Being a garlic lover, it was nothing short of love at first sight when I came across the Roasted Garlic Express. An appliance for roasting garlic? Indeed there is, so I was very anxious to test this garlic roaster and being somewhat skeptical, I wondered if it really worked. So I embarked on a mission to find out.
Product Description
- The Roasted Garlic Express GR300W is made by Todco
- Removable small nonstick cooking pan
- Preset for cooking time of 27 minutes with indicator light and auto-off
- Includes a detachable plastic handle to remove hot cooking pan
- Unique garlic shape design
- Lid design allows for higher, bulkier garlic or other food items
- Interior of lid is nonstick
- 110V; cord storage
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Sold in White, Terra Cotta, Black and stainless steel
- Recipes included - more at Roasted Garlic Express
- Learn more from the manufacturer
- You can order replacement parts should you need to
How the Roasted Garlic Express Performed
November 2, 2010
This appliance is small with an approximate footprint of 7" and it's extremely easy to set up and use. Before roasting, the small terra cotta disc must be inserted wet under the cooking pan. There's absolutely no peeling of the garlic - I'll repeat that - no peeling, none. Just cut a slice off the top of the whole garlic bulb to expose one end of the cloves, place three whole garlic bulbs upside down (exposed ends) in the small cooking pan; add a little olive oil and turn it on. You can even throw in the pan the small garlic clove tops that you sliced off.
After the 27 minutes, the light goes out and open the lid to wonderful roasted garlic. At this point, you can refrigerate them and use what you need for cooking. Just squeeze it; the roasted garlic comes out very easily. Keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week - if it lasts that long. I found myself putting more garlic in various cooked meals because it was roasted and ready. Of course, I couldn't stop at garlic for this roaster - I did whole onions (cut in half) the same way and even tried one apple cored and sectioned with cinnamon and brown sugar/flour topping. It was ready in the 27 minutes and smelled/tasted delicious. I expected a little garlic taste since the appliance retains a garlic smell after cleaning, but I couldn't detect any in the apple dessert. It's great for Bruschetta too (recipe included) and egg spiced for a burrito. I also roasted a boneless chicken breast (sliced in two) with onions and oil; it was done during the one cycle.
This appliance is small with an approximate footprint of 7" and it's extremely easy to set up and use. Before roasting, the small terra cotta disc must be inserted wet under the cooking pan. There's absolutely no peeling of the garlic - I'll repeat that - no peeling, none. Just cut a slice off the top of the whole garlic bulb to expose one end of the cloves, place three whole garlic bulbs upside down (exposed ends) in the small cooking pan; add a little olive oil and turn it on. You can even throw in the pan the small garlic clove tops that you sliced off.
After the 27 minutes, the light goes out and open the lid to wonderful roasted garlic. At this point, you can refrigerate them and use what you need for cooking. Just squeeze it; the roasted garlic comes out very easily. Keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week - if it lasts that long. I found myself putting more garlic in various cooked meals because it was roasted and ready. Of course, I couldn't stop at garlic for this roaster - I did whole onions (cut in half) the same way and even tried one apple cored and sectioned with cinnamon and brown sugar/flour topping. It was ready in the 27 minutes and smelled/tasted delicious. I expected a little garlic taste since the appliance retains a garlic smell after cleaning, but I couldn't detect any in the apple dessert. It's great for Bruschetta too (recipe included) and egg spiced for a burrito. I also roasted a boneless chicken breast (sliced in two) with onions and oil; it was done during the one cycle.
Overall Impression
The Roasted Garlic Express is truly unique - being able to roast whole garlic bulbs without turning on the range oven, is a great convenience and energy saver. If garlic is small, you might get four in the small cooking pan; but three for certain. The lid design is very nice - it's high and nonstick - giving it more versatility for roasting other foods. For foods that might require more than 27 minutes of roasting time, you can turn it back on and then press the button twice to cancel when desired time is reached.
The garlic roaster cleans up nicely - simply wash the small cooking pan in warm soapy water and wipe the interior of the lid and the exterior. Clean-up doesn't get any easier than that. I wouldn't put the cooking pan in the dishwasher because detergents are harsher on nonstick.
I would give the nonstick cooking pan the best nonstick care and avoid using metal utensils in it, if you want it to last for awhile. Replacement cooking pans are available from the manufacturer. This garlic roaster is a time-saver, saves energy over oven roasting and it's fun to use. Price of this appliance ranges between $35 to $49 - very reasonable for such a unique kitchen tool. This is definitely a garlic lover's tool and an awesome gift idea for any time of the year.
The garlic roaster cleans up nicely - simply wash the small cooking pan in warm soapy water and wipe the interior of the lid and the exterior. Clean-up doesn't get any easier than that. I wouldn't put the cooking pan in the dishwasher because detergents are harsher on nonstick.
I would give the nonstick cooking pan the best nonstick care and avoid using metal utensils in it, if you want it to last for awhile. Replacement cooking pans are available from the manufacturer. This garlic roaster is a time-saver, saves energy over oven roasting and it's fun to use. Price of this appliance ranges between $35 to $49 - very reasonable for such a unique kitchen tool. This is definitely a garlic lover's tool and an awesome gift idea for any time of the year.
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Compare prices of appliances
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Caring for Nonstick Cookware and Bakeware
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Read More about Cookware
Read More About Small Appliances
Read More About Cookers, Rice Cookers
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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
