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To find the best infrared grills, we recommend you look at models that feature high test stainless steel housing construction and have minimum cooking temperatures of no less than 600 degrees, feature a smokeless or low-smoke and flare-up-proof design that keeps flames away from direct food contact, and feature porcelain-coated or radiant glass heating elements for easy, safe heat cleaning. Additional features like push-button ignitions, cool-touch handles or housing, light indicators for preheating, removable dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning, and accessories for more functionality like smoking compartments are also good to look for.
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After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Char-Broil The Big Easy is the best infrared grill you can buy on the market today. Keep reading about this and our other top picks to learn more about the best grills available.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Tank-like stainless steel construction, a generous cooking area and capacity, and an included smoker box for easy smoking of meats and fish in an easy-to-use, high-performing option.
The Char-Broil The Big Easy is an infrared propane gas grill, smoker, and roaster that uses Char-Broil signature TRU-Infrared technology for consistent, even cooking of meats, fish, and more, with the added functionality of a full-featured meat smoker and roaster. Its generous cooking compartment holds up to 25 lbs for roasting and features a 180 square inch cooking surface for grilling.
Its large handles stay relatively cool during cooking for fairly safe handling, though its bulk, shape, and 22lb weight mean it’s not built for portability. Full control over exact temperature, good fuel efficiency, and the added functionality of its smoker compartment, in addition to its tank-like construction and removable grease tray for mess-free use and cleanup, make it a high performance and versatile choice at an excellent value in its class. If you’re into smoked meats, the best pellet smokers are another great option for you.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Made for BBQ-style use, with a large grilling area and capacity, precise temperature controls, a non-stick warming rack, and advanced reliability and quality of life features.
The Char-Broil Signature Infrared Grill is a propane-powered hybrid grill featuring four top-ported 443 stainless steel tube burners and 525 square inches of porcelain-coated cast iron cooking surface. The 200 square inch porcelain-coated warming rack is great for cooking large servings without food getting cold and its patented Surefire Electronic ignition system provides a reliable spark for each of its four burners.
It’s easily converted from liquid propane to standard gas power, and its 13,000-BTU lidded side burner is excellent for preparing sauces while you grill. Its host of features, power, and performance comes at a higher price point than many similar models, but it’s a go-to choice for BBQing and serving large groups with reliable, professional-level results. For outdoor kitchens, you might also consider the best built-in grills for professional quality grilling.
Award: BEST DURABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Marine-grade mirror polished stainless steel construction, a tempered glass viewing window, and patented Anti-Flare technology make up a model offering maximum control and high performance.
The Magma Newport 2 is a semi-compact, high-performance infrared grill powered by standard 1 lb. disposable propane canisters. It’s constructed of 100% marine-grade mirror-polished stainless steel with a full double lined lower shell and a hermetically sealed viewing window-mounted thermometer for easy temperature monitoring.
Its 162 square inch cooking surface is supported by a removable easy-clean front-loaded grease trap and its radiant glass screen heating system cooks food consistently and safely. While it’s pricier than some compact-style grills, its high performance, space-saving features like folding lockable steel legs, tempered glass viewing window, and generous grilling surface despite its 22.5 x 11.63 x 11.63” size makes it a great choice for a space-saving infrared grill. For additional space-saving options, our best electric grills buying guide has some great recommendations.
Award: BEST PORTABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A high-performance option with a large cooking area and space-saving convenience features in a cart-style design for excellent portability and easy storage when not in use.
The Char-Broil Performance is a high-performance three-burner gas-infrared grill with a wheeled cart-like design for maximum portability and easy storage. Its large 450 square inch cooking surface is good for BBQing and serving large parties, and its swing-away warming rack stays out of the way when not in use.
Though it has fewer features than some similarly sized models in class, its reliable push-to-start electronic ignition and porcelain-coated, rust-proof grill grates offer easy, reliable, mess-free use. Add to that its durable construction and wheeled cart-like design, and it’s a great option for a high-performance infrared grill that offers extra portability and storability. You might also like one of the models on our best natural gas grills guide.
Award: BEST FOR PROFESSIONALS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Exceptional cooking power, an extra-large total cooking surface with an extra hot 1800-degree “sizzler” side burner, and a host of other advanced features for restaurant-quality results.
Similar to the Blaze Grill, the Napoleon Prestige 500 is a hybrid gas/infrared grill that offers numerous advanced features and an ultra-hot “sizzler” side burner that reaches an impressive 1800 degrees in 30 seconds for searing restaurant-quality steaks. Its four main burners produce 48,000 BTUs an hour of cooking power, with stainless steel sear plates for each and a built-in 260 square inch warming plate.
Extra design features like an 18,000 BTU infrared rear burner and included rotisserie kit offers additional versatility and functionality which, with its professional-level performance and build quality, more than justify its very high price point. At 196.65lbs, it’s also considerably heavier than many similar-sized models, though its built-in wheels allow for fairly easy moving on flat surfaces. All in all, it’s a top performer for restaurant-quality results and plenty of versatility to boot. It’s a great option for anyone looking for the best flat-top grills.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Compact and lightweight with a pared-down electric-powered design that’s easy to clean, it offers good performance and safe indoor functionality at a great value.
The Philips Kitchen Appliances HD6371 is a compact, indoor-safe electric infrared grill. Its pared-down design doesn’t offer specific temperature control, opting instead for a consistent 446-degree grilling temperature still capable of providing a good sear on meats and fish. It sets up and breaks down in less than a minute, with a dishwasher-safe grilling surface and drip tray for easy cleanup.
Its lack of different temperature options and low maximum temperature compared to many infrared grills means it’s harder to get the consistent restaurant-quality results of more expensive, powerful models. But for impressively consistent, no-fuss grilling and searing in an easy to set up and easy to clean package, it’s a terrific value. For additional kitchen-friendly options, check out our best indoor grills buying guide.
Award: BEST FOR STEAKS
WHY WE LIKE IT: An incredibly compact but powerful option for quickly cooking meat and fish with a dishwasher-safe easy-clean, easy-to-use design.
The Northfire Inferno is an ultra-compact single-propane tank infrared grill designed for grilling meat and fish with impressive speed and consistency. It quickly reaches its maximum cooking temperature of 1500 degrees and is capable of cooking medium rare steaks in 60 seconds per side, with an easy, reliable push-start ignitor for fool-proof grilling and a removable dishwasher-safe grilling surface and grease trap.
Its unusual and extremely compact design excels at quickly and consistently cooking steaks and fish but makes it far less versatile than conventionally-designed models, especially for traditional BBQing and serving large groups. But for a purpose-built meat griller with impressive speed and power and easy to clean design, it’s a good value. For a truly smoky char, check out our best kamado grills buying guide.
Award: BEST EASY SETUP
WHY WE LIKE IT: Packing good grilling performance in a small, highly portable, easy to use design, it’s a great choice for BBQing in small backyards and patios where space is at a premium and easy storability is desired.
The Char-Broil Tru Infrared Patio Bistro is a propane-infrared grill designed for grilling and BBQing in intimate settings like small backyards and patios. Its compact and lightweight 25.2″W x 24.4″ D x 38.2″H wheeled design boasts a generous 240 square inches of primary and 80 square inches of secondary cooking area that can cook 8-12 burgers at a time, with an easy push ignition for no-fuss functionality.
Its pared-down design means it’s not as feature-rich as many models on the market. However, its portability, good grilling performance, and easy-to-use compact design make it a great choice for BBQing and grilling for small gatherings in small backyards and patios, and it’s easy to put away and store when not in use, saving precious backyard real estate. If storage isn’t a huge issue for you, also check out some of the best propane gas grills.
Award: BEST FOR CAMPING
WHY WE LIKE IT: Tank-like stainless steel construction and suitcase-like design for easy packing and travel with plenty of power and cooking surface area for BBQing in the wild.
The Solaire SOL-EV17A is a 14,000 BTU portable infrared propane gas grill that uses 1lb liquid propane tanks in a compact, suitcase-like design ideal for camping and outdooring. Despite its size, it features a fairly generous 140 square inch cooking area capable of cooking four hamburgers or two small steaks, and its push-ignitor and pared-down design make for fuss-free use. While not as large, the Char-Broil X200 also puts out 14,000 BTUs and is quite portable.
Despite having a generous cooking surface for its size, it’s not suitable for large servings and larger gatherings. But its 20 gauge 304 stainless steel construction, locking lid, carrying handles, and good performance for its modest power output make it a go-to infrared grill for camping and traveling. It’s definitely one of the best camping grills on our list.
Award: BEST SAFETY FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A compact and lightweight model built for safety and ease of use, with an easy-carry aluminum shell, large cool-touch handles, and enough cooking surface for small family meals.
The Char-Broil Grill2Go is a compact and lightweight (20lb) TRU infrared high-impact aluminum frame grill that uses 1lb propane tanks and is designed for family camping and traveling. Its large, cool-touch carrying handles allow for safer handling, while its durable frame allows it to take plenty of abuse, and its TRU infrared heating system is designed to prevent flare-ups during cooking.
Though its 200-square-inch cooking area is good for its frame size and lightweight build, it’s not suitable for creating large meals or entertaining larger gatherings. But for family-oriented camping and traveling, it’s built to last, easy to use, and designed with both safety and performance in mind. If you are looking to serve larger groups and have the time, the best rotisserie grills provide additional features.
We preferred infrared grills that cooked at maximum temperatures of no less than 600 degrees. We liked grills with safety features like handles and housing that keep external heat down for safer use and handling and auto-off functions, as well as durable, industrial-grade steel construction.
We also preferred infrared grills with removable grease traps, cooking grates, and other removable dishwasher-safe or easy-clean parts. We liked grilling surfaces with features like porcelain coating for semi-non-stick functionality and easier cleaning, capacities of at least 25lbs of food items, and grilling surfaces of at least 100 square inches.
Finally, we preferred grills that employed Ceramic Infrared Burner or radiant glass heating systems for the highest maximum heat or hybrid infrared/gas grills to provide low-temperature recipe functionality. We also like grills that feature a variety of control options, including automatic cooking programs, multiple manual temperature dials, smoker compartments for smoking meats and fish, and indicator lights for pre-heating and for monitoring cooking times.
