Okay, pizza fanatics, gather ’round! I recently snagged the MasterChef Electric 12″ Pizza Maker, and I’m ready to spill the beans. As someone who loves a good DIY pizza night but isn’t always thrilled about cranking up the big oven, the idea of a countertop gadget that could also whip up quesadillas, bake cookies, and more? Yeah, that had my attention.
First Look:
Fresh out of the box, the MasterChef pizza maker is…well, it’s white plastic. Nothing fancy, but the viewing window? I dig that. It’s light as a feather and won’t hog all your counter space, which is a win if your kitchen’s, shall we say, “cozy.” And that removable non-stick stone? Seemed like a dream for easy cleanup. Famous last words, right?
Time to Cook!
Pizza first, naturally! I went for both a homemade dough (ambitious, I know) and a store-bought crust (for when ambition fails). This is where things got a little…interesting. That rotating plate is supposed to be the secret to even cooking, but honestly? It felt like it took forever to get the crust even remotely crispy. Cranked up to the max temp, it was more like the pizza was getting a gentle tan than a proper bake. After a good 25 minutes, the cheese was melted and bubbly, sure, but the crust? Still kinda pale and floppy. Not exactly the crispy, golden perfection I was hoping for.
Next up: quesadillas! A slightly brighter picture here. That viewing window actually came in handy for watching the cheese get all melty and delicious, and the non-stick coating did its thing. Still, even these took longer than I thought they would to get those crave-worthy golden-brown spots.
And then, the grand finale: cookies! I pictured perfectly round, evenly baked chocolate chip masterpieces. What I got? Let’s just say they were…rustic. The edges were practically burnt, while the centers were still a little gooey. Not exactly Instagram-worthy.
The Upsides:
- Versatility (Kind Of): It can do more than just pizza. Quesadillas and nachos are definitely in its wheelhouse.
- Cleanup is a Breeze: Seriously, that non-stick surface is a gift from the kitchen gods.
- Peep Show: That viewing window? Surprisingly useful for keeping an eye on things.
- Spin Cycle: The rotating plate does help with even-ish cooking, but temper your expectations.
The Downsides:
- Slow and Steady (Too Slow): This thing is not winning any speed awards. Patience is a virtue, people.
- Temperature Tantrums: The temperature control seems a little wonky. It just never felt like it was getting seriously hot.
- Durability Doubts: I’ve seen reports of the knob breaking, which makes me wonder about long-term reliability.
The Final Slice:
The MasterChef Electric 12″ Pizza Maker? It’s a cool idea, but the reality doesn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s not awful, but it’s not amazing either. If you’re dreaming of lightning-fast, perfectly crispy pizzas, keep looking. However, if you’re a patient soul who likes to experiment and you snag it on a major sale, it can be fun for quesadillas, cookies, and other random snacks. Just don’t expect restaurant-quality results.
My Rating: A generous 2.5 out of 5 stars.
My Advice? Tread carefully. If you find it dirt cheap and you’re not expecting miracles, give it a whirl. Otherwise, you might be better off investing in a higher-end countertop pizza oven. Your taste buds will thank you.