Consumers reheating leftover chicken
If your sandwich contains already-cooked chicken, browned bread is not enough: the filling needs to be steaming hot throughout. GOV.UK also advises reheating food only once.
Who is this for?
Consumers making lunch for a small group
If several people want sandwiches together, consider how many paninis the press holds and whether its lid can close over uneven fillings without forcing them flat.
Consumers trying to limit cottage clean-up
If you would rather wash separate parts than wipe cooking plates in place, distinguish removable plates from a removable drip tray. The two features do not offer the same cleaning routine.
What matters when choosing?
Choose the plate and lid format for the sandwiches you intend to make, then weigh cooking capacity against the space and cleaning facilities available at the cottage.
Compact panini press
Choose it when: You mainly want sandwiches for a small group. Breville specifies that its VST025 holds three paninis and has an extra-high hinged lid.
Trade-off: Breville describes wipe-clean plates, so cleaning takes place on the appliance rather than by removing dishwasher-safe cooking plates.
Larger contact grill
Choose it when: You have room for a larger grill and expect group lunches. Tefal describes its Inicio Adjust GC242840 as a 6–8-portion model with a floating lid and adjustable thermostat.
Trade-off: The GC242840 has fixed cooking plates; its removable dishwasher-safe part is the drip tray.
Interchangeable-plate snack maker
Choose it when: You would use the appliance for waffles as well as paninis. Tefal supplies both plate sets with the Snack Time SW343D40.
Trade-off: The additional plates need somewhere to be stored and add little value if you only plan to make sandwiches.
Multi-position grill and griddle
Choose it when: You also want an open griddle for other meals. Cuisinart describes the GR47BU as a contact grill that can open flat.
Trade-off: Cuisinart labels the GR47BU discontinued. Check the seller, warranty and replacement-parts position before considering a remaining listing.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Heating the chicken through | Check that the lid meets a filled sandwich evenly; before serving, check the chicken at its centre. GOV.UK advises reheating until steaming hot throughout and only reheating once. | If I am using cooked chicken, I need the filling heated through rather than just the bread browned. Around 36% of consumers put thorough reheating first. |
| Sandwich capacity | Check the stated panini capacity or cooking-surface dimensions, alongside the space the appliance will occupy. | Making lunch for several people at once matters more to me than keeping the press as small as possible. For around 29% of consumers, serving a group is the primary concern. |
| Cleaning after lunch | Check whether the cooking plates come off and whether they are dishwasher-safe; a removable drip tray alone does not mean the plates can be removed. | In a cottage kitchen, I would rather avoid cleaning food residue from plates fixed to the appliance. Easy clean-up comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and other uses | Check how the appliance stores and which plate sets are included if you plan to make more than paninis. | With limited cupboard space, I want an appliance I can put away easily or use for another snack. Around 14% of consumers prioritise storage or secondary uses. |
Buying pitfalls
-
Taking crisp bread as proof the chicken is hot
A thick filling may still need reheating after the bread has browned. GOV.UK advises that reheated food should be steaming hot all the way through.
Open the sandwich and check the chicken at its centre before serving. Do not reheat it more than once.
-
Confusing a sealed toastie maker with a panini press
Plate shape changes the kind of sandwich the appliance makes. The Russell Hobbs 24550 listed on Joybuy, for example, uses cut-and-seal plates for deep-fill toasties.
For a thick, café-style panini, check for flat plates and a high or floating hinge; choose cut-and-seal plates if sealed toasties are what you want.
-
Assuming non-stick plates are removable
Tefal's Inicio Adjust GC242840 has fixed cooking plates and a removable drip tray, while its Snack Time SW343D40 has removable panini and waffle plates.
Check the cleaning instructions for the exact model, including which parts may go in a dishwasher. Let the appliance cool before cleaning it as instructed.
-
Overlooking a discontinued model
Cuisinart identifies the GR47BU as discontinued, even though its product page describes the grill's features.
If you find a remaining listing, confirm the seller, warranty coverage, plug version and access to any replacement plates you may need.
Brands to consider for these press formats
Breville
The VST025 is a dedicated three-slice sandwich maker and panini press for consumers who mainly want toasted sandwiches.
- Breville specifies flat plates, an extra-high hinged lid and room for three paninis.
- Breville describes its non-stick plates as wipe-clean rather than removable dishwasher-safe cooking plates.
Tefal
Tefal's Inicio Adjust GC242840 is a larger contact grill; its Snack Time SW343D40 is a snack maker with interchangeable plates.
- The GC242840 has a floating lid and adjustable thermostat. The SW343D40 includes removable panini and waffle plates.
- The GC242840's cooking plates are fixed, while the SW343D40's additional plate sets require storage space.
Cuisinart
The GR47BU is a multi-position grill and griddle that Cuisinart says can be used as a panini press or opened flat.
- Cuisinart specifies removable, reversible dishwasher-safe plates and a floating hinge for sandwiches up to 8 cm thick.
- Cuisinart labels the GR47BU discontinued; check the terms and parts available for any remaining listing.
Joybuy contact grills to consider
These contact grills offer different cooking-surface and plate formats for cottage sandwiches. Check lid clearance for your chosen bread and filling, as well as the cleaning method and space needed for the exact appliance.
No image available
Philips 5000 Series Contact Grill HD6301/90
Consider this contact-grill format for filled sandwiches if its lid clearance suits your bread and chicken filling.
Check the plate-cleaning instructions, available cottage space and UK plug compatibility before taking it away.
No image available
Princess Contact Grill 1800W, 180° Opening
Consider this model if cooking-surface size and detachable plates matter for cottage lunches.
Its stated cooking area is 27.5 × 18 cm. Check the usable lid height before choosing it for thick sandwiches.
No image available
ochama Multifunction Contact Grill 2000W, 28 × 22 cm
Consider the stated plate area if you want room to arrange sandwiches on the grill.
The product name specifies double-sided heating and non-stick plates. Check lid clearance for thick fillings and the plate-cleaning instructions before buying.
Common questions
Can a panini press reheat a cooked chicken sandwich?
Yes, if it heats the chicken until it is steaming hot all the way through. GOV.UK's food-hygiene guidance gives that reheating condition; if the press browns the bread without heating the centre, use another reheating method.
Can I reheat the cooked chicken a second time?
No. GOV.UK's food-hygiene guidance advises reheating food only once, so plan to heat only the chicken needed for the sandwiches you are serving.
Do I need removable plates for a holiday cottage?
Not necessarily: a wipe-clean press can suit occasional sandwiches if cleaning it in place works for you. If you want to wash separate parts, check that the exact model has removable cooking plates rather than only a removable drip tray.
What should I look for when making thick chicken paninis?
Look for a high or floating hinge that allows the lid to meet the filled sandwich without immediately flattening it. Breville specifies an extra-high hinge on the VST025, while Cuisinart specifies a floating hinge accommodating sandwiches up to 8 cm thick on the discontinued GR47BU; neither feature replaces checking that the chicken is steaming hot throughout.