Chefman Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker

Curated from 68 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 19, 2025

Chefman Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker

Brand: Chefman
Price: $39
Snoop Score:
8.5
Sentiment
9.3
Popularity
9.7
Technical
8.3

Snoop's Take

The Chefman Panini Press Grill and Gourmet Sandwich Maker is a versatile kitchen appliance designed for making delicious sandwiches and grilling a variety of foods. With its non-stick coated plates and a unique 180-degree opening, it can easily accommodate sandwiches of any size, making it perfect for quick meals or gatherings. User feedback highlights the appliance's ability to create crispy sandwiches with melted cheese, with comments like "I think it's a great standalone tool if you like crispy bread and melted cheese in sandwiches." Many users appreciate its quick cooking times and versatility, noting, "Quesadillas are quick and easy" and "Cook bacon on a panini press. It cooks both sides at once and prevents splatter!" However, some users mention difficulties with cleaning due to the grooves and the power consumption of the device. Based on the overall sentiment from users, the Chefman Panini Press is highly recommended for those looking for a reliable and effective sandwich maker, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with various fillings and cooking techniques.

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I think it's a great standalone tool if you like crispy bread and melted cheese in sandwiches.

Positive Feedback

They make panini scrapers that are just grooved metal. Most important thing about panini grills is cleaning them throughout the day.

Negative Feedback
Product
8.5
Chefman Panini Press Grill and Sandwich Maker
Classic Panini & Sandwiches
10 / 10
Meat & Veggie Grilling
3 / 10
Breakfast Favorites
9 / 10
Small Spaces & On-the-Go
5 / 10
See how this compares to all Sandwich Makers & Panini Presses

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Makes crispy bread and melted cheese sandwiches
I think it's a great standalone tool if you like crispy bread and melted cheese in sandwiches.
Ideas for recipes to make on the sandwich maker? My boyfriend really likes to make sandwiches on them after work but gets bored of the same stuff.
Prosciutto and mozzarella, with just a hint of pesto aioli.
Makes crispy sandwiches quickly
i was lucky everyone didn't care at all. 😋
The sear function on this thing is awesome. Takes only a couple minutes to hit max heat and makes a great sear with no added oil.
The Bosch gives you double griddle ability, which I could make use of, but some don't use a griddle at all.
The Bosch gives you double griddle ability, which I could make use of, but some don't use a griddle
Cooks bacon evenly and prevents splatter
Cook bacon on a panini press. It cooks both sides at once and prevents splatter!
Versatile for various sandwich fillings
What else can you make on a sandwich, "toastie" machine. I'm tired of the traditional cheese n tomato toasties.
Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich like a grilled cheese. Mmmmm, so good.
I used to work at a smoothie shop that made these with a panini press. Some good quality bread, homemade peanut butter and jam. It was so so good.
Yep add some butter on the bread it’s a next level of pband j
Great for making hot sandwiches quickly
Things to do with a panini press? Hi all. I just recently got hold of a panini press and it's great for making hot sandwiches pretty quick.
I use mine to make burgers when the weather is bad. Cooks quickly because you can cook both sides at once.
Versatile for roasting veggies
Roasted veggies such as peppers, asparagus, zucchini, onions etc. Just brush with a little oil first.
Effective for reheating pizza
Reheating pizza - just dont close it. Reheat slices on the bottom plate alone
Ideal for making quesadillas
Quesadillas are quick and easy.
Leaves attractive grill marks on bread
Panini press everyday of the week, love the wee lines they leave on the bread
Great for making grilled cheese sandwiches
I keep my press at about 400°.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Difficult to clean due to grooves
They make panini scrapers that are just grooved metal. Most important thing about panini grills is cleaning them throughout the day.
Panini presses pull ridiculous amounts of power.
Panini presses pull ridiculous amounts of power. Plus grease drainage will be an issue.
Panini presses are small and may not keep up with high volume cooking.
Panini presses are fairly small and maybe won't keep up with volume.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Chatter about food aromas and preferences at work
Hit me with that sauerkraut meal at leaving time.
Comment on non-stick feature relevance
Is your press non-stick?

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Some prefer using a cast iron pan instead
i just use a heated heavy cast iron pan (on top) and make it work.
Hot cast iron pan > sandwich > hot cast iron pan. This is the way.
Discussion about using a communal panini press for unconventional cooking
Guy on r/steak uses the break room panini press to cook raw steak.
$20 this guy tries to cook another meat on the panini press and says "well they said no STEAK, not no chicken breast!"
He took up the communal sandwich machine for the time it takes to cook a steak and now somebody has to clean steak grease out of it before it can be used for a sandwich again.
Discussion about unconventional uses in workplaces
How did I do for my one and only steak meal at work?
Smoke set off fire alarm, entire building (we were in a 12 storey building with other companies too) had to evacuate while the firefighters checked every floor, they found the nugs and company received a $2.5k bill for the false alarm.
the smell had already filled the room.
Discussion on alternative methods for pressing sandwiches
Yes, but get a George Foreman grill instead-- it's much more versatile than a panini press.
Two cast iron skillets work well too.
Cast iron skillet + foil brick is all you ever need to make a great pressed sandwich.
you can cook ANYTHING on a George Foreman
Discussion on alternative methods for cooking hamburgers.
Why would you need to cook them on turbo? Extreme high volume? You can pree cook to a point and finish them for a couple of minutes on very hot griddle
They make griddle top burger presses like what you're talking about except they're specifically for burgers.
Suggestions for unconventional uses
French toast is always better if you let the bread get dry/stale first or just dry it in the oven.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
General chatter about veganism and dietary preferences
It's refreshingly human.
Most vegans and vegetarians I know I didn't even know they were until it came to planning dinner.
My mom is the one that tells the server ‘… and make sure, he’s a VEGAN.’
The vegetarians/vegans I met in real are actually extremely chill.
Discussion about cleaning methods for the panini press
best way to clean the panini press?
Turn it all the way up and let it heat for an hour or two then use a panini scraper, paint scraper, and/or wire brush to get off as much as you can.
Yea this is probably the best way. I just would have cranked it to 450 and poured hot soapy water on it and let it boil off while using a wire brush.
Hardware stores have packs of small wire brushes with attachments for drills.
Discussion about preferences between panini press and stovetop cooking
Panini press or stove I have seen a lot of people use the stove for grilled cheese but I use a panini press.
I'm pretty sure the guy who's making the "day 100 and something of making grilled cheese" posts is using a press.
A panini press is sexy.
Both? Stovetop Press?
Discussion about butter smoke point and cooking temperatures
The press doesn't have a temperature control and so that's the only temp it can get
If it burns it, it's too hot. If it doesn't, it's not.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Comments about breakfast habits and bacon cooking
I enjoy having breakfast in bed. I like waking up to the smell of bacon.
I knew before even looking this would be in the comments.
Just don’t step on it
It's old, and totally not a fire hazard at all...

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