Our outdoor grill functions like a second kitchen — we use it year-round to prepare meats, vegetables, and the occasional rotisserie chicken. While we love our gas grill, it does have some limitations.
Over the past year the porcelain coating on our Broil King started to flake, but the grill has served us well. We keep it clean and covered, and we know regular maintenance is the key to a long-lasting grill.
Recently we’ve heard a lot of interest in infrared grilling. Saber Grills reached out and asked us to try their SS 500 model.
Infrared grilling is more than a trend — it’s a different cooking method. Traditional grills primarily rely on conduction, transferring heat from the grill surface directly to food. Infrared grilling uses radiant heat to cook, while convective airflow is vented away. This approach helps retain juiciness, reduces drying, and largely eliminates flare-ups because there are no open flames igniting oils.
For our first cook on the SS 500 we made chicken thighs and asparagus. Following the maker’s instructions, we seasoned the infrared emitters with cooking oil and heated the grill on HI for at least 10 minutes before cooking.
The result was one of the best dinners we’ve made at home. I hadn’t even marinated the chicken, yet it came out remarkably juicy — far better than the dry pieces we sometimes got on our old grill. The combination of intense searing followed by steady cooking is a major advantage, though it does require some timing to match vegetables with meats, since veggies cook fast under the high heat. Achieving perfectly al dente asparagus takes a little practice.
The SS 500 fits our family of three very well and still has enough capacity to handle weekend barbecues for friends and family.
High-quality infrared grills tend to be more expensive, but you often get the build and performance to match the price. We assembled this model ourselves; it’s a solid, heavy unit — 216 pounds — because it’s constructed entirely of stainless steel. There are no plastic parts to fade or warp, and the grill feels professional and substantial when you work at it.
One standout feature is the pair of halogen interior lights. They make it easy to check progress at night without fumbling for a flashlight, and the warm glow under the stainless steel lid gives the cooking area an appealing ambience.
If you’re in the market for a new grill this season, consider infrared models like the Saber SS 500 for consistent searing, reduced flare-ups, and efficient fuel use.
Here are the key details and features of the Saber SS 500:
Standard Features
· The SABER patented infrared cooking system delivers even heat across the entire cooking surface, minimizes flare-ups, and reduces propane usage by up to 30%.
· Constructed from commercial-grade 304 stainless steel (nonmagnetic).
· Robust welded tubular cart and firebox frames for long-term durability.
· Shelves bolted to a tubular frame provide stable work surfaces.
· 304 stainless steel burners, grate system, and emitters.
· Independent zonal control for a wide temperature range.
· Front-access grease tray for convenient cleaning.
· Simple cleanup: burn off and brush away food debris.
· Safe and straightforward natural gas conversion with SABER’s EZNG technology.
· Fast assembly using 26 common fasteners.
· SABER grate cleaning tool included.
Special Features
· 675 total square inches of cooking area (500 square inches primary, 175 square inches secondary).
· Enclosed 304 stainless steel cart with heavy-duty side shelves.
· Seamless welded stainless steel lid and firebox exterior.
· Grate-level temperature gauges for more accurate readings.
· Three burner zones with 304 stainless steel tube burners (24,000 total BTUs, including an 18,000 BTU side burner).
· Dual tube side burner for added versatility — ideal for boiling, frying, or using woks and skillets.
· Push-and-turn integrated electronic ignition at each burner for reliable starts.
· Adjustable 304 stainless steel warming rack with storage and roasting positions.
· Interior halogen lights for nighttime cooking.
· Heavy-duty 3-inch locking casters for stability and mobility.
