Broiler Pans & Broiling Basics
What is broiling?
Broiling is a quick method of using direct heat to cook tender cuts of meats,
poultry, ham, fish and vegetables in a conventional oven.
How does broiling differ from grilling?
They both provide
a similar charring and caramelization that give food that distinctive flavor
that we all like. However, grills and broilers work differently to achieve
these goals.
Broiling food is similar to grilling. They both cook food using direct
high heat but they differ in the placement of the heat. Broiling is done
with the source of the heat above the food and usually occurs in an
oven. Grilling
has the source of the heat below the food.
Why do I need a broiler pan for broiling food?
It is strongly suggested that a two part broiler pan be used for broiling
food to allow for oil and juices to flow away from foods. The top part
of the broiling pan (the grill) is slotted or perforated to allow the fat and
juices to drip into the bottom pan during cooking, rather than allowing the
food to cook in the fat as in a traditional roasting pan.
Learn more about a Range Kleen oven
broiler pan - with features that make it easy to clean and more enjoyable
to cook with.
What are the advantages to broiling foods in broiler pans?
- Quick Cooking Method. Broiling foods in broiler pans is a great time-saver. It
is quicker to broil meats than roasting meat.
- Low Fat Cooking. Additionally, because the
fat from broiled meats drips away from the food resting on the grill, rather
than allowing the food to cook in the fat, broiling is a much lower fat cooking
method.
Broiler Pan Cooking Tips
Recommended Broiling Temperatures
Broil thin items on high heat as quickly as possible. Start medium-thick
items on high to sear the food - this keeps the juices trapped in the meat,
then finish broiling on a lower heat setting or simply drop the rack
position down a few inches.
Thick items should also be started
on high heat to sear the food, then finished in the broiler oven at a lower
temperature.
How far from the heat source should I position my oven broiler pan?
Adjust your oven racks so that the top of your meat is 3 - 6 inches
from the source of the heat. Be sure to preheat your broiler oven
on high for 10 - 15 minutes.
Several minutes prior to broiling, place your
broiler pan under the broiler to preheat it.
Should I Turn Foods Over When Broiling?
Generally, unless your food is extremely thin, you should turn your food
when broiling.
Turning and rotating your food allows for even cooking and prevention
of burning.
As you broil your meat , you will see the color of the meat
change as it cooks. Cook the meat on one side until it looks like the
meat is cooked about half way through. Then turn it once to
finish cooking. Do not keep turning the meat from side to side.
Use tongs for turning to avoid piercing your meat that would let juices escape. Watch
your meat closely to avoid charring or burning. Your goal is to get an outside
that is brown & crusty and an inside that is juicy & tender.
What kind of foods can I broil in my oven broiler pans?
Foods that can be broiled include:
- Meats, such as beef, chicken, veal, lamb, and pork
- Sausages (Be sure to puncture the skin to prevent bursting)
- Bacon (broiled flat or rolled)
- Seafood (Both fish fillets and shellfish)
- Vegetables. Tender vegetables with a high moisture content are best
for grilling. These include zucchini, peppers, squash, and onions.
- Garlic breads, toasts, etc.
How can I reduce the smoking that frequently happens when broiling foods
using a broiling pan?
Smoking during broiling occurs when grease hits your hot broiler oven
pan and gets too hot. To reduce the smoke often associated with broiling
foods indoors in an oven broiler pan, follow one or more of these simple
tips:
- Use Water. Fill the broiler pan with about
1/4" of water. This keeps the fat and juices from drying up and getting
too hot.
- Lower Oven Rack. Carefully lower your baking
rack on your oven to increase the space between the food/broiler pan and
the top element. Your broiler pan may be sitting too close to your top oven
element.
- Remove Excess Fat. Remove excess
fat from meats and other fatty foods, prior to broiling.
- Use Less Oil. Cut back on oil-based marinades.
- Don't Overcook. Avoid overcooking foods
- Clean Your Broiler Pan. Broiler pan should be cleaned
after EVERY use. If you did not clean - you may have old grease and build
up that is burning away as you broil
How should I broil beef in my oven broiler pans?
Marbled beef is the best for broiling because it will be the most tender.
Choose a cut that is not too thick as thicker cuts will take longer to
broil and the goal is to cook the meat quickly. Steaks one inch or less
in thickness are an excellent choice. Cuts
to consider that are especially tender are steaks from the loin and the rib.
These include the tenderloin, top boneless sirloin, boneless top loin, Porterhouse,
rib-eye, and T-bone. Steaks cut from the chuck can be quite
good if not overcooked. Round steaks are not ideal choices for broiling, but
they can be greatly improved if marinated first.
Safety Tips for Broiling Foods and Using a Broiler Pan
Food Broiling Safety Tips
- Remove all plastic and paper from food items, TV dinners prior to
broiling
- Always use fire retardant oven mitts when checking your food to turn it
during cooking or to remove your broiling pan after cooking.
Broiling Pan Cleaning Tips
How can I make my broiling pan easier to clean?
- Use Water. One simple tip is to fill the broiler
pan with about 1/4" of water. This keeps the drippings from getting
baked on and makes it very easy to clean up after broiling.
- Use Oil. To prevent sticking, brush meat with oil
before putting on your oven broiler pan or use a paper napkin to lightly
wipe the tray with olive oil or vegetable oil before broiling.
- Use Marinades.
Meat that has been marinated in any mixture containing oil can be placed
on the pan without additional oiling.
- Replace Pan with Porcelain Coated Broiling Pans. Consider
replacing your old broiler pan and buy
a new broiler pan that is easy to clean. Range Kleen broiler pans
are coated in porcelain that is naturally nonstick for easier clean up. Buy
one today online.
 Buy
now.
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