As summer winds down, we welcome fall (and football) with indoor soirees, often featuring meats and veggies, but with less access to outdoor cooking. The slow cooker, air fryer and cast-iron skillet get more reps as we try to replicate the magic of flame-kissed cooking and smoky barbecue, but the microwave rarely factors into the equation.
Nuking meat is a recipe for rubber in most cases, but a product I spotted making the rounds made a bold claim: It says it can turn your microwave into a grill. As an apartment dweller with no grill who loves a quick meal with minimal mess, I was intrigued.
Pros & Cons
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Microwaved chicken cooked with the Turbo Grill was tender and juicy -
Great for reheating leftovers -
Small and simple to clean -
Vented lid controls splatters -
Able to make a wide variety of proteins and vegetables
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Didn’t leave a grill’s signature marks and char -
Expensive for what it is -
Meat tasted more like it was boiled than grilled
Meet the Rocket Chef Turbo Grill, an “As Seen on TV” infomercial product that’s advertised as able to cook all types of proteins and produce in the microwave, with the taste and texture of grilling. If you think it sounds too good to be true, you’re not alone. I shared that skepticism and decided to put the kitchen gadget to the ultimate test. Here’s how it turned out.
How it works
Joey Skladany
The Turbo Grill appliance is no-frills and simple: a lightweight, mini grill-like contraption with a plastic lid and handles. Cooking times will vary depending on ingredients and recipes (a recipe book is included for guidance). That said, you’ll need to preheat it before placing meat or vegetables on the hot surface, then cover it and cook to your preference.
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Utilizing proprietary “Turbo Grill Technology,” the gadget absorbs microwave energy and converts it into searing infrared heat. This heats the ceramic cooking surface, which will ultimately sizzle and brown food from the bottom up.
How I tested the Rocket Chef Turbo Grill
Joey Skladany/CNET
It was a no-brainer to start by testing chicken, one of the most basic and beloved proteins in the world (at least among carnivores). Following the recipe book’s instructions, I prepared slices of raw breast, drizzled them with olive oil, and seasoned them. I then cooked the meat in three 3-minute intervals. The first was a preheat without a lid, the second added the meat and covered it, and the third was additional cooking time after flipping the meat.
What worked about the Rocket Chef Turbo Grill
It was quick and easy to use. To have tender, juicy meat in less than 10 minutes in the microwave, from raw to cooked, was quite impressive and I appreciated the fact that it was compact and easy to clean.
The design is also lightweight yet sturdy, and small enough to fit in any kitchen cabinet. This makes it an investment that won’t take up too much additional space.
Joey Skladany/CNET
Though I wasn’t completely impressed with the chicken’s outcome (more on its lack of grill marks below), it did give chicken sausage a wonderful crunch after additional testing. It also recrisped leftover fries, making it ideal for reheating food while maintaining its original texture.
What I didn’t like about the Rocket Chef Turbo Grill
For chicken, there were no grill-like char marks, despite its ridged surface. And while the meat was tender and juicy, it tasted more boiled than kissed by an open flame.
The online checkout process was also a nightmare; the website asked at least 10 questions before reaching the shopping cart. This included upselling unnecessary items like silicone gloves (the handles were never hot enough to burn, though I recommend using them with caution or opting for oven mitts).
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While I appreciate the commitment to a PTFE- and PFOA-free ceramic nonstick coating, relying on a microwave to cook ingredients still feels off-putting. A grill isn’t just a way to add delicious smoky notes of smokiness — it reflects our ancestors’ traditional cooking techniques, rather than relying on an electrical device to intervene.
The bottom line
Chicken cooked in the Turbo Grill didn’t exactly mimic grilling, but it was still better than I’d expected.Joey Skladany/CNET
Was the Rocket Chef Turbo grill successful in microwaving and cooking meat? Absolutely. Did its flavor resemble anything close to what you’d get from an actual grill? Not in the slightest.
While I applaud the company’s innovation and attempt to accommodate apartment dwellers, college students or anyone without direct access to a grill, it fell short of expectations.
At nearly $40 a pop (not including shipping), you’re probably better off investing in an electric countertop grill like a George Foreman, which uses dual-sided plates to cook chicken in the same amount of time and leave behind a coveted sear.
Take it for what it is, though: a novelty gift for anyone who may not have the time, energy, or patience to cook outdoors or dust off a bulky countertop appliance. In the meantime, I won’t be rushing to ditch my air fryer.
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