Char-Broil Amplifire Vs. Tru-Infrared: Better Grilling Technology

If you’re in the market for a new Char-Broil grill, you’ve probably come across their two main infrared cooking systems: Amplifire and Tru-Infrared. But what exactly are these technologies and how do they differ?

Keep reading as we compare and contrast Char-Broil’s Amplifire and Tru-Infrared to help you decide which is best for you.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Amplifire	Tru-Infrared
Heating Design	Triangular ceramic emitters	Metal emitter plates over linear burners
Coverage	Wider coverage from triangle shape	Full length plates cover entire grate
Temperature	Over 1,000°F for better searing	500-700°F high temps
Speed	Faster preheating with separate igniter	Slower preheat without separate igniter
Flare-ups	Significantly reduced	Also dramatically reduced
Juiciness	Claims highest moisture retention	Very high juice retention
Fuel Efficiency	Excellent efficiency from emitters	Efficient from heat focus
Price	$$$ (high)	$ (budget-friendly)
Release Date	2020 (newer tech)	Early 2000s (proven performance)

What Is Infrared Grilling?

Before diving into the specifics of Amplifire and Tru-Infrared, let’s take a step back and talk about infrared grilling technology in general.

Infrared grilling uses radiant heat to cook food rather than the convection heating of traditional gas grills. It works by using a specialized burner to heat a solid surface, typically ceramic, to very high temperatures. This super-hot surface then emits infrared radiation that transfers heat directly to the food.

Some key benefits of infrared grilling include:

• More efficient heating that uses less gas
• Even, consistent heating across the entire cooking surface
• Searing hot temperatures for excellent sear marks
• Juicier food since the radiant heat doesn’t dry out the exterior

Now let’s look at how Amplifire and Tru-Infrared each deliver these infrared grilling benefits.

Also Read: Differences Between Char-Broil Signature And Performance Grills.

Char-Broil Amplifire

Char-Broil launched their Amplifire infrared burner technology in 2020. It features triangular ceramic emitters positioned over the flame. These emitters have three angled surfaces that each heat up to over 1,000°F, providing increased coverage compared to standard linear infrared burners.

The key features and benefits of Char-Broil’s Amplifire include:

• Triangular Ceramic Emitters – The unique triangular shape gives more coverage than a straight infrared burner. This allows for even heating across the entire cooking surface.
• Advanced Ceramics – The ceramic emitters are made from premium materials that prevent rusting, peeling, or cracking. This enhances durability.
• Pre-Heating – A dedicated igniter gets the emitters hot fast before the gas is turned on. This enables the grill to be ready to cook in just 3-5 minutes.
• High Temperatures – Amplifire reaches over 1,000°F, giving you sizzling hot temperatures for perfect searing.
• Converts Gas to Infrared – It converts propane or natural gas flame into intense infrared heat for maximum efficiency.
• Retains More Juices – Radiant infrared heat helps retain more juices and flavors compared to standard gas grills.
• Available on Multiple Grills – Amplifire burners are equipped on various Char-Broil grills ranging from entry-level to high-end models.

Overall, Amplifire provides a more advanced infrared cooking experience than a standard linear infrared burner. The triangular shape gives wider coverage for more consistent heating.

Char-Broil Tru-Infrared

Char-Broil introduced their Tru-Infrared technology back in the early 2000s. It features a two-part system:

1. A stainless steel burner that fires into a solid metal emitter plate
2. The emitter plate absorbs the heat and radiates it back out as infrared energy

Some standout features and advantages of the Tru-Infrared system include:

• Full Coverage Emitter Plates – The emitter plates span the entire length of the firebox, providing full and even coverage.
• Retains Juices – Food cooked over the emitter plates produces up to 50% less flare-ups. This helps retain juices and flavors.
• Prevents Flare-Ups – The protective barrier of the emitter plates prevents drippings from hitting the burners and causing flare-ups.
• High Temperatures – Tru-Infrared easily reaches 500-700°F for excellent searing capability.
• Fuel Efficient – By focusing the heat from the burners, Tru-Infrared uses less gas compared to conventional grills.
• Variety of Grills – Tru-Infrared burners are available on entry-level to high-end Char-Broil gas grills.
• Budget-Friendly – Grills equipped with Tru-Infrared tend to be more affordable than the newer Amplifire models.

The large emitter plates of Tru-Infrared provide wide coverage for efficient, partially enclosed infrared cooking. It’s a proven technology that adds the benefits of infrared grilling without the higher costs of more advanced designs.

Also watch this video!

Char-Broil Amplifire Vs. Tru-Infrared: Compare And Contrast

Now that we’ve looked at both technologies separately, let’s directly compare Amplifire and Tru-Infrared:

• Heating Design – Amplifire uses triangular ceramic emitters while Tru-Infrared relies on metal plates covering linear burners.
• Coverage – Amplifire’s triangular shape provides more complete coverage, but Tru-Infrared’s full length plates also cover the entire grate.
• Temperature – Amplifire allegedly reaches higher temps over 1,000°F compared to 500-700°F for Tru-Infrared.
• Speed – Amplifire’s dedicated ignition gets it hot and ready faster than Tru-Infrared.
• Flare-ups – Both technologies significantly reduce flare-ups that can char food and be dangerous.
• Juiciness – Expect juicier results from both, but Amplifire claims to retain the most moisture.
• Fuel efficiency – Both save gas by focusing heat, but Amplifire’s advanced emitters may have slightly better efficiency.
• Price – Grills with Amplifire tend to be higher priced than the budget-friendly Tru-Infrared equipped models.
• Release Date – Tru-Infrared has over 15 years of proven performance while Amplifire is the newer technology released in 2020.

Overall, Amplifire takes infrared grilling to the next level with advanced triangular ceramic emitters, faster preheating, and higher temps for better searing. But Tru-Infrared still delivers excellent infrared cooking at lower price points.

Also Read: Differnces Between Char-Broil And Monument Grills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key Takeaways

• Infrared grilling uses radiant heat for better searing and juicier cooking
• Char-Broil’s Tru-Infrared uses emitter plates while Amplifire has ceramic emitters
• Amplifire purportedly reaches higher temperatures for superior searing
• Tru-Infrared grills are generally more budget-friendly
• Both technologies significantly reduce flare-ups and retain more moisture
• Consider your budget and desired infrared performance when choosing between Amplifire and Tru-Infrared

Whichever you choose, Char-Broil’s infrared technology elevates gas grilling for juicier and more flavorful results. Your cookouts just got a whole lot tastier!