Grilling involves very high temperatures at which most cookware materials can end up smoking. So, do grill pans smoke?
Yes, almost all grill pans smoke when they are overheated. Grill pans may also end up smoking if the oil used for cooking has a low smoking point. Moreover, the smoke produced by a grill pan will be more if it contains residual oil or soap, is not seasoned correctly, is overheated, or is damaged.
Let’s now see the various reasons because of which grill pans smoke.
Why Do Grill Pans Smoke?
When cooking on a grill, you use coals and an open flame.
Hence, some amount of smoke is unavoidable.
However, there are additional factors that cause excessive smoke.
Given below are some common reasons why grill pans smoke.
1. Material of the pan.
Grill pans are usually made of metals like cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum.
While all these materials can withstand high temperatures, they will start smoking beyond a certain limit.
Cast iron, for instance, takes more time to heat.
However, it can withstand higher temperatures than aluminum and stainless steel.
It is also sturdier and doesn’t warp easily.
Meanwhile, aluminum pans and thin stainless-steel pans tend to heat up faster and begin smoking at lower temperatures.
2. Cooking temperature.
Regardless of the material used to construct the pan, it will smoke when overheated.
So, grill pans that can tolerate normal stovetop temperatures may also start smoking when you use them on a direct flame or in the oven.
Smoke production will also increase when you add oil to the surface.
3. Uneven seasoning.
Grill pans will usually develop a non-stick surface with continuous use.
Once they have a non-sticky layer, food will glide off easily.
However, the non-stick property of grill pans depends on the oil used for seasoning.
Seasoning is the process of creating a non-stick surface on a grill pan by applying a uniform coating of oil and heating the pan.
The layer of seasoning builds up with continuous cooking.
However, if you don’t season the pan properly, it will develop hot spots.
These spots are prone to overheating and produce excess smoke.
Recommended Further Reading:
4. Choice of cooking oil.
Unlike stovetop cooking, grilling involves high temperatures.
Hence, it’s best to choose oils with a high smoking point.
If you choose oils that disintegrate at high temperatures, they will break down when you heat the grill pan beyond their smoking point.
This leads to various physical and chemical reactions, including the production of smoke.
At this stage, food cooked in it is unhealthy to consume.
5. Improper cleaning.
Harsh cleaning liquids and abrasive brushes can strip the non-stick layer of a grill pan and cause excess smoke.
To avoid this, use gentle cleaning techniques and agents to remove any leftover food and residual soap from the surface.
If the pan has an oily or soapy residue, it will smoke the next time you use it for grilling.
6. Loss of seasoning.
The seasoning of a grill pan improves with continuous use.
However, you should be very careful to maintain this layer of seasoning.
If you wash the surface rigorously and scratch the layer of seasoning, the pan will not heat evenly.
It will lead to the formation of hot spots and will smoke excessively when you place it on a hot grill.
7. Dents and surface damages.
A well-seasoned grill pan with a uniform surface produces less smoke.
However, any dents or damage on the surface will make the pan prone to overheating.
If your grill pan has an uneven surface, it will not heat evenly.
The areas with dents or damages will become hotter than the others.
When the temperature of the grill rises, these areas tend to smoke.
How To Keep Grill Pans From Smoking?
When you cook on a stovetop or in an oven, you have more control than on a grill.
Grills produce very high temperatures and use coals and an open flame.
So, you cannot closely control the cooking process.
Additionally, the high temperature of a grill causes more heat and smoke.
Nevertheless, you can reduce the smoke produced and keep your grill pans from smoking with a few preventive measures.
Remember that smoking is caused either by heating, seasoning problems, or improper oil usage.
By addressing these root causes, you can reduce the chances of your grill pan producing too much smoke.
Given below are some ways to keep grill pans from smoking.
1. Do not overheat the grill pan.
As the temperature of the grilling surface increases, it is likely that the grill pan will start smoking.
You can reduce the chances of your pan smoking by choosing sturdy materials that can withstand higher temperatures.
Additionally, crank up the grill to a temperature that your pan can tolerate.
Avoid increasing it too much and maintain a medium heat setting to prevent the pan from smoking.
Related Further Reading:
2. Choose the seasoning oil wisely.
Pick oils with a high smoking point for seasoning as they can tolerate higher temperatures.
Although grills produce very high temperatures, oils with high smoking points will take longer to break up and start smoking.
Choose oils like canola oil, avocado oil, and vegetable oil, which have a high smoking point.
3. Regularly maintain the layer of seasoning.
With good care, you can prevent your grill pan from losing its valuable layer of seasoning.
Take special care when cleaning the pan, and avoid stripping off the non-stick layer.
If the pan loses its seasoning or develops bald spots after abrasive cleaning, you may have to re-season it.
Apply an even coating of oil and warm the pan on a stovetop to re-create a stable layer of seasoning.
4. Always clean the pan thoroughly.
Pay close attention while cleaning your grill pan between uses.
Wash it carefully with soapy water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that can strip off the layer of seasoning.
However, rinse out any food and soap residue properly.
If anything remains on the surface, it will make the pan smoke when you place it on a grill.
Also, dry the surface thoroughly until no moisture remains to produce rust on the surface.
With proper care, your grill pan will last for a long time and work efficiently.
5. While grilling, oil the food and not the pan.
Your grill pan will not produce much smoke when there is no oil or fat on the surface.
It’s when the oil or fat drip and touch the pan’s surface that smoke appears.
You can prevent it from happening by adding the oil carefully on the surface of the food used for grilling.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Is Discoloration of Stainless Steel Pans Expected?
- Why Are Grill Pans Square? (Everything About Square Grill Pans)
- Which Pans Are Preferred by Professional Chefs?
6. Choose your grilling ingredients wisely.
Small and lean ingredients cook quickly and are less likely to produce smoke.
For example, lean cuts of meat and poultry will not drip too much. Hence, they produce less smoke.
Meanwhile, heavy and thick cuts of meat like ribs and sausages contain more fat.
As a result, they expel more liquid, which produces more smoke.
To reduce the chances of smoking, grill small portions at a time.
Also, choose light marinades that will not drip and char.
You can also pre-cook the ingredients partially and discard the juices before putting them on the grill, and they will produce less smoke.
