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Grilling is about more than just cooking. While yes, grilled foods are delicious, grilling is more than that. Grills bring family and friends together and allow us to cook food with the people around us, rather than be stuck in the kitchen preparing a meal. If you’re looking to upgrade your grilling experience, an infrared grill could be a great option.
Infrared grills work differently than traditional grills in that they emit direct heat from the burner to heat up the surface of the grate, and not just the air around the food. This helps to keep flavor in your meats, produce high heat, and heat up quickly. If you are looking for a new grill and are curious about what infrared grills have to offer, check out our list of the best infrared grills on the market. Take a look below to see what grill is the best fit for you!
The Top 5 Best Infrared Grills
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Grill – Best Overall Pick
Char-Broil Grill2Go TRU-Infrared Grill – Portable Pick
Char-Broil TRU Infrared 2 Burner Grill – Space Saver Pick
Char-Broil Tru Infrared Electric Grill – Plug In Pick
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Grill – Pro’s Pick
The Best Infrared Grills – Reviewed
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Grill – Best Overall Pick
The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Grill is a hefty one. This grill is made of stainless steel and offers the best that infrared grills have to offer and more. Because of that, we made it our best overall pick and we may go as far as to say it’s the best infrared grill on the market for most people. With this grill you can expect even cooking, limited flare ups, and much juicier meats.
In addition to being a great infrared grill, there are a few key features that make this grill super user friendly. This grill includes a side burner to keep your cooked food warm, wheels to help transport it out of your storage space, and a temperature gauge so you know what temperature your food is being cooked at. This grill is perfect for someone who is looking to upgrade and just wants a long lasting, no-nonsense infrared grill.
What We Liked:
- You get great value for its price, it’s on the more affordable side of quality infrared grills
- Extra side burner is a nice touch for cooking sauces or keeping foods warm
- Excellent cooking space, can hold around 24 burger patties
What We Didn’t Like:
- Sometimes the grease of food gets caught on the grates, so deep cleaning may be needed from time to time
- Can be difficult to assemble just because of the many parts, it’s really just more time consuming than it is difficult
Char-Broil Grill2Go TRU-Infrared Grill – Portable Pick
If you are looking for something small and portable, the Char-Broil Grill2Go is a great choice. This tough little grill will have no problem tagging along on your camping trips or days at the beach. It has all the key features of an infrared grill, so you can expect your foods to pack a lot of flavor. I would recommend this mostly for burger patties or other meats that don’t lose texture from overheating.
The main issue with this grill is the lack of temperature control as it can get to be hotter than ideal without you noticing. Just make sure to check on your meats frequently to prevent overcooking.
What We Liked:
- Nice handles on the side for easy carrying
- The included stand gives it a bit more height
- Powerful and has a durable feel
What We Didn’t Like:
- Like all infrared grills, they are designed to be hot, but it struggles in regulating that heat
- Needs to be placed on some type of table or counter
Char-Broil TRU Infrared 2 Burner Grill – Space Saver Pick
If you are looking for a stand alone grill that is still compact, the Char-Broil TRU Infrared 2 Burner Grill will definitely do the trick. You can keep this grill in the corner of your balcony or patio and fire it up right away when you are ready to start cooking. The grill has 4 caster wheels for easier transport and nice sized side tables to place your tools or condiments on.
The side tables also fold down, so you don’t need to worry about wasted space if you tuck it into to a corner when you aren’t using it. The cooking space is decent and works well if you’re cooking for a small family or just 1 to 2 people.
What We Liked:
- The cleanup process was quick and painless
- It’s high quality, affordable, and doesn’t take up too much space
- Comes with a tank gauge for easier fuel level monitoring
What We Didn’t Like:
- Like many grills on the list, assembly can be a bit difficult
Char-Broil Tru Infrared Electric Grill – Plug In Pick
Our list is mostly made up of infrared grills that are powered with propane, but we couldn’t forget those of you who may be looking for an electric grill option. The Char-Broil Infrared Electric Grill is super simple to power up, all you have to do is plug it in. This grill also has porcelain-coated grates that make it easy to clean and rust resistant.
It’s a great find for those who don’t want to worry about using propane or gas. Just keep in mind that it can take a bit of time to heat up. It’s a great pick for those who want the benefits of an infrared grill without the typical grill hassle. If you live in an apartment with a smaller balcony, this may be a great option for you.
What We Liked:
- Convenient option that eliminates the need for gas
- Sleek design, it also has hangers for your grilling tools
- Affordable price for an infrared grill
What We Didn’t Like:
- Takes a while to heat up
- Struggles to keep it’s heat if you lift the lid during cooking
Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Grill – Pro’s Pick
So maybe you aren’t a beginner and are looking for a top-notch grill that you can show off and use to host family events. If that sounds like you, the Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Grill may be a great choice. Once you get past the assembly process, using this grill is a breeze.
This is a great option for people who like to grill for larger groups of family and friends. If you use this grill, just be prepared to get a lot of questions about how you’re able to keep your food so juicy after grilling. It’s a great sturdy pick for those who want something long lasting.
What We Liked:
- 4 burners give this grill plenty of space to work with
- It has a sturdy build that feels solid and is sure to last for many grilling seasons to come
What We Didn’t Like:
- Price, but you are getting what you paid for
- Can be a bit difficult to assemble if you aren’t super handy
More About Infrared Grills
If you’re new to the world of infrared grills, it’s important to understand the traits and features unique to this type of grills. There are certain advantages and disadvantages (depending on who you ask) when it comes to owning an infrared that you should be aware of. If you aren’t sure what the best infrared grill for you is, we’ve got you covered! First, let’s discuss how an infrared grill works and the science that goes behind the design.
How Infrared Grills Work
Infrared grills are known for their high heat capability and cooking efficiency. They work differently than regular gas/propane and charcoal grills and as a result, can lead both juicy and seared meat. Infrared grills produce an intense heat across the grate from the burner and it generates infrared heat that is easily transferred to the food.
Unlike charcoal and propane grills that tend to just heat the air, infrared grills heat evenly across the grill grates for a more focused heat, and sometimes shorter cooking times. Since they don’t heat the air around the grill, your food will tend to stay juicer. If you’ve used charcoal grills, you know that you can’t completely control flare ups and heat, but this is where infrared grills excel.
Infrared grills are designed to stop flare ups, and there are no hot or cold spots around the grill. Wherever you decide to place your food on the grill, you can count on even cooking. Here are some of the specific advantages to infrared grills.
Advantages of Infrared Grills
- Infrared grills biggest advantage is the high, focused, and even heating of your grill-able foods. They’re energy efficient because of their design and can reach extremely high heats, compared to a more traditional grill. With this type of focus and high heat, you can sear meats like you’re at your favorite steakhouse.
- They are typically heavy duty and designed to last. Because these grills are usually not marketed towards beginner grillers, they are typically made with higher end materials. With that, infrared grills should last a long time and will have everyone talking about your cooking skills.
- There are quite a few options available on the market to best suit your needs. From portable grills to grills ready to cook for your whole extended family, there is sure to be an option for you.
So all this is great, but there’s got to be a downside, right? Well there are a few things to keep in mind and also some criticism of infrared grills to address.
What to Keep in Mind
- A big complaint I’ve seen from people is the look of the grates after using an infrared grill for some time. You won’t forget how clean your grill grates looked the day you got it, but don’t expect them to stay that color. With the intense heat generated by these grills, the grates will begin to change colors. If you’re the type of person who likes to keep things looking as good as new, you may be battling science on this one.
- Price. These certainly aren’t the priciest grills around, but you can expect them to reach several hundred dollars. If you are looking for just a small grill that will only last a couple of years for small gatherings and don’t want to spend too much money, an infrared grill may not be right for you. These grills have some added technology and the designs tend to be high quality, so you will see higher price tags on these grills compared to traditional gas grills.
- There can be quite a bit of smoke emitted from the grill when compared with traditional grills. When cooking, the grease drips down between the small holes of the grate which creates the smoke. These holes are the reason for the lack of flare up and even heating. This is very common so just make sure you have plenty of open space when using an infrared grill.
The Best Infrared Grill for You – Our Picks
When looking for the best infrared grill on the market, we ran into quite a few options. If you’re looking for an infrared grill, there are tons of options depending on what you’re looking for. We’re going to revisit our list of best infrared grills so you can decide which would be the best infrared grill for you, based on your situation.
For our readers that like having cookouts by the beach or tend to move around a lot, our portable pick is the Char-Broil Grill2Go TRU-Infrared Grill. This grill isn’t the highest tech on the list but it can easily fit in the trunk of your car. If you’re looking for a grill that won’t slow you down as you’re on the move, this is the one for you.
Our space saver’s pick is the Char-Broil TRU Infrared 2 Burner Grill. If you have limited space and don’t want all of your outdoor space to be dedicated to your grill, this could be a great option. It has 2 tables that fold inward so you have space while you’re cooking, and you can collapse them down during storage. This is a great entry level infrared grill for those short on space.
For fans of electricity (it’s great, isn’t it?), the Char-Broil Tru Infrared Electric Grill is our plug in pick. Though it does take some time to heat up, it is really easy to clean and set up. If you’re someone who is not comfortable working with propane tanks or just don’t want to mess with them, this is a nice trusty pick with all the benefits of an infrared grill.
For more advanced grillers who want a serious grill, we recommend the Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 4 Burner Grill. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s worth every penny. If you have a big group of family and friends who can’t wait to try your cooking, this would be the choice for you. The set up can be a pain, but once you get it going you’ll be glad you did. It’s built to last and represents the Char-Broil brand well.
Lastly, is our best overall pick. The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Grill is an excellent grill for those looking to get introduced to the world of infrared grills. It’s 3 burners provides plenty of space and that high, consistent heat you would expect from an infrared grill. This grill also has a stainless-steel build so it’ll look great in your outdoor space. That might not make you a better griller, but at least you’ll look good doing it.
Wrapping Up
Infrared grills are great for those looking to have more control over their grilling experience. With more consistent heat and the ability to sear foods with higher heat, an infrared grill can help you up your grilling game. There are many infrared grills out there, but we think our list of the best infrared grills has something for everybody.
If you aren’t sure which would be the right pick for you and know you don’t need something portable, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Grill, our best overall pick, would be a great starting point. Click here to check it out!
