Infrared Grills – How Do They Work?

Whether you are considering investing in an infrared burner or have been using one for years and are just not sure how they work, infrared grills fascinating technology that can change the way you cook. Originally created in 1961, these grills had been very expensive and only used in commercial restaurants. Once the patents expired, it allowed the average chef to gain access to this fascinating technology. Even though they are more common, many restaurants rely on these cooking surfaces.

These grills work by using infrared technology as the heat source. Unlike other grills and burners, which use flame or electric sources for heat, these grills feature an infrared element that allows you to cook meat and other food in a uniform manner. These grills are also very versatile, allowing you to fluidly move between high and low temperatures. Any chef who has worked with standard gas and electric grills knows that this can simply and easily speed up the cooking process.

Come to O-Reps when you are looking for new infrared burners. Our business is proud to provide you with a huge variety of both hot and cold side equipment parts, hardware, and accessories. Helping you keep your equipment in working order is our top priority.

3 Reasons an Infrared Grill Is a Smart Investment for Your Restaurant

Most career restaurateurs agree that infrared grills represent the way of the future. In addition to being easier to maintain than traditional grills, infrared models are very easy to use and highly cost-effective. Although a high-end infrared grill may leave you with a mild case of sticker shock, it won’t be long before your investment pays off. Restaurant owners who are debating whether or not to add an infrared grill to their kitchen are urged to consider the following perks. 

1. Hassle-Free Maintenance

No restaurant worker relishes having to clean grills. It’s irksome, it’s time-consuming and it has to be done multiple times throughout the workday. Furthermore, scrubbing and brushing grills that accumulate substantial amounts of food particles and caked-on gristle can prove physically strenuous. Conversely, cleaning an infrared grill couldn’t be easier. Since most infrared models are self-cleaning, workers can use this time to focus on more pressing matters, thus increasing productivity in the kitchen.  

2. Reduced Preparation Times

Since infrared grills are able to cook meat much faster than their grate-based counterparts, your kitchen staff will be able to get orders out more quickly. Even low-end infrared burners are capable of reaching temperatures in excess of 1,000 degrees in under a minute’s time. As an added bonus, most of these grills can be preheated in less than three minutes, much to the delight of perpetually busy food preppers. 

3. Better Tasting Entrees

Meat that’s cooked on infrared grills tends to be more flavorful than meat prepared on traditional grills. This is largely due to the fact that infrared burners provide even distribution of heat, whereas older grills have an unfortunate tendency to overcook certain areas and undercook others.  

There are many good reasons for restaurateurs to put their money behind infrared grills. If you find hassle-free maintenance, short prep times, and evenly-cooked meat appealing, a dependable infrared grill is a worthwhile investment.   

The Benefits of Investing in an Infrared Grill

No matter what type of food your restaurant specializes in, you stand to benefit from investing in an infrared grill. In addition to being highly cost-effective, these increasingly commonplace grills have a number of advantages over their more traditional counterparts. Restaurateurs who are entertaining the idea of adding an infrared grill to their kitchen should consider the following benefits. 

Lightning-Fast Heating Times

Infrared burners are capable of much faster heating times than traditional grills. Most infrared grills can reach temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees in under a minute. What’s more, these grills can be sufficiently preheated in around three minutes. This can prove tremendously convenient for restaurants that are always busy.

Even Distribution of Heat

Meat cooked on infrared grills tends to taste better than meat prepared on traditional grills. The reason for this is heat distribution. With traditional grills, it’s hardly uncommon for heat to be unevenly distributed throughout a piece of meat. Alternatively, infrared grills provide a far more even distribution of heat, thus ensuring more flavorful entrées.  

Easy to Clean

Grill cleaning is among the most cumbersome chores restaurant workers have to tackle. Not only does it need to be performed multiple times a day, it frequently hampers outgoing orders. Fortunately, purging infrared grills of gristle and food particles doesn’t require copious amounts of scrubbing and scraping. Simply turn the temperature up to “high,” watch the residual particles burn away and resume cooking. 

A reliable infrared grill is guaranteed to make a welcome addition to any restaurant kitchen. Since grills are vitally important tools at any given eatery, it’s only natural for restaurateurs to want the highest-quality grills currently available. If fast heating times, even distribution of heat, and easy cleaning are what you’re after, a cutting-edge infrared grill should be right up your alley.