Great follow-up — this is a common frustration for many people using Japanese gas grills (like Noritz fish grills) for things like chicken, which require more cooking time and higher, consistent heat.
Here’s how to cook your chicken perfectly without triggering the auto shut-off:
🔥 Why It Shuts Off & How to Work Around It
Yes, the Noritz grill has a temperature sensor (SI Sensor), and if the grill gets too hot (usually over 250°C), it shuts off as a safety mechanism. This is mostly to prevent unattended fires or grease flare-ups — especially important in small Japanese kitchens.
However, chicken needs longer time to cook, and you can work around the issue safely:
✅ Tips to Cook Chicken Properly Without Auto Shut-Off
1. Use Water Tray (Drip Pan Method)
- Line the tray with water or moist aluminum foil. This absorbs excess heat and keeps the grill cooler.
- Prevents the sensor from thinking it’s “too hot” and shutting down.
2. Cook in Batches or Slices
- Avoid thick cuts or whole chicken thighs directly on high heat.
- Slice the chicken thinner or butterfly the fillet.
- This reduces cooking time and helps maintain a safer temperature.
3. Use Manual Mode Instead of Timer
- Set the grill to manual or “continuous” mode instead of using a timer.
- If available, set to medium flame instead of high.
- Check every 2–3 minutes to avoid overcooking.
4. Use a Heat Diffuser (Optional)
- Place a grill-safe diffuser or ceramic plate under the grill rack (if allowed) to distribute heat evenly and slow down heating.
5. Flip the Chicken
- Flip the chicken once halfway through — it avoids burning the bottom side while the top stays raw.
- Use tongs and wear oven mitts — the tray gets HOT.
⏱ Typical Chicken Grill Time
- Boneless chicken thigh (thin): 6–8 minutes (3–4 minutes per side)
- Drumstick or bone-in: Parboil first, then grill for 5–6 minutes to finish
- Chicken breast fillet: 5–7 minutes depending on thickness
🧑🍳 Pro Tip (What Locals Do!)
Many Japanese home cooks:
- Use aluminum foil tented over the meat to reduce direct flame exposure.
- Or use a ceramic grill pan (グリルパン) inside the fish grill. These are specially designed for grilling meats like chicken and pork.
If you tell me your exact Noritz model number, I can share exact steps or recommended grill settings for chicken from the official Japanese manuals.
Want me to recommend a good ceramic grill pan for your fish grill too?