We had panini all over Sicily for lunches--grilled sandwiches with fillings like ham and cheese or tomato with cheese and eggplant (my favorite "Alla Norma." They are a way to make a meal out of simple fillings and good bread --with some soup and salad you even have dinner.
So this press is simple and not terribly expensive. But it has some flaws, but if you can deal with them, it's a good buy as as reliable as a waffle iron.
1. The lid gets HOT HOT HOT. As in burn you bad. The grill below the lid is not insulated so NO CHILDREN operating this--and frankly no one easily forgetful. Use a silicone mitt to lift it when the sandwich is grilled. Oh, and that lid stays HOT after you finish grilling for quite some time. Oh, and no temp control or on-off.
2. Not much in the way of an instruction book; a small, finely printed slim pamphlet.
3. Short cord. It barely went from the counter to the outlet behind.
4. No removable plates, so you will be cleaning it with a soft wet cloth when it cools.
Now that the complaints are aired, I have to say, it made a well baked sandwich quickly and easily. Be sure to use a bread like ciabatta or Italian bread, not fluffy regular sandwich bread. The reason for this --the airy types of bread dry out as they bake in the panini press. Ciabatta rolls are used all over Italy and brushed with olive oil, they are crusty but not dry.
As to Panini alla Norma, make a "Norma" pasta sauce (tomato sauce, eggplant, onion and a little garlic) and add slices of ricotta salata (dry ricotta aged in salt.) You can use feta for the ricotta salata, it's hard to find in the US but you can make it at home. The eggplant cubes are often baked in recipes, don't do that. Fry those cubes well and drain. Seriously, they need to be SOFT and SUCCULENT and not dry from baking. You can try air fry but douse with olive oil. Anyway you cut your eggplant (thin slices, cubes) make sure you cook it to gooey softness.
One more warning; the filling will be boiling hot when you take the panino out to slice it. Again, caution and wait to bite into it if you don't want a burned mouth.
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From the manufacturer
Enjoy restaurant-style sandwiches at home for a fraction of the cost.
Use your own fresh ingredients to make a variety of hot savory sandwiches, paninis, quesadillas, personal pizzas, open-face sandwiches and appetizers right on your countertop.
Hamilton Beach products are thoughtfully designed to make your life easier. We use consumer insights and in-depth research to deliver the best solution to your everyday needs.
Whether it's preparing delicious meals and beverages effortlessly, or making your clothes look their best, you can count on the brand that has spent over 100 years creating products with you in mind.
Hamilton Beach Panini Press & Gourmet Sandwich Maker with 10" x 8" Nonstick Grill Plates
The 10" x 8" nonstick top and bottom grill plates are large enough to fit one large sandwich, two regular-sized sandwiches or two quesadillas.
Since both plates are heated, there's no need to flip sandwiches to cook on both sides. The plates are ribbed to leave grill marks on your sandwiches and other foods just like in restaurants. The floating top plate makes it easy to evenly grill thicker sandwiches like Reubens. Lock the cover in place above food to melt cheese on open-face sandwiches or lock completely open to reheat pizza or make bruschetta.
- Sasy to use with a built-in, green ready light that illuminates when it's hot enough to grill
- Storage latch locks the sandwich maker closed to compactly store in a kitchen cabinet, drawer or discreetly on your countertop
- Just wipe the top and bottom nonstick plates when cool for easy cleanup
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Versatility on Your CountertopGreat for making a variety of hot savory sandwiches, paninis, quesadillas, personal pizzas, open-face sandwiches and appetizers. |
Fits Larger Sandwiches & QuesadillasThe 10" x 8" nonstick top and bottom grill plates fit two quesadillas, one large sandwich or two regular-sized sandwiches. The plates are ribbed to leave grill marks on your sandwiches and other foods. |
Evenly Press Thick or Thin SandwichesThe floating top plate accommodates and evenly presses sandwiches whether they're thin or piled high. Great for making thick sandwiches like Reubens and subs. |
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Easily Melts CheeseLock the cover in place at different heights above food to melt cheese on open-face sandwiches, or lock completely open when reheating pizza or making bruschetta. |
Compact Upright StorageThe storage latch locks the sandwich maker closed to compactly store in a kitchen cabinet, drawer or discreetly on your countertop. |
Green Means GoThe built-in, green ready light will illuminate when the press is ready to cook your sandwich. For best results, preheat 6 minutes before use. |
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iSiLER Panini maker
iSiLER US
Perfect for these reubens, grilled cheese or paninis. The ready light does cycle on & off as a temperature control limit. There is no drain groove for grease to run off, so probably not ideal for a juicy cut of meat.Not what I bought it for.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 29, 2023
Color: Chrome FinishPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 14, 2023
Color: Chrome FinishPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 14, 2023
Color: RedPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
Perfect for these reubens, grilled cheese or paninis. The ready light does cycle on & off as a temperature control limit. There is no drain groove for grease to run off, so probably not ideal for a juicy cut of meat.
Not what I bought it for.
Not what I bought it for.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 10, 2023
Color: RedPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
After reading a lot of reviews I wasn't sure about buying this item. However it is one of the best purchase I've made lately. I use a smart switch to turn it on and off without having to unplug it from the wall. I have made the best Panini sandwiches with this. I use it everyday :)
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Top reviews from other countries
Gord Blair
Works well but has its issues
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 18, 2022Color: RedPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Broken item. 110volt appliance unsuitable for India where voltage ...
Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on December 20, 2017Color: Chrome FinishPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
ABC
Boyfriend practically worships it lol
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 27, 2022Color: Chrome FinishPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
Diane Ivanoff
Works great
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 11, 2022Color: RedPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
jodie f
Ridges are harder to clean than a flat surface
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 21, 2022Color: RedPattern Name: GrillVerified Purchase
