 Best combo of price/functionality/durability in a panini maker. |
| Review Date: November 7, 2005 |
| Reviewer: John C. Nanas, Brooklyn, NY |
For starters, you'll read a lot of reviews here referring to how Amazon ships the unit. I'm not sure if that's how they did it back then (these reviews seem to be older) but mine arrived very well packed, with the original packaging surrounded by filler, surrounded by a cardboard box marked 'FRAGILE' outside. Everything was completely intact when I received it.
Now to the unit itself. I'm pretty handy in the kitchen, and I have one of just about every crazy gadget imagineable. I had two criteria in mind when I bought this - heavyweight (for durability and to retain heat better while cooking) and powerful (to get enough heat in the first place).
My first paninis were made out of steak (top loin sirloin, which I sliced very, very thinly) which I cooked on the grill itself. The grill did a fantastic job of cooking the meat, leaving attractive grill marks and cooking it very evenly. I took a loaf of bread that I'd sliced per the instruction manual, and got cracking. Five minutes later, well done, nicely thinned, evenly cooked steak and cheese panini.
My observations - very strong and even cooking. The unit does feels like its worth more than you've paid for it, which is always good. The heftiness of the machine and the swinging hinge helps you take uneven sandwiches and turn them into evenly flattened and cooked paninis. The cleanup afterwards wasn't bad at all - although I'm sure one person's complaint here that the buildup will be more difficult over time is likely true. The only way I can see getting around that would be to have removeable plates, but that kind of feature is only found in units that are significantly more expensive - in other words, if you want it, you'll have to pay for it (like a Cuisinart Griddler at 4x the price).
My advice - if you're getting started with paninis, this is probably your best bet. Likewise if you're cost conscious. You may have the impression that this is a cheapo unit, and you'd be better off by paying more to get a higher quality unit - but unless there's some feature that you need that this one doesn't have (like those removeable plates, or an adjustable thermostat), I'd pass on that thinking - this bad boy is about as durable and performant as you're going to find, regardless of the price tag. |
Panini Heaven
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| Review Date: March 28, 2005 |
| Reviewer: pepperminta, CA |
After reading the reviews, I decided not to order it online because i didn't want it to arrive broken and found it both Macy's and Target for $39.99. I've only had it for a week, but we've been eating panini every day for lunch since I bought it - i refuse to part w/ it!! I've used sourdough bread (my favorite) and have used a variety of cheeses, pastramis, pepperoni, olive tapenade, roasted bell peppers to make the most delicious sandwiches.
The non-stick grilling plates are not removable, but that's ok - it cleans up very easily after the unit cools down.
It's true - the lights on the outside (red and green) are not very bright, but just plug it in and heat up for several minutes and you should be fine.
As far as not having an off/on switch, well due to my limited counter space, i can't store it on the counter anyhow - i slide it on top of my microwave for storage...so i wouldn't want to keep it plugged in all day (like my toaster or microwave) anyhow - it works fine for me.
I was looking at all of the other brands (cuisinart, villaware, krups) and I don't see how they can be so much better. This breadman panini maker is a HEAVY, sturdy piece of equipment.
For me, I wanted the following:
-something non-stick
-something sturdy/heavy
-something that heats up quickly
-something that will clean up easily
-something that will make perfect panini
This unit does all of that and more - and it's worth the $39.99 price - it's almost TOO cheap.
If you love panini and do not want to pay $80 to $130 for a panini maker, I would highly recommend this. I am very particular w/ my kitchenware and LIVE in the kitchen. I only want the best microwave/coffee maker/espresso maker etc....just because the price is so good doesn't mean it's a cheap piece of equipment. This performs, feels like, and looks like a $80-$100 piece of kitchenware. |
Heavy Duty Construction and Outstanding Value
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| Review Date: November 18, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Dannyglide, North Carolina |
Readers please do not fear receiving your unit from Amazon. My grill arrived gift wrapped in the cutest blue bag with a light green satin sash. The box was packaged most carefully with plenty of air bags and was marked fragile on each side of the box.
I would not trade this panini maker for any other brand.
The heavy duty construction performs perfectly and your guests will consider you a gourmet when you present them with perfectly grilled cuisine. Using a panini is the only way to eat a sandwich, bar none. Cooks Illustrated recommends using a cast iron pan and a bacon press...WRONG...not the same effect. The grooves on the unit are perfectly placed and the heating element allows you the perfect temperature givng your sandwich a crunchy, crispy outside and moist and tender inside with gooey melted cheese. YUM
Also, the streamline size allows for easy storage. |
I really like my panini maker
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| Review Date: April 5, 2005 |
| Reviewer: GamerGrl1974, Canton,Ny 13617 |
| For starters compared to other models and brands this one is reasonably priced.It cooks really well. Has the grids on it which makes the sandwich look nice. It can cook up to four regular sandwiches or 2 big ones. It's really good with rustic and artisian breads leaving them nice and crispy and crunch, It makes a really good gourmet style sandwich that you'd probably pay alot for in a restaraunt. I am unfamilar with them as do we do not have no area in my part of New York State which makes panini so I found out about them on my own and have began to make them. I really like them and the panini maker alot. |
What a deal!
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| Review Date: October 27, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Jill J, Florida |
| I bought my Breadman Panini Grill a few months ago; although, from reading other reviews about how the handle might break in shipping, I decided to buy mine at a Target store for about $40. I wasn't sure I'd use it all that often, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. I thought, if I use it enough, then I'll invest more money in a "nicer" one. But, no need - this is a GREAT grill!!! I mostly use it to make grilled sandwiches, and what a way to invest $40!!! My husband LOVES every sandwich that comes out of it. Even plain grilled cheese tastes better. You don't really need to spray the sandwiches with olive oil or spread with butter - I've forgotten to do that a couple of times, and nobody can tell the difference. I've made garlic bread on it too - I split open ciabatta rolls, sprayed with olive oil, sprinkled with italian herbs and granulated garlic then grill, once grilled, sprinkle w/freshly grated parmiagano-reggiano ~~~ YUM!!! My only COMPLAINTS: ***it's kind of big and a little difficult to store in a small kitchen (so, I store it in it's original box under the bed!!!)***the grill plates are not removable, but if you wait for it to cool completely, it wipes clean VERY easily with a paper towel. It also does not have an on/off switch, but that works for me so I don't forget to turn it off. If you're considering buying this grill, do it - you won't be sorry. |
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