I bought a panini press! Now what?

[TdeV]

I'd like to buy a used panini press (from Goodwill or similar).

What are some good brands or models to look for?

(And should I be reposting this in its own thread?)

TIA.

 

 

[rotuts]

@TdeV

 

thats a good idea.  check and make sure the non-stick coating is in good shape.

 

no idea about brands , sorry .

[ElsieD]

We have the Breville "The Smart Grill" and are happy with it.  I am a big fan of Breville products, I haven't needed to replace any of them.

[Smithy]

@TdeV, since you'll be looking in the thrift stores you probably can't afford to be too picky about brands or models. I got lucky with mine because Cuisinart had triggered my lust over a decade ago and that's what I spotted. I wouldn't have turned my nose up at a Brevillle! As far as model numbers, though, that's getting pretty specific. I agree with @rotuts about making sure the nonstick coating seems to be in good shape. 

 

Whatever the brand, I'd look for something that opens flat and has flippable surfaces (flat and ridge). I'd also look for something with temperature controls. (Mine does; though I suspect it doesn't get as hot as it claims, it gets hot enough for my uses.) A removable drip tray is also a plus. The little plastic brackets for winding the cord for storage were broken on mine, and that isn't a problem for me.

[TdeV]

My friend came to dinner last night bringing a Cuisinart Griddler Model GR-4NTK. 120V AC 60Hz 1500W Non stick coating looks in good shape; my friend thinks it's essentially new.

$9

I found a Cuisinart user manual for CGR-4NWC.

 

No cleaning tools that I've been able to find.

 

What do you use to clean the griddle?

 

[rotuts]

I just use a paper towel. 

 

its true , its not the easy to get between the grill ridges.

 

so ball up a PT for that.

[Tropicalsenior]

3 minutes ago, TdeV said:

What do you use to clean the griddle?

I always just used soap and water and a green Scotch Brite.

[Tropicalsenior]

1 minute ago, rotuts said:

its true , its not the easy to get between the grill ridges.

That is true. I keep a soft nail brush by the sink for for jobs like that.

[gfweb]

This thread made me find our pannini maker and start using it again. For once I didn't have to buy it 😃

It does make a sandwich a bit more special.

[rotuts]

@gfweb

 

try the light mayo coating on the two outer surfaces .

 

be prepared to make  a second sandwich .

[TdeV]

Previously I had downloaded a manual for the Cuisinart Griddler. Not the same model as mine, and from Canada, but I thought it should work. Curiously there are no instructions for putting bread in the griddle. I would say that most of the pictures I've seen of eGullleters' usage of panini presses involves bread.

 

Recently, my friend went to San Francisco and brought me back a sourdough boule with garlic and Asiago. Soon, nothing was left but the two round ends.

 

Today I buttered up those boule-ends with mayo and tried to put a slice ham in between. They were almost impossible to hold onto, and the griddle had little interest in holding them steady.

 

Nevertheless, I persisted. I tried medium heat for 7 minutes.

 

The heat squished the bread flat!

 

Too ugly for a photograph, but tasty.

 

[Tropicalsenior]

12 minutes ago, TdeV said:

Too ugly for a photograph, but tasty.

Nothing is too ugly for a photo if it tastes good. Your description of that bread had me absolutely drooling.

The next time that you wind up with two ends like that try slicing a tiny bit of bread off each bottom so that it has a flat place to rest in the Panini Press.

One sandwich that is definitely worth making is a Cubano. Put a good mustard (anything but yellow mustard) and layer it with Swiss cheese, a slice of ham, a couple slices of roast pork and finish it with dill pickle slices. They are meant to be pressed flat and glued together with the melty cheese. Absolutely delicious.

Edited Saturday at 06:14 PM by Tropicalsenior (log)

[TdeV]

2 minutes ago, Tropicalsenior said:

Nothing is too ugly for a photo if it tastes good. Your description of that bread had me absolutely drooling.

The next time that you wind up with two ends like that try slicing a tiny bit of bread off each bottom so that it has a flat place to rest in the Panini Press.

One sandwich that is definitely worth making is a Cubano. Put a good mustard (anything but yellow mustard) and layer it with Swiss cheese, a slice of ham, a couple slices of roast pork and finish it with dill pickle slices. They are meant to be pressed flat and glued together with the melty cheese. Absolutely delicious.

 

Okay! I'll try it soon. 😄

[ElsieD]

1 hour ago, Tropicalsenior said:

Nothing is too ugly for a photo if it tastes good. Your description of that bread had me absolutely drooling.

The next time that you wind up with two ends like that try slicing a tiny bit of bread off each bottom so that it has a flat place to rest in the Panini Press.

One sandwich that is definitely worth making is a Cubano. Put a good mustard (anything but yellow mustard) and layer it with Swiss cheese, a slice of ham, a couple slices of roast pork and finish it with dill pickle slices. They are meant to be pressed flat and glued together with the melty cheese. Absolutely delicious.

We make these often using the panini press.  Best sandwich ever!  But I confess to using yellow mustard.

[rotuts]

the Cubano is a mighty fine sandwich .

 

its the pickle that elevates it 

 

and the roast pork .  but the pork is very hard to find unless you make it yourself.

[ElsieD]

10 minutes ago, rotuts said:

the Cubano is a mighty fine sandwich .

 

its the pickle that elevates it 

 

and the roast pork .  but the pork is very hard to find unless you make it yourself.

We're lucky re: the pork.  There is one store around it that sells it.