GE JES1109RRSS Review

Though expensive, the GE JES1109RRSS is a top performer across all our varied tests. From defrosting to user-friendliness and providing additional functions not found in many other microwaves, we were quite impressed with this model.

Performance Comparison

Heating

The GE had a great start in our initial heating metric assessments, achieving promising results time and time again. This metric encompasses five sub-tests, including evaluating speed and uniformity of heating. We did so by measuring water temperature, creating a heat map, and scoring the evenness of heating for leftovers, soup, and pizza slices.

Heat Map Test

We kicked off our series of tests by creating a heat map. We used a piece of parchment paper cut to the size of the turntable. Marshmallow fluff was spread evenly across the surface and microwaved for two minutes. Through this test, we were able to get a clear idea of how well the machine evenly disperses its microwaves.

After two minutes in the GE JES1109RRSS, the marshmallow fluff was cooked evenly across the diameter of the parchment. There was a consistent tone throughout the fluff, with only subtle variations in the center, which appears slightly lighter in color. With outcomes as consistent as these, it's evident that this product is capable of evenly heating a wide range of food items.

Heating Speed Test

For the heating speed assessment, we refrigerated a 125 mL beaker of water to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. We popped the glass into the center of the unit and set it to high for 45 seconds. Then, we measured the temperature of the water again, calculating the difference between pre and post-warming. This represents the speed at which the microwave can effectively heat its contents. Those with a higher variation scored better, indicating a quicker speed. This accounts for 20% of the total heating score.

The GE didn't exhibit remarkable speed, as its performance was more or less average in this regard. It increased the water temperature by 71 degrees, reaching a total of 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Leftovers Heating

We arranged a plate with green beans, pre-cooked sausage links, and mashed potatoes. We placed this hefty dish of leftovers in the microwave and selected “reheat.” With this, we were able to determine how well the appliance could handle rewarming last night's dinner.

This preprogrammed process demanded three minutes and 30 seconds to achieve the desired warmth. Impressively, a significant portion of the food reached elevated temperatures. This was particularly notable with the green beans, with temperatures between 180 to 183 degrees Fahrenheit. While this might be considered slightly too hot for immediate consumption, it's a testament to the microwave's heating ability.

Soup Heating

Though it's often as straightforward as dumping the contents into a bowl and pressing start, some microwaves do better at cooking soup than others. Sometimes, the result is boiling hot and needs a few minutes to cool off. Other times, the microwave manages to cook the perimeter but leaves the center untouched. That is why we dedicated an entire test to cooking soup, worth 15% of the overall heating score.

After cooking the canned chicken noodle soup for the recommended amount of time, it reached a temperature of 156 degrees Fahrenheit, which is just about perfect for consumption. Any warmer and the soup would've needed time to cool off, so we were pretty pleased with these results.

Pizza Heating

For this last submetric, which makes up 15% of the heating score, we reheated two separate slices of pizza. We measured the temperatures of each slice throughout different locations, evaluating even heating and any major variations between the two.

After 45 seconds, the two slices were sufficiently heated. At 180 degrees Fahrenheit, this is possibly even a bit too hot for some. The overall temperature range varied between 120 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, but it was largely even across the entirety of the pizza slices.

Frozen Foods

The GE JES1109RRSS demonstrated even better performance in our subsequent tests, efficiently and uniformly heating prepackaged frozen foods. We evaluated the performance in this metric by measuring the temperature of numerous sections of each frozen food item, which included Hot Pockets, a personal-sized frozen lasagna, and a frozen burrito. We noted and compared any variations among the temperatures.

If you heat up a lot of frozen items, you'll be pleased to know the GE did quite well here. This appliance cruised through the tests, scoring high with every single food item. The lasagna performed exceptionally well in this test, maintaining a relatively even temperature across the dish, with only a 9-degree Fahrenheit variation. Usually, with dense items like lasagna, you'd anticipate a significantly cooler center, but the GE managed to heat the entire dish thoroughly.

The Hot Pocket was slightly too hot on the sides, but the temperatures were consistent across the board. The microwave generated some steam while cooking the Hot Pocket, resulting in a softer texture rather than crispy. Next up was another microwave staple — the frozen burrito. We prepared the burrito following the package instructions (one minute and 30 seconds on high). The center reached 170 degrees, and the left and right sides registered 188 and 189 degrees, respectively. All things considered, this outcome is quite satisfactory.

Defrosting

The GE JES1109RRSS truly shined bright in our defrosting assessment, delivering one of the most exceptional performances we've witnessed from any microwave to date. In these tests, we defrosted a one-pound block of ground beef using the recommended settings on each unit.

The defrosting function of the GE JES1109RRSS is solely based on weight rather than time. The appliance did exceptionally well in this evaluation, leaving little room for improvement. Nearly all the beef was perfectly thawed and ready to cook. Only a small portion of the meat was still frozen, but it wasn't enough to cause concern. The weight of the defrosting function is capped at 5.9 pounds, but we don't see that as a limitation, especially for a small appliance.

Ease of Use

An everyday appliance should be easy to use, and thankfully, the GE is intuitive and straightforward. For the final 10% of the score, we evaluated the microwave's buttons, lighting, timers, and stability. Additionally, we cooked up popcorn, a microwave classic, using the preset function.

The buttons are easy to use, with plenty of functions quickly accessible. This unit provides essential features for swift reheating, including add-time buttons and a timer that can be used alongside other functions. The only minor gripe pertains to the button contrast, as they share the same tone, making them challenging to see in a dimly lit kitchen. However, this won't be an issue if your kitchen has sufficient lighting.

Often, the preprogrammed popcorn function overcooks the kernels. This isn't a significant issue, as most popcorn bags recommend avoiding the designated button altogether and using manual timed settings instead. However, we still tested this preprogrammed setting with a bag of popcorn. The JES1109RRSS didn't disappoint. It has three options for bag sizes: 1.75, 3, and 3.5 ounces. It nearly popped a perfect 3-ounce bag, though some kernels were still slightly overcooked.

The GE was stable throughout our tests, never slipping around on our countertop. It also features two unique functions: an air fryer and a broiler. One minor thing to keep in mind is the stainless steel interior, which might make it a bit challenging to monitor your food while it's cooking. Thankfully, the appliance's solid performance ensures that it doesn't demand constant attention.

Should You Buy the GE JES1109RRSS?

If you're in the market for a high-powered microwave that excels at handling frozen foods, the GE JES1109RRSS should rank high on your list. It easily aced our defrosting tests and demonstrated impressive uniform heating for most food items. Nevertheless, individuals with compact kitchen spaces and budget constraints might want to explore alternative options better suited to their needs.

What Other Microwaves Should You Consider?