Tag: sandwich makers

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Grill Types

Contact Grills

Need a contact grill? Are you stuck inside your apartment again, nothing in the kitchen cabinets but ramen, spaghetti, and frozen pizza?

Are you in need of a hot sandwich, but can’t fit an oven in your tiny workspace?  Maybe what you need is a contact grill.

Contact grills (the smaller ones are just called sandwich makers) have seated surfaces not only beneath your food, but over it as well.  The food is sealed in, giving you a quick, easy bite of homecooked tastiness.

The George Foreman Grill is a great example.  It is, in fact, the “iPod” of contact electric grills.  Just as the iPod is the only mp3 player people want to buy, the George Foreman Grill is the premier contact grill on the market.

Contact Grills: Features

Most contact grills are cleverly designed to have a low footprint.  They use nonstick surfaces that often press the food into a unique, hot pocket-ish shape.  They’re also extremely easy to clean—often more so than the dishes you eat the food off of—and don’t produce the smoke that larger grills do.  Fantastic for dorm rooms or small apartments, they’re are often the lowest-priced variety of grill.  Though they are designed for a specific purpose that sets them apart from other types, they definitely fill a need.

Contact Grills: Pros and Cons

Contact Grills make fantastic sandwiches.  More expensive varieties are used to produce premium deli-style Panini sandwiches in restaurants.  Smaller indoor grills can produce a similar culinary effect, lightly crisping the outside of a sandwich and making the inside warm and tasty.

This type of grill is definitely not for the barbecue.  You won’t find yourself making standard-issue hamburgers on these grills.  Typically, a consumer-level contact grill does not produce the same variety of dishes that charcoal or propane grills can.  They are unique, and therefore are used to make unique foods.

They are often small, highly portable, and inexpensive.

Contact Grills: Is it for you?

Though small and specific in purpose, indoor grills definitely hold a special place among the varieties of grills found in the marketplace.  If you’re on a budget, live in a tight space, and need your food cooked fast, then there’s no question you should purchase one.  If you’re looking to hold an epic, porterhouse steak bar-b-q, then you’ll probably want to look into something else.

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Categories
Grill Types

Sandwich Makers

Have you ever wondered what makes a soup and sandwich shop so popular, especially at lunchtime? Maybe it’s the sandwich maker they are using.

Nothing beats a grilled sandwich with melting cheese and a bowl of hot soup; there’s just something about using sandwich makers that fits the menu and fills the stomach.

Sandwich Makers: Features

The key to a great sandwich is the melted cheese and of course the grill marks, and a good sandwich maker helps you achieve that goal. With nonstick sides and a flexible hinge, you can turn out perfect sandwiches every time; the flexible hinge is especially important if you want to use thicker slices of bread.

Some grills come with interchangeable plates for different textures and grill lines or even different food items. Be sure to look for a heat-resistant exterior with a built-in thermostat; depending on your preference, you can get a cordless model or one with a built-in plug system. A built-in timer and dinger to let you know when your sandwich is done will free you up to get the soup on and brew some iced tea. And almost all sand wich makers come with a host of recipes to try; you will definitely be thinking outside the box.

Sandwich Makers: Pros and Cons

The great thing about these portable grills (electric sandwich makers) is the versatility; they make so much more than sandwiches. You can cook up ham and cheese omelets, loaded French toast, and even meat dishes. Of course, you are limited to making two at a time, but the combinations are limitless. This small appliance fits anywhere in your kitchen, and it is easy to clean. And for the cost of one trip to the local soup and sandwich shop, you can have your own sandwich maker to try out your own concoctions; who knows you may get your own show on the Food Network.

Sandwich Makers: Is It For You?

If you like a cooked to perfection grilled cheese sandwich with a hot bowl of soup, then you definitely need to invest in a sandwich maker grill. And with a host of top names to choose from, including Cuisineart, Chefmate, George Foreman, Black & Decker, and more, you are sure to find what you are looking for. And don’t forget the creativity; with a sandwich maker on the counter, you can dish up a sandwich bonanza fit for a gourmet chef.

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