When I posted about my tuna panini I received a question about panini grills, so I decided it was a good time to post my thoughts on it and why it works for me.
Quite a few years ago my mother in law gave me a George Foreman grill. I used it quite a bit, but after only a short time the non-stick coating wore off. I liked the idea of an indoor grill like this, but I knew I wanted a different brand. I searched around and checked reviews and I ended up with a Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler
and I love it. I have had it for at least three years and I use it quite a bit.
My favorite thing to make on it is panini sandwiches. We love them. We usually make ham and cheese or bacon and cheese. In the summer we also put tomatoes on them. They are so good and so easy for a quick summertime dinner.
I like to make panini sandwiches using either my Artisan Bread or my Foccacia recipe. They both work really well and it is a great way to use up leftover bread. You need to use a pretty sturdy bread to make panini. French bread flattens out quite a bit so an Artisan style bread works better.
You can easily make sandwiches like this on a regular griddle or grill pan. However, I think a grill like this works best . It cooks the sandwich from both sides. It also puts pressure on the sandwich that flattens it a little bit and gives it that panini look and grilled taste.
The one disadvantage to a panini maker it the size. I am noticing this more the older my kids get. I used to be able to make enough for all of us by just filling the grill once. Now it takes me twice to make enough for everyone. However, since this cooks quickly it does not take to much longer.
You can cook other things on this grill, but paninis are what I use it for the most.
Do you make paninis? What kinds do you make?
I’ve never made a panini — but this looks delicious!
Just stopping by from WFMW to check out your blog. It’s pretty spiffy. 🙂 And you have some great articles. I enjoyed reading the couple I looked at. You have officially gotten yourself another daily reader 🙂
Thanks for havin’ me and hope to see you over at my bloggy. Have a great week.
I still use my GF but I’ve looked at these. I’m afraid I wouldn’t use it enough and it would take up valuable space. But ohhhh…I love the way they make a panini PERFECT!
I’ve been eyeing these grills up and debating getting one. Maybe I’ll be lucky and get one for Christmas.
I have one similar and use it regularly. Love it.
I use my George Foreman grill to make paninis. I often make a caprese panini by spreading Italian salad dressing on the cut sides of a ciabatta roll and then filling the sandwich with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. Delicious!
I have the same panini grill. I find it very hard to clean. Do you have the same problem?
Erin, I actually find this one pretty easy to clean, but it is the model with removable plates. On my George Foreman grill the plates did not come out and it was a bit hard to clean especially if I cooked something like meat on it.
Thanks for the post answering my original question! That grill looks awesome. I may have to save my pennies & get one. There are only two of us, so it would work just fine.
I have this panini press and I love it. It is so versatile. I use it at least once a week. I am just getting started on the Artisian bread and can’t wait to try it out on it.
I have been cooking since childhoon when there were no panini grills. We have always made grilled sandwiches in the versatile black cast iron slillet which gives the same results but without the grill marks. Of course you do have to flip the sandwich once. This way there is one less piece of equipment to have in one’s cabinets or pantry.