Best Panini Press

Best Panini Press

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Casey Thaler, NASM-CPT, FNS
Latest posts by Casey Thaler, NASM-CPT, FNS (see all)

A well-made sandwich is a quick, sure-fire way to satisfy your hunger. Whether you prefer thin cuts or a loaded deluxe, a sandwich can be perfectly tailored to your taste. The best panini press out there can elevate your breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the next level, guaranteeing a crispy, melty delicious version of your favorite sandwich. It’s no wonder panini presses have become a yummy staple in the modern kitchen. 

Panini presses are very easy to use, straightforward kitchen tools that are often utilized indoors for convenience, and can be used outdoors with the right set up. Especially with newer models of panini presses, you’re offered a tool that can grill a variety of food aside from sandwiches. There are a handful of great panini presses and sandwich grills on the market but don’t worry, we’ve done the legwork for you so you can easily find the best panini press for all of your sandwich needs. Here are our top picks. 

Our Top Pick

George Foreman 5-Serving Removable Plate Grill And Panini Press

The George Foreman Grill has been popular since its launch in the early nineties, and it just keeps getting better. An up-to-date model with a 35% faster heating time, the George Forman 5-Serving Removable Plate Grill and Panini Press offers everything you want in a panini press. 

The compact and lightweight body comes ready with non-stick coating and operates with an “On” and “Ready” light system to make cooking even more effortless with this tool. Offering 72 square inches of cooking space to hold 5-servings, this grill and panini press can quickly feed the whole family in a matter of minutes. 

Other Great Picks

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler

The Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler is truly an all-in-one countertop grill station. This unit works as a contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half griddle, with removable and reversible, dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates. Clean up is almost as easy as cooking. 

Looking to make your meals healthier? After you use your new Cuisinart to cook meat, such as beef or bacon, check out the removable grease pan to catch excess grease and fat, cutting calories and fat to enhance your meal in the best way possible. With over 10,000 rave reviews and as a staff favorite, we know you’ll be pleased with the Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler. 

Breville Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press

Scratch-resistant and non-stick, the Breville Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press is the epitome of a simple but useful kitchen tool. The flat bottom plate on this panini press ensures fast, thorough cooking while the ribbed top plate creates those delicious, appealing grill marks we all yearn for. 

With its flat bottom plate, the Breville Duo 1500-Watt Nonstick Panini Press is an ultimately versatile kitchen tool that allows you to grill all kinds of different foods. Use the Breville to grill up your favorite meal, whatever that may be. 

Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill With Locking Lid

Are you someone that loves to load on every type of topping in between two pieces of bread? Do you sometimes have issues fitting that deluxe sandwich into a press? Well, the Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill with Locking Lid may be the answer to your deluxe sandwich needs. This panini press can press any size or style of sandwich and even opens to 180 degrees, allowing you to cook anything from loaded sandwiches to quesadillas, personal pizzas, and fruit turnovers. 

With a top and bottom non-stick plate, there’s no need to flip your sandwich. This panini press is a direct route to even, crisp cook. A very affordable, quality option, the Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill with Locking Lid is slim, stylish, and discreet, fitting easily on your countertop or in your cabinet. 

George Foreman 2-Serving Classic Plate Electric Indoor Grill And Panini Press

George Foreman certainly knows how to make a great grill. The George Foreman 2-Serving Classic Plate Electric Indoor Grill and Panini Press is a smaller version of our top pick. Do you have fewer mouths to feed and possibly a smaller countertop? This is a wonderful option for you. 

The signature George Foreman tough, non-stick coatings take away your need for excess cooking butter or oil, giving you the perfect surface for a clean meal. You can even check out the remnants of fat and oil after you cook with the George Foreman fat-removing slope, helping you rid of up to 45% of fat for leaner meals. 

Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic 2-in-1 Panini Maker and Grill

An easy to use, easy to clean, mid-range option, the Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic 2-in-1 Panini Maker and Grill is a great option for a classic panini press. With adjustable temperatures and the ability to open 180 degrees, this press also doubles as a countertop grill for versatile, easy cooking. 

Oster’s non-stick coating and titanium-infused DuraCeramic surface ensures no flaking or peeling, so your sandwich comes out as crispy as you’d hoped, without much clean up afterward. The floating hinge system accommodates various thicknesses, so top your sandwich with whatever you please. 

Chef Buddy Panini Press, Indoor Grill, And Gourmet Sandwich Maker

The Chef Budy Panini Press, Indoor Grill, and Gourmet Sandwich Maker is aptly named. The versatile, health-conscious design is equipped with an advanced grease channeling system, so your meals come out crispier, meltier, and lighter, than before. 

With a fairly large cooking area, the Chef Buddy is great for quick weeknight meals and opens flat with extending grilling surfaces to make cooking even faster and efficient. 

Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill And Gourmet Sandwich Maker

Whether it be sandwiches, burgers, steaks, or veggies, the choice is yours with this easy-going, nifty, compact tool. The Chefman Electric Panini Press Grill and Gourmet Sandwich Maker is an extremely simple, easy-to-use option. With just the push of a button, you’re on your way to a crispy, delicious meal. 

This panini press’s compact size and easy-to-clean surfaces are terrific for small kitchen spaces, dorm rooms, offices, and as the manufacturer suggests, even road trips. Similar to our other best panini press options, it also comes equipped with tilt-up, skid-resistant feet to enable that healthy option grease drain. 

 

Lodge Cast Iron Square Ribbed Panini Press

Lodge products are a well-respected, highly rated and recommended brand with various products shining bright under the Lodge name. Cast iron is widely used for indoor and outdoor cooking, and the best part is that it will last decades. The trick with cast iron cookware is to always keep it seasoned– hand-wash when necessary, dry, then always coat with a bit of oil. 

The Lodge Cast Iron Square Ribbed Panini Press is a reliable, durable tool that is unparalleled when it comes to heat retention and even heating. That being said, the heat of a cast iron does not “shut off” with a button, so it may require a bit more attention than our other products. This is a wonderful panini press if you are planning on cooking outdoors or going camping, and the best part– it will last you a lifetime. 

IMUSA USA GAU-80102 Large Electric Panini Press

The IMUSA USA GAU-80102 Large Electric Panini Press is another great, heavy-duty panini press. Different than the others on our list because of its dual side flat plates, it won’t give you those classic grill marks, but it sure will cook your food evenly and crispy. 

Cool-touch handles, limited controls, and a heat indicator light make it a safe and very easy to use option, with no worries about temperature adjustments. The IMUSA brand has been a leading brand for kitchen appliances for a while, so you can trust this panini press to deliver high-quality meals. 

What Is A Panini Press?

A panini press is an affordable, easy to use, contact grill that is used primarily for heating sandwiches, which when pressed, become delicious, warm, grilled paninis. Usually electric, the panini press is known to be a compact appliance that sits on the countertop. It is composed of two heating plates, one on the top, one on the bottom, often with even ridges to make those classic grill marks on your food. 

Electric models of the panini press actively grill food, without additional heating sources, such as a stove or fire. This makes for a very convenient tool, which has become a loved staple in modern kitchens–all you need is an electrical outlet. It’s the perfect appliance to make a quick, effortless weeknight (or weekend) meal. 

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Panini Press?

There are many benefits to using a panini press, including health benefits. Because most panini presses are made with non-stick coatings and non-stick plates, you do not need to use additional oils or butter to grease the surface, making heating food on a panini press a healthier option. They also come equipped with a removable grease pan to drain excess fat from your food. 

Panini presses are very convenient and versatile, with one simple function (open and close to use) that can heat an array of foods from sandwiches of every kind and size, to hamburgers, vegetables, steaks and more. Since electric panini presses only require an outlet, many kitchens are suitable for this handy appliance. 

How Do I Use A Panini Press?

Depending on which model and brand of panini press you choose, some panini presses come with a simple “on” “off” button to heat your food, while other, more advanced options, allow you to adjust the cooking temperature of your gadget. Make sure your entire meal is within the panini press and not showing through the sides in order to ensure even cooking. 

To heat a sandwich, simply assemble your desired sandwich, plug in the panini press, turn it on, adjust the temperature if allowed, and wait for the timer or light to alert you that your food is sufficiently heated. The top and bottom plates of a panini press are heated, so there is no use to flipping your sandwich during the cook. 

What Can You Cook With A Panini Press?

A standard panini press is designed to heat an already assembled sandwich and turn it into a crispy, warm delight, usually with appealing grill marks on the bread. However, many panini presses are versatile when it comes to what you can cook and heat. With multipurpose, non-stick, heated plates, you can cook anything from burgers and various meats, to vegetables and desserts like turnovers, that can easily be warmed. 

Flatbreads, chicken breast, bacon, small pizzas, and quesadillas are also not out of the question. As long as your panini press can reach the appropriate temperature (which most can) and your food does not require liquid to cook, you have the freedom to use your panini press to cook an array of easy meals. 

Is A Panini Press Easy To Clean?

A real benefit to using a panini press how easy it is to clean. Some panini presses come with removable, dishwasher safe plates that allow you to remove the plates and wash separately after cooking is complete. 

Other panini presses that use stationary plates, can be quickly wiped down with a clean, wet rag to remove any residue. Panini presses are known for their non-stick surfaces, so clean up is an absolute breeze. 

How Much Does A Panini Press Cost?

Panini presses are quality, durable appliances, but that doesn’t mean they cost an arm and a leg. Many models are very affordable. The panini presses on this list range from around $25 to $75, while other larger, more technologically advanced presses may run a bit higher. 

To get a quality cook and your desired meal from a panini press, you do not need to spend a lot of money. Many low-cost panini presses will get the job done and then you will simply have more money to spend on the food you’re cooking. 

How Do I Choose The Best Panini Press For Me?

Since our list of best panini presses offers affordable, high-quality appliances, the choice is simply up to you. One thing to consider is the amount of food you plan on heating in your panini press. Are you cooking for a family of 5 or is a single-sized serving in your future? Some panini presses are larger than others and can heat up to 5 servings at once. 

If you are someone that is new to making paninis or wants the most simple model available, choose a panini press that requires the touch of a button to work. If you like to have more control over the temperature of your food and cooking time, choose a model that gives you a range of temperatures to set your press at. 

The Best Panini Press

There you have it – our picks for the best panini press. But don’t miss our other best picks – we have many.

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