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

God you need one. A deep fill one. Use only white bread. I'm a fan of cave aged cheddar and jalapenos.

Oh my god, if we had a 24 hour Asda I'd go and get one now. I definitely need one!

We have Brevile one amd they're easy to clean. Wipe over with damp cloth ia about as far as i go usually. That normally does it.

My friend has one with flat plates and she has taught her teenagers to cook bacon and eggs on it.
Easy to clean and just egg rings to wash

Also recommend the breville with interchangeable plates - toastie, panini and waffles. It's well used here, had a toastie for dinner tonight and it really hit the spot after a week of rich food.

Frying pan all the way.. low heat. No oil. Butter the outside of the uncooked sandwich. Flip until done.n

YEp.mil bought us the breville one for Xmas, it’s got removable plates for easier cleaning and you can buy waffle plates to go in it too. We’ve used ours twice this week and it’s been a big hit. It’s not got too dirty, the key is not to overfill and wipe clean whilst machine still warm. I’ve been putting paper towel underneath the side so any overspill leaks onto the paper towel then after eating, removing plates straight away and cleaning with a damp cloth.

I’ve had toastie machines before, just cheap ones and it always drove me mad how dirty they got, espescially at the back where most had a spring, then the spring would get covered in melted cheese etc and was near impossible to clean. This one is hinged so no spring to get filthy.

Can't say I've found mine difficult to clean. You gets bits of cheese and stuff that come out of the edges but they are easy to lift off when cooled down and then all that's needed is a wipe.

I like my sandwich toaster very much. Of course no-one actually 'needs' one but they are handy.

I clean mine by starting with a wet paper towel and draping across the hot plates then close. It sizzles and steams for a bit and 5 mins later I'll open it up and use the paper towel to wipe. I follow this up with another damp paper towel if needs be. I rarely need to do more than that to clean.

I got one in asda last week for £8, its not the best but it does the job. The kids have been getting them in school and were missing them in the holidays plus its saved me from having to come up with ideas for lunch.

Yes, get one!

There was a long thread on here about 18 months ago about all the different things you could make in a sandwich toaster. It inspired me (and probably many others!) to buy one.

I got one with waffle plates too, and although I don't use it very often, I'm glad I bought it.

Not sure if that helps or not!

You really really need the breville panini maker with flat plates.

I just wipe with kitchen towel and water whilst it's still hot. Easy to clean.

TheRattleBag

The thread started in chat, I believe. It may have been that one, or one from an earlier spin around, but I copied and pasted the thread (as it was chat) with the intention of sifting through and keeping the recipe bits that were any good. I've yet to complete it, but will now make a final heroic effort.

I think the first thread may have been around the time of JeffreyGate, as sadly one or two posters had all their posts withdrawn, and I'm hoping I haven't missed any recipes.

You need a sandwich toaster. That salter one is a bargain and will match my waffle iron! But you have to agree with your family that when it gets really gross you just him it and buy andnew one

Cooking OTHER things in the sandwich toaster?

I stayed awake last night just to inform DH of the necessity.

You can get toastie makers with removable plates?! This is amazing. I love a toastie but I don't like cleaning our ancient maker.

I cook mine in an oven. Butter on both sides, no need to flip over.

Used to have a sandwich toaster years ago and it was a pain to clean. Glad to see they have moved on a bit.

I also have a waring deep fill, and love it. Make sure you you get a deep fill one. The cuisinart one that Lakeland sell is virtually identical to the waring one and comes with interchangeable waffle plates.

If you wrap it in greaseproof paper when cooking it it cooks perfect and no mess. Lots of cafes do this to stop any meat juices if bacon etc going on the plates

We have the standard breville with panini and waffle plates as well as sandwich ones.

I made waffles with DD3 using it yesterday, Aunt Bessie’s do a waffle and pancake mix, it was perfect for 4 waffle and they were much nicer than anticipated. The grease proof paper may be a game changer

I make toasties using my toaster & halogen oven, I toast my bread as normal, pile my fillings on half the slices & put in the halogen oven, then put the top slices of toast on top & slice, they taste better, the fillings don't spill from being squashed.

I got one today! Thanks for the cheese and Pesto idea!

I like using a small frying pan.