Panini presses, anyone have one?

[chefker]

DH is already compiling 'wish lists' for Christmas shopping, and has asked me what I want (Really, he puts me to shame, he's a better planner at Chirstmas shopping than I am!) I've been thinking about asking for a panini press, but wonder how useful it'd be--or if it'd just collect dust like some other kitchen items I've bought or received as gifts in the past. :)

Does anyone have one, and if so, do you use it often enough to make it worthwhile? Also, what brands are recommended?

[tlew12778]

What is the difference btwn a George Foreman type grill and a panino press? BC here in Italy they only sell a standard electric countertop grill and that is what everyone uses to make sausages, panini, vegetables, etc. I was thinking about getting one but I don't know if I will use it that much... it seems like it might be a pain to clean.

[chefker]

I have a tiny Foreman grill, which is OK, but has a REALLLY small cooking area. They do make some large ones too, but we don't really care for the Foreman, so I don't think I'll get a new/larger one.

The biggest difference I can see, is that in the panini press, the raised ridges on the grill part are spaced closer together, while on the Foreman they're further apart.

[QueenofCA]

I got one as a shower gift, and honestly, I've never used it. But then again, my best friend has one and uses hers almost daily. So if you make a lot of sandwiches and stuff, then you'll probably get good use out of it.

[ee_chick]

I have one. It makes great sandwiches, but it's a PITA to clean, so it doesn't get used as often as I had hoped.

[doradora]

We have the Cuisineart Griddler and we actually do use is a lot more than I had initially thought we would :) What I like about the Griddler is that that the grill plates come off and are really easy to wash, and I think you can even throw them in the dishwasher. We use it for sandwiches on the weekends. Also, the Griddler can open up all the way and serve as a tabletop grill. We've also used it for fajitas and for Korean BBQ on the dinner table.

[janders6]

We have the Krups panini press and I love it. It has a floating hinge so its perfect for any size bread/sandwich. We use it all the time. Its perfect for appetizers or a quick meal. It works well for making quesadillas too.

[bookworm]

I don't have a panini maker, but I make panini on my grill pan, with a cast-iron skillet smushing it down. If I'm feeling fancy, I can pre-heat the cast iron so it cooks from the top, but usually I just flip the sandwich over.

Anyway, I find this method really easy (and I can use the pans for other things), but if I was going to buy one I think removable plates are #1, and the floating hinge is a close 2nd.

[houseblend]

I bought one a couple of years ago, used it once and promptly returned it. It seems like it should make it easier, but it really didn't (at least not the one I bought). It was such a pain to clean. I now try to live by the Alton Brown rule - don't buy it unless it is: 1) multi-purpose, or 2) you will use it a lot. I wasn't going to use it enough to justify it.

I agree with bookworm - you can just as easily make a sandwich panini style on the grill and smushing it with a skillet or bricks wrapped in aluminum foil.

[tlew12778]

I don't have a panini maker, but I make panini on my grill pan, with a cast-iron skillet smushing it down. If I'm feeling fancy, I can pre-heat the cast iron so it cooks from the top, but usually I just flip the sandwich over. Oh look Le Creuset is marketing your idea!
La Creuset Panini Press (http://www.lecreuset.com/new/productguide_lc3.php?item_no=397&line=11&parent_id=1)
http://www.lecreuset.com/new/guide/product/UP_397/generic_big
Whether you’re preparing Italian-style panini or all-American grilled cheese sandwiches, stovetop grilling is twice as efficient with this cast-iron press. Heat it in a pan, then place it on the food in the pan—both sides cook at once. Because it holds and transfers heat exceptionally well, the heavyweight press is great for cooking steaks, burgers and chicken breasts, too. Dishwasher safe. 9 1⁄4" x 9 1⁄4".
$60 at Williams-Sonoma (http://ww5.williams-sonoma.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=pipcckwspti%7Cgsku4635009%7Ck%7Cpcckws pti%7Cs&sid=WSE24ERDP5PQAHAJNDXH8MSNNMEXGEXZ200509080122&refurl=&pkey=cckwspti&gids=sku4635009&ftest=1&cmreferrer=&cm%5Fven=WS&cm%5Fpla=SiteMap&cm%5Fite=Products&cm%5Fcat=General&bnrid=3100117&flash=on).

[bookworm]

I knew Le Creuset and I were simpatico ;).

But my cast iron skillet was about $12.99, I think. Love them, but I'm still saving my pennies for the fabulous big dutch (excuse me, French) oven.

[dragonfly28602]

I have the Krups one from Williams Sonoma. My mother bought it for me for my birthday last year. I love it.. I think it gets hotter than the g. foreman so I used it more. I love the little grill marks.

k

[December27JJB]

I saw something on tv once of someone using this:

http://www.lecreuset.com/new/guide/product/L2021/generic_big

with a brick wrapped in foil and press the brick on the bread (both sides) I've tried it and it works well!!!

[tlew12778]

I saw something on tv once of someone using this:

http://www.lecreuset.com/new/guide/product/L2021/generic_big

with a brick wrapped in foil and press the brick on the bread (both sides) I've tried it and it works well!!! OMG my best friend said the same thing to me yesterday when I showed her the La Creuset one! And I said a brick was probably better bc it'd be easier to store anyway. I mean, where does one put that La Creuset one with the handle sticking up like that? It's not a pot you can hang and you can't really pile that thing into a cabinet with other pots.

I think the G. Foreman actually gets hotter (according to the best friend who has one) than a panino press bc it's got to cook meats. The temp of a panino press is probably more akin to a toaster otherwise the bread would scorch.

Isn't it funny how LC is the only company that calls it a "French Oven"?

[sublime311]

Bringing this thread back to life, because my mom asked for a panini maker for Christmas this year. Seeking recommendations - anyone??

[Rosebud93]

I'm with Doradora!! The Griddler by Cuisinart is fantastic! We got one for our wedding in October and use it all the time. Aside from easy clean-up, I really like the fact that you can use the grill plate on one side and the griddle plate on the other, and use it in an open position: perfect for all things breakfast-y :D

[sublime311]

Thanks, Rosebud!

BTW, is that Simon LeBon and John Taylor in your avatar?! Haven't seem them in ages!

[Rosebud93]

Why, yes, totally off-topic my avatar IS John Taylor and Simon LeBon!! My best friend from college, KWSU44 on CC, went to go see Duran Duran on Good Morning America a little over 2 years ago and met all of them at a cd signing at Virgin Megastore in NYC when they released "Astronaut"!
(confirmed, in person, that John Taylor is totally hot!)

The Cusinart Griddler (to get the thread back on topic) = hot
John Taylor = hotter :D

[justHB]

i just ordered the Cuisineart one, so I'll let you guys know how I like it when it arrives. FWIW, I have the Le Crueset grill pan and I hate cooking on it. Terrible to clean.

[sublime311]

I ended up getting my mom the Cuisineart Griddler Express - hopefully, it'll give her most of the function of the regular Griddler without the price of the bells and whistles!

Wow! That sure was a gummbled sentence, wasn't it!?

[Bootsy]

Does anyone have or know someone who has the Wolfgang Puck paninni maker with removable plates. I have heard good things about it but was wondering about the waffle plates and how they turn out. He has a new one without the waffle plates so I was wondering which one I should get. If the waffles don't turn out well I'd rather get the new larger one for steaks and such.

[mgrace]

Kohl's has a knockoff version of the Griddler. Bella Home the Grill Griddler (http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_vanilla0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=3416 78619&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=4698057&bmUID=1165857343531). It's $70.