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Broil vs. Bake: What’s the difference?
Broil vs. Bake: What's the Difference?
When you look at the history of kitchen appliances, there is a transition in the 20th century from cooking over wood and coals to cooking over a controlled range. As homeowners started cooking with gas and electric models, they had more control over the heat levels. They began to set a lower temperature for delicate meals and ramp up the power to heat up a roast. This finesse led to additional settings on ovens and ranges, including baking and broiling.
If you are new to home cooking, you might not know the difference between the broil vs. bake settings. Don’t worry, some people have used their ovens for years without ever using the broil function. Use this guide to learn the difference between bake and broil and get some dinner ideas to go with each option.
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Shop All RangesWhat is Baking?
Baking is one of the most commonly used cooking methods in American households. If you read any recipe that tells you to preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then you are baking. Baking accounts for anything that is prepared between 250 and 375 degrees. Out of all the cooking options that this article will discuss, baking is the coolest method.
However, temperature isn’t the only factor that constitutes baking. This cooking method is also defined by how the air flows around the oven. With baking, air is circulated around the oven and completely envelops the pot or pan that you place inside. Convection baking, in particular, is known for being efficient because of this air circulation. Because air moves around the oven, all sides of the food heat up evenly. The lower temperature also gives the heat time to permeate into whatever you are trying to cook so it is thoroughly baked inside.
Oftentimes, people associate the bake meaning with sweets. You can bake a cake or bake cookies to enjoy after a meal. However, you can use baking to prepare a variety of savory meals as well. Baking is also used to reheat leftovers or lightly toast bread.
Cooking Ideas That Involve Baking
When it comes to broil vs. bake options, there are a lot more things you can bake than you can broil. If you are new to baking, look for an easy, no-knead bread recipe. This is a great way to see the benefits of slowly cooking food at a cooler temperature. If your bread isn’t baked all the way through, it might have a doughy texture rather than a fluffy one. Some bread recipes also encourage you to ramp up the heat for a few minutes, which will give you a crunchy crust.
Other cooking ideas that involve baking include casseroles and lasagna, which can be left in your oven for more than an hour. Many recipes are designed for easy preparation, using a minimal amount of pans and cooking steps. These dishes are great if you are exhausted after a long day but still need to prepare dinner for yourself and your family.
What is Broiling?
Broiling is a less-used setting in the oven but it is equally valuable. The first thing to know when tracking the difference between oven bake vs. broil is that broil cooking uses high heat. When you turn on the broil setting, your oven will heat up to a range of 500 to 550 degrees. As a result, most people only use the broil setting for highly durable food or for finishing a meal that is almost ready.
The other difference when comparing broil vs. bake is that broiling turns on the heating element at the top of the oven. This pushes the heat down onto the food. There is less of a focus on circulating the air because of this main heat source.
As a result, broiling means cooking your food at a very high temperature from a very close range. This is an incredibly intense way of cooking that is a direct contrast to the delicate nature of baking.
Cooking Ideas That Involve Broiling
Once you have a solid understanding of the broil meaning, you can start to use this setting on a variety of your dishes. Broiling is frequently used to prepare meat, which can handle high heat. Even if you bake some of your protein dishes, you might broil them for a few minutes before you remove them from the oven to give them a crispy exterior with extra flavor.
One classic home-cooked meal that you can try with the broil setting is French onion soup. You will prepare the soup on your cooktop and then ladle it into small ramekins. Then you can place a crust of bread on the top, cover the bread with cheese, and broil the ramekins so the cheese melts quickly and becomes extra gooey.
Now that you have a deeper understanding of the broil vs. bake settings you can start to explore new dishes that use the broiling method.
What is Roasting?
Home cooks often need to know the difference between broil vs. bake settings when they are learning to use their ovens. However, there is one additional cooking method to try as you explore different recipes and meals to add to your rotation. Roasting is a happy medium between baking and broiling. It involves cooking food between 400 degrees and 450 degrees. This gives you a more powerful cooking option without having to broil your food at 500 degrees.
Like baking, roasting also uses an all-over heating method. The air will get circulated around your oven or there will be at least two heat sources (one on the top and one on the bottom) to cook your food.
Cooking Ideas That Involve Roasting
When it comes to the debate between bake vs. broiling, you might find that roasting is closer to baking than broiling. One of the most popular foods to roast is vegetables. You can pile some of your favorite veggies on a plate (like broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, and cauliflower), lightly coat them with butter and your favorite seasonings, and then pop them in the oven to roast. The result will be a plate of flavorful vegetables that can be paired with any meal. Potatoes are often cooked by roasting as well.
As you explore new recipes, you might find that many proteins use roasting to ensure they are cooked through. Properly cooking meat is essential for killing bacteria and making it safe to eat. Roasting allows home cooks to maintain the flavor of the meat while ensuring it reaches a safe internal temperature.
Keep in mind that each food item is unique. While certain foods and dishes can handle the high temperatures of roasting and broiling, some dishes are too delicate for this option. Carefully read your recipes to make sure you choose the correct temperatures for your oven.
FAQ
Should I use bake or broil?
This depends on what you are trying to make. In most cases, you will bake your food. However, you might broil cuts of meat and various vegetables for a delicious and crispy experience. When in doubt, look up recipes online to see whether it is better to bake, broil, or even roast your meals.
What happens if you broil instead of bake?
Broiling uses a significantly higher heat than baking, which means your food will cook faster but potentially burn. If you aren’t careful, you might end up with a crispy (and even burnt) exterior but a raw interior for your food. Baking is often a better option because it is a slower and more thorough process.
Does broil make things crispy?
Yes. Home cooks will often turn on the broil setting when they want crispy meals. They will broil food for a few minutes to finish the cooking process. Another way to enjoy crispy dinners at home is to look into an oven that has air fry capabilities.
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