Do I really, really need a toastie machine?

[Jiminybikkit]

Off on maternity leave, and a cheese and pesto toastie has become my go to lunch. I make it in one of those toastie bags, but it doesn't make the edges go crispy or bind together properly.

I've now spotted the Breville one on Amazon. I need this, don't I? Toasties and soup for quick teas after going back to work. Perfect toddler food....

DH says I could just keep on with the bags, but ffs the crispy edges

[FadedRed]

They are a complete arse to clean. You’ll use it a couple of times, then go back to the bags.

[dementedpixie]

Think we have this one. Didn't leak like the others did

[TinselAndKnickers]

You definitely need it.

[RandomWok]

Yes you do. Mine comes with detachable plates that go in the dishwasher.

[MulticolourMophead]

I make a few different things in a sandwich toaster.

Like american style pancakes. Victoria sponge pockets. Mine isn't a faff to clean, and it's just the basic Sainsbury one.

[Nnnnnineteen]

You really do. Cheese and pineapple for me. Nutella and banana for dd, not made simultaneously.

[MrsChollySawcutt]

No you really need a toastie machine. Sometimes nothing else but a deep filled crunchy edges toastie will do.

Get one with removeable plates, so much easier to wash up. Over the years I've had several and the best one I've ever had is my current one which is a Waring deep fill. The non stick plates go straight in the dishwasher once they have cooled down.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4235486

[sackrifice]

Get a ceramic panini machine. So simple to clean.

[MorningsEleven]

I have a George Foreman, it's brilliant and easy to clean.

[abbsisspartacus]

I have a panini press as I'm gluten free and my bread is usually too small for crispy edges I've stopped using it and use the frying pan instead unfortunately I can't cook ham and Philadelphia toastie as it just slides out

They are only a tenner I would get one even if you freegle it after a year (I would join you but I'm trying a no spend January which is going really well I've already bought a book 🤦‍♀️)

[NannyR]

You can make lovely cheese toasties in a frying pan. Just butter the outside of the sandwich and fry it. It's not quite the same as a breville with the sealed crispy edges but still delicious.

[Pigletthedog]

Well that's me hungry

[Gotstuckwiththisname]

Yes of course you need one. I have the deep Breville one and it's not a faff to clean at all. You can even put the plates in the dishwasher. We use ours at least 3-4 times a week.

[Josiebloggs]

Yes its a must have, get one with scallop moulded inside though because the flat ones don't taste as good.

[Caribbeanescape]

I love cheese toasties, but we do them in the frying pan - much nicer.

Just make a sandwich as normal, put a little butter on the outside of the sandwich and fry in the frying pan. The bread goes lovely and crispy.

[ShannonRockallMalin]

We had one sat in the cupboard for years and finally got rid of it, only for DS to develop an obsession with toasties. Bought a cheap one from Aldi and now we use it all the time!

[FadedRed]

In light of the all the above posters, I retract my first statement
You DO need a sandwich toaster, and it would appear, I need a different model.

[Princesspond]

I do mine in the griddle pan with a lid and weight on top (think I saw the idea on Nigella)

[Waddsup12]

Ridge monkey.

Can use it for other things but does lovely toasties. Much easier to clean.

[ThatPeskyElf]

Yes! Flat plates, no faff.

[Boyskeepswinging]

Yes, perfect toddler food. Also perfect teen boy food. That he makes himself - yessss!

[Starlight90]

George foreman for me. Makes paninis too

[barleyreed]

I am going to have to buy one too OP after reading this thread! I hD one years ago but it was such a nightmare to clean. What's the most recommended model everyone, is it the George Foreman?!

[dementedpixie]

I've just checked and mine is a Waring one. Doesn't leak but you need big bread

[LaBelleSausage]

You need the breville deep fill one with interchangeable plates. Then you can also buy the waffle plates and make waffles in it.
I have one and it’s wonderful.