Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler

by Cuisinart

Product Features

• 4-in-1 unit functions as contact grill, panini press, open grill, or griddle
• Brushed stainless-steel housing; indicator lights; sturdy panini-style handle
• Floating hinge adjusts to thickness of food; adjustable temperature controls
• Dishwasher-safe nonstick cooking plates drain grease away from food
• Measures 13 by 11-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches; limited 90-day warranty

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 11.2 x 6.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000KE1UTQ
• Item model number: GR-4
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,373 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #38 in Kitchen & Dining > Small Appliances > Specialty Appliances > Sandwich Makers & Panini Presses

Product Description

A floating hinge and two sets of cooking plates turn this multifunctional unit into a contact grill, panini press, large open grill, or griddle. Made of brushed stainless steel, this four-in-one, space-saving appliance offers cooking options that range from pancakes, sausages, and grilled cheese to fish, hamburgers, and panini. Its floating hinge adjusts to the thickness of food, while adjustable temperature controls ensure food is cooked properly. The unit features a sturdy panini-style handle and convenient indicator lights, as well as nonstick grill and griddle plates that are removable, dishwasher-safe, and designed to drain grease away from food for healthier cooking. Two dishwasher-safe drip cups to collect grease are included, plus a dishwasher-safe scraping tool for easy cleanup. The unit measures 13 by 11-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches and carries a limited 90-day warranty. --Catie Unger

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great at first, but does not last..., December 31, 2006

By 

L. T. Beasimer "www.LBphoto.net" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler (Kitchen)

I bought the Griddler in February of 2005 and have taken care to ensure it lasts. The Griddler is heavy and sturdily constructed. It heats up quickly, and cleans up even faster. We have used it for panini, grilling meat, and toasting burger buns. The unit can be used either as a panini/grill press with the floating top or opened up to use as a griddle.

The base of the unit heats up and maintains temperature better than the top. This creates uneven toasting of the Panini or other items. It's not so much of a problem using as a griddle, since one side will simply cook faster than the other.

After a year the nonstick surface has started pealing off of the grill plates. I have never used metal on the nonstick surface and have taken great care to preserve the finish. Perhaps it is in the design or a fate of nonstick coated products in general, but the now I will have to take care not to get pieces of the nonstick surface in my food.

The Griddler comes with interchangeable dishwasher safe griddle and grill plates with a lock and release system that is intuitive to use. The plates easily release with the press of a button for cleaning. To place the plates back on the Griddler, one simply rests the plates in the groves located towards the rear or bottom and snaps the front or top into place. The plates don't consistently stay attached in the top section like they once did. It's very annoying trying to reposition a hot plate back into place.

On the surface, the Griddler has the looks and design to be a great product. Cuisinart has some bugs to work out to attain even heating and plates that last. If I were to buy a new panini press, I would not look to Cuisinart again. As a matter of fact, I now enjoy using a Breville 800GRXL Indoor Barbeque and Grill instead.

PROS:
Heavy and sturdily construction
Heats up and cleans quickly

CONS:
Non-stick surface does not last
Uneven heating

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good- but with some reservations, March 30, 2007

By 

Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler (Kitchen)

This is the fourth countertop grill I've purchased- which says something about the quality of most consumer grills- and I was hoping it woul;d be the best, given the price. It does look substantial, and it is in some ways- but not all.

On the plus side, the grill and griddle plates are indeed substantial. They take a while to heat up- much longer than the grills I've had in the past- and they hold their heat well. You can put a piece of frozen meat on the grill and it won't cool down. That's a big plus when you're cooking preformed hamburgers, as many like to do. And the grill plates remove from the unit for cleaning- a very big plus, in my book.

It's large enough to cook two large sandwiches, or four (or more) small burgers, at once. You can do enough chicken breasts or thighs for a family of four. High points there.

What troubles me are some of the details. The switches look substantial, but they're really quite flimsy, and I think a possible failure point. The power cord is really minimal, and you have to be carefull not to let it near the cook top, as it could melt and short in an instant. I think this is a rather serious flaw. And like most table-top griddles, the provision for collecting excess grease and water is nothing more than a pair of plastic cups.

As for the dual-purpose design- yes, you can open the grill up and use it as a griddle, but why would you want to? It's much easier, and much less messy, to cook your pancakes and bacon on the kitchen range. This "feature" adds complexity without adding much functionality.

As mine is a reconditioned unit, these objections aren't as important as if I'd paid the full price, but they're still areas for concern. I'll just have to see how well it lasts.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pannini Grill, January 1, 2007

By 

Slice&Dice (Wine Country NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Factory-Reconditioned Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler (Kitchen)

mediocre design - heats unevenly, overcooks directly over heat coils while center area undercooks. Grease from top grill drips down on to counter when the top of the unit is lifted. Can do as well with a cheap foreman grill..