topic Re: ?? How to use a broiler? in Recipes

?? How to use a broiler?

TeezNu — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:21:50 GMT

Am I supposed to leave the oven door open/cracked when I use my broiler?

I looked at my oven instructions, and they do not say.

Seems like I remember my mother leaving the oven door cracked (over 50 years ago).

Am embarrassed at my age to be asking this question - obviously, I have never used the broiler function 😳

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Tribesters — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:24:26 GMT

I always leave my oven door cracked. But, like you, it's because that's what my Mother told me to do many years ago. It can't hurt & it's easier to keep an eye on what you're broiling.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

software — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:28:00 GMT

Depends on what I'm making. I like to keep it closed a few minutes for the entire oven to get warm, then I check frequently. I stay close and usually know by smell. if you have a good light & window, you can keep it closed and watch through the window. My window is tinted so I have to look inside with the door open.

@TeezNu wrote:
Am I supposed to leave the oven door open/cracked when I use my broiler?
I looked at my oven instructions, and they do not say.
Seems like I remember my mother leaving the oven door cracked (over 50 years ago).

Am embarrassed at my age to be asking this question - obviously, I have never used the broiler function 😳

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Carmie — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:40:18 GMT

I broil several times a week and leave my oven door cracked open. I also use the best stainless steel broiler pan in the whole wide world. I put it in the dishwasher and it comes out like brand new. I also a little water to the bottom of the pan as directed.

The pan is called the Waterbroiler and it's available for purchase on line. I wouldn't be without it.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

TeezNu — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:43:59 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
I broil several times a week and leave my oven door cracked open. I also use the best stainless steel broiler pan in the whole wide world. I put it in the dishwasher and it comes out like brand new. I also a little water to the bottom of the pan as directed.

The pan is called the Waterbroiler and it's available for purchase on line. I wouldn't be without it.

@Carmie

What is the purpose of the Waterbroiler? To keep meat moist?

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

kaydee50 — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:53:24 GMT

I never heard of leaving the oven door cracked open for any reason. Isn't it more energy efficient just to check on the food every so often?

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Carmie — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 23:54:24 GMT

@TeezNu wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
I broil several times a week and leave my oven door cracked open. I also use the best stainless steel broiler pan in the whole wide world. I put it in the dishwasher and it comes out like brand new. I also a little water to the bottom of the pan as directed.

The pan is called the Waterbroiler and it's available for purchase on line. I wouldn't be without it.
@Carmie
What is the purpose of the Waterbroiler? To keep meat moist?

The manufacturer recommends using water. I think it stops the flare ups and makes cleaning the pan easier. I have had mine for about 8 years and it's the best pan ever. I don't have to soak and scrub anymore and my pan always looks like new.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Carmie — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:02:04 GMT

@castlenv wrote:
I never heard of leaving the oven door cracked open for any reason. Isn't it more energy efficient just to check on the food every so often?

When you broil, the heat source is only 3-4 inches away from the food. You are not roasting or baking so the temp of the oven makes no difference.

My parents owned a resturant. I can tell you that commercial broilers do not have a door and are completely open. You just place the food under the flame to cook it.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

TeezNu — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:10:26 GMT

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to respond!

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

fthunt — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:23:14 GMT

For an electric stove - - if broiling a steak - you have to leave the door open or else, when the temp reaches 500 degrees, the electric element goes out because it's reached temp. If you leave the door closed the steak is now being 'baked' instead of 'broiled'.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Kachina624 — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:49:32 GMT

Ive never heard of leaving the oven door open and have never done it, nor did my mother.

I've always put a little water in the broiler to facilitate clean-up, although I don't have a designated "waterbroiler". It keeps food from sticking and baking on.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

ValuSkr — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 02:17:41 GMT

I always leave the oven door cracked open. Like the others, it's what I've always done and what my mother did. Here's what my oven's Use & Care Guide says:

"Close the door to the Broil Stop Position (open about 4 inches, 10.2 cm). The door will stay open all by itself."

and

"NOTE: The door must be partly open whenever the oven is set to BROIL. Leaving the door open allows the oven to maintain proper temperatures."

This oven is not new - it's electric and about twenty years old - so newer models may work differently.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

x Hedge — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 01:49:12 GMT

Wow @TeezNu, your question brought a smile to my lips! I haven't heard anyone mention leaving the oven door open while broiling in at least 50 years.

Growing up, I watched my mother use a stove that was built post World War 1, and that actually did require that the oven door be left ajar while broiling.

But Heavens no! Modern ovens do not require you leave the door open when broiling.

That practice originated in Victorian times when gas light and cooking was new. Closing the oven door would cut off the oxygen supply, the flame on the broiler would be extinguish for lack of oxygen, but the gas would still continue to pour into the oven creating a hazard. That was solved by simply leaving the oven door open a bit while broiling. Modern gas stoves are ventilated and safeguarded in such a way that this hazard no longer exists.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

GCR18 — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 02:40:53 GMT

My mother always left the door open. I've only broiled a handful of times and left the door open. I liked looking through the crack to see how things are going.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

x Hedge — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 03:33:06 GMT

While I was Wenning my hair occurred to me that some readers may indeed be using a stove that old.

☆ If you have to turn on the gas, light a match, wave it around the port and listen for the gas to ignite, then yes, it's wise to leave the door open a little bit while you're broiling.

All that stopped when they gave us gas stoves with electronic ignition and upgraded the internal ventilation for self cleaning ovens. You can close the door now.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

Poodlepet2 — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:27:33 GMT

You should try to find the manual: I have a Bosch-and of all things, you close the door....Needless to say, I burned a few things before I figured timing with this. I love it-it's the most powerful oven I have ever owned. Most oven, you crack when broiling.

Poodlepet2

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

CelticCrafter — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:45:31 GMT

For storage of sheet pans!

Doesn't matter what I'm making, all that happens is that is sets everything on fire and makes one big mess so I stopped trying.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

shaggygirl — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 10:53:56 GMT

I've had probably 5 or 6 electric stoves over the years and the instructions always said to leave the door ajar when broiling so when I got the one I have now, it's about 3 years old, I did the same when broiling. But I had never read the instruction booklet in regards to broiling, just assumed as with the others that's what I should do. Because you asked, for the heck of it I just got out my booklet for this one and when it speaks about using the broiling feature it says nothing about leaving the door ajar. So that's a first for me.

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

ECBG — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 05:53:31 GMT

Actually, the oven door should be left cracked when using broil unless you are told not to.

The reason is because broiling is 'grilling" in a range. If you close the door, the maximum temperature would be reached and the broiling element would cycle off for a few seconds.

Your steak would bake not grill. Many people have a problem with this methid because until the element reaches its top temperature the grilling is slower. After it gets throughly heated, the grilling can be very fast.

In my labs we always did homemade cinnamon toast. We had some burned toast you can be sure!

Re: ?? How to use a broiler?

faeriemoon — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:57:00 GMT

The instruction book that came with my range says to always broil with the door closed. (Just checked.)