
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'd been looking at panini grills for years, but had never found the perfect model. Many of the grills I looked at in stores seemed very cheap and poorly built. One clear exception was the Cuisinart grill, which was very well constructed, but it was very expensive and also very large. When I saw this new Cuisinart Junior, I decided to take the plunge. It has become the hit of our kitchen. Making fancy grilled sandwiches has become a highlight of our weekends. My teenage kids love the sandwiches off the grill, and they don't seem to notice that they're eating healthier than before. The quality of panini sandwiches off this little grill is far superior to the paninis we get at our local restaurants.
Here are the features that make this grill a winner for me:
- The grill plates really are nonstick. I've never had to do more than wipe them clean, even when drippings seem to have burned on. The plates remove super easily, and also snap back in very easily.
- The grill pre-heats very quickly. I turn it on before I start making the sandwich, and it's always hot enough by the time the sandwich is assembled.
- The grill always creates the perfectly grilled panini. When I used to make grilled sandwiches in a frying pan, getting them perfectly grilled without burning was hit or miss. With this grill, I just set the dial a bit shy of medium and every sandwich comes out perfectly grilled.
- The hinged lid let's us make fairly huge sandwiches (a few inches thick). This might not sound like a big deal, but it's key to having fun with the grill, since it let's you make creative sandwiches that you could never cook all the way through or flip in a frying pan.
- The small size is perfect. It cooks one very large or two smaller panini, and it doesn't take up a ton of counter space. It's small enough that I can leave it out all the time, which makes it a lot more convenient to use.
One thing to be careful of:The lid does get hot. Make sure you only use the handle for opening and closing. I wouldn't let younger kids work the grill by themselves.
I have not tried cooking meat with the grill.We use it strictly as a panini grill.
I don't generally get excited about kitchen appliances, but this little grill is downright fun. Any gadget that can get my teenagers psyched about going to the grocery store to find wacky things they can turn into grilled sandwiches is a hit in my book.(BTW, our favorite sandwiches so far are: tomato and fresh mozzarela with basil pesto; chicken, apple, and raspberry with provolone; and pear with brie. My apologies if I'm not spelling some of these foods right.)
Great purchase. Getting used more heavily than our stove. I'm hooked.
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Product Description:
Enjoy the taste of deliciously grilled food from the convenience of the kitchen all year long with this easy-to-use countertop appliance. The multi-function unit offers exceptional versatility with three different ways to create a wide range of menu items. Use it as an open grill to cook fish fillets and asparagus or one or two juicy steaks at a time. Turn it into a contact grill by simply closing the lid--great for cooking hot dogs or veggie burgers to perfection, both sides simultaneously. As a third option, the grill functions as a panini press, making it effortless to create cafe-style grilled sandwiches, loaded with melted cheese, thick slices of ripe tomato, fresh summer basil, and other favorites. The unit's hinged, floating lid automatically adjusts to the thickness of food, while its user-friendly temperature-control dial allows adjusting the heat as needed. Other highlights include a red and green indicator lights, a generous cool-touch handle for safely raising and lowering the lid, brushed stainless-steel housing, a drip cup and cleaning tool, and removable nonstick grill plates for effortless food release and quick cleanup. Whether open grill, contact grill, or panini press, the compact three-in-one appliance takes up minimal space on the countertop, measuring approximately 14-2/5 by 12-1/5 by 6-1/2 inches, and carries a three-year limited warranty.
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