topic Re: TSV Opti-Grill in Kitchen

TSV Opti-Grill

Tigriss — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:45:25 GMT

I pulled the plug and got the Opti Grill since I was already shopping for a grill like this and used the flex pay.

For those that own it, what is the manual fixed cooking temperature? Any suggestions/advice for a new owner?

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Lacey1 — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:13:28 GMT

Just a heads up. BB&B has the Opti Grill plus for $180. Use a coupon and subtract QVC's S&H, it's maybe a better choice. The plus has more features.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Tigriss — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:31:04 GMT

I don't want the teflon plates. I want ceramic plates. That is worth the difference in control of temps. Thanks for the suggestion. The plus is 140 at BBB with the coupon.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

SharkE — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:40:07 GMT

Looks like a nice grill for one person or small steaks for 2. Wouldn't work for whole cut up chickens and bone in T Bones.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

circles — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:22:07 GMT

I had a Cuisinart Grill similar to this....not all the bells and whistles....there is only me to cook for ...I found it was too much fuss and work to heat it up....make a small steak...or a burger....or anything for one...

I don't have a dishwasher so I had that mess to clean up and I wound up giving it away...it was much easier to cook on the stove or microwave...

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Tigriss — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:28:49 GMT

I don't want all the heat from the stove. I love my cast iron grill pan, but in the summer and warmer months, it is too much heat! It is in the low 80s today, but the saturated humidity makes it around 97 or so. It is very thick this week, so no relief for the south yet.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Q4u — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:43:50 GMT

I also ordered it (in Red) and can't wait for it! I already own a George Forman with removable grills (not ceramic) and got tired of cutting the meat open to look, also the back hinges were not as open as this one and the thicker cuts just wouldn't allow the lid to come down on it well. It's about 10 years old and will go to my youngest DS... it's great for one person, or Paninis, etc.....

I think this one fromT-Fal will be great. It's really just the two of us and I've always loved the concept..... and enjoyed using the older one. It'll be my first T-Fal product.

I was a little taken aback however by the extra $21 in S & H and taxes.....

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

NickNack — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:04:25 GMT

I can't find this one anywhere in a Google search, and it's not the one on T-Fal's website. I'll bet this one has been discontinued. The Opti-Grill Plus that BB&B has that Lacy1 mentioned would actually be a little bit less than this one (when you add in the S&H) if you bought it in the store and used your 20% coupon.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Q4u — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:19:48 GMT

I agree, it's probably discontinued as QVC has a tendency getting good deals on the items going out. I don't have a BB&B anywhere near my little town, one of the reasons I especially love buying on QVC.

Years ago I was able to buy a Professional 600 Kitchen Aid (575 watts) from BB&B (where we used to live) that I ended up only paying $299 for.... even back then it was a HUGE discount. On sale, clearanced again and my 20% off coupon.....

Just depends on convenience now..... (for me)

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Tigriss — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:18:48 GMT

Ceramic grills are just coming out in many areas, so this one is probably replacing the T-Fal coated one. The T-Fal sitre doesn't have the Plus model either. I check to make sure the plates were regular teflon and not ceramic. I was shopping for one for several weeks now and had a $29 Oster Duraceramic one in my Amazon cart. i wanted the Optigrill but didn't want to pop for it, so this worked out well. I got it on easy pay so I could easily return it if it didn't work out.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

momtochloe — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:54:31 GMT

@Tigriss wrote:
Ceramic grills are just coming out in many areas, so this one is probably replacing the T-Fal coated one. The T-Fal sitre doesn't have the Plus model either. I check to make sure the plates were regular teflon and not ceramic. I was shopping for one for several weeks now and had a $29 Oster Duraceramic one in my Amazon cart. i wanted the Optigrill but didn't want to pop for it, so this worked out well. I got it on easy pay so I could easily return it if it didn't work out.

I agree tigriss. As much as I am not hapy about the s&h charges for me (since I cook for one and don't have a working stove or oven) this appeals to me and they had me at I can return it under the holiday return policy.

It's always intrigued me, I hope it works out in the long run.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Snoopp — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 19:58:24 GMT

You will love this grill. I just bought mine a few months ago and I have the teflon. Would much prefer the ceramic but that will have to wait since mine is brand new. I cook steaks on it all the time, so easy and fast too.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

DiAnne — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 01:53:07 GMT

I have the small Cuisinart grill. I use it all the time. Once you figure out how long things take to cook it is clear sailing. Mine only cost $35 at Costco with a coupon.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Moonchilde — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 16:28:55 GMT

I bought the original either from BBB or Kohls with coupon/discount, I forget which, and I absolutely love it! I cook steaks fresh or frozen, sausages/brats/hot dogs the same.

One thing I would suggest to a new owner is to err on the side of under-done. If you like your meat medium to well it won't matter, but I have found the timing between rare and medium rare a bit tricky. When it beeps for rare-ready, don't leave it on much longer to go just past rare to MR. And if you like it rare I would advise shutting off as soon as it beeps rare.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

momtochloe — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 16:49:48 GMT

Thanks for the head's up. Mine should be here tomorrow and I was planning on test driving a frozen steak just to see how it worked. I'm glad to hear so many people are so pleased with this purchase, I can't wait to make dinner after it arrives!

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Queen Linda — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 22:13:39 GMT

I cooked my first steaks today and they did not brown at all. The marinade had oil in it too. What did you do to cook your steaks and did they get brown. Also did burgers and the same thing...no browning.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

Tigriss — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 23:42:24 GMT

I cooked bone in chicken thighes from frozen in less than 20 minutes. I let it preheat nice and hot before I added my chicken skin down. It browned nicely, but I will ditch the skin because it is just too fattening/grease for me these days. The chicken was done and juicy.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

momtochloe — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 13:08:01 GMT

@Queen Linda wrote:
I cooked my first steaks today and they did not brown at all. The marinade had oil in it too. What did you do to cook your steaks and did they get brown. Also did burgers and the same thing...no browning.

I am having the same problem and I have tried both steaks and burgers from frozen and thawed. I get grill marks but that's it, not the kind of browning I would like.

If anyone could speak to some tips I would greatly appreciate hearing them!

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

momtochloe — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:58:19 GMT

I sent it back today. It does cook to the perfect temperature but no matter what I did (oil/no oil, frozen/not frozen) I felt the product (meat or veg) was more steamed than grilled and keeping veggies on there was a nightmare.

Bummer.

Re: TSV Opti-Grill

denisemb — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 19:39:30 GMT

mtc, I'm sorry you didn't like your grill. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We always bring the meats to room temp and pat them dry, I wonder if that makes a difference? Have done frozen hamburgers and I agree they don't brown as well.