Remember how special a grilled cheese sandwich tasted when you were a kid? Any sandwich can be a special
sandwich when it is grilled! Many restaurants build their sandwiches with artisan breads and flat breads
like ciabatta, focaccia and pebble bread to make unforgettable paninis. Consumers are now making these grilled
sandwiches and paninis in their own kitchens. As the demand for grilled sandwiches and paninis grows, the available
types of sandwich grills and sandwich grill options grow, too. This buying guide will help you understand the
different sandwich grill styles available, the different options available and the price ranges you will encounter in
your search for a sandwich grill.
Sandwich Grill Styles
There are basically four major sandwich grill styles: stovetop grill, fireside grill, electric sandwich grill, and
electric panini grill.
Stovetop Sandwich Grills
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Stovetop grills are designed to grill your sandwich or sandwiches directly on your stovetop range.
Most of these grills are labeled as “Panini Grill” or “Panini Press” and consist of a heavy cast iron
skillet with a ridged cooking surface and a cast iron press designed to press down upon the panini for
grilled perfection. These stovetop grills are very versatile and can be used to effectively grill steaks,
pork chops, vegetables, and much more.
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Stovetop sandwich grills normally range in size from 10-inches in diameter or 10-inches square to 12-inches
in diameter or 12-inches square. The grill size allows for a large enough surface area to grill more than one
sandwich or panini at a time.
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Another style of stovetop grill is designed in shape and size to grill one sandwich at a time and is
similar to the design used for fireside sandwich grills discussed in the “Fireside Sandwich Grills”
section below.
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Popular brands include
Mario Batali
and
Le Creuset.
Fireside Sandwich Grills
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Do you like to eat your grilled sandwiches next to an open fire or outdoors? If so, a fireside sandwich
grill may be the perfect choice for you. Fireside sandwich grills (sometimes called “cooking irons”) are
manufactured to safely hold and grill your sandwich in your indoor or outdoor fireplace or over a campfire.
Most fireside sandwich grill models are provided with a long handle to help you stay a safe distance from the
flames as your sandwich cooks.
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Typically, fireside sandwich grills are manufactured of heavy cast iron with long metal handles and insulated grips for your
grilling comfort. Fireside grills are great for cooking when your power is out or when you are away from the comforts of home,
but the cooking temperature of a fireplace or a campfire is not as controllable as that of a stovetop sandwich grill or electric
sandwich grill. Therefore, sandwiches grilled over a fire are at a greater risk of burning or may take longer to cook than with
other methods of grilling.
A popular brand of fireside sandwich grills and fireside grills for other foods is
Plow & Hearth.
Electric Sandwich Grills
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Electric sandwich grills are portable grills that can be utilized to cook up a sandwich wherever an
electrical outlet is available. These sandwich grills normally have both a top and bottom grilling
surface with grilling plates that hold sandwiches made from standard-size sliced bread. Some sandwich
grills are fitted with grilling plates that work to "seal" your sandwich during cooking so that the two
sandwich halves form pockets to contain the warm and tasty filling. Because of this "sealing" feature, it
is possible to use some sandwich grills to make sandwiches with messy ingredients, like pizza sauce and pie
filling, into neat toasty treats.
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One benefit of purchasing an electric sandwich grill rather than a stovetop grill is that the electric grill can be used
anywhere that electricity is available (only as recommended by the manufacturer). Another benefit to owning an electric
sandwich grill is that they are manufactured to grill sandwiches within the correct temperature range so that you are less
likely to undercook or overcook your sandwich. Electric sandwich grills are useful for adding some cooking space to your
kitchen or providing a quick hot meal in a dorm room. The downside to owning an electric sandwich grill is that it is not a
very versatile cooking device. The grilling area and plate design of most sandwich grills are specifically for thin sandwiches
and not for thicker paninis, meats or other foods.
Available brands of electric sandwich grills are
Cuisinart and
Toastmaster.
Electric Panini Grills
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Electric panini grills are similar to electric sandwich grills except that panini grills typically have
"floating" hinged lids (rather than fixed hinged lids) that allow grilling of thicker sandwiches made from
artisan and flat breads such as: panini, ciabatta, or focaccia breads. Electric panini grills are much more
versatile than electric sandwich grills and can be used to grill meats, vegetables, fruits, sandwiches and paninis.
Electric panini grills are usually a bit more expensive than electric sandwich grills.
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Available brands of electric panini grills are
Krups
and Haier.
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Sandwich Grill Features to Consider
Grill Surface and Plates
Sandwich and panini grills can be purchased with a variety of grilling surfaces. As mentioned previously in
this buying guide, some sandwich grill plates are manufactured to seal your sandwich into pockets and/or to cut
your sandwich into two halves. Some sandwich grill plates are, also, manufactured in a "scalloped" shape to allow
ample room for thick sandwich fillings. Panini grills can be purchased with either flat-surfaced plates or
grooved-surfaced plates. (Plates with grooved surfaces will give nice grill marks to your food.)
Some panini grills have grilling plates that are slanted so that grease and fat can be drained away and removed
from the food for healthier cooking and eating.
When purchasing a sandwich or panini grill, look for a durable, non-stick surface for easy cleaning. Electric
sandwich and panini grills can also be provided with removable grilling plates and dish-washer safe grilling surfaces
to take the pain out of cleaning these appliances.
Controls
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The key to a perfectly grilled sandwich is proper grilling temperature and grilling time. Some sandwich
and panini grills can be purchased with integral timers and/or thermostatic heat controls and temperature
selectors to help you make a wonderfully grilled meal every time. Most sandwich grills and panini grills
are provided with lights to signal that the unit is powered and that it has reached the proper temperature
for grilling.
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Size
When selecting a sandwich or panini grill, consider the number of people you will normally be serving to ensure that
the grill you purchase will have an adequate capacity. Restaurant quality sandwich and panini grills can be purchased
so that several sandwiches or foods can be grilled at the same time. Also, some grills are manufactured with quick heat-up
features so that you can feed a hungry crowd quickly.
While determining your grill's required capacity, also consider your available kitchen space for using and storing your grill.
Most stove-top sandwich grills are no larger than a large skillet and usually come in 10-inch to 12-inch diameters. Electric
grills on the other hand, can be quite large and can overtake large areas of counter space and cabinet space. Some
commercial-sized units for the serious panini grill master can be as large as 33-inches long by 17-inches deep. Commercial
panini grills can also be very tall (22-inches or taller). Therefore, it is also important to consider the required clearance
above the unit for opening the grill top.
Color
Sandwich and panini grills are available in a several colors and finishes. The standard kitchen appliance colors
of white, black and stainless steel are typical; but designer colors such as "persimmon", "espresso" and "pesto" are
also available.
Material
Sandwich grills are available in different exterior and interior materials. Stovetop and fireside sandwich grills
are normally fabricated from cast iron. A few stovetop grills have enameled surfaces for durability and aesthetics.
Electric sandwich grills and panini grills can have stainless steel, chrome or plastic exteriors. Most electric
sandwich grills have grill plates fabricated from highly conductive die-cast aluminum.
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A few panini grills have grilling surfaces manufactured from glass and ceramic. These tend to be more
expensive than those manufactured with die-cast aluminum grill plates.
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Power
Household electric sandwich and panini grills are usually powered from 600 to 1000 Watts and use 110-120 Volts.
Commercial units can be manufactured to use 120, 208 or 240 volt power and up to 6,000 Watts.
Infrared Grilling
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A newer panini grill design uses infrared heat rather than conductive heat to grill and cook food. These
units normally have glass or ceramic grilling surfaces. The advantage to owning an infrared grill is that
only the food being grilled will be heated and less heat will be lost to the surrounding environment. Therefore,
the area around the infrared cooking appliance will remain cooler than with other types of cooking appliances.
Infrared panini grills and other infrared cooking devices are manufactured by Dito-Electrolux.
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Price Range
Stovetop Sandwich Grills
Stovetop sandwich grills that mimic the fireside sandwich grill design may be purchased for as little as $12.
Stovetop sandwich grill or panini grill sets consisting of a cast iron skillet and a panini press normally range
from $80 to $150. The cost of purchasing just the panini press without the skillet is approximately $25.
Fireside Sandwich Grills
Fireside sandwich grills for one or two sandwiches may range in price from $12 to $20. Entire fireside cooking
sets that include multiple sandwich grills and hotdog grills can be purchased for as little as $25.
Electric Sandwich Grill
Electric sandwich grills may typically be purchased for $12 to $35. Sandwich grills for your home or dorm room
usually do not have timers or heat controls. Restaurant quality sandwich grills that can grill several sandwiches
at once and that have timers and thermostatic heat controls may cost as much as $500.
Electric Panini Grill
Basic electric panini grills for household use can be purchased for as little as $35. Units with thermostatic
temperature controls and temperature selectors will range in price from $50 to $70 and those with integral timers
can be purchased from $100 to $200 (depending largely on the brand). Restaurant quality panini grills, manufactured
for continual use and large temperature ranges, can be priced from $500 to $1,500. With an integral timer, restaurant
quality grills can be priced at up to $2,500.
Top Manufacturers