Lab tests indicate that TEC grills cook food more than twice as fast as traditional convection grills and with less fuel input per unit area of cooking grid surface. The result is an energy savings of more than 50%, notes the manufacturer. The specially configured stainless steel burner of this grill radiates infrared energy evenly while shielding foods from moisture-robbing hot, dry air. A stainless cooking grid placed directly on radiant panels prevents air flow that causes flare-ups and vaporizes drippings into flavor-enhancing smoke.