10 Best Commercial Panini Presses of 2024: Top Picks & Tips

Are you craving the mouth-watering goodness of a perfectly grilled panini? Look no further, because we are about to embark on a journey through the world of commercial panini presses. Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur looking to elevate your sandwich game or an aspiring chef eager to impress friends and family with gourmet creations, finding the best commercial panini press is crucial.

There aren’t many pleasures in life greater than being able to bring the taste of restaurant Panini to your kitchen. And you may be surprised to find your Panini maker can do a lot more than just making sandwiches. For example, it can make homemade waffle cons and doughnut chips, if you only let it. With the right technique, they come out juicy and delicious.

Essentially, having your own commercial Panini press will help make everything easier. The device will make great breakfasts, lunch, and even dinners. However, with so many models available for purchase, finding the best Panini press for your needs can be hard. That’s why we are here to help you navigate through the sea of Panini press options.

We look at some of the most important features like:

• Surface area
• Temperature control
• Floating hinge

10 Best commercial panini presses reviews

1. Cuisinart 5- in-1 Griddler

It is a 5-in-1 unit that works as a full grill, Panini press, contact grill, half griddle/grill, and full griddle. It can handle a wide variety of foods. It makes pancakes, grilled cheese, sausages, hamburgers, and steaks. This is a versatile kitchen tool that every house should have.

Given its five different cooking options, you have a lot of options to choose from. The device has a reversible griddle plate that creates enough space for cooking. When the grill is closed, you can cook most foods. For instance, you can make juicy chicken, steaks, and hamburgers.

Other Features

The double grill surface can work in an open position, hence increasing the cooking surface. And it comes with a selector knob that permits you to choose either griddle or grill. Furthermore, it has green and red lights to notify you when the griddle is ready to cook.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Adjustable temperature controls.
• Multifunctional.

Cons

• Cannot cook for a big group of people.

2. George Foreman Grill and Panini Press

It will let you cook tasty meals for your family faster. It has a cooking surface that accommodates four servings. The device is ideal for hamburgers and chicken. You can complete your meal by grilling vegetables too. It has removable grill plates that make cleaning stress-free.

It has a 4-serving area that grills juicy hamburgers and chicken. The unit also cooks succulent vegetables to complete your meal. It has a strong non-stick coating that makes it durable.

Other Features

George Foreman Panini press and grill has a 35% heat up rate that makes cooking faster. Its detachable grill plates can be cleaned with a dishwasher.

Its slopped grilling surface easily drains fat and can remove 42% fat making your meal healthy. The device also boasts a flexible hinge to accommodate bigger roasts and vegetables.

Pros

• Easy to clean.
• Removable grill plates.
• Non-stick coating.

Cons

• No locking latch.

3. Hamilton Beach Panini Press Grill

Do you love quesadillas, sweet fruit turnovers, and sandwiches? If yes, then this is the best Panini press for you. Moreover, you can use the top lid to warm sandwiches and pizzas. Also, the sandwich maker can open 180 degrees to increase the cooking area.

It does not only work as a Panini press or grill but a warmer too. It has a floating lid that presses uniformly any sandwich size. Also, it doesn’t require you to flip your roast. The bottom and top Panini press grids heat at the same time. Therefore, they cook your food at the same time without flipping.

Other Features

The top lid has a lock that, when engaged, makes the best open-face sandwiches and bruschetta. It can be assembled in an upright position. This makes it easy to store it discreetly in your cabinet or countertop.

It has a temperature control light that turns green and red. Green means the press is ready for the roast.

Pros

• Power and preheat light.
• Non-stick grill plates.
• Beautiful red color.

Cons

• It’s not digital.

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4. Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe

The Cuisinart Griddler Deluxe has taken grilling a notch higher. It gives its users six cooking options. Also, it provides dual-zone temperature control that offers a chef complete control. This indoor grill Panini press is ideal for making eggs and pancakes for breakfast.

It makes the best fajitas, burgers, and open-faced sandwiches. Therefore, it will make you a perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The searBlast feature locks in steak flavor. Also, it has an extra-large cooking surface that can cook for a crowd and family gatherings. Its users can enjoy six cooking options using a 240 square inches cooking surface.

Other Features

It uses 1800 watts of power to enable you to sear all kinds of foods. Also, the 500 degrees maximum plate allows optimal cooking. The flavor is intensified by the searBlast feature, which locks in steak flavor for 2 minutes.

The top cover is bendable to create more cooking options. It “floats” to six different levels to top-melt.

Its large cooking surface can accommodate 12 pancakes and six burgers in the contact grill position.

Pros

• Six cooking options.
• Enough power to char.
• Height-adjustable cover.
• SearBlast.

Cons

• Not power sufficient.

5. IMUSA USA GAU-80102 Electric Panini Press

With a nicely polished stainless steel exterior, the IMUSA USA GAU-80102 electric Panini press has a lot to offer. It is one of the cheapest options you’ll find on the market.

What makes this Panini press to stand out from the crowd is that it features a flat surface. This makes cleaning a breeze. However, it also means you won’t get the grill marks on both sides of your sandwich. It measures 4.9 x 16.6 x 14.8 inches and weighs 9.7 pounds.

Other features and benefits 

While this is a basic model with no bells and whistles, it boasts sturdy craftsmanship and tons of positive reviews. It features an adjustable height and is quick to heat.

The cool-touch handle ensures safety. It can cook a variety of meals – not just Panini. And the nonstick surface saves you a great deal of time and effort.

Pros

• Heat indicator lights
• Adjustable height
• Nonstick finish makes cleaning a breeze
• Large cooking area

Cons

• No oil drip tray
• No temperature adjustment buttons

6. Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill

It is the version of outdoor grilling brought onto your countertop. It offers better heat control using embedded heat sensors in the grill plate. They compensate for heat loss when food is put onto a preheated surface. When they detect heat drop, they replace it by adding heat for rapid recovery back to preferred cooking temperature.

It bridges the gap between outdoor and indoor grilling. It uses 1800 watt for maximum heat to ensure faster cooking. The maximum temperature gives BBQ-quality sizzle and sear. It has a flat bottom ideal for pancakes and eggs. The top plate has ribs that produce perfectly seared roasts. Also, it has interchangeable plate positions that can be stretched into a flat open ‘BBQ mode.’

Other Features

Most Panini press reviews have described the Breville Smart Grill experience as ‘simple brilliance.’ It can cook and grill at any time yet cleans faster like a pan.

Its plates are titanium infused Quantanium and non-stick. This is ideal for cooking without oil. Also, it allows for easy cleaning.

Its body is stainless steel, which makes it durable. It doesn’t easily peel off or rust.

Also, it has die-cast arms for durability too.

It has a timer control dial on the left to avoid overcooking and undercooking.

Pros

• Temperature control dial.
• Two different cooking styles.
• Timer control dial.

Cons

• Doesn’t lock in steak flavor.

7. iSiLER 4 Slice Panini Press Grill

It is the ultimate indoor grill Panini press game changer. It helps you make great tasting and authentic, healthy food. It is a multifunctional maker perfect for steaks, Paninis, vegetables, and burgers. It can open to 180 degrees and doubles effectiveness for a full grill. When you open 90 degrees, you can grill one side or close it to make contact grill.

It has 3-in-1 flexibility that cuts the cooking time into half. You can open it flat to 180 degrees for a full grill. When you open 90 degrees, you grill one side or close it to make complete contact and grill both sides at ago. This reduces cooking time. Also, it uses 1200W power to grill food faster without overheating. It is made of stainless steel housing, which makes it long-lasting.

Other Features

It has two unique oil outlets that effortlessly drain excess fat. Therefore, your grilled food is fat-free and healthy.

It has a scratch-resistant and non-stick grilling surface. This makes the cleaning process easy. Also, the cooking process requires less or no oil.

It has a thermostat safety and control feature that helps you to control overheating. When you set the red button, the heating temperature won’t surpass the preset value.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Temperature control.
• Made of quality materials.

Cons

• Doesn’t have a power switch.

8. Chefman Panini Press Grill

This 3-in-1 Grill and Panini press is professionally designed with units. It is like having a bistro in your kitchen. It is perfect for making two Paninis or sandwiches. It has a lay-flat surface that accommodates various foods. They range from melted gooey cheese to warm crusted bread and burgers and steak, among others.

It has a floating hinge that adjusts to press the tinniest grilled cheese and stuffed burgers. It accommodates different types of delicious foods. Therefore, your cooking creativity is limitless. It is made with a flat surface for cooking fish, chicken, vegetables, burgers, and more. Also, it has a transferable drip tray that makes it easy to clean off extra fat, food waste, and debris.

Other Features

It has a compact size that makes storage easy. You can easily keep it on the shelf, cabin, or countertop.

It has a sloped design that allows natural drainage of excess fat and food debris into the drip tray. This makes cleaning easy.

It has a closed cooking area of 5.5 x 8.75 inches. This accommodates two sandwiches.

Pros

• Stainless steel body.
• Non-stick coated grill surface.
• Floating hinge.
• Easy to clean.

Cons

• Cannot cook for a big crowd.

9. Elite Cuisine Electric Panini Press Sandwich Maker

Achieve your perfectly brown toast within the shortest time. It is designed with red power light and green preheat lights. In case you want to keep your toast in. You can safely lock it in using the locking latch. It has a glossy shine that makes it look appealing.

It doesn’t only make sandwiches but quesadillas as well. Explore your sandwich-making options. It allows you to make that delicious cheesy hot toast for breakfast, lunch even dinner. You can easily handle using the touch-carrying handle. Also, it comes in different colors so that you can choose your favorite. For coffee shops, it can work as a commercial Panini press, making hot toast for clients.

Other features and benefits 

It has non-skid feet to give it a firm ground grip.

It has got a non-stick cooking area that allows easy cleaning by wiping. Also, you can easily make an oil-free toast.

It has got a red power indicator light to show you the cooking process is ongoing.

Pros

• Easily wipe clean.
• Non-stick plates.
• Power/reheat lights.
• Locking lid.

Cons

• Requires extra force to close the locking lid.

10. Hamilton Beach Electric Panini Press

It is an ideal gadget for fixing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can achieve any delicious meal in only four to six minutes. Enjoy a café-style floating lid that uniformly presses any sandwich size. Gone are the days when the best meals were ordered from a restaurant. Instead, you can have a commercial Panini press making delicious foods for sale.

With it, you can make the best steaks, Paninis, sandwiches, and vegetables in six minutes. It has got power and preheat lights to avoid overcooking and undercooking of food. It uses 1400w power to enable even the searing of food. This amount of energy is enough for any vegetables and meats.

Other Features

It has a twist switch that controls temperature to suit different foods and indicator lights to help the cooking process. When it reaches the desired temperature, it disconnects. This avoids overcooking or burning food.

It has an upright storage ideal for small spaces. The top and bottom surfaces heat at the same time hence cooking for a shorter time. Therefore, you don’t need to flip your roast.

Pros

• Versatile.
• Easy storage.
• Easy to use.
• Non-stick grilling surfaces.

Cons

• Lacks the locking latch.

Things You Should Know for Buying Panini Presses

Before buying the perfect product for you, you should carefully consider the following features:

1. Floating hinge 

You should be able to close the grill at varying heights. The grill you want to buy must be capable of accommodating a short as well as a tall sandwich. Most Panini grills have floating hinges that allow the upper plate to hover above the sandwich without making direct contact.

2. The plates 

Plates that come with sandwich grills are not created equal. You may have to choose between stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum. On the surface, it may not seem like there is a huge difference between the three. But it is important to know how one material stacks up against the other.

Cast iron retains more heat than aluminum. Aluminum heats quicker and more uniformly than cast iron. However, aluminum is cheaper and has shorter longevity.

Stainless steel also tends to be one of the most popular options available. It is quite lightweight, which means they are capable of heating up quickly. With that said, high-quality stainless steel is rust-resistant. Even so, in due course, regular cleaning and the heat will degrade the surface of your Panini press plate.

3. Ease of cleaning 

Some prefer to put the plates directly in the dishwasher. And in that case, they will have to be removable. Also, others prefer to have them non-stick and simply clean them with a damp cloth.

4. Adjustable thermostat 

Different foods typically need different cooking temperatures. Fortunately, most Panini presses come equipped with adjustable thermostats. This allows you to adjust the temperature control according to the type of food you are cooking.

5. Safety 

Safety is one of the biggest issues when handling electronic devices. The Panini press can heat up to 500 degrees and can harm you if you aren’t careful. That is why it is important to buy a Panini press that comes with cool-touch handles. The heat-resistant handles protect from heat and electric shocks, as well.

May you love: Protect your food from overcooking

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Panini Press 

Our top pick 

Our pick for the best commercial Panini press is the Cuisinart 5- in-1 Griddler. It is lightweight and compact. Even so, it still offers a huge cooking surface to cook a whole meal. It is also an affordable option and is perhaps the best Panini press you can buy.

Conclusion 

We have just looked at some of the best Panini presses available on the market today. We hope that our list has helped you and that you have managed to identify and buy the best sandwich plate. We will update the list of our products regularly. 

Choosing the best commercial panini press requires careful consideration of various factors. Quality, durability, and versatility are key elements to look for in a panini press for a successful and efficient culinary operation. Additionally, understanding the specific needs of your business will help determine which panini press model is the best fit. Whether you prioritize speed, consistency, or customization options, finding the right commercial panini press can elevate your sandwich-making capabilities and create a memorable dining experience for your customers.