The Difference Between Grilling and Broiling

Broiling in your oven is an option when you can't go outside to grill, but there are differences between the two cooking methods. Whether using broiling as an alternative to grilling or following a recipe that includes broiling, it is good to know the fundamentals.

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Grilling vs. Broiling

Grilling and broiling both use intense direct heat to cook foods. They both require the same watchful eye to avoid burning. And they both provide a similar charring and caramelization that give food that distinct flavor. However, grills and broilers work differently to achieve these goals. If you want to use your oven broiler in place of a grill in a recipe, follow the three tips below to help achieve the best results.

Tip: Control the Oven Temperature

The biggest difference between a grill and an oven broiler is that your oven has a thermostat to control the temperature. While this might seem like it would simplify the process the problem is that your oven can turn off when it gets to a certain temperature—about 500 to 550 F/260 to 288 C. This will leave foods to cook in their own steam (baking). It is important that foods not bake, but broil and to do this, there needs to a constant flow of hot air. Baking is done with hot air. Broiling is done with direct heat from the source. Broiling is much more like infrared cooking.

You want that constant direct heat. To keep your broiler hot, prop open the oven door an inch or two. This allows heat to escape and will keep the oven from reaching its highest temperature where the thermostat may turn off the heating element.

Tip: Preheat the Cooking Surface

In both grilling and broiling, you want the grease and fat to be able to drip away. To do this well, you want to preheat the surface that is going to be in contact with the food. A preheated broiler pan or cast iron pan accomplishes both goals for broiling. Place the broiler pan or cast iron pan in the broiler for 5 minutes to allow it to pre-heat to a very high temperature before putting the food on it.

Since you are cooking by direct heat, you don't have to worry about preheating the oven itself. The hot pan, however, will help you get good searing on the surface of meats. Unless you are cooking something very thin, you might still need to flip it halfway through the cooking process to evenly cook it.

Tip: Keep Watch

Like grilling, you need to keep a close eye while broiling. Foods can still easily burn and even catch fire. Keep a fire-resistant mitt close by and stay close to the oven while broiling. An instant-read thermometer is also a very good thing to have on hand. Broiling might take longer than grilling because the temperatures might not be as high, but don't assume that it will take longer.

Avoiding Too Much Smoke When Broiling

The one big difference with your broiler is that the smoke it makes is inside your home and not rising out of the backyard. While keeping a close eye on your broiling will help prevent burning and smoke, you should consider avoiding as much fat as possible with those items you broil. This means trimming excess fat from meats, but it also means cutting back on oil-based marinades. Avoiding overcooking will also reduce the amount of smoke.

While broiling won't give foods the same great grilled flavor, in a pinch it can be a very good way to cook. Pay attention to what you are doing and you will quickly master this alternate method.