Let me introduce you to your broiler...




I have vague memories from my childhood of my mom and grandma broiling fish in the broiler at the bottom of the oven in my grandparents house. Up until yesterday, that was the extent of my experience with the broiler. It was an intimidating thing, I just didn't understand it, so I stuck with the "bake" option on my ovens.

One thing that added to this was the fact that I assumed that broilers were always that bottom drawer of your oven, as it had been when I was growing up. This is false. I assume that dusty bottom drawer of my oven is just to hold excess pots and pans? It's certainly not the broiler, as I learned via online research and youtube lol. 

Broiling cooks your meat or fish at a high temperature under direct heat. It's an awesome indoor alternative to grilling in a short time. You'll want to put your oven rack about 5 inches from the heating source. Be very careful with putting in and taking out your pans as when the broiler is on as it's a live flame... don't catch your ov-glove on fire! ;-)

Last night I made some breaded fish that never really comes out like I want. It's always soggy. For the last 7-10 minutes, I decided, what they heck, let me try to broil it to get the crisp I'm always looking for. The fish came out GREAT. So crispy on the outside, just like I was going for. 

I can't believe all these years I've subjected myself to soggy fish because of my fear of the broiler lol. 

Am I the only one who shied away from broiling?

9 comments

  1. Yum! I tend to use the broiler for things like toast (melting cheese on top, for instance, or butter) or creme brulee if I don't have a torch. I've never used it for food in that way I don't think, but now I'm interested. Sadly I have an electric stove, I don't think it would work quite the same without a nice flame. It's so hard to rent anywhere that has gas stoves!

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    1. Creme brulee!! OMG, you have just made me realize this possibility lol. I've never tried because I don't have a torch! No more excuses now lol.... mmmmmm, some garlic/cheese toast sounds like it will happen too.

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  2. I didn't even know you could broil in an oven. now I have to check it out. although, like suggestivetongue, I have an electric stove :(

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  3. I love this post! I have never ever even thought about that thing! I am going to need to learn how to use it and watch my hubby fall over in shock! haha Thanks =D

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    1. LOL. Glad I could introduce you to the broiler.

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  4. I never stopped broiling after I started. If it ain't broiled, Iowannit.

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  5. Omg I use broil for everything. I love it. Toast.... Chicken....etc. Anything that needs a little crisp. Best ever

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  6. I love my broiler and since I have a gas stove, food doesn't take long at all to cook.

    Like you, I used to believe that the bottom drawer was the broiler simply because when I was younger, that's exactly where it was. I'm guessing they're making them different now because that little drawer at the bottom of my stove is to hold pots and pans and to light the oven pilot. (And I only learned that when I had to light it after getting a new stove in my apartment.)

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    1. Yea, I definitely remember it at the bottom of the oven, it must be the newer model to have them up top. Thanks for commenting! :-)

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