I think you are thinking of "resitive" heaters, the ones with the glowing metal coils. Often called "Milkhouse Heaters".

Good ceramic heaters are designed such you can put your hand on the grill, it will be hot enough to make you want to pull your hand away, but not hot enough to burn your skin, just like oil filled heaters. They also have tip over and overheat protection switches.

I have this one, and even in high you can put your hand directly on the grill in front of the ceramic heating element without burning your skin.