Usability Test of the Perfect Pancake Maker

In recent years, what used to be just a few late night infomercials has grown into a huge business with infomercials running day and night peddling thousands of different items for your home, travel, lawn, and especially your kitchen.  These "as seen on tv" products claim to save you time and money and revolutionize the way we do things.  This usability test was designed to see how easy the Perfect Pancake and it's accompanying no-drip batter dispenser are to use and how helpful it's instruction manual really is to consumers.

Five subjects participated in this usability study.  They ranged in ages from 19-57 years.  The group was comprised of 3 men and 2 women.  One participant actually owned the Perfect Pancake and the no-drip batter dispenser, but had not yet used it.  All of the subjects had made pancakes in the past in the conventional way, using a frying pan on the stove top and/or a griddle.

To maximize convenience and comfort level for the participants, the tests were conducted in their own kitchens using their own stove-tops.  All of the stove-tops had conventional coil burners, none were flat-top stoves.  No distractions, such as televisions or radios were present at the time of testing.

Prior to the test, a script explaining the purpose and instructions for the test were read aloud to each participant.  They were then provided with a bowl of pancake batter that had been prepared ahead of time, the no-drip batter dispenser, and the Perfect Pancake maker.  The participants had access to utensils, etc. that they may  have needed.  They were also provided with the instruction booklet included with the Perfect Pancake.  The length of time it took for each participant to read the instructions, fill the dispenser, and make one pancake was recorded.  They were then asked to answer some post test questions, including rating the products on a scale of 1-10.

All of the participants had some difficulty using these products.  They had much more difficulty with the Perfect Pancake than with the no-drip batter dispenser. Participant #1 was the only subject who expressed interest in owning the Perfect Pancake.  The other 4 participants felt that using a standard frying pan or griddle was easier and quicker.  The most frustrating part of the test was actually flipping the pan, according to the post test answers given.  All five of the participants spilled batter while flipping the pan.  The majority of the participants felt that the instructions were clear, although not quite specific enough about the flipping technique needed to not spill batter.  They also felt that due to constraints listed in the instructions (not to use the pan over higher than low heat on an electric stove top) that it took entirely too long to make only 1 pancake.  The instructions indicate that it should take approximately 6 minutes per pancake.  Participant #4 mentioned that it was ridiculous to think that it would take an hour to make 10 pancakes, which would barely be enough for a family breakfast.  Also according to the post test responses, the participants felt that the no-drip batter dispenser worked well for putting batter into the pan, but was messy to fill with a spoon and only held enough for about 2-3 pancakes, which would require repeated filling.  

Overall, the majority of participants in this study felt that it was difficult, messy, and took too long to make pancakes using the Perfect Pancake.  Four of the five participants suggested that the two sides of the pan should touch when in the "closed" position for flipping instead of the 1/4 inch gap present.  They felt this would prohibit batter from flying out during flipping.  It was also suggested that the no-drip batter dispenser be larger, which would make it easier to fill and limit how often it would have to be refilled while cooking.

"Thank you for participating in this study.  Please remember that this is a study to determine the effectiveness of the instructions and the ease of use of the Perfect Pancake and the no-drip batter dispenser.  This is not not a test of your abilities in any way.  Although I will be recording the time it takes for you to use these products, please do not feel rushed.  This is not a race or a competition.  I would like for you to fill and use the no-drip batter dispenser with the batter provided and make one pancake.  You will be provided with the instruction booklet.  Although I will not be able to answer any questions while you are using the product, please feel free to to talk aloud.  This will help me in my observations.  When you are finished I will be asking you to answer some post test questions regarding your use of these products.  If you do not have any questions, we are ready to begin." 

1)  On a scale of 1-10 (10 being least difficult, 1 being most difficult), how would you rate the overall ease of use of the Perfect Pancake?

2)  On a scale of 1-10 (10 being least difficult, 1 being most difficult), how would you rate the overall ease of use of the no-drip batter dispenser?

3)  Would you be interested in owning the Perfect Pancake and no-drip batter dispenser?

4)  What, if any, was the most difficult part of using the Perfect Pancake?

5)  What, if any, was the most difficult part of using the no-drip batter dispenser?

6)  What suggestions, if any, would you give to the makers of the Perfect Pancake to improve their product?

7)  What suggestions, if any, would you give to the makers of the no-drip batter dispenser to improve their product?

8)  Please feel free to make any further comments or suggestions regarding these products.