What Is An Infrared Gas Grill

Fuel And Time Efficiency

Benefits of Infrared Grills & Burners | What is an Infrared Grill? | BBQGuys.com

The infrared grill is more efficient than the conventional gas grill in a way that it takes less time to heat up. As soon as an infrared burner is ignited, the temperature of the grill rises above 1000° F in less than sixty seconds. It does not take more than three minutes for an infrared grill to reach a temperature of 1400° F.

A gas grill, on the other hand, takes some time to reach the desired temperature suitable for searing or grilling food. Due to this, the food needs to be grilled for a longer time. Cooking for long makes it dry and drains all its moisture content. The maximum temperature that a gas grill reaches is 500° F. This saves a lot of time.

When cooking meat, each side of a fillet or steak is done under a span of two minutes. Once the meat has been seared on both sides, the flavor, moisture, and juices are all locked and sealed in. Further cooking of the fillet will not let the moisture or flavor drip out. The heat on an infrared burner can be adjusted to slow cook through the meat without burning the outsides.

Since food cooks faster on an infrared grill, less fuel is used. So, a lot of energy and money is saved. On the contrary, a gas grill consumes more time and fuel, and is thus expensive.

Are Infrared Grills Hard To Clean

The surfaces of Infrared grills are easily removed and cleaned with the added advantage of keeping drips and drops from gathering on the floor of the grill body.

Traditional gas grills can be a challenge to keep clean. The grill itself has to be scrubbed or food will be contaminated with the last bar-b-ques ingredients.

The body of the grill and the burner assembly should be kept clean as well to prevent fires and flare-ups from occurring.

Minimizes The Chances Of Flare

The heat generated by infrared radiation is so intense that it instantly vaporizes grease or marinade drippings, generating flavor-enriching smoke in the process. This enhances the rich flavor of whatevers on the grill and virtually eliminates any chance of a flare-up. Its a win-win either way you slice it.

Also Check: What To Use To Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates

Infrared Grill Vs Traditional Gas Grill: Which Is Better

Simply put, Infrared Grilling = High Temperature Radiant Heat while Open Flame = Traditional Blue Flame Grilling.

Youre on the hunt for a new grill, so youre faced with a decision: charcoal or gas?

You head to the hardware store and start perusing your options. Then, an eager sales rep starts telling you about this amazing new grill that they have in stock. Its cutting edge! It heats your food quickly! It uses less gas than atraditional grill!

Whats this mysterious thirdoption? Its called an infrared grill.

Now, the concept of theinfrared grill is nothing new it has been around since the1980s, originally invented by TEC Grills.But it still involves technology that few grill masters are familiar with. Ofcourse, you want to make an informed decision.

So, how do you decide if you should buy an infrared grill vs and gas grill? Read on as we cover how infrared heating works, and compare the pros and cons of these two types of grills.

Using Infrared technology in outdoor gas grills was invented and patented by TEC Grills in the 1980’s. This innovative concept in cooking brought intensely high heat, caramelizing the exterior of your food while locking in the juices. This technology is what you find in Steakhouse restaurants. This technology uses radiant energy, not air to cook the food. Eliminating dried out food.

What is an Infrared Grill?

Pros/Advantages of Infrared Grills

Heats Up Quickly

Even Heat Distribution

MaintainsMoisture

Steakhouse Quality

Less Prone to Flare Ups

Working Of An Infrared Grill

CharBroil Signature InfraRed 2

Infrared grills work on the principle of radiation of heat. Its construction includes a burner made up of a housing case of stainless steel and a ceramic top. Such construction allows uniform distribution of heat over the grill.

Unlike a conventional grill, where the heat is transferred from the source to the food through an air medium, the infrared grills make use of a heated electric or gas element, which radiates heat and emits infrared waves into the food on the grill. It is not like radiation is the only way in which heat is transferred on an infrared grill. The heated element also increases the temperature and circulation of the air around the grill, which causes convection. But, compared to that, in a gas grill, less amount of heated air is circulated. In a nutshell, infrared grills provide instant ignition, better heat control, and a uniform heat source which cooks up a better-tasting barbecue meal.

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Can You Convert A Regular Gas Grill To Infrared

Gas grills use a different style of pressure regulator and gas dispensing nozzles than an Infrared grill uses.

While it is possible to convert a traditional gas grill to an Infrared grill, it wouldnt be prudent to try it.

Finding an Infrared section to fit inside a traditional gas grill would be very challenging.

The best thing is to purchase an Infrared grill from the get-go and not worry about becoming a mechanical genius just to make steakhouse sear marks.

You Need To Do Your Research

We just told you that infrared grills are expensive.

So, if you see a super cheap one on the market, be suspicious!

Many of the cheaper models are that inexpensive for several reasons. Mainly, these models are:

  • Difficult to clean
  • Made of cheap, flimsy parts and materials
  • Unable to achieve high temperatures

Do your research and choose a top-quality infrared grill you can afford.

Read Also: What Temperature To Grill Pork Chops

Infrared Grills Vs Gas Grills

Gas and charcoal grills cook primarily though convection. As the air in the grill is continually heated by the burning charcoal or the gas flame, the air rises and circulates around the food on the grill’s grate, causing the food to cook. This constant flow of air can also dry food out.

An infrared grill, instead of relying on hot air to transfer heat to food, uses an electric or gas element to heat a solid surface, which then radiates, or emits, far infrared waves directly into the food that sits on the grill’s grate. The heating element also heats the air in the grill, creating some convection, but less air is circulated and therefore the food retains more moisture during cooking. With their higher temperatures, infrared grills can also cook food faster than standard grills.

Early infrared grills manufactured for commercial use were equipped with bare ceramic heating surfaces, which created a large amount of convection and could be finicky and difficult to clean. Many of the newer infrared grill models feature designs that layer ceramic or metal heating surfaces with glass plates that direct air flow away from the food and provide high-temperature, evenly diffused infrared heat, which proponents say results in more even cooking than grills that rely entirely on convection . However, independent tests have shown that high-end gas grills provide equally even heating and cooking .

On the next page, learn more about the specifics of cooking with an infrared grill.

Hacks To Turn Your Regular Grill Into An Infrared Grill

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Professional Signature Edition 3 Burner Gas Grill

If your budget is tight, dont despair. There are a couple of handy accessories on the market that can convert parts of your ordinary grill into infrared and give the best infrared grills a run for their money.

We found these infrared hacks suggested over on amazingribs.com.

Grill Grates

These interlocking grates amplify heat, prevent flare ups and sear your food really well. No they are not infrared technology, but they produce very similar results for a fraction of the cost.

To use these grates, just measure up your grill and buy the right sized grates. Simply take off your existing grates, replace them with the Grill Grates and enjoy great searing.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

Charcoal Grill for Searing

If you have a charcoal grill hanging around, put it to use!

For big cook ups when you have multiple things on the go, set up your charcoal grill on the side and sear you meat there.

Not only will it leave more space in your grill, but you will get much better results searing over charcoal than you will with other types of grill .

Griddle Pan

Whack your griddle pan on the grates of your barbecue or side burner, get it piping hot and coat it with just a little oil.

The superheated surface will make better contact with your meat and produce superior results for searing than you could expect from an ordinary grill.

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Cooking On An Infrared Grill

While there are certainly advantages to using an infrared grill, there is a bit of a learning curve, especially at first. Because infrared grills heat up so quickly and reach temperatures up to 1000 degrees F, its easy to overcook meat or even burn it if you arent paying close attention. For that reason, first-time users arent likely to get a perfect steak. It takes some practice to get the hang of cooking at higher temperatures for shorter periods of time.

Some infrared grills allow you to cook vegetables, shrimp, or other delicate foods at a lower temperature setting, but many dont have this feature. If you want the ability to cook some foods at lower temperatures, look for an infrared grill with this capability or invest in an infrared hybrid grill that combines an infrared burner with conventional burners for more versatility.

Benefits Of Infrared Grills

If youre thinking about upgrading your current grill, then youre probably torn between going the gas or the charcoal way. However, theres a third option you might not be aware of: The infrared grill.

Infrared grills are not as new as you may think. The first grills were produced in the year 2000 after a four-decade-long patent to the infrared burner expired. This effectively paved the way for manufacturers to use the technology to build infrared grills.

But whats all the hullabaloo about? Heres everything you need to know about the benefits of infrared grills.

Recommended Reading: Weber Gas Regulator

How Do You Clean An Infrared Grill

We clean our char broil infrared grill the same way weve always cleaned our gas grills: using the burn off method. Turn the burners to high, close the lid and leave it alone for about 10 minutes. This will burn off any residual food stuck to the grates. Turn off the grill and use a brush to remove anything stuck to the grates.

Can You Cook Vegetables On An Infrared Grill

Robot Check

Were pleased to report that infrared grills are not just for grilling meat, and that you can also grill vegetables there, too. And this is a great way of improving the healthiness of the meals that you grill, since vegetables offer quite a lot in the way of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

The best way to grill vegetables on an infrared grill is to set the grill to a medium to high heat and lightly spray the vegetables with olive oil before adding them to the grill. This really adds to the flavor and promotes sear marks, and it also keeps them from drying out and sticking to the grill.

Smaller vegetables such as mushrooms can be grilled whole, while larger vegetables will need to be sliced first, or cut into wedges. To tell if your vegetables are cooked, simply pierce them with some cutlery. If it slides in easily, then you know your veggies are sufficiently cooked.

Also Check: How Long Do You Grill Pork Tenderloin

Can You Slow Cook On An Infrared Grill

We are pleased to confirm that it is, in fact, true. In addition to being able to sear meat at really high temperatures, infrared grills are also versatile enough for low and slow cooking too.

This is because they offer oven-like temperature control, with temperatures as low as 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the lower end of the spectrum. While the typical temperatures for low and slow cooking are between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Of course, some cuts of meat lend themselves better to low and slow cooking than others. Be sure to go online to find tips on how to cook your meats low and slow on your infrared grill before you start. And be sure to come to first.

How To Prepare And Maintain An Infrared Grill

Always Preheat It

Like conventional grills, infrared grills need to be pre-heated before they can be used. Pre-heating does not only get the grill ready for efficient cooking but also sterilizes and prepares it. Additionally, it ensures that your food wont stick to the grates as it starts cooking, protecting it from damage and reducing the debris that it will produce during the cooking process.

Mind the Temperature

As I previously said, infrared grills can reach very high levels of heat. While this can be great for grilling large cuts of meat, it may not be as advisable for cooking vegetables and other foods. Apart from damaging said food, using too much heat may break it up, resulting in an excess of juices flowing onto the grill. In addition to being difficult to clean, the accumulation of said juices can damage the grill.

Use a Thermometer

Expanding on the previous point, I should say that, when using an infrared grill, its paramount to control the temperature at all times. To do this properly, there is no better way than using a thermometer.

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How Long Should An Infrared Grill Be Preheated To Kill Bacteria

A traditional gas grill can take up around 10 minutes for preheating and a charcoal grill requires preheating for about 20 minutes. However, with an infrared grill, you only need to preheat the grill for 3 to 5 minutes to kill bacteria.

Meats need to be cooked at a sufficient internal temperature in order to kill bacteria. As an infrared grill can increase cooking temperature more quickly, it typically requires less time for preheating.

How Do You Cook A Steak On An Infrared Grill

Solaire Infrared Gas Grill on Food Network’s Unwrapped

How you cook steak on an infrared grill depends very much on how you like your steak. But, here we will provide some general instructions

First preheat the grill to between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and meanwhile season your steaks to taste. Once the grill has preheated for at least 10 minutes, its time to sear the steaks. Just 60 seconds on each side should cover it.

Then you should use indirect heat to gently cook the insides of the steaks, by moving them further away from the main grilling area. You can do this for anywhere between 5 and 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steaks used and how you like your steak cooked.

And remember to let the steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before serving up.

Also Check: Pork Tenderloin Grill Temperature Cooked

Types Of Infrared Burner Systems

There are several infrared brands out there, but they don’t all utilize the same infrared cooking system. This is important to understand to ensure you are getting the perfect infrared grill to fit your cooking needs. Furthermore, it’s important to consider the quality of the infrared grill you are buying. Some infrared grills are built with more economical, lower quality components, which might cause you to have to constantly replace parts, or the whole grill, much quicker than you might think. We’ve had several customers share their stories with us about this very fact. Contrast that with the commercial quality construction of the higher end brands, where you may pay more up front but enjoy better performance and longevity in the long run.

Choosing The Right Infrared Barbeque Grill

Alright, lets get real, all infrared grills are definitely not equal. So you have to be very careful about what youre buying. Look at articles and grill reviews before making a choice . Some manufacturers are going to just replace a gas burner with an infrared burner in a gas grill. You could call that an infrared grill but it is not going to work that well. The reason for that is infrared grills are specially designed to work with the infrared burner.

The shape of the grill and distance from the burner to the food are a very large factor to consider when barbecuing. If the grill isnt right, the meat can be undercooked or straight up burnt, and we dont want that, now do we? The most expensive isnt always the best either, so be careful of what you buy. There are an infinite number of grills out there in the world so listen to the experts, I hope this article has helped you in some small way.

Barbecuing is an amazing thing to be doing whether its for your friends, family or your significant other. It doesnt matter. A good barbecue puts a smile on everyones faces. The fact that youre here shows that you are picking up this amazing hobby. So I hope you find your ideal grill. Happy Grilling Folks!!

Read Also: Grilled Pork Chops Temperature

Q& a: Are There Any Advantages To An Infrared Grill

A. Infrared grilling is one of the newest trends in outdoor cooking. An infrared grill is a gas grill that uses infrared technology as the heat source or as an optional burner. In a conventional gas grill, the flame heats the grates directly. But in an infrared grill, there is an infrared element between the grates and the flame. The gas heats the infrared element, which then radiates intense heat to the food.TEC, formerly the Thermal Engineering Corporation, claims it introduced the first radiant gas grill in the early 1980s, using small flames to heat ceramic plates the plates emitted infrared energy that cooked the food. Youll still find infrared grills with ceramic plates, but under the grates of TECs latest infrared system are glass panels directly over stainless steel burners. Char-Broils infrared system relies on one or more gas burners to heat up a metal cavity between the burners and the grates.

Enthusiasts say infrared grills are good at searing meat, provide uniform heat and cut down on flare-ups. But because they cook differently, they may take some getting used to. In our tests of gas grills, we havent found that infrared grills or grills with an infrared element are any better than those with standard burners. All the best grills in our tests cook uniformly. To find out what else is new in gas grills, see our latest ratings of more than 60 models.

Kimberly Janeway

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