Any sandwich connoisseur is aware of how difficult it is to top a pressed sandwich: the bread is crisp and toasted, the interior is warm, and the cheese is extremely melty. Sandwich presses not only reheat the entire sandwich, but also provide toasted bread and a firm interior due to the slight pressure exerted. Ever had a Cubano sandwich? This classic ham and cheese sandwich is undoubtedly the most well-known press sandwich, and with good reason.
A sandwich press is a fun device for your home kitchen, whether you frequently make sandwiches or want a countertop appliance that can also prepare burgers, wraps, burritos, quesadillas, bacon, and steaks. Adjustable temperature controls and detachable plates allow you to use the sandwich press for far more than simple sandwiches (plus it makes for easy clean up). Here are some of our favorite sandwich presses that are currently available.
Ahead, get our picks for the best sandwich presses on the market.
5 Best Sandwich Presses To Buy
There are many types of sandwich presses on the market, but few that are worth investing in. In this article, I will be discussing some of the best Sandwich presses on the market and why they are worth it.
What is a Sandwich Press?
A sandwich press is a small appliance that is used to cook sandwiches. The sandwiches are placed on the top and bottom plates of the press, and then the press is closed. The sandwich is cooked through the heat generated by the press.
Most sandwich presses have adjustable temperature settings, so that you can choose how hot you want your sandwich to be. Some also have timer settings, so that you can set it and forget it.
There are many assorted brands and models of sandwich presses available on the market. Some of the more popular brands include Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and Oster.
Types of Sandwich Presses
There are two main types of sandwich presses: electric and stovetop. Electric sandwich presses are the most popular type. They are easy to use and can be found in most kitchen stores. Stovetop sandwich presses are not as common, but they are also easy to use.
Electric sandwich presses come in two main types: contact and panini. Contact sandwich presses have two heated plates that press the sandwiches from both sides. Panini sandwich presses only have one heated plate, and the sandwiches are pressed from one side only.
Stovetop sandwich presses are usually made of cast iron or aluminum. They have a handle that goes over the stove burner. The sandwiches are placed on the bottom plate, and the top plate is heated by the burner.
Both electric and stovetop sandwich presses can make delicious, toasty sandwiches. However, electric sandwich presses are easier to use and can be found in more stores.
Benefits of Using a Sandwich Toaster
Today’s hectic lifestyle leaves us with little time to prepare elaborate meals. To manage a busy day, however, it is essential to eat well and obtain the necessary energy. Sandwiches are the best option for making a healthy meal quickly and easily. Having a sandwich maker at home is a lifesaver, and it can be your best kitchen companion during hectic cooking and commuting times. Continue reading to learn the advantages of using a sandwich toaster.
Making a Delicious Sandwich Rapidly and Easily
No longer is the preparation of a scrumptious meal a challenging task. It can be prepared in an instant. You can simply prepare a healthy sandwich filling in your spare time and store it in the refrigerator. When preparing sandwiches, preheating the sandwich toaster is required. In the interim, butter two slices of bread and place the fillings between them. The juice will be ready in less than two minutes if it is placed in a juicer that has already been heated. This is the easiest way to prepare a satisfying meal quickly and easily.
Consume a Nutritious Diet
You can make the healthiest possible sandwiches at home if you own a sandwich toaster. You can choose all nutritious ingredients, from the type of bread to the type of sauce. Select multigrain bread, whole wheat bread, or brown bread as a healthy alternative.
There are countless options for healthy fillings, ranging from healthy mixed vegetable fillings or scrambled egg fillings to paneer fillings or chicken fillings. You can flavor the filling with your preferred nutritious herbs, such as cilantro, mint, and basil leaves. As for the sauces, options include mustard sauce and pesto.
Create A Grilled Sandwich
If you have a sandwich griller or sandwich toaster, you can prepare a wide variety of dishes in addition to grilled or toasted sandwiches. Grilled paneer, grilled vegetables, grilled chicken, and grilled fish are a few examples of such foods. Most grills also have a roasting and toasting function, which can be used to prepare roasted chicken, toast of plain bread, and more.
Safe to Use
Most sandwich makers made by reputable manufacturers are safe to use. They have a cooking surface that is non-toxic and safe for cooking food. This cooking surface is also non-stick, so you can cook with less oil or butter, making it even safer for your health. The handles are also ergonomically designed, allowing for worry-free lifting. Lastly, all sandwich makers are equipped with an automatic temperature cut-off feature that turns the appliance off when the sandwiches are done cooking.
Simple to Use, Maintain, and Store
A sandwich griller is extremely user-friendly, even for novices. Simply sandwich the fillings between slices of buttered bread and place them in a preheated appliance. After use, the appliance is also amazingly simple to clean. Simply wipe the cooking surface and the exterior of the appliance with a damp cloth or tissue. Avoid harsh cleaning products. After cleaning it, it can be conveniently stored in any small space, such as a kitchen cabinet.
The ease of use and convenience that sandwich toasters provide are sufficient to warrant a one-time purchase, especially considering the advantages. Therefore, if you have not already, it is time to add one to your collection of cooking appliances. You can enjoy delicious sandwiches at any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, snack time, and dinner.
Our Top Selections
If you love sandwiches but hate dealing with soggy bread, then a sandwich press is a must-have kitchen appliance. A good sandwich press will help you make evenly toasted and perfectly cooked sandwiches that are packed with flavor.
There are a lot of different sandwich presses on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose. We have reviewed five of the best sandwich presses to help you make an informed decision.
1. Best Overall: Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler
Cuisinart GR-4NP1 5-in-1 Griddler Stainless, Gridder, Brushed Stainless Steel
This Cuisinart griddler is a must-have for any sandwich enthusiast. It can also serve as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle, elevating all your sandwiches to the next level. Depending on what you are cooking, you can alter the height of the press using the floating cover.
The griddler features dishwasher-safe nonstick frying plates that are reversible and removable, allowing grease to be drained simply and efficiently into the drip tray.
Temperature controls on the appliance allow you to fine-tune the intensity of heat for the ideal sear or toast. Because this griddler may be used in a variety of ways and is easy to clean, we believe it is an excellent choice for sandwich lovers and home cooks alike. Reviewers adore the fact that the plates are double-sided, allowing for effortless transitions from grill to griddle.
Key Fearures:
- Sturdy panini-style handle with hinged floating cover adjusts to thickness of food
- Easy to Use
- Simple Controls
- Create a Meal with 5 Cooking Options
- Adjustable Temperature
- Red/green indicator lights for effortless operation.
- Limited 3-year Warranty
- Five griddle surface configurations
- Adjustable height floating cover
- Drip tray facilitates cleanup
- Expensive
2. Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill with Locking Lid
Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill with Locking Lid, Opens 180 Degrees for Any Sandwich Thickness, Nonstick 8″ X 10″ Grids, Red (25462Z)
This deep-pocket sandwich press is distinguished from those with flat or ridged surfaces by the presence of wells for the sandwiches. You can prepare one or two sandwiches simultaneously. A diagonal ridge forms an indentation across the sandwiches for simple slicing, while the raised edges around the circumference seal the fillings inside.
This press does not have a temperature control and features two indication lights that indicate when the power is on and when the press is ready to cook. While this may also be used to create French toast or omelets, it is not recommended for grilling steaks or fowl. If you create a too fatty sandwich, it may not fit in this press, leaving you with only regular sandwich bread from the grocery store. Other shapes, such as homemade bread, may not fit in the wells.
Key Fearures:
- Grills Sandwiches of Any Thickness
- Evenly Pressed Sandwiches
- Large Nonstick Cooking Surface
- Green Means Go
- Great for Open-Face Sandwiches
- Upright Storage
- Affordable
- Two-sided nonstick grating
- Simple to store
- No temperature controls
3. Amazon's Choice - Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press
Breville BSG600BSS Panini Press, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Perfect Press’s unique Crush Control hinge design guarantees that just enough weight is applied to the outside to toast it crisply without crushing the inside, resulting in a crisp, fluffy sandwich. Adjustable height control puts the top plate at the ideal height for melting and browning any type of open sandwich, from croissants to flatbreads.
A long-lasting Crush Control hinge applies pressure of less than half a pound to toast properly without squashing the contents. When used in conjunction with a floating design, the lid provides the ideal press for your sandwich.
The grates are nonstick coated to guarantee that nothing sticks to the press after cooking. The press can hold up to two sandwiches simultaneously, yet its compact size makes it extremely easy to keep and use on your countertop.
Key Fearures:
- Innovative Crush Control Hinge
- Adjustable Height Control Clip
- Flat cast-aluminum plates
- 2 Slice Capacity
- Compact size
- Brushed Stainless Steel housing.
- Crush-control innovation ensures that the sandwich is perfectly pressurized without crushing it
- Rapidly attains maximum temperature
- Sandwiches with an open face
- Fairly expensive
- No temperature controls
4. Best Nonstick: Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill
Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill and Gourmet Sandwich Maker w/ Non-Stick Coated Plates, Opens 180 Degrees to Fit Any Type or Size Food, Dishwasher Safe Removable Drip Tray, Stainless Steel/Black
$29.99
The Chefman 180 Grill + Panini Press is constructed in the same manner as professional equipment. Its floating hinge may be adjusted to suit paninis and sandwiches of any thickness, while the lay-flat grill is ideal for grilling meats, veggies, fish, and vegetables (to lay flat, just push the button on the side).
This press is also constructed with feet that are slip-resistant and tilt up, allowing any excess oil to drain away safely and quickly. You can even choose to thoroughly bake the grill and use both sides for open-face grilling.
Ideal for small kitchens, dorm dorms, and offices, as well as road vacations! The tiny size requires little counter or shelf space, making storage simple.
This press is great for preparing two sandwiches or paninis, and its bigger lay-flat surface allows for the preparation of a range of foods. The Chefman 180 Grill + Panini Press is ideal for quick meals and clean-up. The grill surfaces are coated with a nonstick coating that is easy to clean, and the grill includes a dishwasher-safe drip tray. This unit is ideal for preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, among other things!
Key Features
- Non-Stick Coated Grill Plates
- More Than Just Paninis
- Floating Hinge
- Easy Cleaning
- Compact size
- Nonstick surface is easy to use and clean
- No temperature controls
5. Best for Easy Cleaning: De'Longhi CGH800 Retro Contact Grill
De’Longhi CGH800 Retro Contact Grill and Panini Press 14.8 Inch
$99.99
This sandwich press is designed to make clean-up quick and painless, so that you may quickly and easily prepare sandwiches. The grill includes an oil cup that you can place at the bottom of the drain spout to collect grease that accumulates without creating a large mess.
The slightly angled grill allows gravity to do the heavy lifting when it comes to removing extra grease. The adjustable thermostat gives you complete control over the grill’s temperature. The reviews are impressed with the press’s lifespan and consistency, while some find it frustrating since there is no on/off switch, which means it is constantly on when plugged in.
Key Features:
- Double-sided contact cooking plates.
- Height adjustable hinge
- Adjustable thermostat and easy-view temperature range window.
- Tilted grill surface, channels drain away grease and oil into a separate cup.
- Easy-to-clean with non-stick grill plates and oil/grease drain cup
- The grease/oil cup is great for collecting any drips without creating a mess.
- Grates made of nonstick material are simple to use and clean.
- Thermostat for regulating temperature
- No floating hinge to adjust to height differences
- No on/off switch
Factors To Consider When Choosing The Best Sandwich Presses
Dimensions and capacity
One of the most critical factors to consider is the press’ size. The larger the appliance, the more space you will have for sandwiches and wraps, but at the expense of counter and storage space. If you frequently cook for large groups of people, it may be prudent to get something with a larger surface area. Bear in mind that a rectangular-shaped press has a greater capacity than a circular press.
Power source
While most sandwich presses require access to an electrical outlet, some models do not include a power source. You must instead preheat the appliance in a microwave, oven, or even a campfire and then use it to press your sandwich. These battery-operated models are ideal for smaller spaces, such as dorm rooms and recreational vehicles.
Extra components and surfaces
Some sandwich presses include multiple detachable surfaces, making them simple to clean. In addition, they provide the ability to switch between grilling, griddling, and other cooking surfaces. In this manner, you can not only make pressed sandwiches, but also fry eggs and bacon, toast bagels and muffins. Owen Han states, “This is not a necessity, but if the grills can be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher, that’s a plus.” Consider that some presses allow you to slightly tilt your cooking surface, which is ideal for cooking steaks or bacon so that the grease can safely drip off the food.
Display Panel
Some presses lack a control panel, while others feature an LCD display that allows you to adjust temperature, timers, tilt/height levels, and cooking modes. Obviously, if you only need a basic sandwich press for pressing sandwiches, all these additional features may be unnecessary, but if you intend to use this appliance for more than just sandwiches, these additional control functions could be incredibly useful. Obviously, these added features will increase the price of the appliance.
Best Sandwich Presses - FAQs
In addition to the guidelines for selecting the best sandwich presses, I also include my concise responses to frequently asked questions. This section may also help you resolve your problems.
Before cleaning a sandwich press, ensure that it is unplugged and has cooled to room temperature. Soak a clean cloth or sponge with warm, soapy water. Wipe the surface and body of the press with care. If the board has grooves, be sure to remove any residual grease from these crevices.
A pressed sandwich is any sandwich that has been heated, and a sandwich press is used to apply pressure and gently compress the sandwich’s contents. This toasts the bread and warms the sandwich components for a cheesy, hot meal. While it is possible to press a sandwich using household items such as heavy pans or bricks, it is much simpler and more convenient to use a sandwich press.
Sandwich presses typically have two grooved, nonstick surfaces, so they can also be used to cook bacon, burgers, chicken, vegetables, and anything else that could be placed on a grill grate. You can make hash browns, burritos, wraps, quesadillas, and even homemade waffle cones using a food press.
The optimal temperature range for sandwich presses is between 350- and 500-degrees Fahrenheit, as temperatures below or above this range may result in smoking.
Origins. Before 1920, the Tostwich may have been the first toaster sandwich maker in the United States. It was not patented until March 3, 1925. (Applied for on 26 May 1924). Charles Champion invented it. Among his other innovations is a corn-popping machine for the large manufacture of popcorn.
Even though they are called panini presses, they may be used with any type of sandwich imaginable, including quesadillas, hamburgers, and anything else. For individuals who offer sandwiches frequently, sandwich presses with detachable plates are an ideal solution.
In comparison to a sandwich maker and a toaster, a Panini press is constructed from plates of superior durability. In contrast, sandwich makers and toasters use triangular plates, which means the toasted bread will be triangular-shaped.
Conclusion
A good sandwich press can really come in handy, especially if you have a family. Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also allow you to make healthier lunches for your loved ones.
With so many different models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best sandwich presses, complete with a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision. So, what are you waiting for? Get pressing!
Related Posts
What is the best sandwich maker with removable plates?
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no...
Read More
Ovente Electric Sandwich Maker Reviews
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no...
Read More
Is BLACK+DECKER WM2000SD Sandwich Maker worth it?
Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no...
Read MoreWhy Trust Us
You will find what you are looking for at dulceriabakery. From classic to luxury brands, you'll find both. We will help you to select appliances that fit your needs, budget and lifestyle. Whether you want to stop by to learn more — or plan to make a major purchase — we’ll treat you like family and assist you every step of the way. Shop with us today to receive friendly and experienced help along the way.