Keep
in Contact.
Apparently,
as a nation, we are “time-poor”. This makes us sad, but
unfortunately we don't have enough time in the day to cry about it.
Chop chop! To that end, we need a kitchen gadget that we can use for
a number of meals, and quick. By God, it needs to be quick. And so we
review the Hotpoint 3-in1 Contact Grill.
Part of Hotpoint's Ultimate Collection (which features other kitchen essentials in shiny metal with clever settings and features), the 3-in-1 Contact Grill, AKA CG 200 UP0 UK, is a fairly unique bit of kit as it can be used in various set ups. First of all, it looks great; the high-polish metal reflects like chrome and the whole thing has a reassuring weightiness to it. No plastic and, so it seems, no corners cut.
Fancy
a panini? No worries. Just whack in your sandwich, turn on the grill,
and let both plates gently press it together while cooking it, just
like they do in your favourite chain coffee shop (but this panini
won't require you to remortgage your home to afford it). There are
five temperature settings, as well as an extremely useful timer knob
as well.
But,
what if you're not in the mood for a hot squashed sandwich? What if
you want some steak, dammit?!? Well, unlock the clip at the Hotpoint
3-in-1 Contact Grill's hinge, and the top plate will open up all the
way – 180 degrees. Now you have a large open cooking surface to use
a griddle. You can pop your steak on one side, and your veggies on
the other, knowing that the grease from either will never touch, as
both plates drain separately.
Be
it in closed or open mode, grease from the food drips into a
reservoir at the back of the unit. This can easily be pulled out when
you're done (remember to remove the tape that keeps it is there from
the packaging – we didn't take it off and ended up yanking it too
hard and spilling cheese fat all over the counter). As it is at the
back, when opened up both plates slope into the centre – where the
drip tray now is, so a very clean and tidy operation all together.
But
that isn't all. The cooking plates on both sides can be simply
removed, again by pressing in a switch. They pop off and can be
reversed to reveal a flat side; perfect for frying eggs and the rest
of your breakfast. The flat plates have a lip all the way around, so
you don't have to worry about your scrabbled eggs running off into
the drip tray, either.
The
Hotpoint 3-in-1 Contact Grill heats up quick, regardless of the
temperature setting, and as the plates are non-stick they can be
placed in the dishwasher after use. With the drip tray and versatile
design, as well as the compact overall size, this is a must-have for
those of us who are indeed “time-poor”. Or, y'know, like food.
Which
is everyone. Even 'time-rich' people. TAX THE TIME-RICH!
£99.99
Visit
www.hotpoint.co.uk