Whether you’re an experienced pit master or a beginner backyard chef looking to improve their grilling, a great infrared grill can enhance the entirety of the cooking process which results in great food.
People often think of infrared grills as the grills of the future, this is because of their ability to have faster cooking times, limited fuel usage and enhanced heat distribution that result in better tasting food. By not wasting any heat, food comes out tender and tastier thanks to all the flavor getting locked in.
So, if you find yourself trying to find a way to improve your overall grilling technique, then we think that this list of the best infrared grill under 300 you can buy this 2020 would be of great help.
Other: 4 Best Infrared Grills Under 500 Reviews
Best Infrared Grills Under 300
1. GASPRO 1500℉ Quick Cooking Propane Infrared Steak Grill with Foldable Dustproof Panel – Best For High Heat
If you’re a fan of cooking with incredibly high heat, then we think you’ll like the GASPRO Quick Cooking Propane Infrared Steak Grill. This infrared grill boasts an incredible temperature of up to 1500°F – you could cook steak-house quality steaks at around 2 minutes per side with that kind of temperature. The grill is made from premium stainless steel thus making it more durable and is CSA certified which makes it safe for outdoor backyard grilling, camping and travelling.
The grill offers you 6-notches which act as different heat zones, which means you can place your rack as close or as far as you want from the infrared heat source depending on the type of food, whether that be meat, seafood, or vegetables. The grill also gives you multiple connection options that can help you fit it accordingly to a propane tank.
A convenient feature of this grill is that you can use the front panel as a temporary food holding place when opened. It also helps keep the grill clean when you’re not using it.
The only downside of using this infrared grill is that it is one of the smaller models in this list, making it unable to handle cooking more food at once. If you like cooking for yourself and no more than one other person, then we feel that this grill is a good fit for you because of the high quality results and beautiful steaks that it cooks.
| PROS | CONS |
| + Small and compact which allows for easier handling and storage + Can reach temperatures as high as 1500°F + Has different heat zones you can make use of depending on the type of food you’re cooking |
– You can’t cook a lot of food at one time due to minimal grilling capacity and small space. |
2. Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro 180 Portable Gas Grill – Trademarked Infrared Technology
This infrared grill has a cooking area of about 245 square inches as well as a stainless-steel grate and an included warming rack. This grill makes use of TRU infrared™ technology and the way it works is that a gas burner heats a special emitter found in the grill, that emitter absorbs energy and heat then re-radiates this intense energy and heat directly on to the food.
Because TRU infrared™ does not break the naturally occurring moisture barrier of foods, the flavor juices remain intact and keep foods tastier and more flavorful.
Not only that but this grill is also advertised to cook fast, use less gas and deliver consistent even heat across the entire grilling surface. You also have the option to slow roast or high sear while preventing grill flare-ups.
However, you may experience troubles keeping the temperature at your desired level with this infrared grill. Not only that but users also find trouble with the igniters as they seem to break after continual or minimal use. If you think you can handle these imperfections, then you’ll have no problem using this infrared grill.
| PROS | CONS |
| + Makes use of TRU infrared™ to cook the food evenly without breaking the moisture barrier + Cooks fast and uses less gas to operate + 245 square inches makes for a large grilling capacity for an infrared grill |
– Sometimes fails to maintain proper temperature, often becoming too hot to handle/cook – Igniters may be prone to breaking after continued use |
3. Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill – Special V-shaped Grate
The Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propone Gas Grill has 140 square inches of grilling area that fits about 6 hamburgers. The grill also has a special v-grate that eliminates the possibility of flare-ups and is said to improve the overall flavor of the food.
The way this works is that the innovative shape of the grate allows the various drippings of the food to fall into the burner which incinerates it, then returns to the food as flavor-enhancing smoke.
Solaire’s infrared burner heats up in just about 3 minutes and can reach high temperatures that ensure your food keeps all its natural flavor juices.
The size and portability of this grill is great if you want to take it around with you in picnics, camping trips, backyard barbeque parties, and more. It’s made from all-type 304 stainless steel which means it was built to last a long time.
However, you may have troubles with the grill’s design in terms of getting it clean. When cooking, grease and other fluids may end up all over the grill which is a big hassle to clean up. Also, heat levels are hard to control with temperatures rising to scorching levels despite putting the setting to low.
Regardless, if you feel that the portability and strengths of this infrared grill outweigh the slight inconveniences posed by this product, then it should be a fine choice for you.
| PROS | CONS |
| + Makes use of the innovative v-shaped grate that enhances flavor of food and prevents flare-ups + Size allows for portability which means you can bring it almost anywhere |
– The infrared grill’s design makes it difficult to clean – Heat levels are sometimes hard to control with temperatures becoming too hot than intended |
Infrared Grill under 300: Buyer’s Guide
Infrared grills are a great option for any aspiring grill master or if you simply want better tasting and juicer food. These types of grills are also useful because they are great at preventing or reducing flare-ups, keeping heat levels uniform throughout the grill, and cooking food fast.
Because there are so many kinds of infrared grills to choose from, there are some features you should take into consideration such as:
Usability
With there being many types of infrared grills, there are also different levels of complexities between each unit. Some grills simply need to be plugged in to work, while other grills require a lot more from the user in order to function properly.
If you’re an expert in grilling, then this shouldn’t be a problem for you since you know what you’re doing, however, if you’re not confident with your skills as a grill master yet, then you should at least be realistic and determine the right infrared grill that will cater to your needs while being well-within your skill level.
Cleaning System
One thing we are all aware about is that meat tends to drip grease while it’s cooking under high heat. All this grease buildup needs to go somewhere and if your infrared grill isn’t prepared, things can get real messy real quickly. Some infrared grills come with drip trays that catch all drippings of fat and grease, which makes the cleanup process so much easier and quicker.
Size
Depending on the usage of your infrared grill and where you plan to take it, the size of your preferred unit may vary. Will you be using your grill at home or do you prefer it to be portable enough for you to take it out during family trips? The intended use of the product will help determine the size of the infrared grill you will choose. When choosing for portability, it is important to choose models that are small, lightweight, and easy to carry around. However, if you think larger grills are better because you like to cook a lot of food, then larger grills are probably your best choice.
Source of Energy
It depends on your specifics whether you need your infrared grill to run on a specific fuel, however most grills either run on electricity, gas, or charcoal. If your grill will stay at home, then electricity might be a great choice, however the same can’t be said if you plan on taking the grill with you during outings or places with no access to sockets.
Conclusion
We’ve looked at a couple of high-quality infrared grills, but we believe that the Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro 180 Portable Gas Grill can provide you with the best value. It offers its trademarked TRU infrared™ technology that cooks food without making it lose its juices, thus resulting in tastier outcomes.
Not only that, but the grill also has a modest grilling surface area of about 245 square inches. In terms of price, this infrared grill is the cheapest on the list while providing you with so much value. However, the choice of what grill you should purchase should always be up to you because only you would know exactly what you need in an infrared grill.