Materials:
It is important to focus on the type of material that has been used for the pan. A standard traditional Koran grill pan would be made out of cast iron. They are famous for their durability and high heat cooking.
If you can not find something in cast iron look for aluminum pans. Aluminum distributes heat evenly throughout the pan. This is a really necessary element for a barbecue.
Non-Stick:
A barbecue pan has to be non-stick. Can you imagine the mess it would make without a non-stick one? Non-stick pans, especially with titanium coated pans are really good for high heat cooking.
Fatty meats want to stick to hot surfaces naturally. So having a non-stick pan makes the whole cooking and cleaning process hassle-free.
Oil Drainage:
Every good Korean BBQ pan comes with a hole in the bottom or a tray for excess oil drainage. This is because oil creates smoke. So to have an indoor barbecue experience, you need a pan that knows how to take care of that issue.
Oil drainage also makes the barbecue healthier and low-calorie friendly. So even if you are on a diet, you can enjoy your barbecue this way.
Plate Size:
Look for larger plate sizes preferably something bigger than 12” inches. The larger the plate, the more you can cook. You do not have to batch cook and wait for the meat to grill with a bigger plate.
For family-style cooking, larger pans are a necessity. So make sure to check the size before adding them to the cart.
Heat Distribution:
Even heat distribution is mandatory for a fun BBQ experience. Otherwise, you have to move your meat back and forth to find the hot spot on the pan.
This can get very frustrating if you are grilling for your family. So look for a double layer of non-stick coating or preferably aluminum pans.
Burner Range:
To make BBQ Korean style, you need a high temperature. So if you are buying something with a burner, make sure it heats up very high. Electric grills are always convenient as they have higher heat settings.
If you are buying a stovetop grill pan, buy a compact size so that it fits on your stove properly. If the pan is larger than your stove, it will take longer to heat up and your food won’t taste as good as you want them to.
How to Clean Your Korean BBQ Grill: Maintenance Tips
Cleaning a Korean BBQ grill pan is a really important step. If you do not take care of your grill pan, the nonstick layer will start to disintegrate sooner.
In most Korean families, they have been using their grill pan for generations. Things do last if you treat them with love and respect. This is an integral part of Korean culture as well.
You do not need much to clean your BBQ pan. We have gathered all the best indoor korean grill pans for you. They all are nonstick and durable. Although they are small, most of them can not fit in a traditional dishwasher.
- Let your Korean grill pan cool down before you start to clean.
- Soak the pan in soapy liquids in the kitchen sink.
- Do not use a rough sponge to clean the pan. After soaking for a while, gently sup a soft cleaning towel to remove all the food residue.
- Use dishwashing detergent to remove grease and oils from the pan.
This whole process will take less than 6 minutes to do. It is really easy to take care of your kitchenware.
FAQ
01. Can I use a griddle for Korean BBQ?
Yes you can. Many people use electric griddles as an alternative for Korean BBQ pans. It’s not a perfect alternative nor does it give the same flavors.
However, it is a good option as griddles have larger surfaces to cook bigger chunks of meats and veggies.
02. Do indoor grills smoke?
Even if you buy the most expensive smokeless indoor grill, it will smoke a little bit. But the amount is so insignificant that they are called smoke-free. Even at their highest smoke level, it is nowhere close to an outdoor grill. Smoke occurs when fat or oil touches a really hot surface.
Korean indoor grills come with a fat drainage option which prevents excess smoke from occurring. Your fire alarm won’t start if you are worried about that.
03. Do indoor grills really work?
Even though outdoor grills have their obvious advantages, indoor grills have lately become a popular alternative. As Korean BBQ has become so popular in the west, we all want to try making Korean barbecue at home. Indoor grills really work and they are far healthier than outdoor grills.
This is because the charred you get from charcoal is very bad for your heart and lungs. Indoor grills, on the contrary, are recommended by dieticians to add some twists to a mundane diet. Indoor grills obviously do not have the strong smokiness but it can be enjoyed anytime, at any season. Sounds like a great deal to me!
04. What ingredients should I buy for a Korean BBQ at home?
For an indoor Korean BBQ, it is a must to buy a stovetop Korean grill pan. This will give you that smoky flavor without using any charcoal. You need a lot of different types of meat depending on what you enjoy the most.
Most Korean BBQ has pork bellies, short ribs, beef tongue, brisket, squid, and traditional Korean bulgogi. If you do not eat meat, you can grill your favorite vegetables and protein alternatives to enjoy the deliciousness of a Korean BBQ.
05. Are indoor Korean BBQ grills healthy?
Korean cuisine is comparatively much healthier than other popular cuisines from around the globe. Koren BBQ, however, is not the healthiest type of meat to have.
They are usually rich in fat and oil. Indoor barbecue grills are a totally different thing. Any good Korean indoor barbecue grill comes with oil drainage that significantly reduces the amount of fat in your BBQ.
This means you can enjoy Korean BBQ even if you are on a low-calorie diet. Just use leaner meat pieces along with tons of veggies.
