Next time you have a barbecue, try cooking burgers in a cast-iron skillet… on the grill. Here's why.
By Taylor Martin, CNET
A cookout
with burgers is one of many things to look forward to during the summer
months and one of the only things that makes bearing the awful heat
worth it.
We've already covered eight unexpected ways you can cook with your grill. But there's another trick you may not have considered; using a cast-iron skillet on the grill for your burgers. It may sound counterintuitive, but there are a few reasons it's worth giving a go.
[post_ads_2]
Less mess to clean
You might grill to keep from
cleaning the kitchen, but cooking fatty burger patties on the grill can
also create a bit of a mess. Of course, it's nothing a grill brush (or aluminum foil) can't handle. But using a skillet on the grill will reduce the mess even further.
When
you're done cooking the burgers, let the skillet cool down a bit, wipe
it down to remove the burnt bits and grease, coat it in some oil and
throw it back on the grill to season it for the next use.
 |
| Cooking directly on the grill grates allows fat (and flavor) escape. |
Fewer flare-ups
[post_ads]When
you cook hamburger patties on an open grate, the fat from the burgers
seeps out and falls down into the grill. If this fat hits a flame, it
will cause a flare-up.
Flare-ups can not only be dangerous, they
can also toast the outside of your food more than you want. Cooking in a
cast-iron skillet traps the fat and prevents it from falling into the
heat source.
No more dry patties
One of the main differences between a grilled burger and one cooked in a skillet is how juicy the burger usually is.
The
fat that drips down through the grates is just flavor escaping your
burgers, so trapping the fat is two-fold. Not only does it almost
completely put an end to flare-ups, it means you'll be cooking the
burgers in their own fat. This helps preserve some of that precious beef
flavor and will make a juicier burger in the end.
Not to mention,
while you preheat the skillet, you'll want to throw some cooking oil in
there, too. The fat and oil (hey, no one ever said a juicy burger was a
healthy option) will help you obtain that crispy, brown crust without
overcooking the center and while keeping flare-ups from burning your
burgers.
[post_ads_2]
Same smoky flavor
Even with a pan,
you're still cooking on a grill -- over an open flame of some sort. That
means regardless of whether you're cooking over charcoal, on a pellet grill or with gas, you can still get that awesome smoky flavor.
All
you need to do is open the vent and close the lid for a few minutes
while the burgers are cooking. If you're using a gas grill, throw some
wood chips in a smoker box before you start cooking to help flavor the
burgers.
See More At: CNET
