Panini Grills

One of the most pleasant eating experiences of my life occurred while living in Perugia, Italy when I was a student, many years ago (back when Abraham Lincoln was President). I used to have my morning café in the “bar” with some wonderful Italian concoctions known as “panini.” These little sandwiches were prepared in a myriad of ways; my favorite was a mysterious egg mixture that was literally out of this world. No one would say how these little sandwiches were made and when one would inquire, one would get merely a shrug of a well-seasoned Italian shoulder. Now with the Panini Grill, you can make your own marvelous little sandwiches and you don’t even need a passport (or an Italian shoulder)!

Even though there are many fine panini grills on the market today, for our purposes, we will concentrate on three major brands: DeLonghi, Krups and Villaware.

The DeLonghi Panini Grill has a retro-look to it as it makes pressed Italian-style sandwiches quickly and easily. It can also cook meat, fish and vegetables with no sweat as the non-stick plates are hinged so that they can perfectly adjust to any thickness of sandwich imaginable. A round, polished knob lets you set and view the correct temperature through a little glass window. The DeLonghi Panini Grill measures 13 inches X 14 inches, and locks for upright storage. It comes with a little book of recipes for making more than 60 different types of panini and bruschetta. The major complaint by reviewers is the lack of an on/off switch. One has to use the plug, which is not so convenient. The price range for the DeLonghi Panini Grill is $80-90 dollars.

The Krups Sandwich/Panini Maker is priced between the $80-120 dollar range. The grill, which measures 106 square inches (the largest of the three) is two-sided and features a nonstick rubbed surface that will allow for easy removal of sandwiches once they are cooked. The cool-touch chrome exterior ensures safe operation. Like its competitor, it too comes with a cookbook.

The VillaWare Pro Press Panini Grill is a bit cheaper than its competitors at a price of about $66 dollars, but it has just as much to offer in its own unique way. The grilling surface is 11 inches X 9 inches, and this commercial-style panini grill is the only one of its kind that makes restaurant quality pressed sandwiches and also grills meat for healthy, low-fat meals. The cooking surface heats up quickly and stays hot because of its cast aluminum construction and also because the heating element is embedded directly beneath both the top and bottom surface of the grill. Seven different cooking temperatures are available via an adjustable control and a green light indicates when the panini grill has reached the desired heat. Like the other panini grills, it also comes with a one-year warranty.

And so, my friends, the green light remains on, and it is up to you to forge ahead. On to Panini-Land, armed with a panini-maker of your own choosing.

Which one will it be?

Well, I would prefer that mysterious egg mixture myself!

Buona Fortuna!

For more information:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-CGH800-U-Retro-Panini-Grill/dp/B0000AZK80

panini grills