The Pros, the Cons, and the Facts about the TEC PATIO FR Grill 44-INCH Built-in INFRARED Gas Grill – PFR2NT.
New to infrared grills? Read my article What Is An Infrared Grill – Is Hotter And Faster The Future Of Grilling? to learn more.
Product Quick Facts
BEST BUILT-IN GAS GRILL AWARD WINNER
Product Name: Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Infrared Natural Gas Grill – PFR2NT
Made By: TEC
Top 3 Features:
- 100% Infrared Cooking – Even cooking surface, no flare-ups, no hot/cold spots
- 200 – 900 Degree Cooking Range – Smoking, searing, and everything you can imagine
- Easy Self-Cleaning – No drip pans, no wire brushing
TEC Patio FR Grills
TEC started the infrared grilling game back in the 1970s.
With the new generation Patio FR grills, they prove they’re still at the top of the game. Infrared grilling has become common, but the TEC Patio FR grill series have perfected it.
A lot of people see infrared grilling as an overpriced gimmick. Sure, it’s great for searing beef and tuna, but not much else. Combine it with traditional gas grills? That helps, to a point. Infrared is supposed to lock in the food’s natural flavor and moisture. With a traditional grill, that advantage is lost due to hot air drying the food.
So, TEC decided to make a 100% infrared cooking system to solve both problems.
And it worked.
How?
Complete Infrared Cooking System
Two heavy-duty, 304 stainless steel burners and patented radiant glass create even cooking for the entire 592 sq. in heated surface. The glass panels keep the hot air from the burners away from the food. This gives you at least 35% more of your food’s own moisture.
The Patio FR grill also has patented cooking grids that sit directly on the glass surface. The grids have a U-channel design that keeps the heat directly on your food. This helps in keeping the heat evenly distributed, plus it adds the restaurant style sear marks you love.
No hot or cold spots to work around; no flare-ups to char your food. Bonus: the cooking grids are removable; the radiant glass surface becomes a stove-top burner.
200 – 900 Degree Temperature Range
With the TEC Patio FR grill, you can reach the highest of highs, and bring it back down low for low-heat cooking or smoking.
Each burner has its own separate temperature range, so you can sear your steaks on one burner and slow-cook chicken on the other.
Easy Self Cleaning
This is another bonus to the radiant glass surface. Instead of the necessary scrubbing of grill grates with a wire brush, crank the Patio FR grill to the max.
It acts like the self-cleaning option on your oven.
All the drippings on the cooking grates and the radiant glass turn to ash. Turn off your grill, let it cool, and wipe it clean.
It’s really that easy.
Using the TEC Patio FR Grill
The best part about the new Patio II grills has to be how easy it is.
TEC had both professional and amateur in mind when they designed this series. I already mentioned how easy it is to clean the grill. It’s just as simple to start using it. Fire up your grill the same way you would any built-in gas grill.
Unlike the traditional gas grill, though, the preheating is fast. Wicked fast. You’ll be ready to use it in 10 minutes tops.
Not convinced?
TEC took their Patio FR grill to the Farmer’s Market and put it to the test. Sure, it’s a promotional from the company itself, but take a look at the video and tell me what you think.
A Closer Look at the Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Infrared Natural Gas Grill
Now that we’ve taken a look at what set the Patio FR Grills apart from the competition, let’s take a closer look at the 44-Inch Built-In.
Patio FR 44-Inch At A Glance
- 2 fuel-efficient stainless steel burners
- 592 sq. inches of evenly heated grilling surface
- Rapid preheat
- Self-cleaning cooking surface protects burners and eliminates messy cleanup
- Electronic ignition
- 100% 304 stainless steel construction including cooking grates
- Handcrafted in America
The Burners
The Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In features two heavy-duty, 304 stainless steel burners.
Each burner uses 30,000 BTUs/hr. That’s a total of 60,000 BTUs/hr, less fuel than a lot of other grills while reaching temperatures of 900° F.
Impressive.
592 Sq. Inches Of Evenly Heated Grilling Surface
No hot or cold spots and no flare-ups means you can grill 32 hamburgers in 8 – 10 minutes. Plus, you can utilize the entire surface as a stove-top. The patented radiant glass is made of the same material used in glass stove-tops.
Ready for something really cool?
Each burner can be set to its own temperature without spilling heat over to the other side. The radiant glass panels protect each side to maintain the set temperature for that side.
Mind-blowing.
Rapid Pre-Heat
Probably a lot longer than it will take this Patio FR grill. 0°-900° F in 10 minutes (on high) with the hood closed.
Need a last minute dinner idea? Done.
Self-Cleaning Cooking Surface
Crank the heat up to high and everything on the cooking surface is turned to ash.
Let it cool and wipe with a cloth. It’s that easy. Best part? The burners are protected.
With the radiant glass panels, nothing can drip onto the burners. Not only does this help with clean-up, but it means a longer life for your burners.
Electronic Ignition
This is a gas grill at its heart.
Ignition is quick and easy, like any other gas grill. Patio FR series grills are made for the ease and love of grilling.
100% 304 Stainless Steel Construction
Durable and reliable.
Craftsmanship and care were put into the creation of the TEC patio grills. The 304 stainless steel protects the grill, and it protects the griller. Even when the cooking surface is at its highest, the lid and side surfaces won’t be.
Handcrafted In America
Made in America still stands for something.
As Americans, we take pride in our grilling habits and our grills.
Who Is the Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Infrared Natural Gas Grill For?
TEC designed the Patio FR series grills with both the professional and the amateur in mind.
This is a grill for those that want high-end steakhouse flavor without sacrificing the versatility of your traditional gas grill. It’s also for the backyard enthusiast who wants to create a great grilling experience but doesn’t want to spend all their time at the grill.
Here on The Grilling Life, you know that I’m all about quality food and quality time with family. This is a grill that fits into that space perfectly.
Let’s Break It Down
Price And Warranties
TEC lists the current price as $4,299
Amazon currently lists the price as $3,869
TEC warrants the stainless steel housing and stainless steel burners to be free of defects for the lifetime of the product.
TEC also warrants the cooking grates to be free of defects in material workmanship for a period of ten (10) years from the original date of purchase, and all other components, including the ignition system and radiant glass panels, for a one (1) year period after the original date of purchase.
My Final Thoughts on the Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Infrared Natural Gas Grill
TEC has produced a quality grill with this one.
They were the first to make infrared grills, and they aim to stay at the top of the industry. The Patio FR grill series is a good step in that direction.
In my opinion, the patented radiant glass panels make all the difference. It’s because of these panels that the infrared cooking surface heats evenly. The unique cooking grids, with their patented U-channel design, complete a genius grilling idea.
The versatility of this grill is what sells me most on it. I believe professionals and newcomers alike are going to love the Patio FR grill series.
Now It’s Your Turn
We want to hear from you!
Which built-in gas grill have you used before?
Do you have any experience grilling with Infrared?
Have you used this grill or any other TEC Grills before?
What other features would you like to see in this grill?
Are you going to be purchasing a built-in gas grill in the future? Or do you plan on looking at a pellet grill, standalone gas grill, or charcoal model?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment below.
If you still have questions, please feel free to send me a message.
Cheers,
Patrick
Disclosure – At The Grilling Life, I am committed to researching and writing thoughtful, informative and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your outdoor cooking needs. If you like what I do, you can support me through my chosen links, which earn me a commission. This allows me to continue sharing with you my love for all things barbecue. Your support is truly appreciated.
A backyard warrior, certified carnivore, lover of good whiskey, self-proclaimed grill master and I’m Living The Grilling Life!
I have a passion for cooking with live fire and smoke, no matter the weather. I’m a real person just like you, who loves outdoor cooking and BBQ. Food, fun, and time spent with family and friends are what it’s all about! It is my mission to take my passion and knowledge for outdoor cooking and all things BBQ and share this expertise in techniques and grilling equipment with you. In other words, Living The Grilling Life!
Thanks for this well-thought and unbiased review. I decided to order the TEC grill even though it may not be as flashy or have all the bells-and-whistles that many premium grills have. I think this TEC grill gives me all the durability and versatility I need, especially considering I have a pellet grill that I use a lot.
Thanks Jack. Let us know how you like the grill. I would love to hear your feedback.
The TEC grill sounds very impressive. At the top of the article it says “BEST BUILT-IN GAS GRILL AWARD WINNER” If that is the case, then why is the TEC grill not listed in your list of 10 best built in gas grills for 2021? Do you consider the TEC the best gas grill, or, just the best infrared gas grill? How does the TEC rank compared to the best gas grills that are not 100% infrared?
You are right. The TEC grill is a very impressive and award-winning grill. In fact, check out this review by the BBQGuys team of experts to see how much they like this infrared grill. They give it a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. You can see the review here: TEC Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Infrared Natural Gas Grill.
My top 10 did not include an infrared grill this year, although the Tech grill has been included on the list in years past. There are just so many excellent grills to choose from nowadays, it is impossible to list them all. That does not mean the Tech is not worthy though. Keep in mind that cooking using strictly infrared takes a little getting used to due to the extreme temperatures they can create, but they do produce awesome results.
I have a new TEC Grill as well – natural gas connected to the house.
I’ve grilled about 500 steaks on a friends TEC grill in PA which is propane based.
When my grill gets “too” hot – the drippings on the glass ignite. And there is a fire along the glass until I take the steak off and put it on the other side of the grill (and then that side ignites).
Is it because it is too hot? Temp Gun measures over 1000F-1100F on the surface of the glass.
Is that “TOO” hot to simply just incinerate the drippings?
Any thoughts would be welcomed! Brad@taxhelp1040.com