Napoleon LEX 730, Manual

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8
EN
www.napoleongrills.com N415-0274CE-GB-DE DEC 22.17
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. (2.54cm) 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. (1.27cm)
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 wood-
chips 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 cook-
ing, try adding mesquite-flavoured
woodchips to your Napoleon woodchip
smoker, optional accessory.
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.