Welcome to the wild and delicious world of sandwich-making! Meet your new best friend, the trusty sandwich press.
This handy kitchen gadget is here to take your boring old sandwich game to new heights. With its heated plates, you’ll be able to create the perfect crispy crust and warm and gooey insides. No more soggy bread for you!
And don’t worry about cleanup, as some models even come with removable drip trays and grease catchers.
So don’t be shy, get your hands on one of these bad boys, and let your sandwich creativity run wild!
But wait, there’s more! Not only does a sandwich press make your everyday sandwich experience a-ma-zing but it can also be your secret weapon in the kitchen. With it’s adjustable temperature controls, you can make paninis, quesadillas, and even hashbrowns with the same machine. The possibilities are endless, and your taste buds will thank you. And let’s not forget, it’s a great time saver too.
So, why settle for a plain sandwich when you can elevate your lunch to a gourmet affair with a simple press of a button!
Upgrade your kitchen today and become the sandwich master of your own domain. Look no further than our top pick for the best sandwich makers on the market.
We’ve done the research and narrowed it down to these three models that stand out for their versatility, ease of use, and overall performance. These models are sure to impress, so let’s take a closer look.
Hamilton Beach Sandwich Maker
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The Hamilton Beach 25462Z Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker is a great option for those looking for a compact and budget-friendly sandwich maker.
This model boasts a non-stick surface that makes cleanup a breeze. It also features a locking lid that presses down evenly on your sandwich, ensuring perfectly heated and crispy results. Additionally, a preheat indicator light lets you know when the press is ready to use.
This is a basic model with simple but efficient design that can be the perfect option for people with limited space or budget, but still want the ability to make delicious paninis and sandwiches at home.
Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler
The Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler is a versatile and durable sandwich maker that can also be used as a panini press, full grill, full griddle, and half grill/half griddle.
This makes it a great option for those who want to use one appliance for multiple cooking tasks. It is constructed with a non-stick coating that makes cleanup effortless and has adjustable temperature controls for precise cooking.
This sandwich maker also comes with a set of removable and dishwasher-safe plates for easy maintenance. Additionally, its compact design makes it perfect for small kitchens.
The Cuisinart GR-4N offers flexibility in cooking and easy maintenance making it a great choice for those who want a multi-functional sandwich press.
Breville Smart Grill
The Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill is a high-end sandwich maker that is packed with features to make the perfect panini or sandwich.
This model boasts a built-in digital LCD display that allows you to monitor the temperature and cooking time, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection. The grill also features a patented heating system that ensures even cooking across the surface. The non-stick surface of the cooking plates makes it easy to clean and it comes with a dishwasher safe drip tray to make clean up even more convenient. Additionally, it has adjustable height control and the ability to press sandwiches of all thicknesses.
The Breville BGR820XL is a great choice for those who are looking for a high-end and feature-packed sandwich maker that can deliver restaurant-quality results in your own home.
A Brief History of The Sandwich
Common wisdom has the Earl of Sandwich, a British nobleman, inventing the sandwich.
We prefer to be uncommon and thus we say, that it was a Rabbi called Hillel the Elder who is on record as munching on the very first sandwich.
He lived back in the 1st century B.C. or B.C.E. if you prefer, and he celebrated the Passover with a sandwich.
His sandwich didn’t use the kind of bread that most of us use in our sandwiches but “matzos” or “matzohs” which are a type of unleavened bread that comes in slices that are very like thin biscuits.
Hillel’s sandwich contained an unusual filling: nuts, bits of apple, some spices and to make it all go down easily – a touch of wine!
However, despite Hillel’s contribution to our culinary heritage – the modern day sandwich, the one which involves bread filled with meat (and/or cheese) with some condiments was “invented” by John Montagu.
Montagu was indeed, the Earl of Sandwich, the 4th to be precise.
Our notes say that he was an inveterate gambler and he was caught up in a riveting game of cards and that after 24 hours at the table; he found himself feeling a touch hungry.
He wasn’t willing to quit the table to get something to eat.
So, he asked his cook to make him some dinner with the proviso that whatever the cook brought back had to be something he could eat without it interfering with his card game.
So, the cook returned with some meat between two slices of toasted bread.
The cook’s name is lost to history because somehow the Earl of Sandwich managed to attach his name to the foodstuff which would become one of the world’s most popular meal items.
- Hillel the Rabbi invented the sandwich in the 1st century BC
- A British nobleman, John Montagu the 4th Earl of Sandwich, gets all the credit for inventing the modern sandwich even though his cook invented it
The Origins Of The Sandwich Maker
There is no requirement that a sandwich involve toasted bread. In fact, many of the finest sandwiches in the world don’t have you cook the bread twice.
The sandwich maker, however, is all about toasting the bread – on the outside.
The idea is simple: hot sandwiches are tasty. They’re convenient to eat. And if you fill them full of cheese, the cheese melts and doesn’t run all over the table while you’re eating your sandwich.
The best way to make such a sandwich is to use a sandwich maker. Which, traditionally, wasn’t called a “sandwich maker” at all but rather, a “pie iron”.
Your basic sandwich maker consists of two plates connected by a hinge that can be heated either in a flame or using electric current to heat, toast and most importantly, seal, a sandwich.
The name pie iron was popularized in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s.But this is not the only name for a sandwich maker: they’re also known as pudgy pie irons, jaffle irons, toastie irons, sandwich toasters and sandwich makers.
In the UK they can also be known as toastie makers and “Brevilles” (after the most famous brand of sandwich maker). Australians, South Africans and the Irish also like toastie maker.
The South Africans also sometimes use snackwich maker, which is in our opinion – just awful, and in Indonesia and Australia they may also be called jaffle makers.
The first toasted sandwich maker was invented before 1920, though it would only get a patent in early 1925, by Charles Champion. It was branded as the “Tostwich”.
Mr. Champion was a busy chap and he also invented the first ever popcorn popping machine!
The sandwich maker hasn’t changed much since, apart from the addition of an electric powered version.
- It was invented in the United States in the 1920s
- It was invented by Charles Champion who also invented the popcorn popping machine
- There are many names for sandwich makers many of them slightly ridiculous