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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use a George Foreman for chicken and steak every bastard day

61 replies

MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:11

Teenage DS lives for the gym and lifting weights. He is v disciplined and determined. He eats a high protein diet. I do want to support what matters to him and I'm glad he's not into gangs or regular binge drinking etc. He's also v anti steroids.

I can afford for him to have this high protein diet because he compromises in other areas. BUT I am so utterly utterly sick of the kitchen never being/feeling/smelling clean because there is always some fecking meat that needs frying or grilling. It is so repetitive, the extractor fan is on more than its off, nothing goes in the dishwasher etc.

Wondering about getting a George foreman type gadget - will this make life easier or is it a waste of money and space?...

OP posts:
KiloWhat · 19/01/2022 15:16

Could you get him a BBQ or teach him other cooking techniques?

LaBelleSausage · 19/01/2022 15:16

They aren't great. Drip fat into a tray, grease still spatters, and you still have the smell.
Plus you have to leave it out while it's hot so it's not neatly out of the way if you're using it a lot.

KiloWhat · 19/01/2022 15:17

The thing is with the George forman is I don't think you can put it in the dishwasher but I might be wrong

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 19/01/2022 15:18

What about an airfryer? They seem more contained.

Original poster
MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:18

@KiloWhat

Could you get him a BBQ or teach him other cooking techniques?
Its very wintery here so I think a BBQ would be impractical (and I don't have a garage or shed to keep it in) - what other cooking techniques would be cleaner? We tried braising steak done in the oven but it wasn't much of a success.
OP posts:
Original poster
MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:19

@LaBelleSausage

They aren't great. Drip fat into a tray, grease still spatters, and you still have the smell. Plus you have to leave it out while it's hot so it's not neatly out of the way if you're using it a lot.
Ah thanks, thats good to know, saved me wasting money and time!
OP posts:
Original poster
MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:19

@KiloWhat

The thing is with the George forman is I don't think you can put it in the dishwasher but I might be wrong
Definitely not getting one if it can't get clean in the dishwasher! Good point
OP posts:
Matbest · 19/01/2022 15:21

I think a George foreman grill is a great idea but get one with detachable plates that can go in the dishwasher or sink

KiloWhat · 19/01/2022 15:22

Do a tray bake with chicken?

CatherinedeBourgh · 19/01/2022 15:22

What about doing long cook things in something like a slow cooker? Stes and so on.

SituationCritical · 19/01/2022 15:23

Is he cooking fresh multiple times a day? Me and my friends all meal prep and batch cook for the day/next day -there are guides on mens health and other muscle build sites on how best to do it. It might at least reclaim your kitchen for a bit!

rbe78 · 19/01/2022 15:24

High-protien meals don't have to be a lump of grilled meat. Take a look at Joe Wicks recipes for inspiration - he does really tasty high protein meals that you can all eat together.

ChargingBuck · 19/01/2022 15:24

Air fryer for sure OP.

I don't have one, but my pal uses hers almost daily to cook her family's food. Have a google, as I think there are more 'applications' than just cooking meat. It saves mess & stink, is easy to clean, is a neat little counter top unit, & saves a lot of electricity compared with the oven. Less 'warm up' time as well, so good for doing a one-off steak or meal for DS.

Polecat03 · 19/01/2022 15:25

Ask him to look into meal prepping.
It's what all the bodybuilders do, my husband included.
All cooking for the week is done just once a week. Roasted chicken breasts, steamed Broccoli, boiled rice all tubbed up and in the fridge ready to be reheated in the microwave.
Your kitchen won't be ruinous from constant meat cooking.

VelvetChairGirl · 19/01/2022 15:25

I love mine but thats just because I hate using the cooker.

you have to clean it with oil and kitchen towel.

Original poster
MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:26

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

What about an airfryer? They seem more contained.
Thank you - I've never had one but they look like a very good idea. You may have just changed my life!
OP posts:
ProperVexed · 19/01/2022 15:26

On the few occasions I use a deep fat fryer for chips, I put it outside the back door on a garden table and plug it into an extension lead. Under umbrella if it's wet. No smell inside!
You could do the same with a JF grill ( with detachable dishwasher safe plates).

chesirecat99 · 19/01/2022 15:28

Chicken can be cooked in the oven or poached. Steak can be oven cooked too but it does need searing first, although you could probably sear it by preheating the roasting dish to a high temperature in the oven. Thhick cuts work best. You could buy a small roasting joint that serves 2 and he could have it roasted one day, cold the next. What's wrong with braised or casseroled steak?

Original poster
MoiraNotRuby · 19/01/2022 15:28

@Polecat03

Ask him to look into meal prepping. It's what all the bodybuilders do, my husband included. All cooking for the week is done just once a week. Roasted chicken breasts, steamed Broccoli, boiled rice all tubbed up and in the fridge ready to be reheated in the microwave. Your kitchen won't be ruinous from constant meat cooking.
Definitely going to look into this, you've just described his diet perfectly! Its all so groundhog day, bulk prepping is what he needs.
OP posts:
MangoBiscuit · 19/01/2022 15:28

Another vote for an airfryer. Much easier to clean up than a GF grill, and you can do healthier versions of fried foods. We make fake kfc in ours.

Smurf123 · 19/01/2022 15:29

Optigrill plates can go in dishwasher but it does take a Fair bit of space, chicken can be done in top plate of a 2 in 1 actifry and is delicious, quick and easy, steak in theory can be do but it would need to be fairly narrow and I haven't tried it

Wineisoverrated · 19/01/2022 15:29

If he’s not old enough to wash his own things and tidy the kitchen he’s not old enough to cook his own food (that’s what I understood from nothing goes in the dishwasher?) he can wait for actual meal times.

If I’ve misunderstood I apologise!

If it’s a matter of you hate the smell can you show him how to batch cook and meal prep? Sit with him and pick what he wants to eat, work out the macros and then batch cook for five days or whatever - three days in the fridge and more in the freezer. That way he just microwaves it or heats it in the oven?

BreadInCaptivity · 19/01/2022 15:29

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

What about an airfryer? They seem more contained.

I think this is what you need.

The meat is contained within the basket (which you can put in a dishwasher) so the smell and splatter is contained.

You can get models at lots of different price points.

ShockWavezz · 19/01/2022 15:31

DEFINITELY get an air fryer, it's changed my life! I use it EVERY day.

strawberrymilk7 · 19/01/2022 15:37

Yup airfryer, the meat will be lovely from it too. I am very paranoid about chicken I got a digital thermometer on Amazon for about €8 so you can check if it is fully cooked. Or just grill in the oven