How each one cooks
A conventional burner is a metal tube or cast burner with rows of ports. Gas burns as a flame at each port. The flame heats the air in the grill and whatever sits above the burner (briquettes, ceramic rods, flame tamers), which then radiates heat up to the grates. Most of the cooking comes from hot air and that secondary radiant layer. It's often described as convective heat, though in practice it's a mix.
An infrared burner pushes the gas-air mix through a ceramic tile with thousands of tiny holes, or through a fine metal mesh. The gas burns right at the surface, which glows orange-red and throws intense radiant heat straight at the food. Less heat goes into moving air around, so the food surface browns very quickly and tends to dry out less in a short, hot sear.
Some grills use a hybrid: a conventional burner under a radiant glass, steel or ceramic panel that converts much of the heat to infrared. These behave somewhere in between.
Comparison
| Conventional | Infrared | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-up time | Several minutes | Fast, often just a few minutes |
| Top-end heat | High | Very high at the grate |
| Searing | Good | Excellent; quick, deep crust |
| Low-and-slow cooking | Easy to dial down | Harder; many infrared burners don't turn down as low |
| Delicate foods (fish, vegetables) | Forgiving | Easy to scorch without practice |
| Wind sensitivity | Flame can be affected by wind | Generally less affected |
| Flare-ups | More common | Drips often vaporize on contact |
| Cleaning | Straightforward | Burn-off method; don't scrub or wet the ceramic |
| Durability concerns | Port clogging, corrosion over time | Cracked tiles from impact, water or thermal shock; clogged pores |
| Replacement | Usually simple | Often simple, but parts are model-specific |
Where each one makes sense
As a sear zone
The most popular setup is a grill with conventional burners across most of the grate and one infrared burner on one side. You sear steaks on the infrared, then move them to the conventional side to finish. This gives you both styles without giving up low-heat cooking.
As a rotisserie burner
Rear infrared rotisserie burners are common on premium grills. They brown a rotating chicken or roast evenly while the main burners stay off or low.
As the main burners
Some grills use infrared across the whole cooking surface. These are great for people who cook mostly steaks, burgers and chops at high heat. They suit cooks less well if you do a lot of low-temperature cooking or fish.
Caring for an infrared burner
Infrared burners last a long time when treated right. Most failures we see come from water, impact or the wrong cleaning method.
- 1
Burn it off after cooking
Run the infrared burner on high for a few minutes after cooking. Drippings and food bits on the ceramic turn to ash.
- 2
Brush the ash gently
Once cool, lightly brush or blow away loose ash. Don't scrape the ceramic surface or poke the tiny holes.
- 3
Keep water off it
Never spray water, degreaser or a hose onto a ceramic infrared burner, hot or cold. Water soaks into the ceramic and can crack it when heated.
- 4
Don't drop things on it
Lower grates gently. A dropped grate or tool can crack the tile.
- 5
Cover it
Use the grill cover or the burner's cover plate if it came with one. Rain getting in is a common cause of cracked tiles.
- 6
Let it dry before lighting
If the burner did get wet, let it dry thoroughly (some manufacturers say a day or more) and then light it on low first.
Troubleshooting infrared burners
Uneven glow, dark patches and burners that won't light usually trace back to clogged ceramic pores, a cracked tile, a spider-blocked venturi, or an igniter that's out of position. Infrared burners also need a good, steady gas supply to light across the whole surface. Our infrared burner repair and sear burner repair pages cover the fixes. For conventional burners, see signs your burners need replacing.
Common questions
Is infrared food healthier or juicier?
Infrared sears quickly, which can mean less time for moisture to escape on thin cuts. Technique matters more than burner type, though.
Can I add an infrared burner to my grill?
Some grills have optional infrared burners that swap into a burner position. It depends on the model, so check whether the manufacturer offers one.
Why doesn't my infrared burner glow evenly?
Usually clogged pores from grease or a blocked venturi. Burning it off on high often helps. If it doesn't, have it inspected.
Should I use the infrared burner for everything?
Most people get the best results using it for the sear and then finishing on a conventional burner or indirect heat. Thick cuts cooked entirely over infrared can char outside before the center is done.
Related guides and repairs
Choosing a Built-In Grill
A practical buyer's guide to built-in gas grills: what to prioritize, what's optional, and the island and gas questions to settle before you pick a model.
Buying advicePremium Grill Brands Compared
A fair, service-side look at the premium built-in grill brands common in Los Angeles backyards, and what to weigh when choosing between them.
TroubleshootingSigns Your Burners Need Replacing
How to tell a dirty burner from a worn-out one, with flame patterns to watch for and a safe way to pull and inspect them.
TroubleshootingWhy Your Grill Won't Get Hot
The common reasons a gas grill runs cold, in the order techs check them, including the regulator reset that fixes many propane grills.
Care & how-toStainless Steel Grill Care
How to keep stainless steel grills and outdoor kitchens looking right: everyday wiping, removing tea staining and rust spots, dealing with hard water, and what to never use.
RepairInfrared Burner Repair
Cracked ceramic tiles, patchy glow and infrared burners that won't stay lit, diagnosed and repaired or replaced.
RepairSear Burner Repair
Sear stations that won't light, won't get hot or glow unevenly, repaired with the right parts for the brand.
RepairRotisserie Repair
Dead motors, bent spits, worn forks and rear rotisserie burners that won't light, repaired on site.
RepairBurner Replacement
Rusted, cracked or split burners replaced with matched parts, set on their orifices and tested for clean, even flame.
Infrared burner acting up?
Send a photo of the burner lit and unlit. We'll tell you whether it needs cleaning or a replacement and give you a quote.