8
www.napoleongrills.com
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 ab-
sorb 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.
