This post was made possible by the kind gift of a Whirlpool Crisp N’ Grill Microwave to test and review.
We are into week five of my new working arrangements and it’s all going swimmingly. I relish the two days with my littlest and I look forward to the three days in the office. I really look forward to weekends which are no longer dedicated to catch-up consulting work. Although, at least of part of Sunday is dedicated to cooking and baking. Out of necessity, I have become a meal-planning, lunch-box prepping mum. Thankfully my organised side is relishing it. Our desperately-in-need-of-a-service oven is not.
In a kismet moment, I was offered a Whirlpool Crisp N’ Grill Microwave to test and review. This speedy-oven-in-disguise microwave has graced our kitchen at just the right time.
When I prepare meals, there are quite a few limiting factors. It needs to be vegetarian (for me), not too culinarily adventurous (for the boys) and be very quick to heat up. I’m home at 6:00 and the little people are beyond hangry by 6:30.
The speedy part is where this microwave has come in so brilliantly. Because it has the ability to crisp and grill, as well as the traditional reheat feature, we can drastically reduce cooking time over a range of meals and snacks.
Thankfully, it’s also very easy to use. Which is good for a kitchen disaster like myself.
The crisp plate is ingenious and we have tried toasted sandwiches, haloumi, chips, pizza and pastries all with great results. Pizza is particularly good and only takes 10 minutes (our oven takes at least 30). We are looking forward to testing pies, chicken nuggets and hash browns.
In the tradition of modern kitchen appliances, there are a number of automated menu options. The jet defrost menu and jet crisp menu are both really useful. You choose the type of food and the weight and the microwave does the rest.
You can also bake and grill in the microwave. Seriously – do we even need an oven any more?
There are a few things I have learned about the microwave that would help anyone considering purchasing it:
- Always pre-heat the crisp plate when using the crisping feature (including using the jet crisp menu) – I find it makes a big difference. 1 – 2 minutes is ample.
- Recipes are a little hard to come by on the interwebs, but this Facebook group is quite helpful. The microwave also comes with a recipe book that covers a range of its features. Internet microwave recipes are useful, but this machine can do so much more than microwave. It’s just a matter of thinking about whether the appliance can do the job before you reach for the oven.
- There is also a cook book available to purchase.
- I found the way to make chips the crispiest is to heat the crisp plate first with a small amount of oil before using the automated jet crisp menu. Blot if necessary when the chips come out. I found that the jet crisp menu didn’t crisp them for quite long enough, so I added another 2 minutes via the manual crisp option. (I do like my chips crispy)
- Haloumi is perfect for the Crisp N’ Grill. Heat oil in the crisp plate, on crisp, for a 1 minute or so. Then shallow fry the haloumi (using the crisp option) for 3 minutes one side and 3 minutes the other. The times might vary from microwave to microwave.
- The microwave doesn’t stop when the timer ends, but keeps rotating and warming the food. This is great for the easily distracted (wait, what? – is that something shiny over there?)
- Toasted sandwiches are a microwave delight. I’m not a fan of the flat toasted sandwich, so I really prefer them cooked in the Crisp N’ Grill. You warm the crisp plate for 2 minutes. Butter the top and bottom sides of your sandwich. Crisp for 2 minutes one side and then 2 the other. So good!
- I pre-prepare a number of cheesy meals, like lasagne and mac n cheese. The defrost option is fabulous but what I really like is the gratin option. After defrosting, the gratin option just bubbles the top a little.
- The microwave is great for little cooking jobs part of a bigger recipe, like parmesan crisps or toasting nuts.
- Little ramekins (if you don’t have any, they aren’t expensive) are a great way to prepare one serve meals and desserts.
- Use the handle supplied to lift the hot crisp plate out. Just saying.
One of great successes in the Whirlpool Crisp N’ Grill Microwave has been spanakopita. This is the recipe, which I based on this recipe and added the things I like in spanakopita.
Servings |
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- 500 grams frozen spinach
- 30 grams Parmesan cheese
- 30 grams pecoroni cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts optional, but I think everything is better with pine nuts
- 1/2 tbsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp dill
- 300 grams low fat ricotta get this from the deli - you want the slightly solid stuff
- 4 cheese slices
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 egg
- 3 puff pastry sheets
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- milk for brushing pastry
Ingredients
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- Put the spinach in a microwave safe container and de-frost. Drain any excess water.
- Heat oil in a frypan, then add onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute until softened, then add spinach, pine nuts and dill over a low heat for 1-2 minutes. Combine with cheeses, egg, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Set mixture aside.
- Preheat the crisp plate for 2 minutes.
- Place one pastry sheet on the crisp plate. Trim into a square shape that fits onto the plate. Use this to measure and trim a second pastry sheet, with an extra 1cm around the edges, and leave that to one side.
- Cover the pastry base with the cheese slices and evenly spread the spinach mixture on top.
- Cover with the second pastry sheet, using the overhang to pinch the edges together. Prick with a fork and brush with the milk.
- Bake for 12 minutes on the crisp function.
- You should have enough of the spinach mixture left over to roll up into the last puff pastry sheet. Again bake for 12 minutes. Keep for your lunch the next day.
- Cut the square spanakopita into even square pieces and serve with a side salad.
Our family tried out the 25L Whirlpool Crisp N’ Grill Microwave (GT 286) in racy red.
EDITED TO ADD: Unfortunately this particular model is no longer being stocked by The Good Guys. This decision was made by The Good Guys after I received this microwave to review and I apologise sincerely for the inconvenience. If they do restock the machine, I will certainly update this post.
However at the moment, you able to purchase the model up – the Crisp N’ Grill JQ280IX for $499. The model is a little larger and also comes with a few extra features such as Whirlpool’s 6th SENSE Technology, which automatically weighs food and adjusts cooking times accordingly.
Jodie from Six Little Hearts has also reviewed this microwave and has more handy information in her post.
Have you tried this machine? Do you love it?
What’s your must have kitchen appliance?
How fabulous is this microwave?! I LOVE IT! These days I am doing all of our baking in this appliance. My latest treat are ginger snap biscuits which are baked in only 4 minutes. We use ours daily.
Thanks so much for the link to my review. X I will be trying your delicious recipe too!
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted…Lonely Planet Kids Let’s Explore New Release Books for Children – A Review and Win!
It’s so good – feel very happy to have it in our home. Let me know how the recipe goes!
Never heard of it, but what a great idea! I love our microwave – with so many afternoon and evening activities, I cook during the day and then microwave their food when we get back or between outings so that everyone is fed at a reasonable time…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…Let sleeping dogs dream
It’s definitely a modern time saver.
A microwave that makes crispy food, now there is a time saver! I think this could definitely go on my must have list, and great recipe!
Nicole @ The Builder’s Wife recently posted…75% Of Aussies Won’t Hire Female Tradies and Other Nonsense
It’s a fabulous machine and I hope they restock it soon.
This is just genius! I have bad frying karma so I think I need this just for it to make my haloumi! And your spanakopita looks delicious!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted…My Expat Story
I need things that automate given my cooking skills.
A haloumi machine sounds great! 😀
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted…Pauline Hanson: Anti-Vaccination Activist?
That is pretty much the best thing about it 🙂
How amazing! A microwave that crisps! Our microwave makes pastry go soggy! Now I’m wishing my microwave would breakdown so I can justify buying this one! Lol!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life recently posted…10 Concealer Tips, Tricks & Hacks + Genie Line Smoothing Concealer Review
Hahah. I was very happy to have it arrived as the oven is in dire need of replacement.
Oh my goodness, I need this in my life! I think our microwave is on the way out, and our oven is a 40+ year old disaster! Seriously, it’s only a matter of time before the handle falls off and we can’t use it all! I am gonna show this post to Dave and see what he thinks, this might solve our microwave/oven issues all at once! And seeing as out bench top is red, I love any appliance I can get in red!
#teamIBOT
Kylie Purtell recently posted…Shooting through 2017 {February} | Photography
Psst, I’ve sent you an email about this, you might find it interesting 🙂
Kylie Purtell recently posted…Shooting through 2017 {February} | Photography
Thank you so much for that Kylie – I am disappointed but I think maybe one of those things. It’s a great machine, and I’m sure the larger model is great too, but it was a great price point as well for the model I tried.
I’m so sorry that the model reviewed has stopped being stocked. Will definitely let you know if that changes. 🙁
I read about this microwave on another blog and I’m still fascinated by the fact it crisps haha. Also, I’m glad the red one goes fastest 🙂
Vanessa recently posted…2017 Oz Comic-Con Giveaway
Red is always fastest 😉
I think I need one of these in my life asap! A microwave that crisps is genius. Thanks so much for the info x
It really is amazing.
Looks amazing, loves the colour & since 3pm is only around the corner would love those snacks!
The munchy hour for me too! 🙂
This is really good to know. I’d love a microwave that crisps up and makes dinner time easier!
Bec Senyard recently posted…Hilarious Toilet Wall Art to Encourage Toilet Etiquette
It’s proving very handy – quick to make things like garlic bread that can make the whole prep time drag.
Great review – I clicked on the link for the recipe book but it said this link is no longer available – can you tell me where I can get this book and what it is called please?
I have been using it for a few weeks but I am finding that I need more information on what oven and microwave levels to use for certain foods.
Any advise would be appreciated – many thanks for your review.
Mike – British expat living in SW France
Hi, there was a book called the whirlpool microwave crisp and grill microwave cook book. I believe it was still being sold around Mothers Day.