Solaire SOL-IR17BWR Grill Review
Our verdict
The Solaire SOL-IR17BWR is a single-burner infrared propane grill in all-stainless steel, earning a 4.4-star rating from 50 reviewers at $576. The 140 sq in cooking surface is strictly for one to two people, but buyers specifically looking for a compact infrared grill will find the feedback at this sample size reasonably encouraging.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Solo grillers or couples who want a compact stainless steel infrared propane grill for high-heat searing on a patio, boat, or tailgate
Skip if
You need to cook for more than 2 people at once, or you want a more economical grill and do not specifically need infrared technology
- Fuel Propane
- Burners 1
- Cooking area 140 Sq In
- Material Stainless Steel
- Install Freestanding
- Color Stainless Steel
- Priced 51% above the category median ($381.99 across 260 tracked models)
- Burners of 1 - fewer than 79% of the 261 models we track
- Weight of 23.0 lb - lighter than 80% of the 261 models we track
Pros
- 4.4-star rating from 50 reviews is a positive signal for a specialty infrared grill
- All-stainless steel construction at 23 lb is durable and genuinely portable
- Infrared technology delivers faster preheat and high searing temperatures
- Compact 13 x 20 x 12 in footprint fits tight spaces and travel situations
Cons
- 140 sq in cooking area limits you to 1 to 2 people cooking at a time
- Single burner means no independent heat zones
- $576.14 is a premium price for what is essentially a portable tabletop grill
- No BTU rating listed, making heat output comparisons with other infrared models harder
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.4/5
4.4 average across 50 owner ratings
-
Popularity2.5/5
50 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other grills, grill parts and burners, smokers and smoking gear, grill tools, outdoor griddles, outdoor kitchen appliances and grill covers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Solaire SOL-IR17BWR pairs a single infrared propane burner with a 140 sq in stainless steel cooking surface in a compact 13 x 20 x 12 in footprint. At 23 lb, it is portable enough to travel but solid enough to feel substantial on a patio table or mounting bracket. The all-stainless build reinforces the premium positioning.
Infrared burner technology at this size means the grill is optimized for fast, high-heat cooking of steaks, chops, and fish rather than slow indirect cooking. A single burner is a real constraint for cooking multiple items at different temperatures, but for two people who want a quick, hot cook on smaller cuts it performs the task cleanly. The 140 sq in surface can handle two to four standard cuts depending on size.
At $576.14, the price is considerable for 140 sq in and one burner. The 4.4-star rating from 50 reviews is modestly encouraging given that the typical buyer of a specialty infrared grill at this price is a more engaged griller, which often skews ratings higher. If you are comparing this to a conventional propane grill at half the price, the case for paying the infrared premium rests entirely on whether the cooking style matches your needs.
Specifications
| Fuel | Propane |
|---|---|
| Burners | 1 |
| Cooking area | 140 Sq In |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Install | Freestanding |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Dimensions | 13 X 20 X 12 In |
| Weight | 23.0 lb |
Performance notes
Infrared single-burner grills in this size class typically reach high surface temperatures within a few minutes of ignition. The 140 sq in stainless steel surface is suited to thin steaks, fish fillets, chicken breasts, and similar quick-cook cuts. For food that requires more gentle or indirect heat, a single infrared burner offers limited options since there is no cooler zone to move food to during resting. The 23 lb weight at 13 x 20 x 12 in puts it in the same class as quality portable tabletop grills.
What buyers say
Fifty reviews at 4.4 stars is a limited but positive base. Buyers who purchase specialty infrared grills typically have specific cooking goals in mind, and this segment tends to produce more engaged and knowledgeable reviewers than mass-market grills. A 4.4-star average from this group is a reasonably reliable indicator that the grill performs as expected for its intended purpose.
Similar grills, grill parts and burners, smokers and smoking gear, grill tools, outdoor griddles, outdoor kitchen appliances and grill covers to consider
Frequently asked questions
How does infrared cooking differ from standard propane grilling?
A standard propane grill heats food primarily through hot air convection from an open flame. An infrared grill uses a ceramic or stainless emitter that glows when heated, radiating intense direct heat onto the food surface. This typically means faster searing, a better crust on steaks and chops, and fewer cold spots. The main limitation is that very low, gentle cooking is harder to achieve on a pure infrared system.
Can two people be fed comfortably from 140 sq in?
For two people eating standard-size cuts, 140 sq in is adequate but tight. Two standard steaks or four burger patties will generally fit with minimal margin. Anything larger than a 12-ounce steak or irregular cuts like whole chicken pieces may require cooking one at a time. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer and cook to USDA safe internal temperatures.
Is this grill suitable for boat mounting?
The compact dimensions and stainless steel construction make it compatible with the kind of environments where Solaire marine mounting accessories are designed for use. Verify the specific mounting bracket compatibility for this model before purchasing, as rail and mount specifications vary by model year and version.