The best panini presses help you make a sandwich and other foods at home without coming to sandwich shops or bakeries. These tools help apply pressure to both sides of your food. Besides, you will get excellent grill marks after use.
So bring your favorite ideas of making sandwiches and prepare them with this multi-functional household appliance. You can cook foods conveniently without worrying about health issues and taste quality.
Plus, you can place this space-saving model in your kitchen or take it anywhere for tailgating parties, outdoor grilling activities, or picnics.
However, choosing an appropriate panini press is not straightforward because you can search for a wide range of products on the Internet just by a click. Thus, a faster way is to read my post below to get full of knowledge about this product line.
What Is A Panini Press?
The Panini press is a versatile cooking appliance, in which your sandwiches are grilled and pressed at once based on two metal plates.
Once heating up, such plates will clamp shut, press your foods together, and then heat them on both sides. The first prototype of the panini press replaced partly electric toasters and griddles.
This product line uses an outside heat source or electricity to heat. Similar to various choicest griddles for making pancakes, these tools include non-stick surfaces to minimize food residue left over and clean more quickly after use.
In addition to metal plates, a panini press typically has an adjustable floating hinge system to accommodate any sandwich thickness as your liking. Plus, some tools are equipped with a drip tray or a grease cup to collect excess fat during cooking.
The product provides an even heat distribution, no matter it has a floating cover or a top plate that opens up to 180 degrees to place your foods on.
Several modern panini presses come with indicator lights to let you know whether it is ready to make your sandwiches or not.
A high-quality panini press should meet all strict health protection standards, such as free of BPA, PFOA, and PTFE.
Types Of Panini Presses
This product line is classified into two types: panini press and panini grill. Both appliances can make sandwiches and other dishes at home fast. However, you can distinguish them simply below:
Panini Press
This tool is known with other names, such as a sandwich weight press and a grill press. It tends to hold your sandwiches together and press them while it uses heat from another piece of equipment.
This type is generally made of cast-iron with a ribbed top plate. You simply heat up it from about five to ten minutes before placing your foods inside.
It usually comes with a relatively small surface. Besides, it is a portable option for picnics and campaigns at an affordable price.
Panini Grill
This model can press and make your foods by its heat source, instead of an outside heat infusion.
This model can press and make your foods by its heat source, instead of an outside heat infusion. What’s more, you can create some ideal griddle treats with this appliance as well, for example, burger, steak, bread, etc.
This grill can heat up faster than the panini press and control the heat efficiently. It is also equipped with high performance to cook more than one food simultaneously.
However, it is less compact and more expensive than the panini press.
What Are The Best Panini Presses Brands?
This product line is extremely popular in any kitchen. Thus, a wide range of manufacturers provide the panini press on the market. In this part, I will list three of the most popular ones.
Cuisinart
The Group is full of culinary experts aiming to supply kitchen appliances for cooking healthy dishes more quickly and simply. The company has innovated its designs constantly as a key factor in its driving success.
It has launched top-quality product lines, such as panini press, tailgating grills, cookware, flatware, kitchen appliances, bakeware, cutlery, and tools and gadgets.
George Foreman
The Corporation has provided plenty of kitchen products over the years. Its classic, advanced, and premium devices have successfully conquer the most demanding customers and homemakers.
It has developed lots of products, such as panini press, sandwich grills, indoor grills, round grill covers, and outdoor electric grills.
Hamilton Beach
The Company manufactures and supplies millions of smart kitchen appliances to every home kitchen yearly. It has also established and developed its long-term brand power for over one century to improve the reputation to its customers.
It has provided a wide range of products, such as panini press, sandwich makers, coffee makers, blenders, air fryers, electric kettles, and egg cookers.
Which Are The Best Panini Presses To Buy?
The best panini presses are Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach because of their high-quality, durability, floating lid, non-stick cooking plates, ready indicator lights, and ease of use. In addition, George Foreman is also good for its safety, advanced coating, and affordability.
Here is a suggested list of the best panini press that you should consider. I’ve labeled separately so you can compare them easier.
- Best Overall: Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler With Dials Panini Press
“Stainless-steel housing, sturdy handle, floating cover, adjustable food thickness, BPA-free, non-stick cooking plates, dishwasher safe, integrated drip tray, indicator lights.” - Best Budget: George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Panini Press
“Low price, advanced coating, durability, simple to clean, dishwasher safe, ready indicator lights, quick to heat up, space-saving, floating hinge, drip tray, non-stick.” - Best Ceramic: Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic 2-in-1 Panini Press
“Open 180 degrees, non-stick coating, flake-resistant, floating hinge, simple to wipe, fast to cook, drip cups, durable, adjustable sandwich thickness, remove excess fat.” - Best For Commercial Use: Waring Compact Italian-Style Panini Press
“Stainless steel, drip tray, ribbed cast-iron plates, even heat distribution, fast cooking time, indicator lights, heat-proof handle, auto-balancing top plate, adjustable thermostat.” - Best Compact: Chefman Electric Non-Stick Coated Plates Panini Press
“Open 180 degrees, multi-use, adjustable floating hinge, fast to cook, space-saving, easy to clean, skid-resistant feet, drip tray, durable, advanced safety technology.” - Best Non-stick: Breville Quantanium Cooking Surface Panini Press
“Non-stick, scratch-resistant, quick to cook, create grill marks, floating hinge, four height settings, indicator lights, non-slip feet, locking storage clip, stainless steel housing.” - Best Electric: Breville Smart Grill 1800-Watt Panini Press
“Removable, dishwasher safe, open flat, variable temperature control, sear modes, drip tray, adjustable height settings, adjustable plate tilt, non-stick, PFOA-free.” - Best Cast-iron: Lodge Cast-Iron Square Ribbed Panini Press
“Excellent heat retention, seasoned with oil, a natural, easy-release finish, easy-care, one-piece handle and press, simple to wash, expel excess fat, high performance.” - Best Large: Imusa USA Large Electric 1400-Watt Panini Press
“Non-stick surface, simple to clean, floating hinge, adjustable cooking heights, indicator lights, polished stainless steel exterior, cool-touch handle, versatile to cook.” - Best Griddle: Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe Sear Function Panini Press
“Multiple cooking options, removable, reversible, non-stick, UC cubic feet, adjustable top cover, compact storage, large, dual-zone temperature, drip tray, dishwasher safe.”
Panini Press Comparison Table 2023
Thehe following table shows several specifications about the best panini presses. The plate type and drip tray are important features affecting your final decision. Do not skip the chart.
Top 10 Best Panini Press Reviews in 2023
It is time for the main reviews about the best panini presses. Remember to read the pros and cons thoroughly not to miss any information.
1. Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler With Dials Panini Press
(Best Overall)
Functionality, high performance, temperature control, and convenience of use, this panini press is one of the top choices to cook plenty of foods, in addition to sandwiches. Besides, Cuisinart is a well-known brand, so you can trust its high-quality products.
This panini press provides a large cooking space to make multiple foods at once. Simply place your food inside, adjust the heat, and wait for your fantastic result.
It delivers a built-in drip tray to drain excess fat off your dishes when cooking. Plus, it has non-stick, removable plates, allowing for ease of cleaning.
This multi-purpose product is made of brushed stainless steel and expected to use for the long-term. Moreover, It does not contain BPA.
Furthermore, it is equipped with a floating cover to suit many food thickness. You can know whether your dishes are ready to cook or not, thanks to indicator lights.
Key Features:
- Work with five functions: contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, half grill and half griddle
- Brushed stainless-steel housing
- Supply with a sturdy panini-style handle and a hinged floating cover
- BPA-free
- Removable, reversible, and non-stick cooking plates
- Dishwasher safe cooking plates
- An integrated drip tray included
- Adjustable temperature modes
- Equipped with indicator lights, gourmet recipes, and a scraping tool
Pros
- Multiple functions
- Possible to adjust the heat
- Can open the top cover up to 180 degrees to get more grilling space
- Automatic fat collection
- Safety
- Effortless to use
- Durability
- Sturdy construction
- Simple to change out the cooking plates
- Easy to clean the plates after cooking
- Nice design
- The fine coating
Cons
- Relatively hard to pull out the drip tray
- The foods could stick a bit on the bottom plate after cooking
- The electrical cord is relatively short
- Low-grade plastic buttons
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Cuisinart |
| Materials | Brushed stainless-steel housing, plastic buttons, and Teflon cooking plates |
| Cooking surface | 100 square inches when closed and 200 square inches when opened |
| Temperature range | 200 to 425 Fahrenheit degrees |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
| Color | Silver with silver/black dials |
| Warranty | Three years |
Click the following video now to get more helpful reviews before using this panini press:
2. George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Panini Press
(Best Budget)
This product has all the essential features of a standard panini press at an affordable price. Hence, most people can buy and use it at home. It is designed to serve about four people.
If you own tight kitchen space, you should select it to be space-saving. This panini press is just 60 square inches wide. It is very compact and lightweight so that you can use it in outside cooking activities, such as picnics and campaigns.
Besides, it is equipped with an advanced coating to provide superior durability during use. You can clean the plates quickly without butter and oil spraying.
Furthermore, you can heat up the panini press 35% more quickly, thanks to high-quality heating elements.
You can check when your foods are prepared based on ready indicator lights. Plus, the cooking plates are removable so that you can put them into the dishwasher. Your cleaning becomes easier.
Key Features:
- Four-serving
- Advanced George Tough coating
- Come with removable, non-stick cooking plates
- The ready indicator light included
- The improved heating elements
- Offer a floating hinge and a drip tray
- 35% faster heat-up times
- The fat removing sloped design
- Dishwasher safe removable plates
Pros
- Modern appearance
- Lightweight and compact size
- Low price
- Simple to clean with soap and a sponge
- Quick to cook foods in less than ten minutes
- Super durability
- High-quality
- Suit plenty of food thickness
- Safe to use
- Does not leave a mess on the cooking surface
- Clear instructions
- Remove up to 42% of fat from your foods
Cons
- Impossible to adjust the temperature
- Relatively small cooking plates
- Does not come with a large handle
- Lack of a locking lid
- The surface could get discolored if using harsh detergents to clean
Product Specifications:
| Brand | George Foreman |
| Materials | Advanced George Tough coating and plastic |
| Cooking surface | 60 square inches |
| Temperature range | Preset |
| Wattage | N/A |
| Color | Red |
| Warranty | Three years |
See the video below to explore how this panini press operates efficiently to make meals:
3. Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic 2-in-1 Panini Press
(Best Ceramic)
This panini press features a titanium-infused DuraCeramic coating, allowing for superior non-stick performance and long-lasting durability. Thus, you do not have to worry about flake and peel. It’s also scratch resistant.
Plus, its coating is free of PTFE and PFOA so you can feel safe when using it for cooking a wide range of foods.
You can cook a sandwich 30% more quickly than other similar products. Besides, it has two plastic grease cups to collect excess fat from your foods effectively. You also clean plates and such cups fast without any hassle.
If you have thick sandwiches, you still cook them simply, thanks to a floating hinge system that helps adjust the panini press to suit any thickness of foods.
What’s more, you can extend the cooking surface by opening the appliance up to 180 degrees. You also control the heat easily. Besides, the adjustable feet can tilt the product to channel grease to the drip cups.
Key Features:
- Open the panini press up to 180 degrees
- Equipped with a titanium-infused DuraCeramic non-stick coating
- Resist flaking, peeling, and scratching
- Cook foods 30% faster than other cooking appliances
- Deliver two plastic drip cups
- Include a floating hinge system and adjustable feet
- Free of PTFE and PFOA
- Adjustable temperature control included
- Supply with a handy cleaning tool
Pros
- Solid construction
- Safe to use
- Quick to wipe off for a few minutes
- High portability
- Long-lasting use
- Fast to cook foods
- Lightweight
- High cooking performance
- Create nice grill marks on your foods
- Energy-saving
- Possible to provide an even heat distribution
Cons
- The foods could slip out of the panini press when it is closed
- Non-removable cooking plates
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Oster |
| Materials | Titanium-infused ceramic coating and two plastic drip cups |
| Cooking surface | 70 square inches |
| Temperature range | Preset |
| Wattage | 1200 watts |
| Color | Black housing with white griddles |
| Warranty | One year |
Visit the video below at the moment to explore more aspects related to this panini press:
4. Waring Compact Italian-Style Panini Press
(Best For Commercial Use)
This Italian-style panini press helps you cook meals with restaurant-grade quality. You can cook any food as your likings, such as sandwiches, grilled meat, hotdogs, and veggies. It is made of brushed stainless steel to resist flake and peel effectively.
It provides an even heat distribution, thanks to cast-iron cooking plates. Hence, you can cook dishes faster than you think based on its high performance.
It is equipped with a removable drip tray to collect excess grease and liquids when you cook. Besides, you will get nice grilling marks after use the press.
Furthermore, you can check its operation instantly, thanks to indicator lights. Plus, heat-proof handles keep you safe when cooking.
If you often throw parties, do not miss this panini press.
Key Features:
- Brushed stainless steel build
- Equipped with a removable drip tray
- Supply with ribbed cast-iron plates
- Offer indicator lights and heat-proof handles
- Approved by UL, NSF certification
- The hinged, auto-balancing top plate included
- Adjustable thermostat up to 570 degrees
- Come with a cleaning tool and a power cord
Pros
- Effortless to work
- Clear directions
- High cooking performance
- Possible to cook for a crowd quickly
- Reduce the risk of burned when in use
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Relatively heavyweight
- Take a little while to find the position on the bottom plate to add foods so that the top plate applies the pressure evenly to the foods
- Relatively high price
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Waring |
| Materials | Brushed stainless steel construction and ribbed cast-iron cooking plates |
| Cooking surface | 90 square inches |
| Temperature range | Up to 570 Fahrenheit degrees |
| Wattage | 1800 watts |
| Color | Silver |
| Warranty | One year |
5. Chefman Electric Non-Stick Coated Plates Panini Press
(Best Compact)
Similar to a standard cafe-style panini press, this product is sleek, compact to place in your small kitchen conveniently. Besides, you can take this compact appliance anywhere, such as on road trips or picnics.
You can heat up quickly and cook meals in a few minutes, thanks to 1000-watt cooking performance. You do not have to spray butter or oil before cooking. The product opens 180 degrees to place plenty of foods on its surface.
Moreover, you can adjust the floating hinge to suit any thick-style foods and distribute heat evenly. You also monitor its cooking operation based on its indicator lights that let you know when your meals are ready to cook.
This appliance is equipped with a drip tray to catch grease and liquids during the cooking process. Besides, it features skid-resistant feet to stabilize your model while cooking. Plus, cleaning this unit is not a big issue with the removable drip tray and non-stick plates.
Key Features:
- Open the panini press up to 180 degrees
- No need for spraying oil or butter
- An adjustable floating hinge included
- Compact size
- Come with skid-resistant feet and a removable drip tray
- The non-stick grilling plates
- The indicator lights included
Pros
- Easy to work with a single button
- Space-saving
- Cook foods fast for a few minutes
- Eye-catching design
- Durability
- Affordable price
- High versatility
- Simple instructions
Cons
- The grill plates are not removable
- Impossible to control the temperature
- Lack of an on/off switch
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Chefman |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Cooking surface | 50 square inches when closed and 87.5 square inches when opened |
| Temperature range | Preset |
| Wattage | 1400 watts |
| Color | Black |
| Warranty | One year |
Discover the following video right now to get more useful details about this panini press:
6. Breville Quantanium Cooking Surface Panini Press
(Best Non-stick)
Unlike regular non-stick plates, this panini press is equipped with a quantanium cooking surface to resist scratch more effectively. Plus, these superior non-stick plates allow you to cook faster than other similar appliances.
This tool can perform as the superior sandwich maker that you are looking for. It has a flat bottom plate and a ribbed top plate so that you will get nice grill marks like a café-style panini press.
Plus, it features a solid padded handle to keep you safe and a floating hinge to adjust four height levels to suit multiple food thicknesses.
You can make your meals in about ten minutes or less. You also know exactly when your food is ready to cook based on smart indicator lights. This product comes with a sliding lever for selecting melt or toast mode.
The appliance delivers a locking storage clip to prevent the lid from opening accidentally when not in use. It also has a cord wrap facility.
Key Features:
- The non-stick, scratch-resistant quantanium cooking surface
- Include a flat bottom plate and a ribbed top plate
- Offer a floating hinge, four height adjustments, indicators lights, non-slip feet, and a locking storage clip
- A cord wrap and a sturdy padded handle included
- The brushed stainless steel coating
- The user manual includes recipes
Pros
- Possible to produce an even heat distribution for fast cooking
- Create beautiful grilling marks on your foods
- High-quality
- Powerful cooking performance
- Durable construction
- Safe to use
- Nice finish
- Does not generate smoke and smell while cooking
- Long-lasting use
- Compact storage
- Ideal for beginners
- No need for using oil and butter
Cons
- Relatively high price
- The cooking plates are not removable
- Heavyweight
- The excess grease could pool after cooking
- Not very effortless to clean the panini press
- Lack of an on/off switch
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Breville |
| Materials | Quantanium cooking surface and a brushed stainless steel housing |
| Cooking surface | 90 square inches |
| Temperature range | Preset |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
| Color | Silver |
| Warranty | One year |
See the video below right now to achieve more useful information about this panini press:
7. Breville Smart Grill 1800-Watt Panini Press
(Best Electric)
This panini press is powered with an 1800-watt embedded heating element. This wattage is the highest electric source among current panini presses on the market. Plus, it has a heat sensor to regulate the temperature during cooking.
You will get an even heat distribution. Besides, this product cuts down the preheated time to cook your meal faster. It also features a drip tray to catch excess grease for a healthy meal.
What’s more, it is equipped with a display to describe your current cooking settings and temperature mode. It tends to open 180 degrees to provide a larger cooking space.
The cooking plates are made of cast-aluminum coated with titanium-infused quantanium. Plus, its housing is made of stainless steel, and the handle is made of ever-cool die-cast material. The panini press is durable enough to use long.
You should clean the panini press with a damp cloth. You can also put the plates into the dishwasher since they are removable.
Key Features:
- Offer removable cooking plates
- Dishwasher safe plates
- Superior embedded heating design
- Variable temperature control
- The low, panini, and sear settings included
- Six adjustable height modes
- Come with an integrated, removable drip tray
- Deliver a heat sensor, a display, and a handle
- Made of cast-aluminum coated with titanium-infused quantanium, stainless steel, and ever-cool die-cast material
- PFOA-free
- A timer control dial included
Pros
- Possible to distribute the heat automatically
- Save time to preheat
- Multi-functional
- Simple to clean up
- Well-balanced hinge to optimal adjustments
- Safe to use
- Create nice grill marks
- Long-lasting use
- High portability
- Effortless to set up and pull out the cooking plates
Cons
- Sometimes the drip tray misses the excess grease, resulting in ending up behind the panini press
- The non-stick coating on the plates could come off prematurely
- The power cord is relatively short
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Breville |
| Materials | Cast-aluminum coated with titanium-infused quantanium cooking plates, a stainless steel housing, and an ever-cool die-cast material handle |
| Cooking surface | 90 square inches |
| Temperature range | 310 to 450 Fahrenheit degrees |
| Wattage | 1800 watts |
| Color | Silver |
| Warranty | One year |
Click the video below at the moment to explore any aspect of this panini press:
8. Lodge Cast-Iron Square Ribbed Panini Press
(Best Cast-iron)
Both this panini press and its handle are made of sturdy cast-iron. Hence, you will get an even heat distribution while cooking foods. Simply season the cooking surface with a little bit oil to achieve a fantastic result.
Besides, this product has ribbed plates to generate beautiful grill marks on both sides of your foods. Furthermore, it helps remove excess grease and liquids when cooking. Thus, you will enjoy healthy meals.
You can cook a wide range of foods, such as toasted bread, steaks, and seafood. Plus, it is portable to use in your kitchen space or outside cooking events.
Key Features:
- Cast-iron panini press and handle
- Superior heat retention and even heating
- A natural, easy-release finish included
- Season the surface with natural vegetable oil
- Easy care
- Deliver ribbed cooking plates
- Made in the USA
- Achieve a restaurant-quality sear
Pros
- Superior durable
- Food-safe materials
- Possible to use with multiple cooking appliances: grill pans, griddles, and skillet
- Affordable price
- Create low-fat foods
- Provide nice grill marks
- Lightweight
- Space-saving
Cons
- Manual actions
- The excess fat and liquids could drip onto your cooking areas
- Could get rust if not correctly maintained
- The handle seems to be too hot while using so that you need oven mitts
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Lodge |
| Materials | Cast-iron |
| Cooking surface | 70 square inches |
| Temperature range | None |
| Wattage | Not electric |
| Color | Black |
| Warranty | N/A |
Visit the following video now to discover how to make a hamburger with this panini press and a grill pan:
9. Imusa USA Large Electric 1400-Watt Panini Press
(Best Large)
This panini press is 120 square inches wide. The product is also one of the panini presses on the market that offers the largest cooking surface. Thus, you can cook plenty of food at once.
Plus, it can provide even heating for cooking plates and create foods cooked on both sides. The surface is non-stick and smooth so that you will clean it quickly.
Indicator lights let you know whether your dishes are ready to cook or not. Besides, it has a floating hinge to adjust to the thickness of foods easily.
Furthermore, the exterior is polished by stainless steel. Hence, do not worry about its durability. Moreover, it has a nice-looking appearance that will give a luxurious touch in your kitchen.
You can use it regularly to achieve the grill experience more intuitive.
Key Features:
- Non-stick, the smooth cooking surface
- A floating hinge system included
- The adjustable height modes
- Come with indicator lights
- Polished stainless steel exterior and a cool-touch handle
- Offer a security latch and a wrap-around cord storage
Pros
- The very large cooking surface
- Great appearance
- Reasonable price
- Quick to clean up after use
- Possible to provide even heating during cooking
- High versatility
- Effortless to work
- Very fast to cook in about five minutes
- Safe to use
Cons
- Lack of a drip tray to collect excess oil
- The plates are not ribbed so that no grill mark is created
- Does not provide temperature control buttons
- The floating hinge could be broken simply
- The cooking plates are non-removable
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Imusa |
| Materials | Polished stainless steel exterior and a cool-touch handle |
| Cooking surface | 120 square inches |
| Temperature range | Preset |
| Wattage | 1400 watts |
| Color | Silver |
| Warranty | One year |
Stop and watch the following video now to catch more information about this panini press:
10. Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe Sear Function Panini Press
(Best Griddle)
Multi-cooking tasks, multi-position hinges, sear mode, and versatility, this panini press is a high-quality product equipped with advanced features. Plus, it is powered by an 1800-watt electric source to maintain a steady heating element.
It provides six cooking choices: panini press, full griddle and grill, half and contact grill, and top melt. It supplies with removable, reversible, and non-stick cooking plates. Thus, you cook easily and clean conveniently after use.
It is large enough to serve your family meals. Plus, you can set every cooking plate to an independent temperature, resulting in more adjusted cooking options.
This product has non-slip feet to keep it stable during cooking. Besides, you can control the temperature at 500 degrees for searing foods.
Furthermore, it features a drip tray to catch excess fat when cooking. You also can read the recipe book to get more information about your dishes.
Key Features:
- Six cooking options
- Removable, reversible, and non-stick cooking plates
- The dual-zone temperature control included
- Come with the UC cubic feet
- Supply with a sear mode, an adjustable top cover, an integrated drip tray, and a recipe book
- Dishwasher safe accessories
Pros
- Large cooking surface
- Easy to clean up after cooking
- Clear instructions
- Nice design
- Powerful cooking performance
- Quick to start the panini press
- Efficient to maintain the temperature during use
- Foldable
Cons
- Relatively bulky to store
- Some parts could be damaged early
Product Specifications:
| Brand | Cuisinart |
| Materials | Brushed stainless steel-coated base and cover |
| Cooking surface | 240 square inches |
| Temperature range | Up to 500 Fahrenheit degrees |
| Wattage | 1800 watts |
| Color | Silver |
| Warranty | Two years |
Useful Tips To Choose The Best Panini Press
This part lists the main considerations that you should read thoroughly and take notes before deciding which panini press you like the most among the products that I mentioned above. Do not miss these helpful details.
Capacity
You should consider this factor carefully before making a decision.
If you usually serve your family with many members or cook for a crowd, you can buy a large-sized panini press.
By contrast, you should choose a small panini press if you only make meals yourself or a few family members.
Please consider what your cooking habits are and how many people you feed regularly. Remember that the larger the panini press is, the higher the price. In some cases, a medium-sized device is a better choice.
Cooking Plates
This is a critical element affecting your decision. It includes several features: non-stick surface, heat distribution, design, and material.
Firstly, you should select cooking plates that are removable and non-stick since you can cook foods more conveniently. Plus, you can clean them simply yourself or place them into a dishwasher.
Secondly, the cooking plates should distribute heat evenly. If your plates cannot do such a job, your foods are hard to be properly cooked.
Thirdly, you should consider the plate design. You can search for plate classification, such as smooth, ribbed, and mixed, in which the mixed plates include a smooth plate and a ribbed one.
If you want to create nice grill marks on your foods, you can pick ribbed cooking plates. In case I prefer cleaning quickly and easily, please buy a panini press equipped with smooth plates.
Lastly, you need to know the material varieties contained in this cooking tool. In general, cooking plates are made of cast-iron, ceramic, and non-stick Teflon. Even several plates can be made of titanium-infused and quantanium.
These materials are perfect for durability and safety when in use. Hence, you can choose one of them without any confusion. The price can be different, depending on which type of material you select.
Versatility
You should choose panini presses supplied with multiple cooking options, such as contact grill, full grill, or half griddle. Although they will be more expensive than products equipped with a single function, they are highly versatile for any occasion.
Temperature Control
Some panini presses do not have adjustable temperature control, while others do. Each type has different benefits and limitations.
If you’re new to cooking, you can consider buying a panini press with a preset temperature setting. Simply start the device, place your foods on the cooking surface, close the cover or top plate, and wait for a fantastic result.
However, a preset temperature cannot suit any food that you want to cook every day. You need adjustable temperature control, in which you change modes to every type of food to serve many people.
You can adjust the temperature in a specific range and check indicators through a digital control panel or a screen. A panini press supplied with this advanced feature generally has a higher price than preset products.
Grease Collector System
This feature tends to provide a healthy meal and ease of cleaning after cooking. You typically see panini presses equipped with a removable drip tray, a grease cup, or a fat removing sloped design.
These designs ensure that the device eliminates excess fat and liquids effectively during cooking. Therefore, you should not choose a panini press without an integrated grease collector system.
Floating Hinges
If you choose a panini press with adjustable floating hinges, you can cook foods with any thickness, especially hamburgers, steaks, and sandwiches.
You will not ruin the food toppings while still heating up.
Heating Zones
You should buy a panini press offering dual heating zones to help cook foods more quickly and operate more effectively.
These heat zones should provide steady, consistent temperature during cooking with no interruption.
How To Use A Panini Press?
It is not hard to operate a panini press smoothly. However, this section shows several tips below to use this product line without any hassle and avoid damaging during cooking.
- Read the user manual thoroughly to avoid damaging the panini press;
- Preheat the panini press since your foods take a little while to cook;
- Wait for the cooking timer to alert or the indicator light to be on before placing your foods on the cooking surface;
- Clean your panini press after each use.
How To Clean A Panini Press?
Most panini press and their cooking plates are effortless to clean after use.
Please empty the grease collector system before cleaning the model, then wash it and let it dry.
If your device features removable plates, you can remove them and place them into a dishwasher for quick cleaning.
Otherwise, if the cooking plates are non-removable, you should wipe them off with a damp cloth, soap, and sponge.
Remember that you should not splash the electrical part.
FAQs
If you have confusion related to panini presses, it is time to read some questions and answers to deal with your concerns.
My Top Pick
This is the last section of my article. It is time to decide which panini press suits your need the most. I believe your buying decision. If you have difficulty in selecting an appropriate appliance, please let me know. I am ready to share my knowledge with you.
I choose Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler With Dials Panini Press since it has a stainless steel coating, a solid handle, a floating cover, an adjustable hinge, non-stick plates, a built-in drip tray, smart indicator lights, and safety.
For a cheaper option, feel free to go for the George Foreman 4-Serving Removable Plate Panini Press.
How about your decision? Remember to like, comment, and share my post with your family members and friends so that more people know these helpful kitchen appliances.
