Benefits of Infrared Cooking

Have you ever wondered how infrared cooking works?  This type of cooking uses infrared energy and relies on radiation for heat transfer.  As infrared energy passes through food it causes the food molecules to vibrate and produce heat.  There are many benefits that you can obtain from infrared cooking.

Standard cooking uses conduction or convection to transfer heat. Conduction requires direct contact between objects while convection uses a liquid or gas to transfer heat.  When you sauté or pan-fry your food, you are relying on conduction to cook food.  Boiling, deep-frying or using a standard gas grill involves convection to transfer heat from the heated molecules of water, oil or air to the food being cooked.

More efficient

Radiation heating is involved in infrared cooking.  It works directly on the molecules along its path, which makes it a very efficient way to cook.  Standard cooking methods that use conduction and convection require heat transfer, and this always involves heat loss.  Radiation heating does not have this kind of problem.  This means you need less energy to cook the same amount of food.

Food cooks faster

Energy is transferred directly to the food molecules without passing through an intermediary such as air, water, oil, etc.  The desired temperature will be reached more quickly and food cooks much faster.

More flavorful food

One of the biggest benefits of infrared cooking is food that is more flavorful.  When cooked in an infrared oven or grill, meats and poultry are brown and crispy outside but remain amazingly moist and succulent inside.  Food flavors and juices are sealed in.

Infrared grills offer the benefit of moisture retention.  With a standard convection grill, hot air passes over the food and carries away some of its moisture and juices.  Eventually, the food will dry out.  Infrared energy has the opposite effect.  It drives moisture deep inside the food being grilled.  The flavor is enhanced and the grilled item is more succulent.

More Convenient

Grilling with infrared heat eliminates the mess and smoke of charcoal grilling so you can enjoy it year round.  The same goes for cooking with an infrared oven.  No pre-heating is required, and you can even cook food without defrosting.

Versatile

You can cook all kinds of food with an infrared oven or grill.  Steaks, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetables come out perfectly cooked.  They can be grilled, roasted, steamed, baked or air fried.

Healthier Food

Many people choose infrared cooking for the health benefits that it offers.  Excess fats and oils are released from food.  In addition, you can cook heart-healthy food with minimal or no oil.