Infrared heat, Infrared grilling chart – Napoleon Grills BIPRO 600 User Manual

Page 9

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Infrared Heat

Most people don’t realize that the heat source we are most familiar with, our sun, warms the earth using mainly

infrared energy. This is a form of electro-magnetic energy with a wavelength just greater than the red end of the

visible light spectrum but less than a radio wave. This energy was discovered in 1800 by Sir William Herschel who

dispersed sunlight into its component colors using a prism. He showed that most of the heat in the beam fell into

the spectral region just beyond the red end of the spectrum, where no visible light existed. Most materials

readily absorb infrared energy in a wide range of wavelengths, causing an increase in its temperature. The same

phenomenon causes us to feel warmth when we are exposed to sunlight. The infrared rays from the sun travel

through the vacuum of space, through the atmosphere, and penetrate our skin. This causes increased molecular

activity in the skin, which creates internal friction and generates heat, allowing us to feel warmth.
Foods cooked over infrared heat sources are heated by the same principle. Charcoal grilling is our most familiar

choice for infrared cooking. The glowing briquettes emit infrared energy to the food being cooked with very little

drying effect. Any juices or oils that escape from the food drip onto the charcoal and vaporize into smoke giving the

food its delicious grilled taste. The Napoleon infrared burner cooks in the same way. In each burner, 10,000 ports

– each with its own tiny flame – cause the surface of the ceramic tile to glow red. This glow emits the same type of

infrared heat to the food as charcoal, without its hassle or mess. Infrared burners also provide a more consistently

heated area that is far easier to regulate than a charcoal fire. For instant searing, the burners can be set to high, yet

they can also be turned down for slower cooking. We all know how difficult that is on a charcoal fire. Traditional gas

burners heat the food in a different way. The air surrounding the burner is heated by the combustion process and

then rises to the food being cooked. This generates lower grill temperatures that are ideal for more delicate cuisine

such as seafood or vegetables, whereas Napoleon’s infrared burners produce searing heat for juicier, tastier steaks,

hamburgers and other meats. For cooking times and tips refer to the Infrared Grilling Chart.

Infrared Grilling Chart

Food

Control Setting

Cooking Time

Helpful Suggestions

Steak

1 in. thick

High setting 2 min. each side.

High setting 2 min. each side

then medium setting.

High setting 2 min. each side

then medium setting.

4 min. – Rare

6 min. – Medium

8 min. – Well done

When selecting meat for grilling,

ask for marbled fat distribution.

The fat acts as a natural tenderizer

while cooking and keeps it moist

and juicy.

Hamburger

1/2 in. thick

High setting 2 min. each side.

High setting 2 1/2 min. each side.

High setting 3 min. each side.

4 min. – Rare

5 min. – Medium

6 min. – Well done

Preparing hamburgers to order

is made easier by varying the

thickness of your patties. To add an

exotic taste to your meat, try adding

hickory-flavored woodchips to

Napoleon’s woodchip smoker.

Chicken pieces

High setting 2 min. each side.

then medium-low to low setting.

20-25 min.

The joint connecting the thigh and

the leg from the skinless side should

be sliced 3/4 of the way though for

the meat to lay flatter on the grill.

This helps it to cook faster and more

evenly. To add a trademark taste to

your cooking, try adding mesquite-

flavoured woodchips to your

Napoleon woodchip smoker.

Pork chops

Medium

6 min. per side

Trim off the excess fat before

grilling. Choose thicker chops for

more tender results.

Spare ribs

High setting for 5 minutes

low to finish

20 min. per side

turn often

Choose ribs that are lean and

meaty. Grill until meat easily pulls

away from the bone.

Lamb chops

High setting for 5 minutes

medium to finish

15 min. per side

Trim off the excess fat before

grilling. Choose extra thick chops for

more tender results.

Hot dogs

Medium - Low

4-6 min.

Select the larger size wieners. Slit

the skin lengthwise before grilling.

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