I admit, I am one of those people who stores things in the oven. And reheating a pizza in an oven just to get a crispy crust isn’t enough of an incentive for me to remove the pans, bowls and other items haphazardly stashed away in that dark space.
So, after years of reheating leftover pizza in the microwave with just OKresults, I decided to try the Reheatza Microwave Crisper, which claims to deliver “oven-quality crispiness straight from the microwave.”
HOW IT WORKS
It’s easy. Just microwave the base for 1-1/2 minutes (based on a 1,200-watt microwave), place a pizza slice on the base (you may hear sizzling), cover and microwave again for two minutes. If the cheese isn’t melted yet, remove the lid and continue to cook in 15-second intervals.
DOES IT WORK?
Kind of. It’s much better than microwaving a slice of pizza on a plate as I usually do, but don’t expect super-crispy results. Cooking time will vary depending on the microwave and the thickness of the slices. I tried reheating Costco’s Combination Pizza and had to cook it uncovered about a minute longer than the instructions specified to melt the cheese.
A Little Caesars pepperoni slice with a thin crust didn’t take as long because the pieces were smaller and thinner. I also made a pizza using whole-wheat naan bread — cooking the naan on the heated base for about 45 seconds, quickly flipping it over and adding sauce and toppings, then cooking again to melt the cheese. All my trials turned out delicious.
The Reheatza also claims to cook fresh meats and bacon, as well as reheat frozen snacks and refrigerated leftovers. I tried three pieces of steak, and they did brown a little, but no way near as well as they would on a grill or stove. It took 11 minutes (3 minutes longer than the instructions specified) to get the pieces to medium rare. My cousin Chad said the meat tasted good, though, and I ate the leftovers the next day (reheating on a regular plate).
PROS
Pizza slices taste better. Cleaning is fairly simple with its nonstick surface. The instructions also provide recipes for shrimp, grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs and s’mores.
CONS
The gadget (including the handles) gets very hot, so pot holders are required. Not dishwasher-safe and the base cannot be submerged in water. The rubber seal around the lid slips off easily (but it’s fairly simple to put back).
COST AND AVAILABILITY
I bought mine for $39.99 plus tax at Target. It’s $19.99 (plus $13.59 shipping ) on amazon.com and $29.88 (plus $15.25 shipping and taxes) on walmart.com.
WORTH IT?
For $19.99, yes, especially since it’s for more than just pizza. My Uncle Tootsie, however, said he will stick to his method: microwaving pizza on a plate to melt the cheese, then placing the slice in a frying pan on the stove. He says the crust comes out much crispier and he won’t have to spend a cent.
Got a gadget that you love? Curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave,Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
