What is Infrared Grill – A Complete Guide with Benefits and Uses

Published: 21 Sep 2025

Backyard cooking is evolving every day. Charcoal and gas grills have always been favorites, but a new option is here—infrared grills. They use radiant heat instead of open flames, giving you juicy food with less effort. Curious to know more? This guide will explain what is infrared grill, how it works, and whether it’s the right choice for your outdoor cooking.

Outdoor illustration of an infrared grill titled 'What is Infrared Grill

Table of Content

What is Infrared Grill? – Definition Explained Simply
History of Infrared Grill
How Does an Infrared Grill Work?
Infrared Grill Parts
Uses of Infrared Grills
Advantages and Disadvantages of Infrared Grills
Tips for Using an Infrared Grill
Conclusion
FAQs about Infrared Grills

What is Infrared Grill? – Definition Explained Simply

An infrared grill is a modern type of grill that cooks food with radiant heat instead of open flames. It uses an infrared burner that turns gas into intense heat waves. This heat cooks food quickly and locks in juices. Many people choose it because it gives fast results, even cooking, and a restaurant-style sear without much effort.

History of Infrared Grill

Infrared grills were invented in the 1960s by Bill Best, an American engineer. He wanted a way to cook food faster and more evenly than traditional grills. His invention used infrared burners to create intense heat, perfect for searing meat quickly.

Restaurants quickly noticed the benefits. Chefs loved the high heat and even cooking. Infrared grills became popular in professional kitchens because they cooked food faster and kept it juicy.

Over time, smaller models were made for home use. Backyards and patios started seeing these grills because they delivered restaurant-style results at home. Today, infrared grills are a favorite for people who want speed, flavor, and consistent cooking.

How Does an Infrared Grill Work?

Infrared grills cook food differently than regular gas or charcoal grills. They use radiant heat instead of open flames, which makes cooking faster and more even.

Here’s how it works step by step:

Fuel Ignites the Burner: Gas or electricity powers the burner. It starts producing intense heat.
Infrared Plate / Emitter Heats Up: The burner heats the infrared plate. The plate radiates heat evenly across the grill.
Heat Reaches the Food: The radiant heat cooks food directly. It locks in juices and gives a nice sear.
Quick Cooking: Because the heat is intense, food cooks faster than on a regular gas or charcoal grill.
Even Results: The heat spreads evenly, so steaks, burgers, and veggies cook consistently without flare-ups.

Infrared Grill Parts

Infrared grills have a few key parts that make them work efficiently. Below are main parts of infrared grill.

Burner – Produces infrared heat. It turns gas into radiant energy for fast cooking.
Infrared Plate / Emitter – Spreads the heat evenly across the cooking surface. This helps sear food perfectly.
Cooking Grates – The surface where you place your food. Usually made of stainless steel or cast iron.
Gas Source or Electric Power – Feeds the burner with fuel. Some grills use propane, natural gas, or electricity.
Control Knobs / Thermostat – Let you adjust the heat easily for different foods.

Uses of Infrared Grills

Infrared grills are perfect when you want fast, even cooking with great flavor. They work well for many types of food and settings.

Cook steaks, burgers, and seafood quickly without losing juices.
Sear meat fast to get a crispy, flavorful crust.
Grill in small spaces or compact outdoor kitchens easily.
Use high heat when you want food cooked in minutes.
Perfect for busy grillers who want quick and consistent results.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Infrared Grills

Infrared grills are modern and powerful, but they are not perfect for everyone. They cook food fast and lock in juices. At the same time, they can be expensive and need careful handling. Let’s look at the main pros and cons of infrared grill to help you decide if an infrared grill is right for you.

Advantages
Infrared grills have many benefits that make cooking fast, easy, and delicious. Heats up quickly, so you can start cooking in minutes. Gives a restaurant-style sear for juicy and flavorful meat. Cooks food evenly with fewer flare-ups or burnt spots. Uses energy efficiently, saving gas or electricity. Keeps juices inside meat, making steaks and burgers tender.

Advantages

Infrared grills have many benefits that make cooking fast, easy, and delicious.

Heats up quickly, so you can start cooking in minutes.
Gives a restaurant-style sear for juicy and flavorful meat.
Cooks food evenly with fewer flare-ups or burnt spots.
Uses energy efficiently, saving gas or electricity.
Keeps juices inside meat, making steaks and burgers tender.

Disadvantages
Infrared grills have some downsides that you should know before buying. Can cost more than regular gas or charcoal grills. May overcook food if you don’t watch the heat carefully. Not ideal for slow or low-temperature cooking. Repairs and replacement parts can be expensive. Requires attention while grilling to avoid burning delicate foods.

Disadvantages

Infrared grills have some downsides that you should know before buying.

Can cost more than regular gas or charcoal grills.
May overcook food if you don’t watch the heat carefully.
Not ideal for slow or low-temperature cooking.
Repairs and replacement parts can be expensive.
Requires attention while grilling to avoid burning delicate foods.

Tips for Using an Infrared Grill

Using an infrared grill is easy if you follow a few simple tips. These help you cook safely and get the best results.

Preheat the grill before putting food on it for even cooking.
Use long-handled tools to handle food safely on high heat.
Clean the grill after each use to keep it working well.
Never leave the grill unattended while it’s on.
Keep a spray bottle of water nearby for small flare-ups.

Conclusion

So, now that we’ve explored what is infrared grill, you can see how it cooks food fast and evenly. It gives a perfect sear and locks in juices. While it costs more and needs careful handling, it’s great for serious grillers. Pick the right model for your needs and start enjoying quick, delicious meals today!

FAQs about Infrared Grills

Many beginners have questions about how infrared grills work, what benefits they offer, and if they’re really worth it. Here are the most common questions explained in simple words.

What is an infrared grill?

An infrared grill uses a special plate or emitter to create intense heat. This heat cooks food quickly and evenly. It doesn’t use open flames like regular grills. The result is juicy, flavorful food with less chance of burning.

How does an infrared grill work?

It converts gas or electricity into infrared energy. The energy heats a plate or emitter. This plate radiates heat directly to the food. The heat is fast and even, which seals in juices and flavor.

Are infrared grills better than regular gas grills?

They cook faster and give a perfect sear. Food cooks evenly with fewer flare-ups. However, they can cost more and need careful handling. For quick, juicy meals, they have a clear advantage.

Can I cook all types of food on an infrared grill?

Yes, you can cook meat, seafood, vegetables, and even burgers. They are great for high-heat searing. Delicate foods need attention to avoid overcooking. Overall, the grill works for most backyard meals.

How long does it take to preheat an infrared grill?

Infrared grills heat up very fast, usually in 5–10 minutes. Gas grills take longer. Quick preheating saves time and helps cook food evenly. You can start grilling sooner without waiting.

Are infrared grills safe to use?

Yes, they are safe if you follow basic rules. Always use long-handled tools for high heat. Never leave the grill unattended. Keep children and pets away while cooking.

Do infrared grills use a lot of fuel?

No, they are energy-efficient. Food cooks quickly, so less gas or electricity is used. This saves money and energy. Faster cooking also means less heat waste.

How do I clean an infrared grill?

Let the grill cool completely first. Scrape the grates to remove food residues. Wipe the infrared plate gently. Regular cleaning keeps the grill working well and prevents flare-ups.

Are infrared grills worth it?

Yes, they are worth it for fast, juicy cooking. They give restaurant-style sears and even heat. Though they cost more than regular grills, the speed, flavor, and efficiency make them a great investment.

Is an infrared grill healthy?

Yes, infrared grilling is healthy. It cooks food quickly, locking in natural juices. Less fat drips onto the heat source, reducing smoke and harmful compounds. You get tasty meals with less oil.

Do infrared grills need electricity?

Some models run on propane or natural gas, which don’t need electricity. Others are electric and require an outlet. Choose the type that fits your backyard setup. Both types cook food quickly and evenly.