A good steak crust is a heat problem, not a sauce problem. You need a grill that can put serious radiant energy onto one side of a piece of meat fast enough to trigger the Maillard reaction before the interior overcooks, and you need to be able to repeat that on ten steaks without burning through a tank of propane. That is exactly what an infrared searing grill is built to do, and it is why the best infrared searing grills for steak keep showing up in more backyards every summer.
We spent weeks comparing ten infrared and infrared-equipped cookers, from countertop broilers that hit searing temperature in five minutes to full-size cabinet grills with a dedicated side burner. Our focus was narrow and practical: how fast does it climb, how wide is the surface, how forgiving is it when you put a thick steak down, and what breaks after a year of use. We also leaned on long-term owner reports, because the forum consensus on infrared grills is far more honest about failure points than the product pages are.
Before the picks, one thing worth understanding: infrared grilling covers two very different architectures. Salamander-style units cook from above with a radiant element directly over the food, which is the fastest route to a hard crust but gives you no crosshatch grill marks. Full-size grills add an infrared sear or sizzle burner on the side while conventional tube burners do the rest of the work, which is more versatile but less concentrated. If you already own a smoker and just want a hard sear step, our best pellet grill picks cover that side of the equation.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Infrared Searing Grills for Steak in 2026
Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared
- TRU-Infrared radiant grate
- 180 sq in surface
- 3-in-1 smoker roaster grill
- 22.7 pounds
Big Horn 1500F Infrared Grill
- 1500F in 5 minutes
- Dual 19000 BTU burners
- 7-tier adjustable rack
- 21.2 inch tabletop
Monument Grills 4+2 Burner
- 723 sq in cooking surface
- 72000 BTU output
- Infrared side sear burner
- 101 pounds
Best Infrared Searing Grills for Steak (October 2026)
The table below lists all ten grills in this roundup with the numbers that actually decide how a steak comes out. Scan it for cooking area and burner layout first, then read the individual sections for the ownership details.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1 |
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Check Latest Price |
| Big Horn Outdoors 1500F Infrared Grill |
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| Monument Grills 4+2 Burner Gas Grill |
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 Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB |
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 Charbroil Pro Series Amplifire |
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 Kenmore 4-Burner Searing Side Burner Grill |
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Check Latest Price |
 Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared Grill |
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 Victory 3-Burner Infrared Side Burner Grill |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Napoleon Rogue PRO 625 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Schwank 1500F Portable Infrared Grill |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared: Best Overall Infrared Searing Grill
Charbroil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1 Smoker, Roaster & Gas Grill, Black – 14101550
180 sq in infrared grate
3-in-1 smoker roaster grill
TRU-Infrared radiant heat
22.7 pounds
Pros
- TRU-Infrared grate cooks without flare-ups
- 4.7 stars across 3018 reviews
- 3-in-1 fry roast and smoke design
- Removable grease tray for easy cleanup
Cons
- 180 sq in surface suits a few diners
- Rotary ignition is fussier than electronic
- Leans toward smoking rather than open grilling
The Big Easy is the pick we kept coming back to, and the reason is the review base rather than any single spec. With 4.7 stars across more than 3,000 ratings it carries by far the largest body of owner feedback in this roundup, and that feedback keeps repeating the same two things: the TRU-Infrared grate produces a hard crust without the flare-up chaos of a conventional burner, and the meat stays juicy through a full cook. Owners regularly mention three-to-six-minute steak cook times that rival a restaurant pass.
We also like how little learning curve it asks. The grate sits directly over the radiant element rather than above a tube burner, so heat arrives from one direction at high intensity, which means a one-inch steak lands hard and finishes without you chasing hot spots. A removable grease tray keeps cleanup manageable, and the whole unit weighs 22.7 pounds, so it moves from the patio to a tailgate without a second person.
The trade-off is capacity and focus. 180 square inches of grate is genuinely small, and the roasting basket is sized for a turkey up to 21 pounds, which tells you the design brief was smoker and roaster first, grill second. If you routinely feed eight people steaks at once, this is not the tool. Rotary ignition also takes more attention than a push-button or electronic system, and it is the one piece of hardware owners complain about most often.
Owners on Reddit’s r/grilling describe long-term durability as good after a year or more, with the occasional burner or regulator complaint, which matches what we found in the review data. The unit carries a 1-year limited warranty, which is the shorter end of what we saw in this roundup, so factor replacement parts into your long-term thinking.
Who the Big Easy suits
This grill fits a household of two to four who cook steak several times a week and also want smoke and roast capability from one box. The concentric infrared grate means an hourglass-shaped pot or a cast iron pan still sees steady heat, which makes weeknight cooking more flexible than a pure searing broiler.
It also works well as a reverse sear finisher. Owners commonly smoke to a low internal temperature, then move to the TRU-Infrared grate for a short high-heat pass per side, which is the technique forum cooks praise most for edge-to-edge pink.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you are hosting large cookouts. The grate will not hold a dozen steaks at once, and staging them in batches on a small grate slows down the whole cook. Anyone who wants crosshatch grill marks from below will also be disappointed, because all the energy comes from above.
2. Big Horn Outdoors 1500F Infrared Grill: Best Value
BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Infrared Propane Gas Grill – Portable Steak Broiler & Sear Station, Outdoor Salamander BBQ, Stainless Steel, 21.2 inch
1500F in about 5 minutes
Dual 19000 BTU infrared burners
7-tier adjustable rack
21.2 inch tabletop
Pros
- Reaches 1500F in roughly five minutes
- Top-down heat mimics a salamander broiler
- Independent knobs allow two doneness zones
- Stainless parts detach for the dishwasher
- Pizza stone included
Cons
- Tabletop size limits the number of steaks
- Top-down radiant design needs close monitoring
- Burners and pizza stone need regular cleaning
This is the most talked-about infrared sear station in the category, and the 4.5 rating across more than 1,150 reviews reflects why. Two 19,000 BTU infrared burners sit overhead and reach a claimed 1500F in about five minutes, which is the fastest climb of any unit here. That speed is the whole point: you can go from cold grate to hard sear faster than a kettle boils.
The 7-tier adjustable rack is what turns it from a novelty into a real cooking appliance. Move the grate up and you get an aggressive top-down sear, drop it a few notches and the same burners roast a whole chicken or cook vegetables. Independent control knobs on each burner mean you can run one side at full blast and the other at low heat, which handles a mixed batch of rare and medium steaks in the same cook.
The design is honest about what it is. This is a tabletop broiler modeled on a restaurant salamander, not a general-purpose grill, so you will cook two to four steaks at a time and you will be standing over it. Because the heat comes from above, drippings fall straight onto the burners, which is both the source of the flavor and the reason the elements need regular cleaning. Build quality is rust-resistant stainless steel and nearly everything detaches for the dishwasher.
Forum owners generally report good durability past a year, with the recurring complaints aimed at the propane regulator and wind exposure rather than the burners. That matches a pattern described across r/grilling threads: tabletop infrared units are fine in a sheltered yard, less fine on an exposed patio. Keep that in mind if your cooking spot gets gusty.
Who the Big Horn suits
It suits the cook who wants restaurant sear results this weekend, not next summer, and who cooks for two to four people. Reverse sear and sous vide finishing are its strongest use cases, since owners report pulling an inch-thick steak medium rare off a short 30-second-per-side pass.
It also works as a second station alongside a big grill. Run the steaks here and the burgers and vegetables on the main cabinet, which removes the bottleneck of a single crowded surface.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need to feed a crowd or grill a full side of ribs. There is no hood, no smoke management, and limited capacity, so it is a finisher, not a main event. People who prefer classic grill marks from below will not get them here.
3. Monument Grills 4+2 Burner With Infrared Side Sear: Best for Large Gatherings
Monument Grills Larger 4+2 Burner Propane Gas Grills Stainless Steel Cabinet Style with Clearview® Lid, Knob Controls, Built-In Thermometer, Infrared Side Sear Burners & Side Burners, Outdoor Use
723 sq in cooking surface
72000 BTU across four burners
Inside infrared side sear burner
101 pounds
Pros
- Dedicated infrared side burner for fast sears
- ClearView lid window keeps heat loss down
- Four main plus two side burners for zone control
- Flame diverters spread heat and cut flare-ups
Cons
- Assembly is slow with sharp-edged steel
- Grease tray is the first part likely to rust
- Small drip pan under the grease tray
Monument Grills solves the problem that stops most people buying a dedicated searing station: you get a full grill and a sear zone in one cabinet. Four 304 stainless main burners put out 72,000 BTU across 700 square inches of primary surface plus a warming rack, and a dedicated infrared side burner handles the steak pass. You can cook a dozen cuts low and slow on the main grate while searing the ribeyes on the side.
The ClearView lid window is a small feature that matters more than it sounds. It lets you watch a cook without cracking the lid and dropping chamber temperature, which on a grill this size is the difference between an even cook and a hot spot. Wide flame diverters move drippings away from the flame path, which reduces flare-ups without cleaning out the flavor you actually want.
The honest caveat is build and assembly. Owners consistently describe assembly as time-consuming with sharp-edged steel and a fiddly side burner hookup, and the grease tray is the component most likely to rust first. A small number of reviews also report ClearView lid glass shattering and a temperature gauge failing, and the manufacturer’s response in those cases was not well received. Long-term owners do report the stainless holding up through multiple winters without part replacement, and the warranty covers 2 years plus 8 years on stainless burners.
At 101 pounds and 54 inches wide, this is a stationary grill. Plan the patio space before you commit, and make sure the drip pan situation works for your outdoor setup.
Who the Monument suits
It suits families and small groups who want one appliance for searing and for volume cooking. Four main burners plus two side burners give genuine zone control, so you can run a low indirect zone opposite a high direct zone and stop rotating food.
Nighttime cooks benefit from the built-in knob lights, and the ClearView window keeps the last five minutes of a cook from turning into a guessing game.
Who should skip it
Skip it if assembly is a dealbreaker for you. Budget a full afternoon and a second set of hands, and read the instructions before you start. Anyone wanting a single-burner searing appliance for small steaks will find the main grate excessive.
4. Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB: Premium Pick
Napoleon P500RSIBPSS-3 Prestige 500 RSIB Propane Gas Grill, sq. in + Infrared Side and Rear Burner, Stainless Steel
1800F infrared sizzle zone
500 sq in main cooking area
18,000 BTU rear infrared burner
196.7 pounds
Pros
- Side burner reaches 1800F in about 30 seconds
- Rear infrared burner and rotisserie kit included
- Layered stainless sear plates aid browning
- Presidents Limited Lifetime Warranty
- JETFIRE ignition lights on the first try
Cons
- 196.7 pounds and 66.25 inches wide
- Sits well above mid-range grills
- Searing and rotisserie take practice
The Prestige 500 is the most capable searing machine in this roundup, and the number that sells it is the infrared SIZZLE Zone side burner reaching 1800F in about 30 seconds. That is not a warm-up, it is an ignition of heat. Owners point to this burner as the single feature that produces restaurant-style steaks, and it is fast enough to flash a crust between grill stages.
Underneath the surface, four stainless main burners put out 48,000 BTU-per-hour of input across layered sear plates, with 500 square inches of main cooking space plus a warming rack and side burner area. The rear 18,000 BTU infrared burner comes with a heavy-duty rotisserie kit, which makes this a genuine two-cook grill rather than a sear accessory with a big main grate.
What you give up is space, weight, and money. At 196.7 pounds and 66.25 inches wide, this grill needs a dedicated section of patio and at least two people to move it. It also runs on propane or natural gas, which is a plus if you want a permanent install. Owners report that both the searing and rotisserie functions take a few cooks to dial in, so expect a learning period on a machine this capable.
The warranty is the strongest in the group. Napoleon’s Presidents Limited Lifetime warranty covers the burners and major components, which partly offsets the cost difference against mid-range grills when you project five-plus years of ownership.
Who the Prestige 500 suits
It suits the serious weekend cook who wants one grill to sear, smoke, and rotisserie. The layered sear plates promote browning and fast cooking on the main grate too, so steaks do not have to live entirely on the side burner.
Anyone with a natural gas line will appreciate the dual-fuel capability, and the included rotisserie kit makes it a good pick for large cuts on a holiday.
Who should skip it
Skip it if patio footprint or budget rules it out. This is not a moveable appliance and it is the most expensive grill here. New cooks on a tight budget get more sear per dollar from a tabletop unit.
5. Charbroil Pro Series Amplifire: Best 3-in-1 Cooking System
Charbroil Pro Series with Amplifire Infrared Technology 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill Cabinet with Side Burner, Black – 463281024
535 sq in primary cooking space
Amplifire infrared system
Griddle and charcoal inserts
178.2 pounds
Pros
- Amplifire infrared cuts flare-ups
- Switchable grill griddle and charcoal inserts
- Steaks cook in under ten minutes
- Surface fits about a dozen steaks
- 10-year burner and 3-year firebox warranty
Cons
- Assembly is long and the manual is pictographs
- Oversized griddle is awkward to season
- Charcoal trays will not fit beside the griddle
Charbroil took the infrared idea and added a hardware switch behind it. The Pro Series ships with a griddle insert and charcoal trays alongside the grill grate, and the cabinet accepts whichever one you install, switching cooking modes in 60 seconds or less. On top of that, the Amplifire infrared system spreads heat evenly and eliminates flare-ups, so the same box handles steaks, breakfast, and charcoal flavor.
The primary cooking space is 535 square inches with a 200 square inch warming rack, which owners say fits about a dozen steaks at once. Porcelain-coated cast iron grates hold heat well, and the warranty is the second strongest here at 10 years on the burners and 3 years on the firebox.
Owners report fast, hot cooking, with steaks finishing in under ten minutes, and praise how the charcoal trays lift out for cleanup. The complaints cluster around assembly and the accessories. Instructions are largely pictograms, the included griddle is oversized and awkward to clean and season, and the charcoal inserts are too wide to sit alongside the griddle in the same cook. A small number of reviewers also question whether the infrared inserts behave as true infrared emitters under load, and one detailed low-rating review describes grates rusting within two months despite seasoning.
The 4.5 rating from 136 reviews is solid, but the sample is small enough that long-term durability is less proven than it is for the picks above it.
Who the Pro Series suits
It suits households that want one appliance to replace a separate griddle and charcoal grill. If you cook shrimp or burgers in the morning and steaks at night, the mode switching is genuinely fast.
It also suits buyers who value warranty length. Ten years of burner coverage is among the best coverage available at this size.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you only sear steak. You are paying for griddle and charcoal capability you may never touch, and the griddle maintenance is real work. Assembly is also a significant afternoon.
6. Kenmore 4-Burner With Searing Side Burner: Best Starter Grill With High BTU
Kenmore 4-Burner BBQ Gas Grill with Searing Side Burner, Propane Grill, 52,000 BTUs, Warming Rack, Electronic Ignition & Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Black/Stainless Steel
12,000 BTU searing side burner
52,000 BTU across 593 sq in
Four 10000 BTU main burners
88.2 pounds
Pros
- 12000 BTU side burner handles hard sears
- Four burners give wide zone control
- Electronic ignition is simple and reliable
- 88.2 pound frame moves more easily than most
Cons
- Side burner is gas rather than a true infrared element
- Only a 1-year limited warranty
- 4.1 average carries more one-star reviews
The Kenmore is the conventional gas answer to the same question, and it is worth knowing exactly what you give up. Four stainless tube main burners supply 10,000 BTU each, the searing side burner adds 12,000 BTU, and the total of 52,000 BTU sits under 593 square inches of cooking surface. That is real sear capability, and owners report it handles a steak pass without trouble.
At 88.2 pounds it is one of the lighter full-size cabinets here, electronic ignition is straightforward, and hinged cabinet doors make a tank swap easy. The 425 square inch primary surface plus 168 square inch secondary surface gives useful zone flexibility for a first grill.
Be clear-eyed about the distinction. This side burner is a conventional gas burner, not a dedicated infrared element, so the heat arrives less concentrated than a true infrared sear zone. You will still get a good crust, but you will not get the 30-second hard sear or the flare-up-free cooking that the infrared burners deliver. The 4.1 average across 162 reviews is the second lowest here, and it carries a double-digit share of one-star ratings tied to durability and parts concerns at this tier.
The warranty is 1 year limited, the shortest tier among the full-size grills in this roundup. If parts availability matters to you, check before you buy.
Who the Kenmore suits
It suits first-time grill owners who want high total BTU and a working side burner without stepping into infrared pricing. The light frame and simple electronic ignition make it approachable for newer cooks.
It also works for anyone who wants a steak sear zone but plans to spend most of their time on conventional grilling, burgers, and vegetables.
Who should skip it
Skip it if the sear is the entire reason you are shopping. You are paying for high output but not for infrared heat concentration, and the shorter warranty offers little protection. Buyers who care most about crust quality should look at a true infrared burner instead.
7. Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared Grill: Best for Camping and Tailgating
Solaire SOL-EV17A Everywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
140 sq in grilling area
Real infrared ceramic burner
15 pounds folded
V-shaped grate
Pros
- True infrared ceramic and stainless burner
- Weighs 15 pounds for camping and tailgating
- V-shaped grate nearly stops flare-ups
- Push-button electronic ignition
Cons
- 140 sq in forces steaks to cook in batches
- Single burner means no multi-zone cooking
- Only a 1-year warranty
At 15 pounds, this is the only grill here that genuinely fits in a car with the seats up, and it carries a real infrared ceramic and stainless element rather than a marketing label. The V-shaped grate is designed to channel drippings away from the flame path, and owners confirm it nearly eliminates flare-ups even on fattier cuts. Push-button electronic ignition means no lighter and no piezo fiddling in wind.
Folded, it measures 20 inches wide by 13.5 deep by 8.25 high, and the accessory range includes a tripod, a portable stand, a natural gas conversion kit, and a low-pressure propane kit. For boat decks, campsites, and balconies where a full cabinet grill is impossible, that versatility is the selling point.
The limitation is area. 140 square inches fits about six four-inch burgers, which means steaks get cooked in batches, and a single burner means no side zone for vegetables or a second doneness. The 4.1 average across 153 reviews includes a double-digit one-star share, and the warranty is 1 year. Owners love the heat and the portability and complain almost entirely about the size of the grate.
One practical note carried over from forum threads on portable propane cookers: the grill draws from a standard cylinder, and you should never run it in an enclosed space. Set it up outdoors on a stable surface with the cylinder upright and clear of the cooking area.
Who the Solaire suits
It suits campers, boaters, balcony cooks, and tailgaters who want real infrared heat away from a home patio. Two to four people can eat a proper seared steak dinner in a parking lot.
It also suits anyone who wants a small dedicated steak burner to complement a larger grill without giving up patio real estate.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you entertain more than three or four people. Batch cooking turns a six-minute sear into a long queue, and the single burner offers no way to rescue a steak that is resting. It is also not a griddle or a low-and-slow cooker.
8. Victory 3-Burner With Infrared Side Burner: Best Stainless Durability
Victory 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill With Infrared Side Burner – BBQ-VCT3BSB-LP
Infrared side burner for searing
626 sq in cooking surface
All stainless steel build
119 pounds
Pros
- Infrared side burner sears steaks quickly
- All stainless build avoided rust over two years
- Burners light reliably every time
- Holds just under 300F on low
Cons
- Some owners report missing the advertised temperature
- Thermometer reads low at the front
- Replacement parts are hard to source
Victory takes a simpler route than most of the infrared grills here. Three stainless tube burners produce heat above 700F across 626 square inches of cooking surface, and an infrared side burner handles the steak work. Triple Ridge flame tamers direct drippings away from the flame and spread heat across the grate, and a double-walled hood, side walls, and firebox help the chamber hold steady temperatures.
Two things stand out from long-term owner reports. First, all-stainless construction showed no rust after two years uncovered on a patio, which is the strongest durability signal in this group. Second, the grill holds just under 300F on low, so it can roast and smoke as well as sear, something many infrared-focused grills manage poorly.
The negatives are worth weighing. The 4.0 average across 110 reviews is the lowest here, with a 14 percent one-star share, and the recurring complaints are real: some owners report the grill not reaching its advertised temperature, the lid thermometer reads a little low, and the back of the cooking chamber runs hotter than the front. Behind the lifetime warranty, replacement parts have proven hard to source, and some units arrive with damaged parts while chat support is slow to respond.
Verify temperatures yourself once you have it running. A decent infrared thermometer will tell you the grate temperature in seconds and settle the question quickly.
Who the Victory suits
It suits buyers in wet or coastal climates where rust is the deciding factor, and anyone who wants one grill that sears and smokes. The low setting below 300F makes it a genuine two-temperature appliance.
It also suits owners who value a lifetime warranty on paper and have a local repair shop that handles stainless components.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need dependable parts support or if you want the most concentrated infrared sear available. The side burner is an add-on rather than the main event, and the temperature complaints mean you should verify with a probe before you trust a long cook.
9. Napoleon Rogue PRO 625: Best for Large Patios and Big Cooks
Napoleon Rogue PRO 625 5-Burner Propane Grill with Infrared Side Burner
74,000 BTU total output
988 sq in total area
Five main burners
Infrared sear station
Pros
- Integrated infrared sear station for crust
- Heavy stainless build feels tank-like
- 988 sq in leaves room for indirect cooking
- Reaches 700F and drops below 200F for smoking
- 15-year limited warranty
Cons
- Manual is almost entirely pictographs
- Two people needed to lift it onto the stand
- Cover is not included
- Burns more LPG to heat and hold
The Rogue PRO 625 is the biggest grill here and the most capable of long cooks. Five main burners cover a 34.75 by 18 inch main cooking area for 74,000 BTU of total output across 988 square inches, and an integrated infrared sear station sits alongside for the steak pass. That combination means you can sear a steak hard and then move it to indirect heat without leaving the grill.
Owners describe the build as tank-like, and the temperature range is unusually wide: it reaches 700F and drops below 200F, which makes it a smoker as well as a searing grill. Backlit white LED control knobs make it usable after dark, and stainless cooking grids are described as close to maintenance free. The 15-year limited warranty is the second longest in this roundup.
Assembly is the recurring complaint, and it is a real one. The manual is almost entirely pictographs and covers multiple models at once, and several owners describe needing a helper to lift the main body onto the stand. Expect a large amount of packaging cardboard to dispose of afterward, and note that a cover is not included at this tier. It also consumes more LPG to heat up and hold temperature than smaller models, and a few units have arrived with damaged panels.
The 4.4 rating comes from only 34 reviews, which is the thinnest sample among the full-size grills here. The performance claims are consistent, but the long-term track record is not yet established.
Who the Rogue PRO 625 suits
It suits households with a large patio, serious hosting, and a taste for whole cuts. The 988 square inch footprint means real separation between a searing zone and a low indirect zone, which is what makes reverse sear and long roasts practical on one appliance.
It also suits anyone who wants the rare combination of high heat searing and sub-200F smoking in a single grill.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you have a small deck, if you need to move it alone, or if picture-only assembly is a dealbreaker. Anyone buying on a patio where LPG use matters should factor in the fuel consumption. The thin review base also means less proven reliability.
10. Schwank 1500F Portable Infrared Grill: Best Made in USA
Schwank 1500°F Portable Infrared Propane Grill, Stainless Steel LP Gas with Dual Burners – Made in USA, Steakhouse Maillard Tech for Quick Juicy Steaks, Ideal for Camping & Tailgating.
1500F radiant heat
Dual overhead burners
62 pounds tabletop
3-minute steaks
Pros
- 1500F infrared heat crusts thick steaks fast
- Dual burners give more even coverage
- Made in the USA with stainless steel
- Removable grate and drip tray drawer
Cons
- Only 39 reviews so the track record is thin
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
- At 62 pounds it is heavier than most portables
Schwank is a tabletop unit with genuine overhead infrared burners reaching a claimed 1500F, and the design brief is unambiguous: cut thick steaks fast. Owners report cooking thick cuts in about three minutes once preheated, which is the fastest steak turnaround of anything in this roundup. The dual burners give more even coverage than a single overhead element, which matters when you are cooking two steaks of different thickness side by side.
Construction is stainless steel, made in the USA, with carrying handles, a lift handle, a removable grate, and a drip tray drawer that pulls straight out. That cleanup design is thoughtful, because on a top-down radiant grill the drippings land on the burners rather than on a tray.
Be cautious here. The 4.1 rating comes from just 39 reviews, so there is very little long-term data, and the 1-year manufacturer warranty is the shortest in this roundup. At 62 pounds it is heavier than most truly portable infrared grills, which undercuts the camping and tailgating case somewhat, and the 17 by 25 by 15 inch footprint still needs a stable table.
Like other tabletop radiant units, it is exposed to wind and regulator issues, the failure mode forum owners report most often for this style of grill. Keep it sheltered and check fittings early.
Who the Schwank suits
It suits cooks who want the fastest possible turnaround on thick steaks and do not need grill marks or a hood. Two burners let you run two steaks with different thicknesses and still get them done together.
It also suits buyers who prefer domestically made stainless hardware, and anyone who wants a compact high-heat finisher to pair with a smoker.
Who should skip it
Skip it if buying without a long owner history makes you uncomfortable, because the review base here is genuinely thin. The one-year warranty offers no protection if a burner element fails. It is also too heavy for regular solo transport.
How to Sear Steak on an Infrared Grill
Infrared changes the timing more than the technique. Heat arrives from above at very high intensity, so the window between a perfect crust and a burned one is much narrower than on a conventional grill.
Preheat for 3 to 5 minutes with the grate in place. Pat the steak dry, season with salt, and oil the grate rather than the meat. Lay the steak down and leave it alone for 45 to 90 seconds per side for a one-inch cut, then check the internal temperature. Rest it for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
The most common mistake is moving the steak too early. On infrared the crust forms fast, and lifting the meat before a visible brown crust forms leaves you with a gray, steamed surface. The second most common mistake is crowding the grate, which drops the temperature and turns a sear into a slow cook.
For a reverse sear, smoke or pan-cook to 100F internal, then finish with 30 seconds per side on the infrared element. That combination is the technique owners on r/steak and r/sousvide describe most often, and it is the most forgiving way to cook thick cuts. If you plan that workflow, our guide to infrared heating setups covers the same radiant-heat principles in a fixed installation.
How to Choose an Infrared Searing Grill for Steak
Start with architecture, because it determines everything else. Salamander-style top-down broilers give the fastest, most concentrated sear and the shortest cook times, but they produce no grill marks, hold no smoke, and serve a small number of people. Full-size grills with an infrared side or sizzle burner are more versatile and cook for a crowd, but the sear zone is smaller and concentrated in one place.
Second, check the real numbers. Total BTU tells you how hard the grill can push, but for searing what matters is the sear zone itself and how quickly it recovers when a cold steak lands on it. A grill rated 52,000 BTU total with a 12,000 BTU side burner behaves differently from one with 72,000 BTU across four main burners plus an infrared side burner.
Third, size your cooking surface to the number of steaks you actually cook. 140 square inches fits about six burgers and means batch cooking. 500 square inches handles a serious cookout with room to work, and 988 square inches lets you sear and slow cook at the same time.
Fourth, think about wind and regulator exposure. This is the failure mode forum owners report most consistently for portable infrared units: burners that blow out outdoors or stop lighting after a few weeks, usually traced back to the propane regulator rather than the burner itself. Keep tabletop units under cover and budget for a replacement hose and regulator rather than treating them as permanent fixtures.
Fifth, look at the warranty and the parts story. Lifetime and 15-year burner coverage sounds reassuring, but if replacement parts are hard to source, a long warranty helps less than it should. A 1-year warranty on an infrared element is a bigger risk than the same year on a conventional grill.
Finally, expect a learning curve. Owners report burning the first few steaks on almost every infrared grill we covered, simply because the heat comes on faster than expected and from a different direction. Two cooks on the grill will fix that faster than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any Weber grills have infrared?
Weber does not currently sell grills with infrared burners. Their closest equivalent is the Sear Station, an accessory infrared sear burner that clips to the side of compatible Weber gas grills and delivers similar concentrated high heat for steaks without replacing the whole grill.
Are infrared grills worth it?
For steak, yes. Infrared burners deliver radiant heat directly to the food, so you get a hard Maillard crust in three to six minutes with far fewer flare-ups and less fuel. You pay for that with limited low-and-slow control on many models, a learning curve, and the fact that top-down units produce no grill marks.
What does infrared mean on a grill?
Infrared means the burner heats a ceramic or stainless element that radiates intense heat directly onto the food rather than cooking it indirectly with hot air. That direct radiant energy browns the surface of a steak far faster than a conventional open-tube burner.
Should I grill steak at 400 or 450?
Both work, and on infrared the choice matters less than on a conventional grill because the radiant element supplies the crust regardless. Aim for 450 or higher when you want a hard sear, then move the steak to indirect heat or pull it early, since carryover cooking finishes the interior.
What are the disadvantages of infrared grills?
The main drawbacks are a limited low-and-slow temperature range on many models, a learning curve that burns first steaks, top-down units that produce no crosshatch grill marks, faster grate wear, and a premium price compared with a comparable conventional gas grill.
Is cooking with infrared healthy?
There is no established health concern. Infrared cooking is radiant heat, the same physical principle as sunlight and toaster ovens, and no infrared radiation escapes into your food. As with any grill, the main points are avoiding repeated charring of meat and cleaning the grates to reduce smoke residue.
Final Verdict: The Best Infrared Searing Grills for Steak
For most cooks, the Charbroil Big Easy TRU-Infrared is the best infrared searing grill for steak, because it combines the largest owner feedback base in the roundup with a grate that crusts without flare-ups. If your priority is raw speed and the fastest climb to searing heat, the Big Horn 1500F is hard to argue with, and if you are feeding a crowd, the Monument 4+2 gives you an infrared sear station and 700 square inches of main surface in one cabinet.
Whichever one you pick, give it three cooks before you judge it. The first steak always burns, and the third one is usually the reason people keep these grills. Use a probe or infrared thermometer to verify what the grate is actually doing, sear with the lid closed for the last thirty seconds, and rest the meat properly. That habit, more than any burner spec, is what turns a good grill into steakhouse results.