One-toastie cooks
If you usually make a single cooked-bacon toastie, you may prefer a simple appliance that is easy to put away. Russell Hobbs lists vertical storage for its two-portion 24520 model.
Who is this for?
Generous-fill toastie makers
If you add cheese, sauce or thick bread, deeper plates and shaped edges may matter more than the smallest appliance. Breville lists deep-fill and cut-and-seal designs for its VST091 and VST082 models.
Cleanup-first snack makers
If wiping bacon fat or melted cheese from fixed plates is a nuisance, removable plates may influence your choice. Breville lists dishwasher-safe removable plates for the VST082, while Russell Hobbs lists them for the 26810.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the sandwich you actually make: check how you will tell that the bacon is hot through, then decide whether fuller fillings or easier cleaning justify a different plate design.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Heating cooked bacon | Follow the appliance instructions, then check the filling in the centre rather than relying on browned bread or a ready light. GOV.UK’s food-hygiene guidance for businesses advises reheating food until steaming hot throughout and only once. | If I am reheating cooked bacon, I need to know the centre is hot rather than just the bread. Around 42% of consumers put thorough reheating first. |
| Containing fuller fillings | Check the exact model for deep-fill plates and cut-and-seal or enclosed edges, particularly if you add cheese or sauce. | When I add cheese or sauce, I want room for the filling without it escaping at the edges; roughly 33% of consumers make containment their main concern. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check whether the plates are fixed or removable, whether the exact plates are dishwasher-safe, and how the appliance stores. | If greasy plates take too long to clean or cupboard space is tight, I need a format I will be happy to use regularly. For about 25% of consumers, cleaning or storage takes priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Judging the bacon by the colour of the bread
A browned exterior does not tell you whether a cooked-bacon filling is hot in the centre. GOV.UK’s food-hygiene guidance for businesses says reheated food should be steaming hot all the way through and reheated only once.
Open the toastie and check the centre before eating; do not reheat the same food again.
-
Choosing extra cooking modes for a single simple toastie
Interchangeable waffle and grill plates are useful if you will make those foods, but they are not needed solely to toast a bacon sandwich.
Compare the appliance’s dimensions and included plates with the foods you expect to make and the space where you will store it.
Extra plate sets also need somewhere to be kept between uses.
-
Assuming non-stick plates can go in the dishwasher
Non-stick describes the plate surface, not whether a plate detaches. Russell Hobbs lists no dishwasher-safe parts for the 24520, while Breville specifies removable dishwasher-safe plates for the VST082.
Check the cleaning instructions for the exact model before choosing between fixed and removable plates.
Brands to consider for this use
Breville
Its VST091 and VST082 are dedicated deep-fill toastie makers, but their cleaning arrangements differ.
- Breville specifies cut-and-seal plates for both models and removable dishwasher-safe plates for the VST082.
- If separate dishwasher cleaning matters, check the model: the VST091 has fixed plates.
Russell Hobbs
The 24520 offers a basic two-portion format; the 26810 adds interchangeable sandwich, waffle and grill plates.
- Russell Hobbs lists vertical storage for the 24520 and removable dishwasher-safe plates for the 26810.
- The 24520 has no dishwasher-safe parts, while the 26810’s extra plate types may go unused if you only make toasties.
Salter
Its EK2017S is a two-portion deep-fill option for people who want more room for a filled sandwich.
- Salter specifies dual deep-fill non-stick plates and two-toastie capacity for the EK2017S.
- If plate removal or dishwasher cleaning is important, check the EK2017S cleaning instructions before choosing it.
Tower
Its T27031 is another dedicated deep-fill, cut-and-seal option.
- Tower specifies extra-deep non-stick plates and cut-and-seal ridges for the T27031.
- Check its dimensions against your storage space if you mainly make one toastie.
Joybuy products to consider
These choices include plug-in sandwich makers, contact grills and a microwave toastie maker. For one cooked-bacon sandwich, compare their cooking format, your available space and the cleaning instructions rather than assuming they work in the same way.
Image unavailable
Philips 5000 series HD2350/80 sandwich maker
Consider this sandwich maker if you want a dedicated appliance for one toastie at a time. Check the exact included plate set, plate-cleaning instructions and whether its stated EU power cord will need a suitable adapter for your setup.
Image unavailable
Drew & Cole Clever Micro Toastie Maker
This is a microwave toastie maker, not a plug-in sandwich toaster, so check compatibility with your microwave and the sandwich size it accommodates. Its product name specifies dishwasher-safe components; follow the instructions for the parts you clean.
Image unavailable
ochama 750W sandwich maker
For straightforward sandwich toasting, compare this model’s portion capacity with the bread you use. Its name specifies 750W and double-sided heating; check the plate shape and cleaning instructions if fuller fillings or easy cleanup matter.
Image unavailable
ochama 800W contact grill, 22.5 × 14cm plates
This contact-grill format is worth considering if you also want to press sandwiches or paninis. Its name specifies 800W and 22.5 × 14cm plates; check whether your usual single sandwich fits and whether the plates meet your cleaning needs.
Image unavailable
ochama 2000W contact grill, 28 × 22cm plates
Consider the larger contact-grill format if you expect to use more of its cooking surface than a single toastie requires. Its name specifies 2000W and 28 × 22cm plates; compare that size with your worktop and storage space, and check the cleaning instructions.
Common questions
Can I reheat cooked bacon in a sandwich toaster?
Yes, provided the bacon filling becomes steaming hot all the way through. Open the toastie to check the centre rather than judging it by the bread; GOV.UK’s food-hygiene guidance for businesses advises reheating food only once.
Do I need deep-fill plates for bacon and bread alone?
Not necessarily: a basic two-portion maker is a starting point for a lightly filled sandwich. Deep-fill, cut-and-seal designs become more relevant when you add cheese, sauce or thick bread.
When are removable plates worth considering?
Consider them if you regularly need to clean up bacon fat or escaped cheese and want to wash the plates separately. Check dishwasher safety for the exact model: Breville lists it for the VST082, whereas Russell Hobbs lists no dishwasher-safe parts for the 24520.
How should I clean a bacon-toastie maker?
Switch it off, unplug it and let it cool before following the model’s cleaning instructions. Wipe fixed plates as directed; remove plates for separate washing only when the instructions permit it.