Broiler help

[jenayn]

Ok, so I need a little help, not exactly with a recipe though if you have a good one for what Im about to ask, feel free to add. lol Ok, we pulled steaks out of the freezer yesterday to thaw for dinner tonight only to find out last night while grilling that we ran out of gas for our grill. We do have a George Foreman grill but I dont like it much for steaks. So I thought of the broiler. Problem is, Ive never used one before. So here's the really blonde question, do you use a pan in the broiler or just put the steak straight one? If so, isnt that messy?? Also, how do you know what temp to set it at for diffrent things? Sorry, its more than 1 question I know. :shrug7: TIA!!

Jen

[foggierbard9]

Not sure if you have an electric or gas because some are different. My electric stove I used to have had a setting for broil on the oven knob. I also had to put the meat in a pan to cook it. The gas stove we have now has its own pan for the broiler. The oven knob also has a broil setting. I would say watch it closely because the broiler is like 500 degrees so it can burn quickly.

[jenayn]

Ours is a gas stove but has electric controls for the oven/broiler. I dont see a pan in it so I suppose that means we will need to use a pan. Would you say it would be better to get the steaks brown in the broiler and finish on the George Foreman? I didnt realize you couldnt set a temp for a broiler. Thanks for your help!

[chitownmelli]

I only have experience with gas stoves - in the one we have now, there is a drawer - that's where the broiler is, and it has a broiler pan in it - it's a bumpy gray pan. If you use your own pan in there, like someone else said be careful of the temp, I would use something that is NOT coated because I think it's not good to get nonstick coatings THAT hot.

As far as how to cook it, depending on how you like your steaks, you can cook it in the broiler. If you have steaks that are about an inch and a half thick, I would go about 3 minutes per side for medium rare to medium. That's what works here, but just like any cooking tool, you will just want to practice. I used to be afraid of the broiler, and have since discovered that it is my friend :)

[chitownmelli]

Also, you can buy broiler pans so you don't have to worry about weather something is safe to use in the broiler.

[leqet]

You will want to get a broiler pan, DO NOT put the meat right on the rack or you will have a huge mess and possibly start a grease fire. Here's a basic broiler pan: Whirlpool Indoor Living - - 4396923 Porcelain Broiler Pan 4396923
You'll want to put a little water in the bottom part of the pan to catch drippings from the meat on the top.

Put your rack in a position so that the food is 4 inches or more from the broiler--no closer or it could burn. Stay right by the oven the entire time cooking to check on the meat even few minutes. Thin cuts will cook VERY fast in less than 5 minutes. If you have a really thick cut of meat it may not get cooked all the way through with just the broiler (or wel it may, but it will be burnt on the outside, lol)--you'll want to watch it and after it sears and browns nicely, change your setting to oven to finish the cooking.

[jenayn]

I do have the bumpy in the bottom of it but nothing removable, I think thats like the 3rd time Ive ever opened it. LOL

I like mine dead, even charred a little whereas DH likes his med rare. Thanks so much for all the tips, I guess tomorrow night will be our first try on the broiler. Honestly, Im a bit scared but maybe it will become my friend too. ;) lol

Thanks again!!