Infrared grilling???

[NastyWoman]

Fire regulations forbid the use of charcoal or gas barbecuing in my condo. But since I love outdoor cooking I decided to buy an electric grill. While looking I found an infrared grill. Does anyone know whether these are better/worse than an ordinary electric grill? Anyone have one of either the infrared or regular grills? Anything you'd recommend? Please help.

[toomuchreality]

I have the same issue.   I got an electric BBQ, but haven't tried/used it yet.

I'd love to hear what people think about them.  Thoughts anyone?

I figure they must not be all that great, or more people would have/use them. I don't know anyone that has.

[Bonny]

My husband is the expert BBQer. He started the ribs this morning at 9 am.

In response to your question he said that the infrared and the electric should cook the same. While we never had an infrared grill we did have an infrared toaster oven and it worked well.

I personally prefer the taste of BBQ from a charcoal grill and specifically from a Weber charcoal grill. The taste is so much better and the design really makes a difference with how well things cook.

[NastyWoman]

I had to get rid of my Weber   and no gas allowed either, so I am looking for the next best thing.  Thank your husband from me Bonny.  

[justme]

I believe the grills on Iron Chef American are infrared. The old grill at my apartment had them but I never got around to using them.

[Bonny]

May 25, 2014 17:13:41 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

I had to get rid of my Weber   and no gas allowed either, so I am looking for the next best thing.  Thank your husband from me Bonny.  

When we made the move to Germany my husband bought a brand new Weber to go in the air shipment. It was the first thing he unpacked. I have a wonderful picture of him BBQ in the snow with his parka. We were known as the crazy Americans who BBQed all year round.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Can you buy charcoal briquets in Germany?  Or, did you bring a boatload with you?  

We were diehard Weber charcoal grill users ourselves until I caved last year and got DH a Weber Q gas grill when our charcoal grill rusted out.  I far prefer cooking on charcoal (and the flavor of chargrilled food), but I have to admit that gas grills ARE really darn convenient.              

[Peace Of Mind]

May 25, 2014 13:50:03 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Fire regulations forbid the use of charcoal or gas barbecuing in my condo. But since I love outdoor cooking I decided to buy an electric grill. While looking I found an infrared grill. Does anyone know whether these are better/worse than an ordinary electric grill? Anyone have one of either the infrared or regular grills? Anything you'd recommend? Please help.

I've never heard of anybody using infrared grills but everybody who's had a George Foreman electric grill seem to love them.  You can get a little one for about $25.00 to up $130.00 if you are cooking for a family. And they can be used indoors.  Memorial Day weekend usually has great deals so now would be the time to purchase one.

Good luck and happy grilling! 

[Virgil Showlion]

You do realize that "infrared grill" is technically the same thing as "microwave".

[ktunes]

an infared grill has a curved shape pan above the gas burner which cooks the product with radiant heat vs an open flame...don't know that i have seen a charcoal one...

[NastyWoman]

The one I am looking at is electric

[ktunes]

i think the idea behind it is that it will cook more evenly and not have hot spots...one of the benefits is that all the drippings are caught in the pan that is over the burner making it easier to clean and giving the heating elements longer life...

i have not seen an electric one although i would imagine it just has a heating element under the pan instead of gas or charcoal...

[Bonny]

May 25, 2014 20:38:18 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Can you buy charcoal briquets in Germany?  Or, did you bring a boatload with you?  

We were diehard Weber charcoal grill users ourselves until I caved last year and got DH a Weber Q gas grill when our charcoal grill rusted out.  I far prefer cooking on charcoal (and the flavor of chargrilled food), but I have to admit that gas grills ARE really darn convenient.              

We could buy "holz kohl" which was a form of charcoal.  I had to re-type that in English! But we could only buy it during the summer so we loaded up at the end of the "grilling season" so we had enough to last us until Spring. And American "Weber" (very ironic since "weber" is actually weaver or web in German) was a VERY hot (aka expensive) product in Germany with Weber pot holders, charcoal and all the other side products.

I learned my lesson while we lived in AZ. We got a nice (but not outrageous) gas grill and I 'fessed up to DH that I actually preferred the BBQ on the humble Weber grill vs the fancy gas grill.

[truthbound]

May 25, 2014 22:41:14 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

You do realize that "infrared grill" is technically the same thing as "microwave".

No the modern generation doesn't have a clue about most things. They couldn't make a rotary call if their life depended on it. An infrared grill is not a real grill. With that said. If it is the only thing you are able to use you have no choice.

[Kung Fu Panda]

Charcoal is and always will be the best flavor.
However, 20 minutes to prep and heat 3 pounds of charcoal, waiting 2 hours for it cool, and then 20 minutes to clean out the ashes.. all for 1 single solitary chicken breast... ehhh... not worth it to me.

Open gas grills cause flare up, most have irregular hot and cold areas, but they are fast and convenient.

There is a middle of the road approach to this. On a Gas Grill, using grates that act as thermal multipliers. www.grillgrate.com/  I use these, and they are a very cool concept. Even heat, trap the juice to act as moisturizing liquids, and no drip pans.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

While not helpful to the OP, there is a hybrid out there that I really, really tried to buy but found in short supply:  Weber makes a charcoal grill with a gas igniter -- the best of both worlds -- no more chimneys.