By George....It's A Brill Grill! (George Foreman Grills)

Member Name: JohnGroom

Product:	George Foreman Grills
Date:	16/12/05 (2705 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It grills food evenly and healthily every time.

Disadvantages: You need to clean it, but it's easy and takes seconds.

George Foreman Cafe Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine 10946

The other name for this is a George Foreman 10946 Cafe George Grill

This Cafe George Grill was bought to replace the small George Foreman 'Junior' grill, which included a bun-warmer on top, that was claimed by one of the offspring when they flew the nest. As I liked it so much we went for the larger version to help when they all descended on us for lunches and running buffets.
The sliding temperature control, which I found 3 weeks after buying it, is a boon as you can cook things more slowly and thoroughly than the previous model as well as fast and with definite grill marks. Also, it has an automatic timer that 'pings' when the cooking time is up (handy if you are called away to the phone) The floating (pannini style) top plate is also a great innovation as it helps with mis-shapen and various thicknesses of meat like whole chicken breasts and loin chops...oh...and pannini!

The key features are:
531 square cms of grilling space...according to the splurge.
Roughly 12 inches wide by 8 inches deep, so you can just about grill 6 burgers or 6 chicken breasts at any one time. However the space taken up by the whole appliance is around 18" wide by 15" from front to back, because of the knobs on the right and the large handle at the front. Also, the distance from the base to the top of the handle when open is around 18." so make sure there is room if it is going to fit under a cupboard or shelf.

30 minute timer with automatic shutoff.
The timer is apportioned in 5 minute intervals so you can set it anytime up to 30 minutes...just turn and wait for the 'ping'

The adjustable temperature control is the slider at the right hand side above the timer knob.
Minimum is nearest to you and Maximum is furthest away.

The sloped grill design channels allow grease to drip into the drip tray that you place at the front between you and the grill.

The double non-stick grill cooks from the top and the bottom at the same time for fast, even and complete grilling results, but to be honest I have a feeling that the bottom gets hotter than the top, unless it's because I keep lifting the top up so I can see how the food is cooking!

2 large drip trays to catch run-off fat which is handy if you're cooking for some time as you casn switch drip trays when one is almost full and clean it up ready for switching again. Also the drip trays can be put into the dishwasher.

2 specially designed spatulas which fit perfectly into the grooves of the grill plates. I wouldn't advise using these for lifting the food off the grill as they do tend to bend and the food,especially sausages, rolls off. However, they are perfect for cleaning the grill plates and they can also be put in the dishwasher.

Cleaning
This Grill is so easy to clean. I always clean it with the spatula first, whilst it's still warm. This removes all the gunge and burnt bits that build up. I then use 2 pieces of kitchen roll folded or scrunched up (mind your fingers!) and wipe it over.
Done in seconds and ready for the next session!

In my opinion this is an excellent grill and it is extremely easy to use. I also feel that it is definitely worth paying the extra money for this one rather than buying the standard grill as it is far more versatile.

This Lean Mean Grill Machine is ideal for anyone who is trying to cut down the fat that they consume.
I've lost 30 lbs over the last 12 months and my Cholestorol count is at 4.2. Apparently, the average is 5.0.
I don't know if it is all down to the Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine but I do know that I wouldn't part with my George Foreman as I am sure it's helped me to becoming the healthy, happy soul that I am.

Some Personal Home Recipes that I use and a few cooking tips:

Home-made Burgers
I buy Extra Lean Minced Steak and shape a small pack into 4 burgers by hand - you could probably get away with 8 if you prefer smaller, thin ones!
If you prefer your burgers with onion my tip is to soften them first in a pan with a little butter on a low setting or a little salted water if you prefer to keep the fat content down.
(I find that if you put raw onion in to the mix it burns on the outside & there are always some raw, hard bits of onion in the burgers but this applies to all home-made burgers with onion however they are cooked).
Wait for the onions to cool down before you add them to the minced beef.
If you find that the mixture does not stick together well enough, a handful of breadrumbs and an egg usually does the trick. Season if you wish with salt & pepper or any other condiment or spice that you like....chilli powder, curry powder...it's up to you.
I prefer them plain. Shape into burgers by hand by squashing a small ball into a flat shape with the palms of your hands and your fingers and place them on the grill. I know it seems a bit messy but it is well-worth it.
I usually set the timer to 10 mins & leave the heat setting on high as it cooks them through and grill marks are left on the burgers which look very authentic.
In the meantime you can prepare the burger buns and any salad or relishes you may wish to add and wait for the 'ping'.

Chicken Breasts
I 'butterfly' them - cut them sideways (watch your fingers) by placing one hand on top of the chicken breast and gently slicing sideways (keep your thumb out of the way & let the knife do the work) This way the grill cooks them right through but they are still juicy inside and not like a piece of cardboard. I usually set the timer to 20 mins & leave the heat setting on medium. As with all meat I always check that they are cooked through before serving them.

Grilled Vegetables.
Just place the sliced veg on the grill & leave until they are marked. Obviously, Carrots, Parsnips & other root vegetables will take longer than, say, sliced peppers so stagger the placing of the veg on the grill in cooking time order if your cooking for one or two people or do them in batches until required for more people as they can be re-heated on the grill in two minutes if needed.I usually set the timer to 10 mins & leave the heat setting on high.

Garlic Bread
I slice a fresh balloon loaf into large slices or a pannini sideways then rub a cut clove of garlic on the cut sides. As a special treat I drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil onto the cut surfaces after cooking...I've tried putting it on before cooking but it ends up like crispy, fried bread & it takes ages to get rid of the smoke in the kitchen...not to mention the smell! I usually set the timer to 5 mins & leave the heat setting on high.

Toasted Cheese Sandwiches - this Grill works just like a Toasted Sandwich Maker. Lightly butter both sides of the bread (that's the secret) then add a small amount of grated cheese before compiling your sandwich - too much and it will run out of the sandwiches all over the grill and collect in the tray at the front ,which is quite messy and slightly defeats the object, as you'll also end up with two slightly cheesy flavoured pieces of toast stuck together! Practise makes perfect (as does trying to griddle eggs which I wouldn't recommend unless you're good at balancing things and have a great deal of burn salve handy...use a pan it's easier believe me!
I usually set the timer to 5 mins & leave the heat setting on high.

Very Healthy Chips
Peel and slice the potatoes (a Maris Piper or King Edward give good results) into large wedges and soak in cold water to remove some starch then drain & dry well. Place them on the grill and cook them thoroughly.
I usually set the timer to 5 mins & leave the heat setting on mediumthen re-set the timer to 5 mins & leave the heat setting on high. Great with salt and vinegar between two slices of buttered bread...almost as good as the chip shop but you don't feel as guilty when you eat them!

Full Breakfast (but do the eggs separately!!)
It is the perfect grill for cooking a full breakfast on...start by placing the sausages on and rotating them part way through cooking so that they brown evenly (you'll be amazed at the amount of fat that rolls out) then the bacon, then the mushrooms and even halved tomatoes! The sausages can even be placed to one-side whilst you are cooking everything else, then halved lengthways and placed back on the grill as required.

Mixed Grill
This is self-explanatory especially if you've managed to cook a full breakfast as all the meat for a mixed grill can be cooked on the George Foreman Cafe Grill whilst the other trimmings are prepared.

Finally, the George Foreman Cafe Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine is a silver colour and looks quite trendy in our kitchen.
I think it's a brill grill!

From searching around I've found that prices vary enormously so shop around for the best deal!

Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave any comments or tips. :)

© John Groom 2005

Summary: Quick, healthy food in minutes.

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