Infrared Searing For The Beginner

           

             If you’re accustomed to grilling, it may come as a surprise that grilling with the power of infrared heat is a totally different scenario. Just like any other cooking technique, it takes some time to master. For some this may happen quickly, and without much effort, while for others it may be more gradual. The most beloved method of cooking on an infrared grill is searing, which locks in moisture and creates savory flavor.

            Infrared technology in terms of grills is solely owed to the company TEC, or Thermal Engineering Corp. In the 1980’s they pioneered this technology and applied it to grills, and the end result was an ultra powerful grill, with the highest heat output on a grill ever seen. The technology was then patented, and these grills were only available to those in commercial environments such as restaurants. Once the year 2000 rolled around, this patent expired, and infrared gas grills were able to be sold to the public. At first, people did not catch on as quickly because of the enormous price tags that were attached. But because they were no longer protected, the technology was then accessible to everyone, and soon other manufacturers were releasing their own takes on the almighty infrared.

            Many people, once they’ve purchased an infrared grill, are anxious to begin cooking on it, and to know the proper ways to use it. Strangely, no one as of yet, has released a book that details the instructions that work best for grilling infrared. Above all, you must always keep in mind the difference in heat that this type of grill will bring. It’s really not your ordinary heat source, and it is way more powerful. The standard output is 1500 degrees, and will cook a steak in minutes. The grill’s hood must always be kept open during grilling because of the intense pressure that is generated by the gas. The powerful heat then rises off of the burner, and unlike a traditional grill, infrared gas grills do not conduct heat in the air. This is known as directional heat, and it travels directly upwards.

            It is important to note that the grill presents an interesting surface to work with. In between the grates is where the heat will rise from, and will cook the food that is placed on it, differently from the areas where the food hits the grates. The meat will have to be turned at very short intervals, somewhere between 30 and 45 seconds apart. This change in position changes the heat from direct to indirect. As you turn, the time lessens because even though the food may not be receiving direct contact with the infrared heat, it is still receiving residual heat that is present in the air due to conduction. 15 seconds in, there will be obvious stripes, signifying areas that have been cooked and others that have not. As you turn, the cooking is more even. Once this process of precision is complete, you will flip your item over to do the same process on the other side. Generally, you can allow about one minute and 30 seconds for each side as a safe estimate for total cooking. And, this my readers, is searing. Quick cooking, over extreme heat, with utmost attention paid to your subject.

            Among the different foods you can sear, ground beef hamburgers can be one of the trickiest as they are not exactly flat and can rarely get a searing that compares to that of fillets. Steak and fish fillets are the prime examples of foods that sear perfectly, ensuring perfection in tenderness and flavor.

            So, if infrared grilling is going to be on your personal to do list, or if you are just curious, I hope you’ve learned a thing or two from this little instructional! Happy searing!

TEC Infrared Grills Bring the Finest in Infrared Grilling

Infrared grills have become extremely popular over the past 30 years. It really is no wonder why, because for grilling fanatics, they open a world of opportunities. Infrared grills have no limitations, unlike gas and charcoal grills.

            In 1980, the very first infrared grill was unveiled, created by Thermal Engineering Corporation. Tec owned a patent on this ground-breaking technology, and were the only ones to further develop upon this prototype. This very first model was quite basic by today’s standards. It was actually a combination infrared grill, as it used both infrared heat and flame, both generated by heated ceramic plates. These ceramic plates were far from sophisticated, however. They were rather delicate, and removing spilled food from them often caused irreparable damage. Nonetheless, they were a major advancement from conventional grills, and today grill repair can help make your TEC infrared grill last even longer.

            In the reinvention process, a variety of different materials were employed to help solve the issues the original infrared grill possessed. Glass was implemented on top of the ceramic, in hopes it would be the solution to spillage. It was an amazing addition, as it caused the flames to be enclosed, resulting in foods cooked with only the infrared heat. The end result was the most tender and juiciest barbequed foods many had ever eaten.

            From that point on, reinventions became a major part of them game. TEC grill parts were improved upon the point of perfection. The most successful incarnation happened when metal was layered to create the most potent form of infrared energy. More advanced glass panels are placed over the burners to prevent air from flowing into the grill. The entire interior has been engineered to create a uniformed heating element. This has resulted in the elimination of flare-ups that once plagued the entire design.

            Infrared grills, today, are loaded with benefits, and have an enormous following by grill masters. Some of the great reasons they are so loved include how eco-friendly they are, as they use less fuel than traditional grills; they have faster heating times, fully reaching their heat potential in 3 minutes; have excellent searing capabilities, provide a uniform cooking heat that provides an even cooking to all foods, and their cleanup is extremely easy and effective due to the glass cooking surface. One of the best reasons many choose an infrared over a conventional grill is the health benefits they provide. In traditional grilling, you always have the risk of carcinogens accumulating in meats. Think about it; those grill marks are caused by flame. When using infrared heat, contact  between the food and the flames actually never happens. Therefore, you significantly reduce the amount of carcinogens that get produced.

            One figure that tends to steer people away from infrared grills is their higher price, in comparison to gas and charcoal grills. This is definitely due to the technology, design, and craftsmanship that go into the building of an infrared grill.

The materials used are also a key player, as they are built with metal of very high quality. The elements that provide their technological heating, which maintain the uniform heating, are also part of the hefty price makeup.

            Though the price may sway you, there are several ways that an infrared grill will enable you save money, though. Because of their high-tech, uniform method of heat and cooking, you will lose less food both during cooking, and afterwards as this method does not burn, or dry out foods. In addition, the savings on fuel cost are also considerable, and if you grill frequently, you will see the savings in no time. If time is a factor in your life, as it is in most peoples’, the savings in time will also impress you. As mentioned previously, an infrared grill reaches full heat in mere minutes, as opposed to half an hour or longer, with constant supervision to ensure a proper fire. Infrared grills also cool faster as well, making them a safer alternative if you have children in close proximity.

            So, if you are looking for a grill that can save you time, money (in the long run), provide a safer environment for your children, expose you to less carcinogens, be more environmentally friendly, and most importantly- cook your foods to perfection- infrared is the way to go!