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What is a Broiler Pan?

By J. Beam
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 110,353
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A broiler pan is a pan specially designed to use in the oven for broiling. It comes in two pieces, a slotted upper pan and a deeper, solid lower pan called a drip pan. Broiling allows food, such as meats, to be cooked at extremely high temperatures with a direct heat typically coming from above rather than below.

The broil setting on an electric oven allows the heat to come from the heating element at the top of the oven while turning off the bottom heating element. Gas ovens often have a separate lower drawer for broiling that allows food to be inserted below the pilot flame.

Broiling is a popular way to prepare meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Unlike frying, the food is prepared without oil and is thus considered a healthier way to cook. The design of a broiler pan allows the natural fat and grease from meats to drip off through the slots of the upper pan into the lower pan. Cuts of meat, poultry or seafood should be thin and if lean, should be marinated or glazed to retain moisture since the broiling is a quick, but direct source of intense heat and can dry meat.

Most new ovens come with a broiler pan, but one can also be bought at most any retailer that sells cookware and housewares. Broiling can also be achieved without a specialized pan by using a wire baking rack that fits over a deeper pan that will catch the drippings. A broiler pan can be difficult to clean after use and should be sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with aluminum foil for easier clean up.

Recipes for dishes cooked on a broiler pan can sometimes be found on booklets included with new pans, but can also be found easily online. Much like grilling, broiling is a different method of cooking and may require practice before perfection is achieved. Some of the disadvantages of cooking on a broiler pan include overcooked meat, spattering in the oven and messy cleanup. Still, broiling is a quick and effective method of preparing meat dishes once the basics are mastered.

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Discussion Comments
By Babalaas — On May 28, 2011

One of my favorite dishes to cook on a broiler pan is dry rubbed chicken thighs. I rub boneless chicken thighs with a dry barbecue rub and let them sit for a few hours in the refrigerator. I then place them on the low rack of the oven with the temperature set to low broil. Every so often I turn the chicken thighs until they are slightly charred and done throughout.

Chicken thighs naturally have so much fat, that they stay very moist, but most of the grease rolls right off them. The only advice I have as far as the pan is concerned is to buy a nice nonstick broiler pan. The one that comes with the oven is usually not of the best quality, thus making cleanup more of a chore. By the time I have finished cleaning these cheap pans, the excitement of broiling chicken thighs has worn off.

By ether — On Jul 12, 2010

Marinating the meat before broiling is often a good way to keep it from drying out.

By pistachios — On Jul 12, 2010

Often times, people use the drippings that run into the drip pan for gravy or sauce.

By somerset — On Aug 29, 2009

The bottom part of the broiling pan can also be used as a baking pan.

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