Is the Infrared or Convection Burner Better with Solaire Accessories?

QUESTION: For the Solaire steamer/fryer or griddle, is the convection or infrared burner better to use?

ANSWER: I recommend using the Solaire Infrared Burner for these accessories. The Solaire Infrared burner will provide the concentrated heat needed to bring both of these accessories up to working temperatures in the shortest amount of time, compared to the convection burner.

Cleaning the Grilling Grates

The grilling grates of all Solaire Grills should be placed in the “V” configuration. The V-shape grilling grates are an integral part of the infrared grilling system. Unlike other types of grilling grates, such as round rods, the Solaire V-shape cooking grates help to control flare ups as well as contribute to the flavor of the food.

We recommend brushing the grilling grates with a stiff bristle brush after the three minute warm-up (stainless steel or brass is preferred. Carbon steel brushes can leave deposits on the grate and overall grill that will turn into surface rust) before placing the food on the grill. After removing the food, during the five minute (minimum) burn off, we also recommend brushing the grilling grates clean.

You may clean the grates in your dishwasher on the Pots/Pans cycle.

You may also clean the grilling grates with Easy-Off oven cleaner. Allow the cleaner to sit for 15-20 minutes then hose them off with the garden hose. You may do the same thing for the grill itself, after you remove the burners (which you do not want to get wet).

The grilling grates will never be as nice looking as when they were brand new and unused. The intense heat will bronze the stainless steel. But the Easy-Off treatment will bring them as close as possible to new. If there are deposits left on the grilling grates that are objectionable, you can use Soft Scrub mild abrasive cleaner, a cloth and a bit of elbow grease to remove them.

Solaire Infrared Burner Removal

Removing your Solaire Infrared Burner in order to deep clean the grill's firebox is easy. Please follow these steps:

Step 1 - After grill is completely cold, remove grilling grids to provide access to burner.














Step 2: Grasp the back portion of the burner with both hands. Lift upward slightly to free the burner from the support in the bottom of the firebox (the 27G and Anywhere portable models have tension retainers that require more upward force to accomplish this step).














Step 3: Continue to lift the back portion of the burner in order to remove the venturi (burner "pipe") out through the hole in the front face of the firebox. **Be careful that you do not bend the igniter electrode during this step**



























Step 4: Remove burner from the grill and carefully place in an area where it will be free from impact or moisture (water on a cold burner ceramic will permanently damage the ceramic tiles).














Step 5: While the burner is removed, inspect the holes in the ceramic tiles for any blockage. Clear blocked ports by either carefully scraping away surface deposits, or hole by hole with either a small wire or twist drill. Be careful not to enlarge any holes. Give the burner a good shake with the venturi (pipe) pointing downward to remove ash from inside the burner.

Step 6: Place the burner back into the grill by reversing the above sequence.

Rotisserie Burner Adjustment

QUESTION: How do I lower the heat on the back burner? (Rotisserie burner)

ANSWER: The rear rotisserie burner is supposed to be either ON or OFF. You can reduce the gas flow by adjusting the knob to a location between ON and OFF. Be careful that the burner does not extinguish from lack of gas.

If the direct IR energy is too much, than you can turn it off at a certain point and, using the BBQ Tray accessory filled with water (to prevent warping and to add moisture to the food), you can use the indirect method of heat. Placing the BBQ tray over one of the burners (and under the meat on the rod) converts its IR energy to convected heat.

In any rotisserie cooking, be sure to cook long enough to achieve the recommended internal temperature, as determined by an instant read thermometer. Recommended temperatures for various meats may be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/is_it_done_yet/

Retrofit Solaire Infrared Burner to Another Manufacturer's Grill?

QUESTION: I have a natural gas grill to which I would like to retrofit an infrared burner. I saw a blog about doing this using a Solaire burner and the installer implied he had spoken to someone at Solaire who had offered to help spot weld brackets to help fit the burner. My questions then, is this true? Can you use one of the Solaire burners (i.e. Part IR17A) as a upgrade for an older natural gas grill?

ANSWER: No, this is not true. We do not facilitate the retrofit of our burners to other manufacturers' grills, as there is more to making a good infrared grill than merely placing an IR burner in it. Our Solaire Grills have been designed from the ground up with the many relationships of heat and space that are required to optimize the infrared heat. You can't necessarily do that by replacing a conventional burner with our IR burner.

We recommend using our Solaire Anywhere Portable Infrared Grill alongside your conventional grill. Sear on the Anywhere, then transfer to the lower heat of your conventional grill to finish it off. This will actually increase your effective grilling area while greatly increasing the taste and succulence of your food.

Learn more about the Solaire Anywhere Portable Infrared Grill