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www.napoleongrills.com
N415-0272 DEC 20.18
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.
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