Five Grill Pan Tips

People who don't have the luxury of owning a sprawling backyard with a grill can still enjoy grilled steak and vegetables with the use of a grill pan. Grill pans may be easy to use but here are some grill pan tips that will surely help those first time users.

1. It is of utmost importance that you buy a grill pan that will suit your need. Keep in mind that grill pans come in different sizes so if you are not into barbecueing with friends, then a small grill pan will do. But if you love cooking for your friends, then you might want to buy a bigger grill pan which allows you to grill more food.

You should also choose between cast iron pans and non-stick pans. Most people would choose cast iron pans because it is more or less similar to those outdoor grills. In addition to that, it also cooks in the same way as the outdoor grill allowing you to emulate the feeling of grilling outdoors.

Non-stick grilling pans are seldom chosen because the non-stick coating can peel off in the long run or chip away when you scrub it with a scouring pad. In short, if you want to buy a grill pan, buy a double sided grill pan with a cast-iron griddle and it should be big enough. Smaller grill pans may not take up a lot of space but it will give you a hard time preparing food for 2 or 3 people.

2. Before you start cooking with your brand new grill, you will have to scrub it clean first especially if you bought those cast iron grill pans. These grill pans come with a protective coating that has to be removed before you can cook on it. The best way to remove this is by scrubbing the surface with hot water and a scouring sponge. Do not just scrub the inside part but the underside and the other areas as well then let it dry.

3. Cast iron grill pans are way different than those non-stick grill pans where food doesn't stick. To counteract this problem, a cast iron grill pan has to prepped first. Some cast iron grill pan users call this seasoning. This is done to keep the food from sticking especially if you are grilling food on it for the first time.

To season a cast iron grill pan, put it on the stove in high heat then coat it with oil. You can either brush the oil or pour it. Allow the oil to sit on the pan until the smoking stops. When doing this, keep your kitchen windows open. Repeat the procedure 3 or 4 times more.

4. When you use grill pans for grilling, the same cooking rules apply. First coat it with a thin layer of oil as this will keep the food from sticking, then place the food. Allow the food to sit for a few minutes before you turn it to its other side. When using a grill pan, always set the stove to high heat because if you use low heat, food tends to stick. Remember that grilling is a high temperature type of cooking.

5. After using your grill pan, do not forget to clean it. Yes, this is important. Cleaning your grill pan is as easy as cleaning your plates; all you need is warm water, soap and a scouring pad. If the grill pan has been seasoned well, then cleaning shouldn't be a problem.

After cleaning, do not forget to dry it because cast iron tends to oxidize and rust if not dried well. You can also prep or season your cast iron pan again before you store it because this will provide the pan a coat or layer of protection. Store it properly.