The crisp setting on a microwave oven is designed to help foods come out crispy after microwaving. It does this by utilizing special power cycling patterns and sometimes the addition of a browning tray or crisper plate.
How Does the Crisp Setting Work?
The crisp setting on a microwave oven works by cycling the power on and off in a specific pattern to promote browning and crisping of foods. Here’s a closer look at how it works:
- Power cycling – The microwave rapidly turns the power on and off during the cooking process. This allows time for the heat to penetrate the food and drive moisture to the surface, which promotes browning and crisping.
- Lower power – Crisp settings often use lower overall power, like 50-80% power, to gently heat foods and avoid boiling or steaming.
- Crisper plates or trays – Some microwaves include a special plate or tray that is designed to crisp up the underside of foods during microwaving.
- Venting – Crisp settings will often include time at the end of the cycle for venting to release steam and promote crispness.
By combining these strategies, the crisp setting provides the ideal conditions for getting crispy edges and surfaces on foods that would otherwise come out soggy if microwaved using standard full power.
What Foods Work Best with the Crisp Setting?
The crisp setting works best on foods that benefit from getting browned and crispy edges or undersides. Here are some of the top foods to use the crisp setting for:
- Pizza – The crisp setting is excellent for freshening up refrigerated pizza slices. The cycling on and off of the power crisps up the crust.
- Nachos – Get crispy chips and melted cheese with the crisp setting.
- Fries and nuggets – Pre-cooked frozen fries and chicken nuggets come out much crispier with the crisp setting.
- Pot pies and empanadas – The crisping top and venting helps make the crust flaky.
- Quiche – Crisps up the crust around a quiche.
- Pastries – Things like frozen croissants are better reheated on the crisp setting.
- Pretzels – Freshens up the outer crunch of a pretzel.
- Pizza rolls and hot pockets – Makes the dough crispy.
The crisp setting is not recommended for very delicate foods like cakes, since the on-off cycling can cause uneven cooking. Very wet foods also won’t crisp up well. But for many popular foods, like those listed above, the crisp setting is perfect for getting a quick crisping.
Tips for Using the Crisp Setting
To get the best results when using the crisp setting, follow these tips:
- Use pre-cooked foods – Raw foods will not cook evenly or properly on the crisp only setting.
- Smaller pieces – Cut foods like pizza into smaller pieces to maximize crisping surfaces.
- Spread out pieces – Arrange foods in a single layer, not piled up, so microwaves can reach all areas.
- Let stand – After cooking on crisp, let foods stand 1-2 minutes for crisping to finalize.
- Brush oil – Coating foods lightly in oil before crisping can enhance browning.
- Add tray/plate – If your microwave has a crisper tray or plate, use it to really crisps the undersides.
- Watch time – Stay nearby the microwave, as crisp settings use lower power and shorter max run times.
With the right foods and proper handling, the crisp setting can transform limp leftover pizza back into crispy, tasty pizza in minutes.
Troubleshooting Crisp Setting Problems
If you are having trouble getting good results when using the crisp setting, here are some things to try:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Food not crisping | Cut into smaller pieces; brush with oil; use lower time setting |
| Uneven cooking | Arrange in single layer; use microwavable dish |
| Soggy underside | Elevate on rack; use crisper plate/tray |
| Tough or dry texture | Use less time; add moisture |
| Burnt edges | Use lower power percent; watch closely |
If the crisp setting is still not giving you the results you want, you may need to play around more with arranging the food, power levels, and cook times to find the ideal combo.
Microwave Brands with Crisp Technology
Many major microwave brands now offer crisp setting models. Here are a few to consider:
- GE microwaves – GE has Advantium ovens using “Speedcook” technology for crisping.
- Panasonic microwaves – Select Panasonic models have a “Turbo Crisp” feature.
- Cuisinart microwaves – Some Cuisinart microwaves offer “Crisp” technology.
- Toshiba microwaves – Toshiba “Crisp Duo” microwaves uses a rear quartz heater.
- Breville microwaves – Breville Quick Touch Crisp models cycle heat for crisping up.
New microwave options from companies like Samsung, LG, Sharp and others also often include dedicated crisp modes when available. Just check the product details to confirm if the crisp setting is included.
Should I Buy a Microwave with a Crisp Feature?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if buying a microwave with a crisp function is worthwhile for you:
Pros
- Evenly crisps up leftovers like pizza
- Makes foods like fries and nuggets taste fresh
- Crisp plates and trays are convenient built-ins
- Provides crispness not possible with a normal microwave
- Wide variety of crisp microwaves available
Cons
- Crisp settings take longer than full power
- Not suitable for very delicate foods
- Can get uneven results if not used properly
- Crisper plates may need occasional replacing
- More expensive than standard microwaves
For most people who frequently reheat crispy leftovers like pizza, nuggets, or fries, a microwave with a crisp function can be worth the investment. The added versatility of being able to occasionally crisp up foods makes leftover reheating much more appetizing.
Conclusion
The crisp setting on microwaves uses cycling power and accessories like crisper plates to help cooked foods come out hot and crispy. It brings new life to leftovers like pizza, fries, and nachos by ensuring a crispy texture. While not suitable for all cooking tasks, the crisp function is a handy feature that makes reheating crispy favorites much more appetizing. When shopping for a new microwave, consider if a model with crisping capabilities fits your needs.