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I’ve loved panini presses since I was a kid, but back then, my family’s go-to press was this triangle sandwich maker. While a sandwich made on the stovetop with a chef’s press is just as delicious, to me, there’s alway been a magic to opening up the lid and revealing a sandwich that’s beautifully golden brown on both sides (no flipping!). Panini presses have come a long way since my childhood triangle sandwich maker, and the Cuisinart Elite Griddler is a great example of just how far.
This model out-pressed the competition during our tests, producing evenly pressed and heated sandwiches that had beautiful grill marks thanks to its deep grill plates. Even fully-stuffed Cubano sandwiches were no match for its floating hinge lids. The Cuisinart Elite Griddler was also a top pick when it came to usability, with intuitive heat controls and a generous cooking surface area large enough for a family. This high-end press usually comes with a high-end price, but right now, it’s on rare sale at Amazon.
Cuisinart Elite Griddler
Amazon
Why It Won Our Review
Beyond making the most café-worthy paninis in our tests, the Elite Griddler proved to be more than a unitasker. Since it’s able to open up fully to lay flat and comes with detachable, reversible plates, it doubles as a griddler and an indoor grill. While we’re more likely to sear a burger on a cast iron grill pan, or, well, a grill, for those who are cooking for a bigger crowd but don’t have access to outdoor space will find the Elite Griddler to be an efficient and convenient solution.
Sunday breakfasts will be easier to cook than ever, especially with independent temperature controls for each side so you can have eggs and bacon sizzling on one half while pancakes firm up on the other. Plus, the plates are dishwasher-safe, so despite the deeper grooves that trap more food particles, clean-up is still easily accomplished. Right now, the all-rounder panini press that does more than just press paninis is on sale for 21% off.
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 14 x 15.5 x 8.25 inches
- Weight: 17.4 pounds
- Grill grate depth: 8.1 millimeters
- Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic
- Temperature Range: 200-450°F
- Display: Electronic LCD display with LED indicator lights
- Cooking surface: 240 square inches
- Wattage: 1800 watts
- Functions: Contact grill, panini press, full grill, full griddle, half grill/half griddle, and top melt
FAQs
What can you cook with a Cuisinart Elite Griddler?
Aside from pressing sandwiches, Cuisinart says that the Elite Griddler can be used to cook burger patties, steak, chicken breasts, and vegetables. When expanded into a flat surface, the model can be used as a griddle to cook pancakes, eggs, sausages, or bacon.
How do you clean a Cuisinart Elite Griddler?
The detachable plates, plastic scraper tool, and drip tray are dishwasher-safe (top rack only). Wipe the external surface with a dry or damp cloth, but avoid abrasive cleaners and metal utensils so as to not damage the nonstick surface.
Is the Cuisinart Elite Griddler nonstick?
Yes, the grill plates on the Elite Griddler are nonstick. To keep them in good condition, refrain from using metal utensils. Also, avoid using nonstick spray as that can damage the existing nonstick coating.
Why We’re The Experts
- An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
- An has been writing about food and home cooking for nearly ten years.
- After years of experimenting, An has perfected the grilled cheese and tomato soup combo in her household. (The secret is fennel in the soup and really good sourdough bread for the sandwiches.)