Broiling vs Baking
The primary distinction between broiling and baking lies in the temperature of the heat used in each cooking technique. Both methods involve using an oven to cook food, with baking being a more common approach for preparing healthy food. Although there are similarities between the two methods, this article will focus on their key differences.
What is Baking?
Baking involves surrounding the food item with hot air to provide heat energy. This method does not char the food, making it ideal for baking cakes and breads that only require a little bit of browning. When using oven baking settings, the temperature is typically around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, with little to no air movement inside the oven. This temperature range can vary between 250 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the specific heat requirements of different food items.
What is Broiling?
Broiling uses infrared radiation to provide heat energy to the food being cooked. This process can char food items in close proximity, making it suitable for cooking meat dishes. If you don’t have a grill available, you can use your oven’s broil setting to achieve a charred, juicy, and flavorful steak in a short amount of time. The temperature during broiling usually reaches about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, with only the top burners activated and the meat placed directly beneath them. This means the heat cooks the meat from the top side, requiring you to flip the meat to cook it evenly on all sides. This method typically takes 2-3 minutes per side, allowing you to prepare a steak within 10 minutes if you are proficient at broiling. When using an electric oven, leave the door slightly open during broiling, but keep it closed if you are using a gas oven.
Key Takeaways
- While both baking and broiling provide dry heat to the food being cooked, the main difference between the two methods lies in the way heat is utilized. Baking uses constant heat without air movement, while broiling involves infrared radiation.
- Broiling can char food items in close proximity, making it suitable for cooking steaks, whereas baking only browns items, making it ideal for cakes and biscuits.
- The temperature range for baking is usually between 250 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while broiling typically reaches around 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
