Egg Genie

Product Review

Well, it's summer and it's slow. Been watching too much TV and I got lured into jumping on-line and ordering this unique product. And knowing all of you were just sitting around waiting for someone to be the guinea pig, here is my totally unbiased product review.

Now, I like eggs. I probably eat more than I should given their bad rap on cholesterol (but I use turkey bacon to make up for the egg sin...!) So this gadget seemed an inexpensive way to make my egg experience a little less 'stove intensive'.

Note: When you go on-line to order, they of course try to up sell you the more expensive $29.00 model. Its features may be different than the basic model I bought.

FEATURES

• Steams 1-7 eggs in the shell, or 4 eggs poached in a special cup tray

• Can be used to steam veggies as well

• Has “Automatic Timer”, though not adjustable (see below)

• Has built in egg 'piercing pin'

• Has a removable 'poaching cup tray' with 4 small compartments

• Comes with small plastic measuring cup for precise water use

HOW IT WORKS

Their ad is just a little misleading, but 'functionally' it does work like they say. Here are the basic steps to get an egg, in shell, cooked (I haven't tried poaching yet, but see no reason it won't work as advertised)

1. There is a metal base plate (heating coil underneath) forming a shallow bowl where you pour the desired amount of water. They recommend distilled water (sure...) so as not to stain the heating plate. I just use vinegar to wipe the plate after use; seems to work ok. Perhaps a little vinegar in the water also?

2. There is no on/off switch on the unit, just an amber indicator light that comes on when the plate is heating. And an internal buzzer to indicate the eggs/veggies are done cooking.

3. The way it works without an adjustable timer is that the buzzer comes on and the power to the heating plate is turned off when the water is almost gone and the plate starts to overheat. A built in thermal safety switch activates, removes power to the plate and turns on the buzzer.

4. So the cooking time of the eggs is controlled by the amount of water being used; hence the small measuring cup with lots of gradations! The amount of water needed to get that perfect soft boiled egg will therefore depend on: Number of eggs, temperature of the eggs (room temp, fridge temp), size of eggs, etc. So it is a bit of trial & error at first, but once you know the correct amount of water, wallah, perfect eggs!! This is of course true for poached eggs or veggies.

PUTTING IT THROUGH ITS PACES

1. Got it setup, got out 3 medium eggs for my first go at it (told you I liked eggs...)

2. Guessed at the number 7 on the upper scale on the measuring cup; just a little over half full. Poured the water into the heating bowl/plate.

3. Pierced the narrow end of each egg with the stainless steel pin built into the plastic egg holder ring. Set each egg, narrow end up of course, in the holders, equally spaced to provide even cooking. Placed the vented cover over the top.

4. Plugged in the a/c cord and the indicator light came on immediately.

5. After only 30 seconds or so, steam started filling the clear dome/cover.

6. I did not time it, but within 3 minutes or so, the buzzer went on and the indicator light went out. I unplugged the a/c cord from the outlet.

7. I removed the cover carefully, as it is still full of steam, in order to let the eggs cool a bit.

8. After a minute or so, which gave me time to nuke the turkey bacon in the microwave, I picked up the holder ring with the 3 eggs and held them under the water faucet for another minute or so. Still hot, but I could handle them with fingers.

9. How did they turn out? Very close to my 'perfect egg'. Next time I will lower the water amount by one notch and I think I will have it down!

Caveat: This is my eggsperience...your mileage may vary, LoL!

Dom

P.S. It came with a free 14 slice microwave bacon holder...heaven!

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Last edited on Thu Jun 4th, 2009 09:49 pm by Dom

Dom, thanks for the review!  Hate to rain on your parade, but I was just recently informed by a nutritionist that regular bacon is better for you IF you have high blood pressure - the turkey bacon uses LOTS of salt to compensate for flavor!!  I think I'll stick to my little Revereware pot for my eggs though...........................simpler.

Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 12:47 am by Dom

Just an update!

For those interested in small portion veggie steaming, this device appears to be able to do it, but I have kinda been puzzled on how well it would do it with only little egg poaching cups as the way to hold the veggies...obviously I have not tried veggie steaming yet.

Well, my daughter in MD informed me today she received a package addressed to me from Egg Genie that had a little flat disc with holes in it, but she didn't have a clue what it was for.

Well, the original order had been shipped to my mail drop in Tucson, but my CC billing address is in MD. So apparently what happened was the little disc, which I assume is to hold veggies properly for steaming, was not included in the shipment and they sent it later when they got it in stock, but to the wrong address! I did not see the disc on the package picture or on TV, or in the instructions, tho I may have simply missed it.

Anyway, I am little impressed they would bother; these type of mass sales promos are not known for being 'customer oriented' once they get CC number in hand.

So far the Egg Genie gets 8 out of 10 rating from me in doing what it was designed and sold to do pretty darn well!

Dom

Last edited on Mon Jun 8th, 2009 03:48 am by Dom

Alright, Dom. Your next mission, should you choose to accept it - review the "Big City Slider Machine." I've seen it on TV and I've wanted it because who doesn't love those minature bites of burger goodness! I suppose I could fork over the $19.95 and just order the silly thing, but then I'd miss a detailed expert review like yours!

Stuart,

Whatza "Big City Slider Machine"? I mean it sounds like something they use in NYC to remove illegally parked cars!, LoL.

Last edited on Mon Jun 8th, 2009 05:42 pm by Stuart