Can Waring Pro Cast Iron Grill be used without water in tray? Does water in tray steam-cook food and does it diminish heat from grill surface?
1319956
The water keeps the drippings from smoking due to the grill being an indoor one. Also, if you don't use water, the pan is hard to clean.
1319957
Yes it can be used without water. Yes the water does diminish grill surface temp. No the water doesn't steam cook anything in my experience... I think it primarily catches fat and prevents smoke.. I often cook without the water to sear steaks better...This best grill out there for electric grilling indoors..
1319958
Hi, good question because I wondered that myself. The water helps keep the smoke to a minimum. I tried cooking some steaks with no water and the smoke was too much. The water is not intended to steam the food but there is some moisture but doesn't seem to effect it negatively. I had a Foreman grill before this one and I prefer this one. The moisture from the food can drain off somewhat because there are holes in the grill which helps get a deeper grill line. Once you flip the food it doesn't get quite as dark but it works good. I wish they made these more powerful but this is the best grill I have had so far for indoor grilling. Hi, good question because I wondered that myself. The water helps keep the smoke to a minimum. I tried cooking some steaks with no water and the smoke was too much. The water is not intended to steam the food but there is some moisture but doesn't seem to effect it negatively. I had a Foreman grill before this one and I prefer this one. The moisture from the food can drain off somewhat because there are holes in the grill which helps get a deeper grill line. Once you flip the food it doesn't get quite as dark but it works good. I wish they made these more powerful but this is the best grill... » Read More Hi, good question because I wondered that myself. The water helps keep the smoke to a minimum. I tried cooking some steaks with no water and the smoke was too much. The water is not intended to steam the food but there is some moisture but doesn't seem to effect it negatively. I had a Foreman grill before this one and I prefer this one. The moisture from the food can drain off somewhat because there are holes in the grill which helps get a deeper grill line. Once you flip the food it doesn't get quite as dark but it works good. I wish they made these more powerful but this is the best grill I have had so far for indoor grilling. « Show Less
1319959
TIP: If you worried about steam from the water and the flavour, add a bottle of beer to the water, or if it is chicken some lemon juice or white wine. I personally would not pay this kind of money for this sort of product.
1319960
Hi, good question because I wondered that myself. The water helps keep the smoke to a minimum. I tried cooking some steaks with no water and the smoke was too much. The water is not intended to steam the food but there is some moisture but doesn't seem to effect it negatively. I had a Foreman grill before this one and I prefer this one. The moisture from the food can drain off somewhat because there are holes in the grill which helps get a deeper grill line. Once you flip the food it doesn't get quite as dark but it works good. I wish they made these more powerful but this is the best grill I have had so far for indoor grilling.
1319961
I used this at my shop to grill chicken. It has to have the water or it will smoke up big time. It doesn't diminish heat.
1319962
The water in the tray is necessary to keep the smoke level down. And maybe it helps distribute the heat but it doesn't steam the food. There is no steam. If you don't put water in the tray it could cause the grease that drops into it to catch on fire. Bottom line: The water is important for smoke and flame control but doesn't provide a steaming effect.
1283923
I agree, just get a grill brush and clean off the worst of the gunk. The high temperature of the grill will kill any potential bacteria that probably isn't there anyway. Cast iron needs to be seasoned and stay seasoned, the dishwasher can result in starting the process over from scratch.
952132
OK. here is a simple solution which I have known for so long. There is a tray underneath the grill. Pour water there before cooking. Then, you will not have a much spatter problem. Be careful though. Sometimes, too much oil gathers in the tray that it might spill over the tray (but it never happened so far). The amount the tray can hold is limited. Just pay attention while cooking the oily meats.
2257564
I have cooked with pots, pans, and cast iron skillets on the grill portion with no issues. You want to be careful to no scrape the non-stick coating off the grill by sliding the pots and pans around. That is the only drawback I can see so far.
1494051
Since steaming requires only a bit of water in the bottom, if your basket has legs, it can be used alone for steaming quantities of items, like carrots. The tray is usually best for steaming things like fish. However, if your basket does not have legs, then you need to use the tray, too. The idea is to keep the food above the water.
965342
To clean you just pour water on it while hot (or heat it up and pour on water) use a scraper with hot water.Not sure what you mean by all-in-one grill?
1829725
I use my dehydrator to make beef jerky from roasts. As I finish with a tray I stick them in the sink to soak as the jerky really sticks badly to the tray. When I am finished with all of the trays, I rub them gently with a sponge and then they go through a dishwasher cycle. I don't see any problems with that process, but the grills of the trays do seem to get brittle with a lot of use. Whether from the drying process or the dishwasher, I am not sure. I have started purchasing the non-stick pads that go on top of the trays to reduce my "sticky" problem. I really like the motor/blower on top. A friend lent me her machine that had the motor/blower on the bottom and it was impossible to clean this area. I use my dehydrator to make beef jerky from roasts. As I finish with a tray I stick them in the sink to soak as the jerky really sticks badly to the tray. When I am finished with all of the trays, I rub them gently with a sponge and then they go through a dishwasher cycle. I don't see any problems with that process, but the grills of the trays do seem to get brittle with a lot of use. Whether from the drying process or the dishwasher, I am not sure. I have started purchasing the non-stick pads that go on top of the trays to reduce my "sticky" problem. I really like the... » Read More I use my dehydrator to make beef jerky from roasts. As I finish with a tray I stick them in the sink to soak as the jerky really sticks badly to the tray. When I am finished with all of the trays, I rub them gently with a sponge and then they go through a dishwasher cycle. I don't see any problems with that process, but the grills of the trays do seem to get brittle with a lot of use. Whether from the drying process or the dishwasher, I am not sure. I have started purchasing the non-stick pads that go on top of the trays to reduce my "sticky" problem. I really like the motor/blower on top. A friend lent me her machine that had the motor/blower on the bottom and it was impossible to clean this area. « Show Less
1262951
Veggies mainly, so they don't get waterlogged with steaming. I steam fish sometimes and set the plate right inside the steamer. Gyoza and Shumai dumplings do well for a super quick side or lunch. Steaming seems easier to control. Also steaming takes less time to get to cooking temperature than boiling a pot of water. Another method I use is to par cook something like chicken with uneven pieces that might burn on the grill, to give it a head start before grilling.
198767
no drip tray surface is sealed. non stick so no oils are needed to cook. I cook chicken and pork eggs great for pancakes grilled cheese. I do not eat red meat so not sure about how burgers would do.
1120732
No, with all cast iron products you want to wash them with water without soap. The iron absorbed the minerals from the tea. Therefore, it makes every cup better for you when you use it. If you wash it with soap, all of that goes away.The same thing if you have a cast iron tea pot, only rinse with water.
800179
I use with the grates. It is heavy enough to use without. It is heavy and cast Iron.
1879102
Happy to help! We love cooking on cast iron and you should NOT use soap on the pan. You can clean all of them with really hot water and SALT! We use whatever salt is handy. Also, there are scrapers to use and their is one that is grooved to work specifically on grill pans. We heat our grill pan to "really" hot and put the meat in their and savor the aroma. Lodge is the very best of cast iron ware. Hope this helps!
1550887
First of all, after use, clean well with hot water. Do not use soap.Dry thoroughly and apply a very small amount of vegetable oil on inside surface. Never scour or wash in dishwasher. Never store a cast iron utensil with the cover on as this might cause sweating and consequent rust damage. Store these utensils in a dry place.
1785048
Grids are porcelain coated cast iron. There are two of them and they cook and clean easily providing you lightly coat them with Pam before use. Fastest heating grill I have owned!
1785647
I treat it just like my 'seasoned' cast iron skillet - I NEVER WASH MY CAST IRON!!! PERIOD!!! Any bacteria that escapes being microwaved is not a problem. Just wipe it out with a paper towel. If I have any stubborn bits in grill pan, I run a little water in it, sponge it out, then wipe with paper towel. Some things are better NOT to be washed... like coffee pot... I never want soap residue in my coffee pot... just add a little white vinegar and backing soda, to clean out the calcium which hard water in my area deposits in the bottom of pot. I hope this answers your question :)
1639551
I gave this Forman as a gift because the ad says it has a drip tray. see http://www.georgeforemancooking.com/products/classic-plate-grills/gr0080s-vari-temp-grill-silver-grill-large-grilling-inside.aspx
300688
There are two areas where the water resides - at the bottom where it is filled and another smaller area that handles water during the steaming process resting right above it. With the steaming process, everything that holds the hot/boiling water is kept rather clean. I do not use any additives in my food as I don't want anything to go down into the water. After the steaming process, the smaller tray can be washed with soap and water (haven't put it in the dishwasher) and the larger one at the bottom can be drained and simply wiped out when cooled. I love this steamer and have a friend who feels the same way....you will not be sorry!!!!