If you are in a hurry and want to find out what the Best Infrared Grill is then we would recommend the Ivation Infrared Grill.
Grilling is a pastime for some; it’s a passion for others. But whether it’s your pastime or your passion, you want to get the best infrared grill you can. Infrared grills use a special heating element that works differently than traditional grills, resulting in faster cooking and more even heat distribution.
The following guide provides a closer look at infrared grills, including five grills you’ll want to check out. Is an infrared grill the ideal option for your backyard? Let’s find out more!
Here are the grills that we will be reviewing:
- Ivation Infrared Grill
- COSTWAY Propane Infrared Grill
- Camplux Propane Infrared Grill
- Northfire Propane Infrared Grill – InfernoGO
- GASPRO Multi-Tasking Propane Infrared Outdoor Cooking Master
Infrared Grill Buyer’s Guide
Infrared grills aren’t like any other type of grill. Here’s what you need to know:
What is an Infrared Grill?
Traditional grills heat the air around it, then this hot air transfers to the food you are cooking. Infrared grills are a little different.
Infrared grills heat a solid surface, and then those surfaces emit infrared directly to the food. This might sound a little confusing, but you can boil the main difference down to this – traditional grills cook through convection – infrared grills cook through infrared radiation.
This kind of radiation isn’t dangerous. It just generates an incredible amount of heat. Infrared grills can get up to 1,500 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Why Should I Get an Infrared Grill?
The jury is still out on whether or not infrared grills offer any real advantages over traditional grills. Infrared grill enthusiasts swear that they provide more uniform heat distribution, evenly cooking every bit of meat. However, when Consumer Reports tested this assertion, they couldn’t find a noticeable difference.
One verifiable result is that infrared grills cook far faster than traditional ones. I know that I always appreciate getting my food a little quicker, and an infrared grill can perfectly sear a steak in four minutes.
Additionally, most infrared grills are small in size and weigh less than 30 pounds. Whether you’re going out for a hike or spending the weekend at a campsite, an infrared grill is a perfect way to get a perfectly cooked meal no matter where you are.
The 5 Best Infrared Grills for 2020
You’ll find a lot of options available. Here are my five favorites:
Budget Pick: Ivation Infrared Grill
Who says you have to spend more to get a great grill? If I was still in college, this is the infrared grill I would be searing my steaks with. Beyond the affordable price tag, the Ivation Infrared Grill has multiple cooking trays and a built-in warming tray on top.
It’s a convenient feature because most infrared grills aren’t big enough to make more than two steaks or burgers at a time. But since infrared grills cook so quickly, a warming tray is more than enough to keep your meal ready until you cook the second round of meats.
But the most significant advantage of the Ivation Infrared Grill is that it works with propane, butane, and LPG gases. No matter your heating source, this grill can handle it.
The most significant area that needs improvement is that the parts aren’t dishwasher safe. They are fully removable, but you’ll have to wash each component by hand. This might seem like an inconvenience, but the parts aren’t big, and it won’t take you long to clean.
Pros
- Great price
- Multiple cooking trays
- Built-in warming tray
- Works with propane, butane, and LPG
Cons
- Parts are not dishwasher safe
Best Small Infrared Grill: COSTWAY Propane Infrared Grill
Most infrared grills are small, but the Costway Propane Infrared Grill is smaller than most. You’ll be able to fit most sized steaks, but if you have an especially large T-bone, you might be in trouble.
But what the Costway Propane Infrared Grill lacks in size, it makes up for in features. It comes with multiple cooking heights, which will determine the sear on your meat. Even better, it includes all the needed grill accessories, so if you’ve never owned an infrared grill before, the only thing you’ll need to get started is some propane and a steak!
While it’s small size might be a disadvantage to some, it also allows it to have an extremely small weight. Coming in at only 20 pounds, it’s the perfect size to transport in any size vehicle easily.
While this infrared grill gets extremely hot, its flame does get blown out quickly when exposed to the wind. This can be extremely frustrating when you’re trying to finish up your meal. However, if you can find a place sheltered from the wind, the Costway Propane Infrared Grill can be a great value.
Pros
- All grill accessories included
- Only weighs 20 pounds
- Multiple cooking heights
Cons
- Very small size
- Flame easily gets blown out
Hottest Infrared Grill: Camplux Propane Infrared Grill
Are you ready to turn up the heat? Most infrared grills “only” get up to 1,500 degrees. The Camplux Propane Infrared Grill turns up the heat a little more and can reach up to 1,600 degrees. This gives you the ability to get a rare steak while still getting that perfect sear on the outside.
So, if the best-infrared gas grills are the ones that get the hottest, then the Camplux Propane Infrared Grill earns top marks.
It’s made almost entirely of stainless steel, making it one of the most durable infrared grills available. All of the removable parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and it doesn’t come with separate grill racks.
Instead, the cooking grill rack is built directly into the door. You can still adjust your cooking height as the door slides into several slots to find the perfect sear for your food.
The Camplux Propane Infrared Grill is still a smaller infrared grill, with only one cooking rack that is big enough for one large steak or two small burgers. But just like any infrared grill, the Camplux Propane Infrared Grill can cook your food in just a few minutes, making the small grilling surface less of a factor.
Pros
- Heats up to 1,600 degrees
- No grill racks
- Dishwasher safe
- Stainless steel construction
Cons
- Small size
Best Portable Infrared Grill: Northfire Propane Infrared Grill – InfernoGO
I know that I like having perfectly seared food when I head out for a weekend getaway. When it comes to infrared grills that deliver this, it’s hard to beat the InfernoGO. It’s an infrared grill that you can take with you on your camping trips.
It only weighs 24 pounds and has a compact design that makes it easy to slip into your camping gear. It’s made from high-quality materials and has top-notch German construction.
Even better, it’s easily cleaned. I hate it when I have to scrub in hard to reach corners, making it nearly impossible to get my grill clean. With the InfernoGO, you don’t have to worry about this. Northfire made it easy to remove and clean each piece, so you’re sure to have a clean cooking surface the next time around!
The biggest drawback to the InfernoGo is the price. Compared to other comparable infrared grills, it’s significantly more expensive. But considering the high-quality manufacturing, it’s well worth the extra amount.
Pros
- Designed for easy cleaning
- German crafted
- Extremely light
Cons
- Expensive
Best Overall: GASPRO Multi-Tasking Propane Infrared Outdoor Cooking Master
There’s a good reason that the GASPRO Multi-Tasking Propane Infrared Outdoor Cooking Master is one of the top-rated infrared grills available.
While other infrared grills allow you to adjust your cooking height for different foods, the GASPRO Infrared Outdoor Cooking Master is the only one that has formulated each height for different foods. Whether you’re looking to cook meat, seafood, or veggies, this infrared grill will let you know how to cook it perfectly.
It can be assembled in less than 30 minutes and has a sturdy construction. Furthermore, it’s components are made from rustproof stainless steel. While the product is rustproof, GASPRO still recommends storing it in an indoor location when not in use to extend its lifespan.
It comes with a built-in cast iron griddle on top as a bonus feature, allowing you to cook just about anything.
The two most significant drawbacks to this infrared heater are the price and the fact that it can be hard to light. But once you light it, it stays that way.
While the price tag is a little more than other infrared grills, it does come with additional features and high-quality materials. While it would be nice to be able to make all your food in one place, it’s still hard to justify the significantly higher price tag.
Pros
- Comes with built-in cast iron griddle
- Separated heat zones for different foods
- Easy to assemble
- Stainless steel construction
- Sturdy and rustproof
Cons
- More expensive
- Hard to light
The Final Verdict
After reading this infrared grill review, there’s one that stands apart from the rest. The Ivation Infrared Grill is my top recommendation for backyard use.
It offers the same capabilities as the more expensive models and even comes with a built-in warming tray. Its closest competition is the GASPRO Infrared Cooking Master, which comes in at a significantly higher price tag, making the Ivation a far better value.
So, who says you have to spend more to get a top-end product? Save your money and get the best-infrared grill around for a fraction of the price.