Slosh and glosh. It is now time to stir our way towards the buyer's guide of this article. Here, we'll be taking you through all there is to know about broiler pans and how exactly to go about buying one for yourself.
Do I Really Need a Broiler Pan?
A broiler pan can get you broiled food, duh. This food can keep your diet healthy and your heart all fit. If that alone isn't enough of a persuasion to buy one, here are two more reasons that make these bad boys a must have for your kitchen.
Time Saving
As Benjamin Franklin once said, "time is money". Well, if that's the case, a broiler pan is sure to make you big bucks with all the time that it will save you in the kitchen. Since broiler pans are great at retaining heat, you can expect to spend less time cooking and more time snacking on your favorite foods.
Better Cooking
The best broiler pans utilise their superior construction to rest on the oven more evenly. This enables them to spread the heat uniformly. What results is food that is more evenly cooked and tastes better.
Broiler Pans Buying Tips
Now, let us equip you with some killer buying tips. These two tips will help you make a more informed decision when in the market for a new broiler pan.
Easy to Clean
Do you want scratches on your new broiler pan? No, right? Well, so it is important that you do not scrub away at it with a scrubber. The word, scrubber, itself has an evil ring to it, no? What you would want is a broiler pan that can be hand washed easily with good ol' water and soap.
Warranty
Favorable warranty plans are always a plus when it comes to buying anything. While the best broiler pans are sure to last you many years, having a parts warranty at least will help prevent anxiety in the rare chance of mishaps.
Things to Consider When Buying Broiler Pans
We recommend that you look at three factors when in the market for a new broiler pan.
Design
When we say the word “design”, we do not mean the broiler pan's aesthetics… or do we? An aesthetic broiler pan won't hurt anyone, would it? However, probably of more importance are the ergonomics of the broiler pan. An ergonomically designed broiler pan will have more holes and deeper channels. This will not only help suspend the food for even cooking but also prevent the melted juices and fat from creating a mess.
Size
The broiler pan's size plays a vital role and must be looked at when you're in the market for one. So, what size broiler pan should you buy? Well, first and foremost, you should ensure that it easily fits in your oven. Secondly, you should consider your family's size. More mouths to feed should equal a bigger broiler pan.
Moreover, it is important to mention that while bigger broiler pans will equal more food cooked in smaller batches, they will also be harder to clean and to carry around.
Material
It is important to understand that you'll be placing your broiler pan in the oven which is like the hottest place in your house. So, you'll need something that can withstand those scalding temperatures. It is here that the composition of the pan and its drip tray comes into play.
Most mid range broiler pans are made of aluminum. The metal is lightweight and heats up easily. However, it's not that durable and may even warp at such high temperatures. It is for this reason that some aluminum broilers have coatings of carbon steel to them. This helps them resist high temps and also prevents warping.
Premium priced broiler pans are usually made of stainless steel. While the metal is obviously expensive and heavy, it's heat tolerance is out of this world so check on the longevity boxes.
Broiler Pans Price Range
Let's talk about the dollar signs now. Come to think of it, a simple disposable aluminum broiler pan can be snagged from any store for less than $10. That, however, is not what we're working with here since it is usually unable to handle high temperatures. A good broiler pan can set you back anywhere from $20 to upwards of $40.
The premium priced models come with porcelain or enamel finishes and are durable enough to last you many years. Larger sized models are obviously priced higher. It is also worth noting that brand names play a huge role when pricing broiler pans. We won't be surprised if one soon comes with a Supreme tag attached to it!
Best Broiler Pan FAQ
We would now like to take you through our succinct FAQ section. Time to clarify all doubts!
Q: What is the best broiler pan?
A: All broiler pans shortlisted by our team boast amazing price to performance ratios and may be bought without batting an eye. However, if we were to choose one as our top pick, we would definitely go for the WILLIAMS-SONOMA Large Broiler Pan. Durable and versatile, the broiler pan boasts a design that is smooth and sleek with a nonstick surface and is great for preparing all kinds of foods.
Q: Why use a broiler pan?
A: The crispy and aromatic food cooked in a broiling pan is unparalleled, to say the least. The dished cooked in it requires less time and is also healthier. Moreover, due to its design, a broiler pan also cooks your food more evenly.
Q: Is broiling the same as grilling?
A: Come to think of it, broiling and grilling are quite similar. A small difference, however, is in the location of the heat source. With grilling, the heat source is almost always below and with broiling, the heat comes from above… and sometimes below and sides too. It all depends on your oven's make.