Easy way to keep my kitchen clean with the best microwave grill cleaner

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
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One of the things I love most about living in Kochi is the amazing array of cuisines that the city offers. Sure, you have your amazing local fare with its blissful splurging of (literally, every part of!) the ubiquitous Kerala coconut and spices in every dish but the gastric joy does not end with just a well-prepared local fish curry meal or beetroot thoran. Being a city that has embraced cultures as diverse as Portuguese and Arabian for centuries, the culinary mark of these foreign countries too is now an ingrained part of our cuisine and features prominently alongside our own traditional fare.

Exploring new dishes


That translates as much in my home cooking as it does in my online food delivery orders and restaurant choices, I realized, over the last few years. From Spanish paellas to Middle Eastern hummus and even American-Chinese dishes like orange chicken, I have been trying my hands on quite a few dishes, with pretty decent results, if I say so myself.

It was while discussing the awesome dishes from other cuisines available in restaurants here in Kochi with my fellow doctors that the topic of al-faham came up. For those who are unaware, al-fahams are a kind of Arabian grilled meat – usually chicken – that is quite popular in Kerala. Served with pickled vegetables, mayonnaise, a garlic paste and quboos (an Arabian bread), they make for a filling dinner option at a reasonable price. What makes it different from traditional grilled foods would be the mix of spices used.

Here, in Kochi, you have easily more than two dozen restaurants that make this tasty dish. My eye though was on a particular variant called Kanthari al-faham chicken. A popular Kerala version of the Arabian dish, this super spicy chicken is prepared by coating – and I do mean, coating – with a bird eye chilli paste that leaves not just your mouth but your eyes watering as well. While not as visually appealing as the traditional al-faham owing to this thick coating on top of the chicken, it was easily the tastier version in my book.

Recreating a traditional delicacy at home


“You better have the best microwave grill cleaner in town,” smirked my colleague when I expressed my desire to try and recreate the dish at home.
“The best microwave grill cleaner? You think so?” In my heart, I knew she was right though.

Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner


The microwave would be my first choice for making this dish but it would not be without its drawbacks. There was a high likelihood of the marination sputtering all over inside the microwave oven and creating a mess. This had been a major deterrent in the past while creating some dishes. Things had changed over the last few months since I had gotten the Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner that removed the toughest of stains and grease but still, that nagging worry lingered at the back of my mind. 

Cooking a kanthari al-faham inside a microwave could get really messy and would challenge the best microwave grill cleaner in any kitchen. On the other side, the vision of that amazing home-cooked al-faham sitting on a pristine white plate and the bragging rights that I would get if I got it right beckoned.

“You know what? I’ll do it. I will make this dish. I have all the ingredients at home for a spicy Kanthari Chicken al-faham. And yes, the best microwave grill cleaner I have ever had to date in Cif. Let us see how it fares against this Kerala-Arabia jugalbandi.”

Gathering the ingredients for this dish proved to be child’s play in this city (something I am always eternally grateful for) and that weekend, I set about preparing the al-faham. The chicken was initially coated with a mix of Arabian spices, salt and pepper and left to marinate overnight in the fridge. 
After I had prepared my bird eye chilli paste and my mise en place was ready, the chicken was placed in the oven and half-baked before taking it out. The chilli paste was now liberally lathered onto this chicken and then grilled to perfection once more inside the microwave oven. Even before I opened that oven door, the smell wafting throughout the kitchen and even into the dining room was absolutely tantalizing. 

Of course, the constant peeps through the grill window to check on the chicken also gave me a glimpse of the tough stains forming inside. This had me go online to the Cif website as the chicken slowly rotated within, more to reassure myself than anything else, I guess.

“…scientifically formulated to cut through burnt-on grease, delivering 100% tough grease removal.” You better be, Cif. Because seeing the stains forming within the oven, I was counting on this being the best microwave grill cleaner indeed.

Of course, all those worries were pushed to the back of my mind once the chicken finally came out of the oven and onto the plate. The chicken was tender and came off the bone with the gentlest of touches. This contrasted beautifully with the big punch of flavours that the kanthari masala provided, leaving your mouth hot and bothered in the best possible way. Having a quboos (or really anything that soaks in that masala well, including rice, appams/ hoppers, idiappams/ string hoppers or rotis) is a must here, offsetting the heat from the chillies. Overall, the Kanthari chicken al-faham was a great success, loved by everyone who had it that night. Pleased with myself, I too retired for the night, content with both my effort as well as the result.

Now, the cleaning bit! Best Microwave Grill Cleaner


Entering the kitchen the next morning, the first thing my eyes fell on was the mess in the kitchen sink from last night. Yes, I had soaked my dishes before going to bed but the microwave was a different matter altogether. The chicken’s revenge was there to see in all its glory within, stains having set upon the grill and window. 
“Man, I certainly hope you are the best microwave grill cleaner, Cif, otherwise I am in big trouble here.” 

Taking out my Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner, I quickly perused the instructions at the back of the container. Frankly, the instructions made it seem so easy but then would it be as simple in reality? That was the million-dollar question now. 

Making sure the surfaces were cold, I applied the spray all over until it was completely covered. 

Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner

Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner

I took a half-hour break, utilizing that time to get dressed and prepare breakfast before returning to the scene of the crime. Using a clean cloth, I then wiped the surfaces properly and lo! And behold!

Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner

The burnt-on bits of food and stains were removed so easily that I was honestly dumbfounded. It is one thing to claim to be the best microwave grill cleaner but this Cif product had actually gone a step beyond, leaving behind a vibrant sparkle that made the oven appear brand new. Honestly, I did not even need to apply a lot of pressure to the grills to remove these stains.

Before and After comparison of Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner


All I did was spray the Cif Perfect Finish Oven and Grill Cleaner, take a break and then wipe it down. The process was so simple and it removed the really tough stains so easily, that I can declare without a doubt that anyone can clean with Cif. If you want to try it too, you can buy the product from here.

Cif-Perfect-Finish-Oven-Grill-Cleaner


Well deserved title - best microwave grill cleaner


Cif really does deserve the title of best microwave grill cleaner that it has earned globally. More than just leaving the kitchen spotless though, it inspires home cooks like me to keep testing our boundaries too, unafraid of the mess we create as we try our hand at new recipes.

As for me, Kanthari al-faham is done from my recipe list. Now, it is onto my next culinary challenge and I have my eye on a traditional Kottayam pork roast recipe. Yes, I already know it is going to be a mess inside that oven but guess what, I have the perfect recipe for getting back that 100% shine as well now, don’t I?      

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39Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Mouthwatering recipe! I really have to try the recipe and the product too.

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  2. Enjoyed reading this post. I must use Cif for stubborn microwave grill stains because I cook a lot of food that leaves behind difficult to clean stains.

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  3. This is a must addition to my kitchen cleaning equipment, especially if am going to try your delish recipe.

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  4. I'll definitely try Cif for my microwave. I haven't been able to clean it as thoroughly as I would like.

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  5. Your step by step procedure to clean the microwave is really very helpful, Roshan.

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  6. Cleaning microwave has now become easy with just a few sprays and wiping.

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  7. What an exquisite recipe. I've got to try it. Will need Cif after, am sure.

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  8. Your post is very interesting and Cif is surely a great product to clean microwave.

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  9. It is good I read your post on cleaning microwave. Now baking and cleaning is not a task.

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  10. The dish sounds tantalizing, even though the mess inside the oven was forbidding. Great to know Cif did deliver.

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  11. The pics you shared made it amply clear how effective Cif can be.

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  12. Cleaning the grill can be tough but no longer can it keep me away form experimenting in the kitchen when I have Cif.

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  13. Thank you for your post, I am going to start using Cif.

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  14. I am already using Cif to bring back that shine to my microwave after I bake and grill my dishes.

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  15. Good to know that we have a cleaning product that has our backs :)

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  16. I love messy recipes but hate the clean-up. Looks like Cif talks and delivers. Thanks doc for the recco.

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  17. ArunachalamMarch 28, 2022

    I love Cif's range of products. Mess-free and easy to use.

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  18. This was such an informative post to read. I have used the Cif cream but didn't know it had one for the oven too!

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  19. I love how well Cif cleaned your microwave! That shine looks real and so easy to achieve.

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  20. Doc when can I come to try that recipe! Jokes aside, looks like Cif is a great product if you want a shiny kitchen.

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  21. Wow, this product is amazing. Thanks for sharing your experience and how to use the product. I would surely like to try this product for my oven too.

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  22. I enjoyed reading this post, and also the cleaning part is so true. I use CIF Perfect finish too and the results are just outstanding.

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  23. Cif is the best solution for tough stains. It is a must-have for me since my microwave too sees a lot of experimentation!

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  24. This is exactly why I hardly try to make grilled chickens in the microwave. The cleaning bit scares me to death. But ever since using the Cif Perfect Finish Oven & Grill Cleaner, it has been a breeze. Thank you for the recipe and the great review!

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  25. This cleaning agent did wonder in your microwave.. will check it out for sure.

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  26. Loved the way the product cleans the surfaces and leaves a good fragrance behind.

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  27. Loved your experience of cooking Kanthari Al Faham. Thanks for such an informative post and I agree with you that kitchen stains are always a nightmare for everyone. Will definitely try this product soon.

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  28. I can completely relate to your experience with Cif. I love using it for my kitchen and bathroom too.

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  29. Quit helpful product and easily clean toughest strains. Thank for sharing.

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  30. This is a very effective product when it comes to cleaning the inside of a microwave.

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  31. Wow this grill cleaner seems to have worked wonderfully on your microwave. It's great that we have such products to make our lives easy.

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  32. Thanks for sharing about this product. This is looking very useful.

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  33. Your BBQ grill should be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, will create an unsafe environment for you and your guests. On the other hand, regular cleaning will make your BBQ grill last longer. However, if you are looking for the best grill cleaning & repair service in Boynton Beach then you can contact Grill Tank Plus. They have certified professionals who can clean or repair your grill tank properly. Grill cleaning & repair near me

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  34. If you are planning to open a restaurant in Palm Beach & want to purchase grill accessories then you can contact Palm Beach Grill Center. They are the largest producer of grill accessories in America. They always ensure the best quality products at an affordable cost. Grill supplies near me

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  35. Grill grates can get dirty with residues from food and grease. Cleaning the grill grates with a grill grate cleaner will help to keep your grill looking and performing its best. >> BBQ Cleaning Services

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  36. AnonymousMay 01, 2022

    I wonder if Surface Cleaner Cream can be used to clean Quarry tiles? I normally use brick acid to clean these, but it doesn't give the best results.

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  37. The sparkle after cleaning with Cif is so evident. I truly feel that this is a must have if you have a oven at home. Getting it right away.

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  38. One of the things I love most about living in Kochi is the amazing array of cuisines that the city offers.Rajshahi best it Sure, you have your amazing local fare with its blissful splurging of (literally,

    ReplyDelete
  39. One of the things I love most about living inRajshahi best it
    Kochi is the amazing array of cuisines that the city offers.

    ReplyDelete
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