Best Non-Toxic (Teflon-Free) Sandwich Maker
Which is the best non toxic sandwich maker? Check these 5 teflon free options that will ensure your sandwiches are healthy, no matter how you bake them.
Most of us may not be conversant with the word Panini. Panini loosely translates to sandwich, delicious, crunchy, and crispy in Italy. You can prepare lunch and make it crunchier and crispier with the panini press. However, a non-toxic panini press is not an essential item in all kitchen spaces.
However, you will need the non-toxic panini press to make grilled melted-cheese sandwiches. Besides, the functionality of the panini press is not limited to panini making only as most of us assume. When it comes to performance, the non-toxic panini press is versatile. It comes in handy when making grilled chicken, vegetables and steaks. Here some of the best non-toxic sandwich makers in the market and what to look for when shopping for one.
Types of Non-Toxic Sandwich Makers
Non-toxic panini press is usually categorized according to the materials used and the types of plates.
Aluminum
Panini Press plates are usually made of aluminum which comes with several advantages. For instance, aluminum heats up quickly and is relatively cheap compared to other materials. However, as much as it heats up quite fast, it also loses it with the same speed. Consequently, you will need to switch it on repeatedly to retain the lost heat.
Cast Iron
Cast iron has no limitation of losing heat quickly unlike aluminum. Cast iron is likely to distribute heat evenly and is multi-faceted in terms of performance. Owing to prolonged heat retention, making grilled chicken, kabab, and steaks will not be a problem anymore. For better results, season oil on the iron plates frequently.
However, heating up takes a bit longer when it comes to cast iron plates since it’s heavier than aluminum. Sandwich makers made of cast iron are more expensive. It would be best if you put all these factors into consideration when looking for the best non-toxic sandwich maker.
Non-Stick
Just like aluminum materials, non-stick sandwich makers also tend to heat up faster. Cleaning a non-stick panini press is quite easy owing to its nature since food doesn’t stick on the plates. Non-stick sandwich makers are capable of preparing hygienic food since you will use very little oil. Plus, non-stick sandwich makers are inexpensive compared to the ones made of cast iron.
Non-stick panini makers have one disadvantage. Their surface is usually prone to damage. You need to be extra careful when using and cleaning it. Don’t use harder materials to clean the plates.
All the above are types of sandwich makers according to the plate’s material.
Buying Non-Toxic Sandwich Makers
Always be vigilant and do some research before purchasing any item. It’s therefore necessary to go through the buying guide for better results. Here are some factors to put into consideration when shopping for a non-toxic panini press:
Griddle or Grilled?
The answer to the above question is typically subjective. The choice between the two depends with the user and usually varies. There are different types of non-toxic panini makers. You can also get grooved bottom and top of your sandwich with panini grooved plates. Surprisingly, you can acquire a smoother bottom and grooved top sandwich with any side of this device.
Another alternative of cooking smooth-sided sandwich is by using the smooth plates only. You can choose griddle or grilled sandwich as you prefer.
Flexible Hinge
A flexible hinge will allow you to grill sandwiches with larger ciabatta. Moreover, you can use the floating hinge alternative to grill different sizes of steaks, kabab, and sandwich. It therefore means that you should always go for a non-toxic sandwich maker with a flexible hinge for versatility.
Removable Plates
You won’t experience any problem with the taste of your panini if the plates are properly fixed. The taste is the same whether the plates are fixed or removable. The only difference is in cleaning. Fixed plates are harder to clean compared to the removable ones. In this case, a sandwich maker with removable plates is usually better.
Temperature
You don’t have to check Panini press temperature options if you are only going to prepare sandwiches and wraps. However, for versatile functionality in terms of food preparation, temperature is an essential factor that should be put in consideration. Therefore, remember to always check the temperature control options of the panini press for diversity especially when making grilled foods.
Accessories
In the buying guide, the accessories part is always optional. Various Panini press companies provide different accessories in their packages. The accessories usually facilitate cooking and washing. So, check the manufacturers accessories offer.
Warranty and Price
Price is typically the most significant decisive factor for most people. Maintaining the right factor between quality and price is quite hard. However, in this article, we have narrowed down the choices of the best non-toxic sandwich makers in the market at affordable prices. Ensure you scan the price tag of the product before buying.
Additionally, check if the product comes with a warranty. The warranty policy varies from one manufacturer to the other. However, it’s always good to confirm if the product has warranty or not before purchasing.
Best Teflon-Free Sandwich Makers
Here are some of the best non-toxic panini press after thorough consideration of different features, quality, and performance.
1. Oster Titanium-Infused Duraceramic Panini Maker
You can buy this Oster Panini Maker for different reasons. First, this sandwich grill features a Duraceramic coating on the grill plates. The Duraceramic coating will allow you to grill non-toxic paninis in a short time. The size is also another enticing factor of this sandwich maker as you can prepare up to three sandwiches simultaneously.
What’s more, you can open the flexible hinge up to about 110 degrees to accommodate large chunks of food at the same time. The Panini press is made of a non-stick material which makes cleaning quite easy. Owing to the nature of non-stick materials, it tends to heat up faster. Besides, this Oster model also retains heat for longer and the temperature is equally adjustable for you to make a hygienic and healthy sandwich at a cheaper price.
Pros
- The plates are non-stick
- The panini maker has a Duraceramic coating
- It’s big enough
- The plates tend to heat up faster
- It comes with variable temperature control options
Cons
- The plates cannot be removed
2. George Foreman GRP4842P Multi-Plate Evolve Grill
George Foreman is a 3-in-1 essential kitchen item. George Foreman has several other cooking options which makes it more versatile unlike the Oster Panini Maker. It features three removable plates for making panini, waffle and grill.
The temperature control is the most unique feature of the George Foreman grill. To cook your food faster, you can raise the temperature of this grill up to about 500 degrees. What’s more, it features an LCD display for tracking the time and temperature. You can comfortably adjust the cook time and temperature to your liking.
The plates also make this model versatile. The package comes with three different types of removable plates usually for panini, grill, and waffle. The plates have a non-stick coating which makes it easy to clean as no food sticks on the plates. Besides, sandwich makers with non-stick coating tend to heat up faster than other materials. Just like other modern sandwich makers, the plates have a ceramic coating that comes in handy when making hygienic and healthy wraps.
Pros
- George Foreman is one of the best non-toxic sandwich makers
- It features a digital LCD display for time and temperature
- The plates are removable
- Versatile in terms of performance
- It’s a 3-in-1 kitchen essential
Cons
- It doesn’t have any shortcomings
3. Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press Grill
Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press is your best bet if you are working on a budget but still want the best in terms of quality. This electric grill is multi-purpose and guarantees amazing results when making panini, steaks, wraps, and fruit turnover.
The floating hinge is the most outstanding feature in this model which makes accommodating huge chunks of food relatively easy. The plates usually distribute heat evenly on both sides to make the sandwich brown perfectly.
Just like any other regular electric grill, the plates are also coated with a non-stick material which makes it easy to clean owing its nature. Hamilton Beach Panini Press is the best selling since it’s cheaper but has several limitations.
With this Hamilton Beach Grill model, you cannot adjust or control temperature. You will have to cook different food types with the same heat which is one of the limitations of this panini press. You will notice a whole lot of mess when grilling since it doesn’t have a drip tray. The electric grill also has fixed plates which makes cleaning quite hard.
Pros
- It’s satisfactorily sized
- Ideal for larger families
- The electric grill is affordable
- Best-selling product on Amazon
Cons
- The non-toxic sandwich maker doesn’t have a temperature control
- It doesn’t come with a drip tray to help avoid making a mess
- The plates are fixed which makes cleaning and washing hard
4. IMUSA USA GAU-80102 Large Electric Panini Press
IMUSA Large Electric Grill model has several unique features compared to other Teflon free sandwich makers. It offers the best in terms of functionality from making vegetables to meat. The plates are smooth on both sides and have a non-stick coating which makes it easy to wash. It therefore means that you can make griddle food on it.
IMUSA Electric Panini Press delivers uniform and even heat when cooking. Although it doesn’t come with any heat control options, you can use the indicators at the front to trace both temperature and power. The top part of the grill is coated with a material that looks like stainless steel while the cool touch handles eases transportation.
Pros
- IMUSA Electric Panini Maker is versatile in terms of performance
- It’s ideal for making griddle food
- It comes with a temperature and power indicator
- This electric grill is smartly engineered
Cons
- The electric grill is prone to damage
5. Breville BSG520XL Panini Duo Non-Stick Panini Press
Breville is the best brand when it comes to kitchen utensils. It’s safe to say that your kitchen won’t look complete without Breville products. The company is known to make quality products and this Panini Press isn’t an exception.
The main feature we are going to look at here is its power. This model operates at 1500 watts which means that the sandwich maker tends to heat up quite fast and gets the food done in seconds. Breville Panini Press additionally comes with two plates – a ribbed and a smooth one. The bottom of the plate is flat meant to distribute heat evenly when in use while the top part is ribbed.
The hinge is adjustable and this is another advantage of this kitchen utensil. It has a floating hinge that provides different positions to comfortably accommodate different food sizes according to quantity. What’s more, the package comes with a user guide on how to use and operate the Breville Duo Panini Maker. The package additionally features a recipe booklet to guide you in making different mouthwatering dishes.
Pros
- Breville is a popular brand known to make quality products
- Breville Panini Maker is made with top-quality materials
- It’s quite powerful
- It comes with a ribbed and flat lid
- The sandwich maker comes with a user guide and a recipe booklet
- It features four different floating hinges
Cons
- Cleaning this kitchen item is not easy
- It doesn’t have the temperature control option
Conclusion
After going through the buying guide and reviews on some of the best sandwich makers in the market, you can now comfortably shop around and get one according to your preference and taste.
