An indirect yet effective source of heat, infrared smoker grill combos will cook your food evenly and keep cold spots in the rear-view window. Smokers and infrared technology might take slightly longer to start up, but the result is well worth the wait.
If you’re the individual who typically likes to cook large cuts of meat such as chickens, ribs, or thick steaks, think about investing in one of the infrared smoker grill combos listed below.
What is the advantage of choosing an infrared grill or smoker? Infrared heating allows the appliance to reach the “perfect” temperatures and act as an oven rather than a standard grill.
This form of cooking also helps your meats retain their juices, preventing them from drying out while retaining a unique wood-smoked flavor. While you can also enjoy juicy meats using the best offset charcoal smokers and other outdoor smokers, infrared appliances allow for more control over the temperature.
There are not a lot of grills available in this category, and a bunch keep getting taken off the market for whatever reason. Right now there are just two survivors as of 2020.
One grill which is consistently available and gets amazing reviews is the Char-Broil Big Easy Infrared Smoker, Roaster & Grill.
Obviously, the best feature is that you can grill, smoke, and roast in one device. It's got a decent amount of grill space (180 sq. inches), can cook a 21 pound turkey, and works off a standard 20 lb propne tank. Plus, it's a trusted brand.
No matter what type of food you plan on cooking, having an infrared smoker grill combo will keep you prepared for any situation. Cooking the same food with the same type of grill can become boring at times, so spice it up with something that can cook anything for everyone. The following 5 options are your best bet when it comes to infrared smoker grill combos.
2 Infrared Smoker Grills
- Char-Broil Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker/Roaster/Grill
- Tec Patio Fr Series Infrared Smoker Combo
1. Char-Broil Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker/Roaster/Grill
The price and versatility of this infrared smoker combo help it stand out and take the #1 spot. Not only can you smoke cuts of meat with the Big Easy, but you’ll also be able to roast and grill. If you want variety, this combination appliance brings it.
When you’re ready to grill, you get 180-square inches of cooking space. This isn't a tremendous amount of space, but it is more than enough to cook for the whole family. The grilling space also helps to ensure that your food is cooked evenly and thoroughly.
The smoker box adds to that outdoor wood charred flavor. The temperature control for this unit ranges anywhere from 9,000 BTU’s up to 18,000 BTU’s. When you’re in the mood to roast your food, such as turkey, you’ll be happy to know that the Char-Broil Big Easy can hold up to 25 pounds of meat at once!
If you don’t have a problem cooking on a smaller infrared grill, the Big Easy TRU-infrared smoker grill combo is the best option for you.
Positives
- Infrared technology cooks food evenly
- Can be used for roasting
- Reasonable price
Negatives
- Limited space compared to several other options
- Easy to dent
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2. TEC Patio FR Series Infrared Smoker/Roaster
People who enjoy the simple things will get the most out of the Tec Patio Fr series. This infrared smoker combination grill offers the advantages of using an infrared grill while being made to last so that you can use it for years to come.
This infrared smoker grill combo has an elevated rack that allows infrared heat to move underneath your food for a slow, even cook, opposed to directly applying the flame.
Durability is a strength of this appliance. This infrared smoker combo is made of a 304-grade stainless-steel that stays intact, even in poor weather conditions.
In addition to the benefits of infrared cooking, this infrared grill combo also has a smoker tray which uses wood chips to enhance the overall flavor of the food. Those who are passionate about that unique wood-fired flavor will be sure to get the most out of this feature.
Whether it’s turkey, ribs, pork, or even regular chicken breasts, this combo will give you a solid wood flavor if you combine the effects from the grill with separately purchased smoked wood chips. While there isn’t much to this infrared combo from the outside, it has the features needed for a well-made smoker grill.
Positives
- Decent price compared to other grills on the market
- Made of durable stainless steel
- Smoker tray enhances flavor
Negatives
- Few customer reviews
- Not the most versatile grill combo available
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Buying an Infrared Smoker Grill Combo
Finding the right infrared grill isn’t as dreadful as you would think. Most combos that offer infrared burners are easy to find and most of the time they provide you with an alternative cooking method to experiment with. It all comes down to which one is most efficient.
The most popular infrared smoker grill combo today is hands down the Char-Broil Big Easy sitting at the #1 spot on the list. The Big Easy offers a superior experience while asking for a very low price, though this is not your only choice.
There are some high-quality options out there besides the Big Easy, including the other 4 options in this list.
If you have money to spend and want to try something different, the Bull Outdoor Products stainless steel grill with the infrared side burner is something that might be useful to your outdoor cooking agenda. It is the most expensive unit on the list, but it could also be the longest lasting grill as well.
People who generally like food cooked from every type of method would appreciate “do it all” grill combos like the Smoke Hollow 9900 or the Oklahoma Joe’s Triple Function grill. These smoker grill combos allow you to experience a variety of cooking styles until you find your favorite one or continue to use all that is offered to you. It all comes down to what you value most.
About Infrared Smoker Grill Combos
Compared to grills that use other fuels like gas or charcoal, the infrared heating system is much more effective for your meat, as it reaches every inch of the meat using indirect heating. You won't have to deal with cold spots that make you want to gag. Along with infrared heating, there are other forms of indirect heat. This includes the heat provided by smokers, such as the best vertical propane smokers and vertical electric smokers.
Infrared heat also typically retains most of your meat’s natural juices, so eating an obnoxiously dry piece of chicken is unlikely to occur. Those who are experts in the infrared field claim that these grills keep about 35% of the meat's natural juices, which will also improve the texture and overall taste.
When it comes to infrared smoker grill combos, the infrared technology used for the heat source is often included as an optional burner; acting as the sidekick to a gas grill system. This doesn’t make infrared cooking any less valuable, as there are plenty of people out there who prefer infrared cooking over other methods.
Instead of hitting the food directly, like a gas burner would, the infrared plates used on the side burners will act as an oven and provide a heating source through fumes.
Other features, such as warming racks, are very common, especially when it comes to combo grills. Accessories like a warming rack will give you the freedom to cook some food directly while having other food higher up absorbing fumes.
Keep in mind when using infrared technology and smokers that both devices take a long time to heat up and just as long to cook your food, which is why they're often called “slow cookers.” ‘
For the busy individual, this might be an issue, but luckily for them, combo units also offer the grill portion. For everyone else who has time, there are plenty of benefits to slow cooking. In fact, there are some foods out there, including ribs, pork chops, and whole chickens, that simply taste a lot better using infrared or smoking compared to the traditional grilling.
The only real drawback to using infrared heat is that it doesn’t necessarily produce a smoke-like flavor. This ultimately comes down to the brand you decide to go with, as the feedback varies. Luckily, using the smoker can help add the smoky taste. Some infrared combos even include the option to use wood chips to add the wood-cooked flavor.
In the end, combo grills are special because they give you options rather than limiting you to one type of source. If you’re thinking about getting an infrared unit, go with the smoker combo. Most of the time, you’ll be getting a variety of appliance in one, for the fraction of the price you would have if you purchased them separately.
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