Sandwich Makers
On a cold and rainy day, is anything better than a warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich? But, when you go to make it in the toaster oven or on the range, it comes out far less than perfect. Consider upgrading to a sandwich maker-an appliance dedicated to this exact problem. An electric sandwich maker perfectly presses the bread and its contents into a balanced, piping hot, delicious creation as extensive as your imagination.
There are two basic types of sandwich makers  available. The first is the familiar "four triangles" sandwich maker, which makes two toasty sandwiches each halved diagonally. And for the budding chefs in all of us, there are panini presses, which are similar to an indoor grill. Grilled panini sandwiches are becoming increasingly popular, and these small grills can bring the magic of an Italian cafe straight to your kitchen.
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Four Triangles-Style Sandwich Maker - These are available in a variety of sizes, but the four triangle style is the most common.
- Has advantage of sealing melted cheese and other ingredients in a pouch of bread.
- Less versatile than indoor grill or panini press styles.
- Excellent for grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade pizza pockets.
- Great for making snacks, since individual sections are not that large.
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Panini Press - Becoming widely available due to increase in popularity of paninis. Also good for quesadillas.
- Great for a variety of sandwiches of different heights and sizes.
- Can also be used similarly to an indoor grill.
- However, not all of them close all the way, unlike an indoor grill.
- They usually run for $50 or more, which is more than double an average priced sandwich maker.
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Product Recommendation- Panini presses are trendy right now, so there are a lot more reviews for panini presses than for pocket sandwich makers on Amazon.
- Based on the reviews on Amazon, the Breadman TR456 appears to be the all-around winner. It maintains a 4.5 star average with 47 reviews.
- However, users say that there are some drawbacks to this machine. It lacks an on/off switch, it can be difficult to clean, and it is rather bulky and heavy.
- It has a heavy top, which is a key factor in creating the grill marks for a perfect panini. It also heats up quickly and thoroughly, stores vertically and has a cord storage area built into the base.
- Costs about $40.
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What to Look For in a Sandwich Maker- Capacity -- Do you want to make only one sandwich at a time, or do you need the extra large four sandwich size?
- Ease of Cleaning -- Is the interior surface removable for easy cleaning? Does it feature a non-stick finish? Is the whole unit dishwasher safe?
- Variable Heat -- Some models have more than one heat setting, allowing for a range of cooking temperatures. It gives you the most control from warming to cooking your sandwiches. It also gives you the possibility of using the sandwich maker to make waffles.
- Timer -- Some models have a timer, others do not. Decide how important it is to be able to walk away from the sandwich maker while doing something else.
- Optional Attachments -- Some have additional inserts for waffles or cookies.
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