[Lara]

So embarrassed.

Different nation, different terminology.

Is it to grill?

Do you broil on a stove or in an oven? Do you broil on a barbeque?

How does one broil?

[Bets]

In the US it "typically" means a high heat source from above. And, grilling is a high heat source from below. But sometimes you hear the term charbroiling - which is grilling.

[mrsD]

Broiling typically keeps the juices in the meat. There is less chance of burning or oxidizing it, (unless you don't tend it properly). Left too long on broil, the meat will dry out. The fat drips out, so you are left with less saturated fat in the meat.

Some ovens have a broiler beneath that you pull out.

We use a tabletop broiler. I grew up with broiling so I just do it out of habit, but healthwise I think it is the safest way to cook some types of meat.

Charcoal grilling allows the burning embers along with the chemicals in the briquets to rise up and coat the food. While this imparts some flavor if done right, it also imparts, carcinogens.
Standing over the grill you breathe these in. Studies have shown that in Asia where people grill all day long in outside markets, those exposed to the grill fumes develop lung cancer at a fast rate.

I have an electric dutch oven too, for baking smaller meals on the tabletop. This seals in juices, and I used to do it for the time saving factor. But it appears to be a good way to cook too.
I throw everything in together and bake it (all kinds of veggies + meat). Taught hubby since it was simple, since I worked long hours. My grandmother used to make roasts this way.
We don't have a large family, so using the big oven seems like a waste to me.

I really cannot stand charcoal grilled food anymore...I can taste the chemicals involved. Gas is ok for me, but we only do it upNorth mostly because we don't have electricity there.

[Lara]

Thank you Bets. Now I get it.

[Lara]

lol. Thanks mrsD.

I had forgotten how different our languages are from Au to US. Amazing since we both speak "English".

now zooming off to look up "dutch oven"

[mrsD]

Here is a link:

http://homecooking.about.com/od/kitc...s/gr/nesco.htm

We have this brand, but the small one. You can even bake bread in it!

It is a time saver, and makes wonder meals. I have one upNorth, which we turn the generator on for...cheaper to run than using up our precious propane, which costs a fortune to bring over to the island... We had a guest up there one summer and I made her a Roasted Chicken dinner out of it, in about 1.5 hrs. Carrots, potatoes, etc...I put in some garlic and boullion under the wire basket and baste with it every 20 minutes and she almost fell out of her chair. We try to eat low saturated fat, and not too heavy on seasonings. This method is fast, tasty and safe. For hubby it was a doable meal when I was working ..he could have it ready for all of us by the time I got home.
(the way carrots come out --is divine... you've never tasted a real carrot until done this way!)

[Lara]

Wow, a 20 pound turkey? That looks so neat but large! I've not seen anything like that before in my entire life.

I can't believe we now have have Carbon Tax in Australia but we don't have 18-Quart Roaster Ovens. lol

mrsD, I have a slow-cooker. I often wonder if it takes more power from the source over 6 or 8 hours than if I'd do it in the oven for 2 hours.

[mrsD]

I had a slow cooker once.... didn't like it ...seemed we were sick alot with it. Also I have seen warnings about the liners in slow cookers leaching stuff out into the food? Because the food is in contact for so long with it?

Slow cookers also are prone to needing more seasoning IMO.

The small Nesco... is much easier to handle. My Grandmother gave me hers when I got married..and I bought a new one about 20 yrs ago. Gave one to the kid for when he had his own apartment. It is a great time saver, for busy people, or people with small families.

Sweet potatoes come out perfect too. Don't need salt or anything.

I really don't like to fuss alot over food anymore. Hubby eats simple things..and is not experimental at all. Just getting the right stuff into him is a challenge, but he likes this cooker. I buy turkey parts at the store and do them, and it is like a holiday!
I love turkey.

I ran into a guy at work about 10 yrs ago...and he was telling me how he trained his kids to have dinner ready for him when he got home from standing 10hrs! He started in with his tabletop dutchoven and the things he puts in to steam all together... it was so funny. We ended up sharing stories and laughing. Certain folks just like that simple home cooked taste, and this dutch oven delivers that!

This oven steams the food. I put a little water in the bottom under the raised metal rack with the seasonings we prefer..some garlic and boullion etc and baste twice keeping it covered the rest of the time and all the flavors penetrate the food without being covered in sauce or what-have-you like a slow cooker. It doesn't brown meat...unless you brown it first, but I don't care about browning...that is a cosmetic thing after all.