Selecting A Pan for the Broiler
Before learning how to use a broiler, prepare the correct pan. It is best to use a broiler pan for broiling food. Broiler pans have small holes and are low in height. This makes it possible to drain fat off the food as it cooks and prevents fat flare-ups.
Along with broiler pans, aluminum foil pans or metal baking sheets can also be used when broiling. Do not use glass baking dishes because glass may shatter due to the heat from the broiler. For some recipes, you may use stainless steel, copper or cast-iron skillets. Do not use pots that are made of plastic or have plastic handles since the handles may melt.
Refer to your broiler’s user manual before using it. Confirm which type of cookware is safe to be used with the broiler.
Picking Foods to Broil
Broiling suits thin meat and fish steaks, poultry, vegetables and bread. Some recommended meats include beef steaks, lamb chops, chicken breasts, fish fillets, shrimp and vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant. Slices of bread can also be toasted by placing a tray with them under the broiler.
How to Use a Broiler on a Gas Oven
Once you have all the pans and meat required for your dish, follow these steps to broil the meat:
Broiling Tips and Suggestions
Broiling is a simple process that can be used to prepare various foods. Here are useful broiling tips and suggestions to make your cooking even better:
- Broilers cook food rapidly. So, pay close attention to the food while broiling to ensure it does not get burnt.
- Flip over the meat, fish or poultry when they are half-cooked. This ensures an evenly cooked meal.
- To avoid the food sticking to the sides, lightly brush the dish with oil before broiling.
- When broiling meat, do not pierce it with a fork. Instead, use tongs or a spatula as piercing meat loses juices.
Safety Tips While Broiling Food
Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind while broiling food:
- When broiling, try to keep the door partly open. This helps in preventing the gas flame from being extinguished. However, do not follow this method with pets or kids around. Some broiler models might not operate until the oven door is closed. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before following this tip.
- Remember to use oven mitts or potholders when handling hot pans. In broilers, never reach your hand inside directly.
- Run the kitchen exhaust fan at high speed while broiling to reduce smoke and other bad smells in the house.
It is also important to clean your broiler pan and oven racks often to remove the food particles. Wash them by hand or put them in the dishwasher to clean the scrub pans. Wash oven racks using an oven cleaner. After every broiling session, the marinades, grease or drippings should be wiped off to ease the cleaning process.
You now know how to use a broiler, its tips and safety precautions to ensure a safe broiling session. Make sure to use appropriate mitts at all times to prevent any burns from occurring.