breville panini press

[sweetfern]

Hi all,

Pluses and minuses?
What do you use it for?

I am looking for something that can serve as a small grill, also, as well as sandwiches.

Thanks!

sweetfern

[rasputina]

Haven't used it, but it's non stick which is huge minus to me. I have a Lodge cast iron grill pan and press.

[fmed]

I have two of these - one for home and one for the office (a Duo and a Quattro). I only use them for pressed sandwiches. They are solid and built like tanks. I recommend them highly.

If you are looking for something that can serve as a small grill, get the Breville Ikon which has a drip tray and ribbed plates. I don't own one, but going from my experience with my Breville products, they should serve you well.

[Claudette]

I love my two Duos, too: easy to clean, great for sandwiches and quesadillas. Not hot enough to use as a grill, though. Only wish it had an I/O switch or timer.

[chefdaddyo]

Got one for Christmas last year and use it about once a week. We love it! However, another pain in the ass thing to store. I'm able to buy really good sliced Tuscan bread for panninis. It gets pretty hot. We only use it for sandwiches. Good grill marks. We've discovered for best results, lightly brush (ouside sides of the bread) with virgin olive oil. Last Tuesday, we did prosciutto, broccoli rabe and roasted red peppers. That was good! I never would have bought this myself (another kitchen gadget!), but really glad we got it.

[paulj]

I've had one for 10 years or so. It's well made. Mine a has flat, nonstick plates, with a height adjustment. But the top plate can't open flat. Mostly I use it for grilled sandwiches, which it does admirably. Cleanup just requires wiping both plates with a wet paper towel after they've cooled a bit.

Storage is easy. It has a good storage space for the cord, and it is stable standing on edge.