Infrared Grills

Infrared Grills: What to Look For

Now we’re really cooking because infrared grills can reach incredibly high temperatures, thanks to a far more concentrated heat output. Unlike traditional gas grills that rely on a convection cooking system, by which hot air heats and cooks your food, an infrared gas grill heats the food directly, allowing it to retain more moisture. That’s why it’s the preferred cooking method of professional chefs! For those of us not cooking in a steakhouse kitchen, infrared grills provide the same high-quality results right in your backyard. Not convinced? Check out some of the benefits:

Faster Cooking: Infrared grills don’t require heating the surrounding air. They can cook food much faster, which means you can return to the fun sooner!

Even Heat Distribution: Without air flow concerns, your infrared grill guarantees even heat distribution and allows you to reduce those pesky hot and cold spots found on other grills.

Better Tasting Food: Because infrared grilling ensures more moisture retention, your foods will be juicier and, as a result, they’ll taste better.

Steakhouse Searing: High temperatures mean you’ll enjoy restaurant-quality searing on all your meats and a flavorful crust. (Warning: guests will be impressed with your grill marks...)

To see all the benefits of infrared grills (yes, there’s more), be sure to check out our complete buying guide here.

There are plenty of factors to consider when purchasing an infrared gas grill including the type of infrared cooking system and its construction material.

In the infrared grilling world, the ceramic burner system is the most common. This is where a ceramic surface sits atop a stainless steel burner and produces many small flames for extreme heat that can top 1,000 degrees and is evenly distributed across a cooking grate. While that may be perfect for searing your meats (and doing so quickly), you will not be able to reach lower temperatures for additional cooking options.

Other materials used in infrared cooking systems include glass and stainless steel. Both of which offer high heat, consistent heat distribution, and minimal flare-ups. The added benefit of these materials compared to ceramic systems is that they can provide a wide range of temperatures. You won’t be able to hit quadruple digits on these systems, but you will be able to cook at low temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees.

For the chef that wants the best of both worlds, there are a variety of hybrid infrared gas grills which combine traditional convection burners with an infrared burner. Translation: you can grill your veggies and sear your meat at the same time! Talk about dual zone cooking! Many brands can pre-install a single infrared burner while others sell them separately to be easily swapped in whenever needed.

No matter what infrared grilling materials or configuration you end up picking, be sure to consider the quality of the components. Ultimately, that is the main factor in the performance of your infrared gas grill and its longevity.