Infrared propane grills-feedback

Who has experience with one of the smaller infrared charbroilers? What can anyone tell me about them? I am not totally ignorant, I just want gut-feeling honest from the cuff feedback. Having said that, I am biased. Thanks all-Ed

quote:

Originally posted by EddyBees Dogs
Who has experience with one of the smaller infrared charbroilers? What can anyone tell me about them? I am not totally ignorant, I just want gut-feeling honest from the cuff feedback. Having said that, I am biased. Thanks all-Ed

What does this mean: "What can anyone tell me about infrared char-broilers? I just want gut-feeling honest from the cuff feedback. Having said that, I am biased"?

So do you want honest feedback, or not LMAO?
Jack
PS I've never used one Ed, so tell us about them, or are you a propane salesmen? LOL

I am an old charcoal guy but I use propane if I have to over lava rock and flame. Infrared burners get real real hot but I don't know how much they add to the flavor but I guess they should make great grill marks. I am not a salesman of infrared and since we have emailed back and forth during my first meat smoking experience(and I thank you again), you should know that. I wanna add a grill or replace my flat top on my cart. I am hoping the grease drippings from the meat will make some smoke. Thanks for your input, Doc.

quote:

Originally posted by EddyBees Dogs
I am an old charcoal guy but I use propane if I have to over lava rock and flame. Infrared burners get real real hot but I don't know how much they add to the flavor but I guess they should make great grill marks.

Well I have to say that the dogs I do on my Panini grill are the best
I have ever tasted. My grill is ribbed and it just puts a nice char on
my dogs that adds a outdoor or wood fire sort of taste that is great.
So if it makes your job easier go for it.
Jack

I guess no one has too much experience on the infra red grill...time to let your fingers do the googling.

I bought a Solaire and was able to use it once.

If there's just a tiny bit of wind it won't stay lit.

I wrote the company and there answer was... they know about the problem.

It wasn't cheap and I threw away my money.

I don't know about the other brands but stay away from Solaire.

Unless you'd like mine.

I know when to use their.

Where is the edit button?

<I'm so ashamed>

Well that just saved me 400 bucks. Thanks, mar52!

Ed -

If you're asking about a unit like a 'TEC' grill, one came built-in with the home I bought. As far as operation and performance, first and foremost they get HOT (something like 900+ deg. as I understand it) The upside is you can get a great 'char' on a steak, usually I leave it on 'high' and let the beef go for maybe a minute, 90 secs. per side max, then turn it down and let cook. For most everything else I cook no more than 'medium' because anything more just is too much heat. My biggest disappointment is doing cedar plank salmon, again because it just makes the process go too quickly.

While it sounds like I'm not happy, I believe it's more of a case of getting used to working with it, just like cooking with, say a Viking cooktop or other professional unit. Making the adjustment in cook times vs. 'conventional' hardware.

As far as upkeep, it's easy enough to keep running. You do have to be careful with sauces and other wets because they can clog up the ceramic surface and the jet-work. It's not too bad since most of the stuff simply disingrates when it hits the burners.

The one great thing about it is you're not going to be spending alot of time waiting for the food to be cooked, unless you're doing a "Flintstone' sized steak, damn near anything you put on it will be done in under ten minutes.

Good luck, good grilling

BTW - As far as smoking, I use a little stainless steel box with wet wood chips and it works great with the TEC

There was another thread on this topic last year. I posted, at that time, my neighbor has one of these infrared char-broilers and his steaks and chops come out great. However, there is a learning curve involved because these things really put out the heat.
You can buy them cheaply at Barbeque's Galore for less than $300.00. The ones they sell are by Solaire but private branded for BBQ's galore. I have also seen them online for about $271.00.

And, the (older) thread is.......http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23889&SearchTerms=solaire,infrared

Thanks all! I am now looking at a Parker portable grill. The web site says it is wind resistent, easy to clean, sleak, and can be mounted if you want. It is a tube burner, so no infrared, but it has 20,000 BTUs on a fairly small unit. It isn't cheap, over 400 bucks. It was rated as one of the 10 best potables according to Consumer Reports.