How do you choose the best sandwich toaster?
It’s important to figure out which style of sandwich you and your family prefer. Once you have your answer, you ultimately have two choices:
Traditional toastie maker
If you like a traditional, sealed toastie-style sandwich (basically a hot pocket of oozing cheese or something similar) then all you need is a toaster with plates that features triangular grooves to hold a couple of square-shaped slices of bread loaded with your chosen filling. These are great at keeping hot melted cheese sealed inside the sandwich without it leaking all over the place.
Depending on the model, the plates offer shallow or deep grooves to accommodate a range of different fillings so it’s worth having a think about the kind of sandwiches you’d like to create. You’ll also want to think about how many sandwiches you plan to make at a time. Sandwich toasters tend to make either two or four portions at a time. The main issue with a toastie maker is that it can only really handle classic sliced bread and isn’t designed for chunkier breads like ciabattas and paninis.
Flat plate grill-style sandwich maker
If you’re partial to a cafe-style sandwich or a panini, then a machine that acts like a sandwich ‘press’ is best for you. These machines offer two large flat (or ridged) heated plates that simply press down on the sandwich. They can accommodate almost any bread style and you can be generous with fillings as there’s usually plenty of space between the two plates.
The downside is that it won’t seal your sandwich together like a more traditional toastie maker, so you’ll need to be careful when handling the sandwich before and after cooking to ensure the filling doesn't leak. Grill toasters don’t tend to have removable plates too. They are easy to wipe down, but if you prefer a dishwasher-safe option, then this might not be the best design for you.
Flat plate toasters can often be larger appliances, so consider your storage space before purchasing.