There is a sandwich made by an oven and then there is a delicious crispy sandwich made by a Panini press.
Well, you might not have understood my point above but the message I am trying to put across is that while you can make a sandwich with an oven, the quality and taste does not beat that you can make with a Panini press.
A Panini press is one of the most versatile kitchen appliances you can use it to make different types of breakfast buffet whether eggs, toast bread and more.
Moreover, having a Panini press in your restaurant business will allow you to serve your customers hot and delicious sandwich.
But here is the tricky part of it: choosing the best Panini press for your kitchen.
If it’s your first time to buy this special kitchen appliance, you can get overwhelmed to choose from the plethora of Panini press models out there.
But you are lucky to have come across this post by village-bakery.com because I am about to share the factors to consider when shopping for a Panini press.
…And without much ado, let’s dive right inside.
Panini Press Buying Guide
Plate Material
A Panini press comes with plates that are made with different types of materials including steel, chrome, cast iron, and aluminum.
Most Panini presses out there come with plates made of steel. This makes them durable, easy to clean, and capable of conducting heat fast. Nevertheless, they are a bit costly to maintain.
Similarly, cast iron is a good conductor of heat and is cheaper. However, it tends to rust easily and is heavy to carry.
Aluminum on the other hand also conducts heat very well and is not as heavy as cast iron. But it’s prone to damage. Chrome is easy to use and is smooth. But you can use sharp materials or abrasive cleaning agents on it since it gets damaged easily.
Therefore, examine each material carefully and choose the best that you can work with.
Size
The size to buy depends on the number of people you intend to serve. That means if you will make food on the Panini press for more people, then you need to choose a large one, the opposite applies for a Panini press intended to cook dishes for few people.
Usually, commercial Panini presses come with large cooking areas than home models. Therefore, if you intend to use it in your business restaurant, you need to determine the number of customers you serve. You will also need to examine the place you will be storing your kitchen appliance. If your kitchen has a small counter space, then you need a small Panini press.
Does it Come with Detachable Plates
If you are like me then you must admit that when it comes to cooking, cleaning is the most hectic part for you.
After you have made eggs or sandwiches with your Panini press, cleaning it can be overwhelming.
This is, in fact, a challenge for busy people who are always on the go. So, to be on the safe side, ensure to choose Panini press that is made with removable plates. Most removable plates are dishwasher safe, so, you just need to detach them and put them in a dishwasher for cleaning.
The Thickness of the Plates
There are three major groups of Panini press plates: The first one is Standard which is a half inch, followed by Medium three-quarters inch, and Heavy duty which is one inch thick. Thicker plates are good since they keep more heat which makes them ideal for making frozen foods. Thinner plates are ideal for handling light foods like sausages, sandwiches, and ground meat.
Cord Length
Looks like it’s just a needless factor to consider, doesn’t it?
Well, this is also another important thing to keep in mind before you buy a Panini press for your kitchen.
Different kitchens have different layouts, if you happen to have one power outlet that serves many appliances then you must choose a Panini press with an extended cord.
Last but not all, the price of the Panini press is also another important thing you should consider. But when considering the price, understand that you get what you pay for.
