Burger King is one of the most popular fast food burger chains in the United States. Known for its flame-grilled Whopper sandwich, Burger King prides itself on charbroiling its burgers rather than frying them like some of its competitors. But are Burger King burgers really flame broiled as advertised? Let’s take a closer look.
What is flame broiling?
Flame broiling is a cooking technique where food, usually meat, is grilled directly over an open flame. This gives the food a distinct charbroiled flavor and caramelized exterior. The intense heat from the open flame sears the surface of the food, locking in juices. Flame broiling requires special broiler equipment that allows the food to be suspended above gas flames.
This differs from griddling, where food is cooked on a hot flat top surface. It also differs from charbroiling, where food is grilled above a heat source like burning charcoal or heated metal elements. Flame broiling directly exposes the food to the flame for more intense heat and flavor.
Burger King’s broiling process
According to Burger King, their burgers are flame broiled using a chain-wide broiling system. Batches of patties are pre-cooked on a gas-fired grill before being frozen and shipped to restaurants. At the restaurants, the patties are reheated on automated broiler machines when an order comes in.
The broiler machines have bands that transport the patties over open flames, with burners generating intense heat above and below the patties. This exposes the patties to flames from both directions, charring the surface and reheating the interior. The machines are designed to mimic the results of cooking over an open flame.
Burger King claims this process enhances the beef flavor and gives their burgers a distinctive smoky, charbroiled taste. The flame broiling creates a texture and appearance comparable to burgers grilled over a backyard BBQ.
What do others say about Burger King’s broiling process?
There has been some skepticism about whether pre-cooking the patties and simply reheating them later can be considered true “flame broiling.” However, experts like meat scientist Antonio Mata have vouched for Burger King’s process:
“While the burgers are not technically cooked to order in the restaurant, the chain’s flame-grilling machines do realistically replicate what cooking over an open flame would accomplish.” – Antonio Mata, Institute of Food Technologists
Journalists have also inspected Burger King kitchens and observed patties being cooked on the automated broiler machines as described. While not the exact same as cooking over a live fire, the process does rapidly reheat and char the patties with intense flames.
How Burger King flame broiling compares to competitors
Unlike Burger King, some major fast food chains rely on flat top griddles to cook their burgers. This includes McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Shake Shack and many others. The griddle simply heats the burger through conductive heat, without exposing it directly to a flame.
Another competitor, Sonic Drive-In, states they use an open flame “Mesquite Wood Fire Grill” in their kitchens. Sonic claims this gives their burgers a signature flavor and texture.
Chain | Cooking Method |
---|---|
Burger King | Flame broiled on gas-fired broiler machine |
McDonald’s | Griddled on flat top |
Wendy’s | Griddled on flat top |
Sonic | Flame grilled over wood fire |
Among major chains, Burger King and Sonic are unique in cooking over an open flame. However, Sonic uses real wood fire while Burger King uses gas flames in their broiler machines.
Taste tests comparing Burger King flame broiling
In taste tests and reviews, Burger King burgers are often distinguished by their charbroiled flavor. The charred exterior and smoky notes are consistent with flame broiling. When compared to griddled burgers from McDonald’s, reviewers often note the more pronounced grill flavor of Burger King’s burgers.
In a well-known fast food burger ranking compiled by Business Insider, the flame broiled Whopper was praised for its chargrilled flavor profile. Meanwhile, the griddled McDonald’s burger was criticized for lacking the taste of real grilled beef.
Burger King also offers limited edition “Fire Grilled” burgers that are cooked over actual wood fire. These have received praise for their intense smoky flavor superior to the standard broiled burgers.
Nutritional differences between broiling and griddling
In addition to flavor, the cooking method affects the nutritional profile of burgers:
- Fat content – Flame broiling allows fat to drip away while griddling can sear fat into the patty.
- Carcinogens – Flame broiling produces some carcinogens from smoke but griddling produces more from cooking oils.
- Calories – A flame broiled patty might have slightly fewer calories as grease drops away.
- Vitamins – Flame broiling better preserves some heat-sensitive vitamins like vitamin B6 compared to griddling.
Overall, flame broiling is considered somewhat healthier than griddling or frying. But the differences are modest. More important is sourcing high quality beef and using lean cuts of meat.
Verdict: Yes, Burger King burgers are flame broiled
While not cooked completely over an open fire, Burger King burgers are without a doubt broiled under intense gas flames during the cooking process. The pre-cooking and conveyor belt production is simply an adaptation for large scale fast food preparation.
The chain’s unique broiler machines recreate some of the key effects of true flame broiling. This includes charring the surface, imparting smoky flavors, enhancing beefiness, and allowing fat to drip away.
The result is a final product with the distinctive properties of a flame broiled burger. Tests and reviews confirm Burger King burgers achieve the desired taste profile and textural qualities of being flame broiled.
So while some technical nuance exists, Burger King’s claim of flame broiling their burgers is fundamentally truthful. The broiling machines replicate open flame grilling in a feasible way for a mass market fast food chain. Simply put, Burger King burgers are flame broiled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between flame broiled and griddled burgers?
Flame broiled burgers are cooked directly over gas flames, while griddled burgers are cooked on a hot flat top surface. Flame broiling results in more charring and smoky flavor while griddling cooks more evenly without char.
Does Burger King really flame broil their burgers?
Yes, Burger King uses a chain-wide broiling system that applies intense gas flames above and below the burgers to rapidly char and reheat them. This mimics the results of cooking over an open grill.
Why does flame broiling taste different than griddling?
Exposing the meat directly to gas flames results in greater charring and caramelization, creating more depth of flavor. The fat dripping through the flames also imparts a distinctive smoky taste.
Is flame broiling healthier than griddling burgers?
Flame broiling is generally considered healthier, as more fat drips away while cooking compared to griddling. But flame broiling also produces some carcinogens from smoke. Overall, the differences are relatively small.
How does Burger King’s broiling compare to competitors?
Burger King flame broils while most competitors like McDonald’s use griddles. Sonic also claims to flame broil using wood fire grills. But Burger King flame broils at a larger scale using broiler machines.
Conclusion
Burger King’s unique flame broiling machines allow it to replicate the flavor, texture, and appearance of true open flame grilling at a mass market scale. While technically different from backyard grilling, the conveyor belt broilers achieve the core results of flame broiling in terms of taste and quality. This flame broiled difference gives Burger King an edge over competitors and explains its reputation for chargrilled burgers.