I don't buy any extra kitchen appliances. Toaster oven? I will pass. Instant Pot? Good for you, not for me. Air winner? Thanks, but no. I'm a textbook minimalist in the kitchen: Give me a well-calibrated oven, a stand mixer, and a Vitamix, and I'm happy as can be. So you can imagine my surprise when I fell completely in love with it Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Grill.
A brief history of my Griddle love story. A perk of being an employee-owner at King Arthur is that you can sample products and bring them home to bake. For longer than I care to admit, I would pull out the Zojirushi Electric Grill, take it home, and spend the weekends batch cooking my favorite casserole recipes. I finally got tired of shipping and decided it was finally time to commit to this relationship and buy one for my kitchen.
Photography by Kristin Teig; food styling by Liz Neily
Better pan, better pancakes
My love for pancake I soared to new heights after having an electric grill of my own. In my pre-grill life, when I had to make pancakes in a non-stick pan on the stove, I would lose half the batter struggling to maintain consistent heat. The first few pancakes will burn, while the last few pancakes will be too pale. Somewhere in there, perhaps, there would be some equally cooked results.
Due to the flat surface and consistent, controlled heating of this pan, each pancake is now expertly cooked, beautifully fried and fluffy – the dreaded first pancake is no longer served as a sacrifice, but rather as part of the meal. If I'm doing Pancakes with almond flour, Homemade Whole Wheat Pancake Mixor trying my hand at pancake cereal using our own Confetti Pancake Mix, the electric shutter has consistently saved me time and energy. The days of cooking in multiple ovens, using multiple pans, and then washing multiple said pans are over.
Photography by Kristin Teig; food styling by Liz Neily
Here's what makes this pan great
Consistent, even heat: With the Zojirushi Electric Grill, the positioning of the heating element allows for even heat distribution, which means golden brown pancakes that cook without burning. I've found that I get the best results when I preheat the pan for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes—normally the amount of time the pancake batter rests before cooking—to make sure there are no hot spots. The 1350 watt grill motor allows for a wide temperature range from 176°F to 425°F and if you really want to get to grips with the settings, a infrared thermometer it is ideal for accurately determining the grill surface temperature. Once your pan reaches the 350°F to 375°F range (ideal for cooking pancakes), it's easy to maintain that temperature, ensuring a full batch of perfectly cooked pancakes. There will be no dark bottom that has to be served with surprises burnt on the side down or raw dough when resting on the stack.
More space, less waiting: Be honest, when was the last time you made pancakes for people at the stove and were actually able to sit down and eat them together? With my Zojirushi Chef, it only takes two or three rounds of batter in the pan before they're all ready to sit at once. When I make standard size pancakes, I am able to cook six pancakes at once. (I think you could easily fit eight, but I like to give myself enough room for successful flips.) And when I made the pancake cereal, I put the batter in a squeeze bottle and the little pancakes were ready to pop. rolled once I had finished squeezing rows and rows (and rows … and rows) all over the surface.
Don't neglect the cover: This casserole comes with a lid, which may not look like much, but it adds to my love for three reasons. One: Baking on very low heat with the lid on is a key step when making fluffy and puffy Japanese souffle pancakes to ensure they cook slowly and don't dry out. In addition, cooking with a lid guarantees even and fast cooking grilled cheeses. (We're talking six sandwiches at once!) Two: Setting the pan to the lowest temperature and using the lid to keep the food warm is a great trick when feeding a crowd. And third: Keeping the pan covered protects the non-stick surface from scratches while discouraging any dust and debris from finding its way onto the surface.
Cleanup is a breeze too! The design of the pan is essentially four parts assembled together: the main body protector, the heater assembly, the plate and the lid. It's best to let the pan cool completely before cleaning, but if you come across any bits of burnt-on food, Zojirushi recommends wiping them off with a clean dish or paper towel while the pan is still warm. Hand washing is best and warm water and a mild detergent is all you need to keep your pan looking like new. I keep my pan stacked and stored all together on the top shelf of my dry storage in the pantry – I like to keep it close as I reach for it at least once a week.
Photography by Rick Holbrook; food styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Casserole goes beyond pancakes
As great as pancakes are, this pan has many other uses—a boon for someone like me who resists most single-use tools. The pan can be used to do anything that benefits from cooking on a flat surface with consistent, even heat. I use mine to make Sour Dough English Muffins AND Pupusasbut it's also great for cooking the tortillaseggs, bacon, sausage, hamburger, or Pancakes with Zucchini-Cheese. It is also ideal for reheating or toasting flat bread, hamburger bunOR pizza. The spacious cooking surface allows you to cook many items at the same time, which reduces the time of use and allows you to spend more moments around the table, enjoying a meal made with love.
If you want to learn more, take a look Zojirushi Gourmet Sizzler Electric Grill and the many comments from customers who have been won over, just like me.
Cover photo by Kristen Teig; food styling by Liz Neily.
