Panini makers - yes or no?

[FlatteredRhubardFool]

On my mission to spice up lunches I'm thinking of getting a panini maker that is also for toasties and waffles. Are they worth getting? Any recommendations please

Absolutely brilliant idea. Am treating myself to one today 😁😁😁

Yes! I got one for my dd for Christmas, and it's used every day.

Yeah we love ours. Think ours is the salter one and it's really good. Used it a lot since I've been working from home. One of my favourite sandwiches is left over roasted veg with some mozarella. Yum! You've also reminded me I promised to make DD some waffles!

Daft question, what bread do you use for panini?

We have one with interchangeable plates, flat, toastie, & waffle. Very useful & easy to clean. We had a plain panini press previously, the plates didn't come out so had to just be wiped after use, the new one is better.

I'll second the fact that George Foreman grills make amazing paninis & toasted sandwiches, and you can cook on them too - better value for money than a toastie-maker.

I have a small kitchen, so not a lot of space for gadgets.
I've got a Dualit toaster with a sandwich basket - does the job and lots of other things too.
25 years old & still going strong.

@BlackDogBlues

Daft question, what bread do you use for panini?

Ciabatta usually. You can buy panini-shaped ciabatta in most supermarkets, it's usually with the long-life packed rolls.

@BlackDogBlues - for paninis we use paninis (!) from the supermarket or soft sub/ finger rolls.

Yes, my 12 year old loves cheese and ham panini. The only thing I wish I'd done is get one with waffle plates as we've got a separate waffle maker which is more to store in the cupboard. And I wish it had dishwasher safe removable plates!

I buy panini rolls from any supermarket but it makes nice cheese sandwiches if no panini bread.

Got one as a wedding present, has lasted way beyond the marriage!

DS uses it most days for wraps. It’s also brilliant for halloumi and I got max mum points for suggesting using it to reheat pizza- apparently a gamechanger

@BlackDogBlues

Daft question, what bread do you use for panini?

Tesco do 4 paninis for a quid:

So do Asda, Aldi and probably most/all other supermarkets.

We have this one

www.tefal.co.uk/snackcollection

I think a pp has mentioned it. Genius. Loads of different interchangeable plates.

We got one a couple of weeks ago (Asda £18) and it’s great we’ve used it loads (mainly teen daughters). Tip I came across is to use folded baking paper in it removing the need to clean plates

@Binglebong

Go for it. Breville do one that is basically two flat plates and is sooo easy to clean - I love it!

Two flat plates models are fantastic.

A very quick way to also cook a chicken breast or a sausage and simply wipe clean.

I would never be without one.

Ours used constantly, but a toasty can be like a meal here with all that we put into ours.

The asda one is Salter.... 18 quid on offer!

We have a breville one and use it a lot for cheese and bacon toasties prepare to put on a few stones won't ever go back to a regular toasties maker

It's arriving on Friday and I'm very excited 😁 the dc will no doubt spend the weekend making waffles.

We use an old George Forman to make toasted sandwiches - just need to prop it up and does the same job.

Salter EK2143 Deep Fill 3-in-1 Snack Maker with Interchangeable Waffle, Panini and Toasted Sandwich Plates | 900 W, Silver https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01G3B023E/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_mT0.FbMX7PSCZ

This is the one I've ordered.

That's what I have. Do you remember I mentioned that the sandwich plates don't fit normal bread as it's too small....if you search the reviews for the product you can find the loaves that fit. (I can't remember as we just use the panini plates for a sandwich- the only downside on that is that I haven't been able to introduce the kids to the delight of a cheese and bean sandwich.....)

@redcandlelight

we have one for the microwave. the teens love it and use it most days.

Tell me more!