Have you ever had a craving for a homemade burger in the wintertime? How about a grilled steak in the wind? Sometimes, mother nature isn’t on the same page as a stomach full of cravings. In the event you can’t get outside or don’t have an outdoor grill, there is an alternative to satisfy all of your seared desires. Indoor grilling seems like an impossible feat, but it can be a convenient way to elevate family dinner night. However, a couple of million-dollar questions still stand: can you grill indoors safely? And, does it taste the same?
Choosing the Right Indoor Grill
There are a few different types of indoor grills, and each comes with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. In the end, your personal preference for indoor grilling will depend on a few factors like convenience, storage, taste, and cooking style. The most widely used indoor grills include:
- Stovetop grill pans (cast iron): A cast-iron grill pan for an electric or gas stovetop is a classic option to replicate the signature flavor and sear from a traditional grill. Because the pan is cast iron, it will develop a natural non-stick coating over time with proper maintenance. However, these pans are heavy and difficult to maneuver.
- Non-stick grill pans: If you like the convenience of a grill pan but don’t want to carry the heavy cast iron or maintain seasoning the pan, a non-stick option may be more fitting for indoor grilling. Although, while the cast-iron grill will become more non-stick as it is seasoned and used, the non-stick coating on these pans will wear down over time.
- Infrared grills: This type of grill uses radiant heat from an infrared element like ceramic or quartz. These grills are quick to heat up, distribute the heat evenly, and are traditionally more efficient than traditional gas grills. On the flip side, infrared girls require a specific cleaning process and can be pricier than more traditional options.
- Smokeless grills: It sounds too good to be true: an entirely smokeless grill. While no grill can eliminate all of the smoke from the natural cooking process, these grills do significantly decrease the amount of smoke let off into the air. Smokeless alternatives are typically electric, using ventilation or a water-drip system to trap smoke and grease.
How to Grill Indoors Safely
Grilling indoors can be a hack for enjoying your favorite grilled dishes all year round. Although, you should never put safety on the back burner. While grilling indoors can come with a learning curve to achieve the perfect sear and flavor, there are a few essential tips to remember for fire safety and hazard protection:
- Picking out your grill: When you start grilling indoors, you may be captivated by all of the different appliance options. While many grills may promise unique features and functions, it is important to choose one that is specifically designed for indoor grilling.
- Choose the right location: An indoor grill should be placed on a stable, flat surface. Keep the grill away from flammable objects like paper towels, curtains, cooking spray, and other fire hazards.
- Ensure proper ventilation: When you grill inside, it may still produce some smoke. To keep the area well-ventilated, open windows, use the range hood, or, if neither of these options is reasonable, consider investing in a smokeless grill.
- Check the power source: When using an electric grill, make sure that the wire is plugged into a grounded outlet. Avoid using an extension cord. A direct connection can help prevent electrical hazards like overheating.
- Always monitor your grill when it is on: Never leave an indoor grill unattended when it is on. That way, any issues that may arise are addressed immediately.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing and Grilling Indoors
- Preheat the grill: Just like with the oven or an outdoor grill, preheat the grill before you begin cooking. Remembering to prioritize this step can help you avoid waiting around later if you forget while you’re prepping ingredients.
- Prepare your ingredients: Season your meat, vegetables, or other grilling ingredients with your favorite spices, marinades, or oils. Keep in mind that a little oil can prevent sticking but excess oil can cause splattering or excess smoke.
- Oil the grill: Grill pans and stovetop grills should be lightly oiled using a paper towel or brush to prevent food from sticking. Use your favorite cooking oil. For electric and infrared grills, check the manufacturer’s instructions because some models may not require oiling.
- Place food on the grill: After the grill has been properly preheated, carefully place the food on the grill. Avoid over-crowding the pan as that can cause uneven heat distribution.
- Actively monitor the cooking process: Keep track of the cooking time while the food is on the grill, and use a meat thermometer to check that protein has reached the proper internal temperature. Turn the food halfway through the grilling process to achieve the signature grill marks.
- Avoid opening the grill too often: For an inside grill with a cover, resist the temptation to constantly open the grill and check on the food. Each time you open the grill, you allow smoke to escape.
Preparing Food for Indoor Grilling
When you are developing your perfect techniques for grilling different foods inside, don’t forget about the importance of:
- Choosing cuts of meat: Thinner cuts of meat are a more productive selection for indoor grilling because they will cook faster and more evenly with less hassle. Proteins like chicken breast, steak, pork chops, and fish fillets are excellent options because they already have the advantage of cooking quickly and evenly.
- Picking out vegetables: Some of the easiest vegetables to grill include zucchini, eggplant, onions, and asparagus. To ensure even cooking, vegetables should be cut up into uniform pieces. Before placing them on the grill, marinade with your favorite sauce or oil.
- Preheating strategy: Always wait until the grill is fully preheated before starting to cook. Remember, just because the grill says it’s ready doesn’t mean it is! For good measure, wait 2-3 minutes after an electric grill declares it is ready before cooking.
- Marinading: A marinade should be applied to the meat or vegetables at least 30 minutes before cooking. However, extended marinating time will only elevate the delicious flavors added to the food.
- Prepping ingredients: By allowing ingredients like meat and vegetables to sit out for 15-20 minutes before cooking, you can ensure a more even cooking process. For example, parts of a steak will reach room temperature at an uneven rate, so cooking it before it reaches room temperature can result in uneven tenderness or sear.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Indoor Grill
The best way to maintain an indoor grill is to keep up with consistent grill maintenance. Grease can build up quite easily on a grill, so making a habit out of the cleaning routine can prevent stubborn grease stains and debris. Different types of grills will require unique cleaning processes. For example, cast iron grill pans should be rinsed with warm water and seasoned with oil while the removable parts of electric grills should be soaked in soapy water. For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
FAQs
The best way to grill indoors depends on your usable space and preferences as a cook. When choosing the right grilling method for you and your family, consider your kitchen size, desire for convenience, and personal tastes.
If you don’t have an indoor grill or grill pan, you can still achieve the same results with other appliances. Try broiling meat in the oven to replicate that signature char from searing. When you broil food, you should always watch it closely because the food can cook quickly. If you have other appliances like a cast iron skillet or a panini press, they can act as clever alternatives.
Yes! Even without a proper grill, you can achieve that signature smoky flavor from grilled food. One of the easiest ways to mimic this cooking technique is to apply liquid smoke or smoked salt as a secret ingredient. Some smoker boxers, which are typically used for outdoor grills, can also be used in a regular oven. Finally, smoking guns are a unique gadget that allows you to infuse smoke flavor into food by burning wood chips inside the gun and directing the smoke to the food.
