Your pressing questions answered about the panini press

Why have an ordinary sandwich when you could have a panini? The irresistible combination of grilled bread stuffed with warm, melted cheese and other ingredients elevates a simple snack into a comfort food classic.

The best panini grills can serve as everything from a breakfast sandwich maker to an electric griddle.

Panini presses come in two basic types: electric and stovetop.

Electric panini presses: The most common of the two types, electric panini presses are designed to plug into your countertop power outlet and heat up quickly. Your sandwich is pressed between two non-stick grill plates ̶ one fixed on the bottom and an adjustable floating top plate.

The top plate is lowered to apply even pressure to almost any thickness of sandwich and different shapes of bread and rolls. Electric panini presses typically come without an on/off switch or temperature controls. Simply unplug the press when your sandwich is ready.

Stovetop panini presses: A manual stovetop panini press consists of two parts: a frying pan with raised ridges and a separate sandwich press that’s placed on top of your sandwich to apply downward pressure.

Cook your panini in the heated pan until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp. Classic stovetop sandwich makers are usually made of cast iron, often with an enamelled finish, although lightweight aluminum versions are available too.

• Grill plates: Ridged, non-stick aluminum on electric models and ridged cast iron or aluminum on stovetop models
• Grease catcher: Channels fat or grease away from the cooking surface into a drainage area
• Controls: On/off switch and temperature control dials are available only on more expensive electric models
• Indicator light: Shines red when the electric panini maker is on and green to indicate ready-to-use temperature
• Pivoting handle: Allows the floating top plate to rest squarely on top of the panini to heat evenly from both sides
• Power cord: plugs into an outlet when in use and winds around the base of the unit for storage

Adaptability: Choose a convertible electric sandwich maker if you want reversible plates that switch the sandwich grill into a flat top electric griddle.

Cooking surface: Wider models can accommodate more than one panini at a time and grill both sandwiches evenly.

Adjustable controls: Separate burner controls and an on/off switch are exclusive to the higher-priced electric models.

Cleaning: Removable grill plates can be cleaned in the sink or dishwasher. Cast iron models are heavy and can require more effort to clean.

Floating hinge: A floating hinge allows you to place thicker sandwiches on the grill and ensure even heating.

Food you can make with a panini press

• Grilled cheese and stuffed sandwiches
• Quesadillas
• Reheated pizza (with the lid raised)
• Grilled bread for making croutons
• Grilled chicken breasts
• Cooked bacon

• Buying a panini press is a versatile addition to any kitchen, because it's an appliance with a multitude of uses. With it, you'll enjoy takeout-quality, grilled sandwiches with your own custom fillings without leaving home.