Panini Press....even better than my Instant Pot

[Ottakee]

I am LOVING my new panini press I bought myself for Christmas.

We have made many sandwiches on it with regular bread, fancy breads, hamburger buns, tortillas, etc.  We have filled them with lunch meat and cheese, pizza sauce and cheese (and toppings), Mexican fillings, etc.  My super picky guy likes cheese between 2 flour tortillas grilled for a few minutes.

 

Right now I am eating a grilled burrito.  I warmed up a flour tortilla and put taco seasoned shredded chicken, some refried beans, and taco cheese on it and rolled it up like a burrito and grilled in the press for a few minutes.  Topped it off with guacamole and fresh queso.  Last night when I made them I had fresh tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream as well.

 

I do like my instant pot and used that today to boil eggs but this panini press is getting a much more frequent workout. 

[ondreeuh]

How is it different than using a skillet? I mean, aside from the obvious part about cooking two sides at once. ;)

[umsami]

You just reminded me to get out my Mom's panini press when we go visit.  For a few years, that was our fun go-to gadget.  We loved making breakfast sandwiches using a croissant (or bread), cheese, scrambled eggs, and breakfast meat for those who like it.  They were so yummy!

[Ottakee]

How is it different than using a skillet? I mean, aside from the obvious part about cooking two sides at once. ;)

It makes fun little lines in the food and no need to used butter, etc. I find it faster since it does do both sides at once and I can do 2 sandwiches at the same time. It can also press down the sandwich which is nice for some thicker ones. Just fun and easy to use.

[MEmama]

How is it different than using a skillet? I mean, aside from the obvious part about cooking two sides at once. ;)

That's what I wonder too. DH wanted to get me one, but a cast iron skillet is so easy and there's no clean up or need for yet another appliance. That's me, though. I'm glad you are enjoying your new toy! :)

 

Disclaimer: I've never found a crock pot to be easier than a regular pot, either. So clearly I have issues. :)

[historically accurate]

I used my George Foreman grill as a panini press for a while and then fell out of the habit. Hmmm, I should dig that out of the cupboard - the kids made their own sandwiches when they could press them!

[RegGuheert]

That's a sacrilegious thread title if I ever saw one! :lol:

[Mabelen]

Please, don't tempt me. I don't have enough space to keep another appliance. It is one that I have looked in the past as a wouldn't it be nice to have.

[Ottakee]

I do like the instant pot but I am a crock pot lover. I think part of it is the learning curve. Last week I made a roast for Sunday dinner in the Instant pot. Problem was it wasn't done and I had to repressurize and then cook more. With my crock pot I would have known how long to make it fall apart tender.

[kewb]

That's what I wonder too. DH wanted to get me one, but a cast iron skillet is so easy and there's no clean up or need for yet another appliance. That's me, though. I'm glad you are enjoying your new toy! :)

 

Disclaimer: I've never found a crock pot to be easier than a regular pot, either. So clearly I have issues.

 

You could get a cast iron panini press to use with your skillet. 

[Anne in CA]

I use butter with the panini press. I guess I am super bad, lol.

[38carrots]

Which model do you have? I love my Instant pot and use it like mad. Maybe I need a panini press. :drool5:

[littlebug42]

I don't have an instant pot (yet), but we love our panini press.  It gets a lot of use around here.  I do still use butter with it, especially with grilled cheese.  Mine is a Cuisinart.  

 

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/cuisinart-reg-griddler-trade-panini-press/1014339264?skuId=14339264&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenelectrics_&adpos=1o3&creative=160101884793&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=14339264&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-f3CBRCbluKf4vu008kBEiQAl-iGq2CZWNhHOJU56-38LqOYNUWfpwUCC_BhuBgItRc1IsEaAlPM8P8HAQ

[Annie G]

I use butter with the panini press. I guess I am super bad, lol.

I use butter, too. Flavor!!!

[kahlanne]

I love ours. We bought an extra large one that has interchangeable plates. We purchased deep Belgian waffle plates for it. This replaced both our waffle iron and regular griddle while still having The groved/grill side for the paninis. I believe we can cook 4 large waffles at a time or two super large paninis. Ours is cuisinart brand and something we use all the time. Just bought the instapot but haven't used it yet.

[lewber]

We got a panini press for Christmas and I love it! We've had so many yummy sandwiches. I'm going to try it out with healthier bread though. I've seen some good vegan recipes I'd like to try. I don't normally eat this much meat or cheese and I don't want to get in the habit. But everything tastes better pressed! I don't usually like a sandwich. The ham and Brie is my favorite so far. Warm Brie makes everything taste delicious!

[UCF612]

We loved our old one and used it regularly. It disappeared when we moved. Our new one doesnt work as nicely and we quit using it. :(

[madteaparty]

Do any of you have the ceramic (no Teflon) ones? Do you still love? We don't eat that many sandwiches here but I think it would make my life easier if we started ;)

[Alte Veste Academy]

I like the cast iron grill pans with press. Le Creuset makes one, but Lodge's is (obviously) less expensive. 

 

Lodge 10" Grill Pan

 

Lodge Panini Press

[StaceyinLA]

I used to use my George Foreman to do the exact same thing - works great for pressing sandwiches.

[shawthorne44]

I had been gifted one of those and we used it for a bit.  But I always had this "It goes with bread" thing.   We aren't a big bread family, but we do love our tortillas.  Duh!   It works with tortillas.  

 

My favorite quesadilla lately is tuna.  Like a tuna salad sandwich, only with tortillas.