Grilling Hamburgers on a Salt Block

It is grilling season! I’ve walked around the neighborhood and the grills are out as people are getting their backyards ready for summer. Has anyone used a salt block on their grill? I’ve never heard of a salt block until I got a mailing from Sur La Table stating “Rich with flavorful trace minerals, our Himalayan salt blocks and bowls are perfect for high-heat searing on the grill, or chill them for super cool presentation.”

Wow it’s like I’ve got to get one. So are there any benefits to cooking on a salt block? Natural living ideas.com says, “Cooking on a pink salt block naturally imparts the incredible health benefits of Himalayan pink salt into your food. Such health benefits include balancing your body's pH, stabilizing hydration levels, improving digestion and reducing acid reflux.” 

How to clean your salt block: Moisten the salt block with a damp sponge (do not use soap). Scrub with a soft brush or green scouring pad to remove any stuck matter, and wipe clean with the sponge. Try to keep the block as dry as possible – the less water the better. Repeat until the block is free of any cooked on food. 

How to heat your salt block: Go slowly 20 minutes on low, 20 minutes on medium and 20 minutes on high. When you drip some water on it and it sizzles, it’s ready. This is if your cooking on the stove top. You have to heat it slowly or it will crack. Also, if you have a glass stove top like me you have to have a barrier between the block and the glass. Use a wok ring.

You need to gradually heat the salt block before you can put it in the oven or put it on the grill! Remember they not only crack if not heated properly they also can pop. Only use cookware-graded blocks. They get very hot, use high-temperature oven mitts. They also need insulation between tables and counters. 

To grill cook: Place your salt block on the grate. If using a charcoal grill, keep the coals to one side and place the block one the other, to expose it to less direct heat. On a gas grill you can start the heat on low and increase it gradually until the block is ready to be used.

To cook your favorite hamburger (above picture added chives and feta cheese) when you achieve the desired temperature on your salt block (water test) cook your burgers to your liking; rare, medium rare, medium, medium well or well. And serve with your favorite toppings and sides...Yum Yum!