How to use oven grill

How to grill in an oven  

Grilled food has a special appeal that’s hard to replicate. When summer arrives, many of us eagerly fire up the barbecue, sizzling our favourite meats, fish and vegetables over hot coals. But you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy high-quality grilled dishes. You can still create mouthwatering grilled food using your oven.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about grilling in your oven.

Why use the grill instead of baking in the oven?

Grilling food has many advantages compared to other cooking methods, like baking. It can be:

  • Healthier: Grilling in the oven is a healthier alternative to baking because it allows fat to drip off the meat during cooking.
  • More flavourful: Grilling enhances taste by combining natural flavours from the ingredients with the smokiness of the grill.
  • Cleaner: Grilling keeps your kitchen tidy. Unlike baking, which often requires multiple dishes and pots, after grilling, all you need to do is wipe down the grill pan and utensils you used. 

 

Supplies and tools  

Before you begin using your oven grill, gather the following items and utensils:

  • Oven grill pan
  • Kitchen tongs or spatula
  • Basting brush
  • Oven gloves
  • Meat thermometer

Preparing to grill  

There are several steps you should follow before using the grill function in your oven:

  • Rearrange oven racks

    Start by adjusting the rack positions in your oven to optimise your grill. For effective grilling, you’ll need to position your food close to the grill elements, so make sure your racks are closer to them. The further your oven racks are from the grill elements, the longer it will take to grill your food.

  • Select the correct grill pan

    Your oven should include a dedicated grill pan that fits snugly inside. This specialised pan is designed to withstand the intense heat generated by the grill. It also has a tray to catch any dripping fat, effectively keeping it away from the hot grill elements and minimising the risk of pan fires.

  • Set oven to grill

    After rearranging your oven racks and gathering your grill pan, select the grill function with our touch control panel.

  • Preheat grill

    To achieve effective grilling, preheat your cooking surface. Insert the grill pan into the oven, select the appropriate temperature for grilling your food and leave for 10 minutes. Keep in mind that while higher temperatures promote faster cooking, they may not be suitable for foods like meat, which require slower grilling to ensure they’re cooked through.

     

How to use your oven grill  

Once you’ve completed the four steps above, it’s time to start grilling your food:

  • Remove grill pan

    Using your oven gloves, slide the grill pan out of the oven and place the food you want to grill on it.

  • Close oven door

    For optimal results, keep the oven door closed. This traps heat, ensuring even cooking. Leaving the door open can lead to longer cooking times and higher energy usage.

  • Monitor food

    Keep an eye on your food while it cooks, as grilling is usually quick. To prevent burning, avoid leaving it under the grill for too long.

  • Remove food from grill

    Once it’s ready, use oven gloves to remove the food from the oven and switch off the grill using the control dials or touch buttons.

Grilling different types of food  

On the grill, you can cook various types of food, such as fish, meat, and vegetables. Each type requires slightly different cooking methods, which we’ll explain here.

Fish

Cooking fish on your grill is a healthy option. However, it can be tricky to do. Follow these steps for excellent results:

 

  1. Preheat the grill: Set your grill to a temperature between 205°C and 230°C (400°F to 450°F). This high heat helps caramelise the fish and reduces the cooking time, preventing it from drying out.
  2. Prepare the fish: While the grill preheats, let your fish sit at room temperature. Brush it with oil to prevent sticking, and season it as you like.
  3. Grill time: Place the fish on the grill. Follow the guideline of 8-10 minutes of cooking time per inch of fish thickness. Adjust the time based on the thickness of your fillet or steak.
  4. Flip carefully: Use a spatula to flip the fish once during cooking. Avoid flipping it multiple times, as this can cause it to break apart.
  5. Rest before serving: Once cooked, remove the fish from the grill and let it rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, resulting in a more flavourful and tender dish.

Meat

Another favourite food for grilling is meat. When grilled, the meat naturally tenderises and caramelises, enhancing its flavour. If you’re using an oven to grill meat, follow these steps for effective results:

 

  1. Preheat the grill: Set your grill to a high temperature, ideally between 205°C and 260°C (400°F to 500°F).
  2. Grill the meat: Put your meat on the preheated grill pan and place it in the oven.
  3. Marinate the meat: Brush the meat with your preferred marinade while it’s grilling to enhance flavour.
  4. Turn the meat: Flip the meat over halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides. Avoid turning the meat too many times, as it can spoil the caramelisation process, which gives you a crispy crust.
  5. Check a meat thermometer: Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer during grilling.
  6. Remove, rest and serve: Once the meat is cooked (above the minimum internal temperature), remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Vegetables

Grilling vegetables enhances their flavour by caramelising them, making them sweeter and adding a smoky taste. You can grill a variety of veggies, including peppers, onions, asparagus and tomatoes. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for grilling your vegetables:

 

  1. Preheat the grill: Set your grill to a temperature between 205°C and 218°C (400°F to 425°F).
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Cut your vegetables, maximising the surface area to allow for grill marks.
  3. Brush with oil: Brush the vegetables with oil to prevent sticking. You can also brush with a marinade for additional flavour.
  4. Grill time: Place your vegetables in the oven under the grill. Refer to the vegetable packaging for cooking times; they will vary depending on size.
  5. Serve: Remove the vegetables from the grill and serve.

Cleaning your grill

Maintaining the cleanliness of your oven grill is crucial. Regular cleaning (every 2-4 weeks) not only prevents grime buildup, which can become a daunting task later, but also ensures hygienic cooking and prevents leftover splatters from burning the next time you use the grill.

Follow these simple steps to keep your grill clean:

  1. Preheat the grill: Turn on your grill to a low temperature (around 80°C) and let it heat up until the grill element glows red.
  2. Cool down: Switch off the grill and allow it to cool for approximately 20 minutes.
  3. Remove loose grime: Use a paper towel to wipe away any loose bits of grime.
  4. Apply detergent: Spray the grill element with detergent and let it soak for 10 minutes.
  5. Thoroughly clean: Submerge a microfibre cloth in warm soapy water. Squeeze out excess water and wipe the grill element to remove the remaining grime.
  6. Dry: Pat the grill element with more paper towels to ensure it is dry.

You can read more about keeping your oven clean and efficient in our comprehensive oven maintenance guide.

Explore AEG’s diverse selection of ovens, each equipped with grills for preparing your favourite grilled dishes. Our models span a wide range, from the 6000 series ovens featuring SteamBake technology for steam-powered baking to the 9000 series models with Steamify, which automatically adjusts the steam level. For all the information you need, check out our complete oven-buying guide.