Gas Grille - traditional direct heat, or infra-red..?

[generator12]

Gotta replace the old Char-Broil this spring and am wondering about these infra-red units. I've never used one and wonder how they compare for typical grilling tasks. (i.e., burgers, steaks, chicken, etc.)

Do they cook as fast? Do they brown the meat similarly? Can you get that little "charred" edge if you want it? If you've used both types, what advantages do you perceive for each?

Thanks guys.

 

[dingbat]

https://www.thespruceeats.com/infrared-good-or-gimmick-3971847

 

[JASinIL2006]

Infrared grills will essentially do anything a normal gas grill would do, but they handle the high heat stuff (grilling steaks, burgers, etc.) much better. Whether the extra cost is worth better-seared meats is pretty subjective, I suppose.

I find I have more flexibility by having two grills: a propane grill for normal outdoor cooking (veggies, chicken, slower-cooking cuts of meat) and a Weber charcoal kettle grill that I pile high with charcoal for when I want a ripping hot fire for searing. (The Weber can also be used for smoking, but it's nowhere near as convenient or easy to use as a dedicate smoker.)

Using two grills instead of one infrared grill takes up more space, and charcoal is often less convenient than gas, but buying these two grills was substantially cheaper than getting a good infrared unit.

 

[Sprig]

I personally don’t like infrared. I’ve been grilling over gas and charcoal for 50 plus years. I’m a great grill chef, at least that’s what people who eat my grilled food tell me. I’m very good with gas and charcoal and know my limitations. I have a top of the line , $2500 Weber gas grill and a Weber charcoal grill with smoker. I also have a stand alone smoker.
I’ve had the opportunity and used the infrared a few times but am not impressed. It is suppose to sear the meat but I can do that without the the infrared. Even if infrared is hotter you still can only cook things so fast, otherwise you burn them. I’ve noticed too that it tends to get all gunked up. Infrared also costs a lot more. I don’t know how long they last but I can’t imagine they last any longer than my gas or charcoal models. If they are so great I think you’d see. A lot of pros using them and I don’t believe you do.
i say unless you can see a real advantage that you’ll realize with infrared stick to old school grills.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I went back to wood/charcoal 25 years ago and have not looked back. I have a 22" webber and a wood smoker and make everything from pizza to poultry to steak to seafood to chili on the grills

 

[robert graham]

I bought an infrared grill a couple of years ago and was never happy with it....ended up dumping it and buying a normal gas grill......

 

[generator12]

Consistent with what you all have said, I've not been convinced by on-line reviews that infra-red is better for cooking. And many of them lamented the difficulty of cleaning the element (or plate, or whatever it's called) that transfers the heat.

Okay, I'm convinced. I'll stick with propane. Thanks guys..!