality. While the Deluxe model features an aluminum and powder-coated steel exterior… The Premium and Elite grills are constructed with full 304 stainless steel.
Further, the Elite model is equipped with a rotisserie motor… Which the Premium model lacks.
As for infrared cooking power… Saber utilizes a unique heat emitter system to generate infrared heat, and their grills can preheat as high as 700° in under ten minutes.
Their cooking grates are specially designed to provide even surface temperatures and prevent flare-ups… As well as divert airflow for maximum moisture retention.
The infrared emitter plate also effectively catches drippings and debris… And all Saber grills feature a built-in cleaning setting, plus a pull-out grease tray.
Looking at the warranty, you’ll get a lifetime of coverage on the exterior components (coverage for the Deluxe model is unclear)… The burner tubes are covered for 10 years… And the remaining components are covered for five.
Pricing for the Deluxe model starts at $1,599… And the largest Elite model rings in at $5,999.
Best For Versatility: TEC Infrared Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $3,175.00 – $7,270.00
Warranty: Lifetime on exterior, 10 years for burners and cooking grates, 1 year for all other components.
Materials: Full 304 stainless steel
TEC infrared grills have been around since the 1980s… And as we mentioned earlier, these were the first of their kind.
Today, TEC offers four different series of all-infrared grills…. Including freestanding, built-in, and portable models.
All TEC grills are available with either one or two main burners… And range from 26” to 44.”
As we previously discussed, TEC’s 100% infrared technology is in the form of radiant glass panels… These ensure even heating, eliminate flare-ups, and can preheat between 200-900° in just ten minutes.
The wide temperature range here certainly lends itself to a vaster range of cooking possibilities than most other infrared grills.
As for construction, TEC is yet another solid option. All of their grills are fully constructed with 304 stainless steel. (Aside from the glass panel, of course.)
TEC warrants the stainless steel exterior for a lifetime… The burners and cooking grates are warranted for ten years… And all other components, including the radiant glass panels, are only warrantied for one.
Though we’d like to see longer coverage for the glass panel… We don’t have any other critiques.
As for pricing, at the time of writing, it is currently set between $3,175 and $7,270.
Best Luxury: Lynx Professional Gas Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $5,499.00 – $12,809.00
Warranty: Lifetime on stainless steel housing, ceramic burners and cooking grates, 5 years for warming rack, spit rods, briquette trays, manifolds, and gas valves. All other components have a 2 year warranty.
Materials: Full 304 stainless steel
For those after a high-end offering… Lynx offers a range of luxury all-infrared and hybrid-infrared gas grills, sized from 30” to 54,” and available in built-in or freestanding configurations.
Lynx’s infrared grills feature their unique Trident infrared ceramic burner system… Which directly heats the grates beneath your food at a range between 300 to 1,000°.
This ceramic infrared system certainly has above average temperature output… And the wider range will definitely enhance versatility.
Additionally, Lynx professional gas grills also come with ceramic briquette flame tamers, for even more impressive heat distribution, and to minimize flare-ups.
When shopping for a Lynx infrared grill, you’ll have ample opportunities to mix and match burner types to create a hybrid-infrared grill that’s tailored to you.
For instance, you could opt for a model with all infrared burners, one infrared burner and three standard burners, one standard burner and three infrared burners… You get the point.
Concerning quality, Lynx doesn’t cut corners. Their infrared grills are constructed with 304 stainless steel.
They back their stainless steel housing, ceramic burners, and cooking grates with a lifetime warranty. The warming racks, spit rods, briquette trays, manifolds, and gas valves are covered for five years… And all other components are covered for two.
In terms of pricing, Lynx is certainly on the higher end of the spectrum, with costs ranging from $5,499 to $12,809.
Best Overall: Coyote S-Series Gas Grills
Product Highlights
Price: $2,749.00 – $5,498.00
Warranty: Lifetime on stainless steel housing and burners, 5 years for cooking grids, and 2 years for flavorizer bars and electrical components, 1 year for everything else.
Materials: Full 304 stainless steel
Now, let’s turn our attention to our overall top pick: Coyote.
Coyote offers an incredible hybrid-infrared natural gas grill or propane grill: The S-Series.
The S-Series gas grill, available in sizes from 30” to 42,” comes standard with a rear infrared burner and rotisserie system… In addition to ceramic infrared RapidSear burners.
These RapidSear burners quickly heat up to scorching hot temps… For max convenience. (Average for ceramic infrared burners is 600 to 1,000°.)
As for the rest of the burners, you’ll get Coyote’s ultra-powerful Infinity Burners… Giving you the ability to use the grill at lower temperatures.
Similar to Lynx… Coyote’s S-Series grill comes with ceramic briquette heat control grids, which minimize flare-ups while ensuring even heat distribution.
And construction-wise… Coyote doesn’t disappoint. These heavy duty gas grills are built with 18-gauge, 304 stainless steel. They also feature a double-walled, hand-welded grill box for added durability and longevity.
Coyote’s warranty only further proves their appliances’ quality. You’ll get a lifetime of coverage for the stainless steel housing and burners, five years for the cooking grids, two years on the flavorizer bars and electrical components, and one year for everything else.
Coyote S-Series grills are available in both freestanding and built-in configurations, depending on what you’re looking for.
And the best part is? You’ll get all of this greatness… At a fair price. Currently, cost ranges from $2,749 to $5,498.
All in all, these are a fantastic, long-lasting choice for those who want powerful infrared cooking abilities, without sacrificing versatility.
Need A Place For Your New Infrared Grill?
After reviewing the top infrared grill brands… You have a lot to stew over.
After all, the best option for you truly depends on your personal preferences!
That said, you’ve already seen why Coyote gets our vote… So we’ll leave you with another positive endorsement in their court.
Not only is the Coyote infrared gas grill durable, cost-effective, and versatile…
It’s also by far the easiest to include in a full built-in grill station!
That’s because here at RTA, we partner with Coyote for all of our outdoor kitchen components.
This doesn’t only include infrared propane and natural gas grills, either… Charcoal grills, griddles, electric grills, and more are all at your disposal.
Want a better idea of your options? Our free online design tool is the best place to start.
And someday soon, we look forward to helping you get an infrared grill station of your own.
Need Help With Your Plans?
FAQ
Infrared gas grills aren’t better than conventional gas grills, per se… But they do have some distinct advantages.
They heat up faster and hotter… They cook juicier and more tender meats and veggies… And they allow for more consistent, even heat distribution across the grilling surface.
Infrared grills have a few potential disadvantages. For starters, many are only intended for hot and fast searing… Which can limit versatility.
Next, cooking on infrared grills requires a learning curve… And accidentally burning your food isn’t unlikely.
Finally, infrared grills do tend to be a fair bit pricier than your average gas grill… Since you’ll be paying a premium for specialized infrared technology.
Infrared gas grills use special technology to cook with infrared heat.
This infrared technology refers to an element between the flames and the grill grates. As flames from the grill burners heat up this element, it in turn emits the heat directly and evenly onto the cooking surface, without losing excess heat to the air.
