Grilling on glass

Health hazardous substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, e.g., benzopyrene) are rarely found in unprocessed foods – they are only created through incomplete combustion. For example, when fat, meat juice or marinade drips into the embers and the food is smoked as a result. The most effective measure against PAH is therefore to use grill trays. However, single-use aluminium products are anything but sustainable.

Irlbacher is now presenting a solution that separates the grilled food from the embers, is easy to clean and can be reused as often as you like. The basic material is Nextrema – a special glass from Schott that was originally developed for industrial applications. The high-performance glass-ceramics is corrosion-free, can withstand temperatures of up to 920 °C as well as thermal shocks. It is resistant to all acids and alkalis found in the food industry. With these properties, it is just perfect for grilling.

It comes quite handy that there are two sides of the glass-ceramics grill plate – smooth and grooved. The smooth side goes with vegetables, crispy bacon, or even fried eggs. Due to surface tension, the fried fat remains on the glass plate and can easily be picked up with a piece of kitchen paper. But even if the fat drips off and burns with a flame: the glass plate protects the food from being smoked by PAHs. Another advantage of glass – thanks to its chemical properties: The food does not react with the tray and can be removed neatly, nothing stays sticked.

The grooved side of the glass-ceramic grill plate, however, is ideal for steaks. From approx. 140 °C, the Maillard reaction sets in and conjures up perfect roasted aromas on the meat. Without any direct flame contact.

After intensive use, the glass-ceramics looks like any other grill plate. The difference: the glass is chemically inert. Cleaning is therefore comparatively easy. Before cooling, the residues are roughly removed with a scraper. Then the fine cleaning takes place with a sponge in lukewarm rinse water. Anyone who uses the scrubbing side of the sponge for this – or accidentally a stainless-steel pan cleaner – will quickly notice that Nextrema was developed for continuous industrial use. The material is tough – and cannot be impressed by household cleaning agents.

Irlbacher’s glass-ceramics grill plates are available – round and rectangular – in the common standard formats and therefore fit on practically any grill. Custom-made grill plates ship from a quantity of 1. The matching scraper is always included. Delivery time – also to end customers – is three to four weeks. In order to be prepared in time for the grilling, it is advisable to order as soon as possible.

For further information: www.irlbacher.com

For direct contact: glaskeramik@irlbacher.com