Who these options suit

Small-kitchen tuna-melt makers

You make toasties often enough to want a dedicated appliance, but need to put it away rather than leave it on the worktop. An upright-storing model or a smaller microwave maker may suit the storage space you have.

Generously filled toastie fans

You use tuna and cheese rather than a thin filling, so plate depth and a secure seal matter more to you than extra cooking functions. Check the bread and filling guidance for the model you choose.

Low-clean-up lunch makers

You want a practical way to deal with cheese and tuna residue after cooking. Depending on the model, that may mean wiping cooled plates or washing removable plates as instructed.

What matters when choosing

Deep-fill electric toaster

Choose it when: You want sealed tuna-and-cheese toasties; Breville describes deep, enclosed cut-and-seal plates on its VST091.

Bear in mind: Upright storage does not remove the need for a suitable worktop position while cooking, and deep plates do not make overfilling risk-free.

Microwave toastie maker

Choose it when: Putting the maker away in a small space matters more than using a dedicated electric toaster.

Bear in mind: You need a compatible microwave; do not assume a microwave maker has the enclosed cut-and-seal plates of a deep-fill electric model.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Storage and worktop space Measure the intended storage space and check the appliance’s closed position and operating footprint. I need the worktop back after lunch and somewhere the cooled maker will fit. Around 31% of consumers put space first.
Filling containment Look for model-specific plate depth and sealing features, then check bread fit and filling guidance. A substantial tuna-and-cheese filling is my priority, so I want a sandwich that closes without pushing filling out. Around 31% of consumers prioritise containment.
Cleaning Check whether the plates are fixed or removable and follow the exact model’s washing instructions. After melted cheese reaches the plate edges, I want a manageable clean-up. Roughly 25% of consumers put cleaning first.
Other cooking uses Confirm which plates are included and where you would store them. If I will also make waffles or paninis, one appliance could serve those needs too. Around 13% of consumers prioritise multiple uses.

Buying pitfalls

  • Judging space by the open appliance alone

    A toaster still needs somewhere to go after use. Breville states that its VST091 stores upright, as does Russell Hobbs for its 26800, but storage arrangements vary by model.

    Measure your shelf or cupboard and check the exact model’s closed position and cable arrangement before buying.

  • Assuming every plate will contain a full tuna melt

    A thick, moist filling may be pushed out when a sandwich closes. Deep or sealing plates are relevant features, not a promise that any quantity of filling will stay inside.

    Check the manufacturer’s bread and filling guidance, and avoid packing the sandwich to its edges.

  • Equating non-stick plates with no clean-up

    Cleaning methods differ: Russell Hobbs describes wipe-clean plates on model 26800, while Breville describes removable dishwasher-safe plates on VST098.

    Choose between fixed and removable plates using the cleaning instructions for the exact appliance.

  • Overlooking the electrical setup

    Electrical Safety First warns against leaving electrical appliances on unattended and overloading extension equipment.

    Use an undamaged lead and suitable socket, keep the appliance and your hands dry, and stay nearby while it heats.

Relevant brands to consider

Breville

Breville offers different approaches within its sandwich-toaster range, including the dedicated VST091 and the multi-function VST098.

  • Breville describes deep, enclosed cut-and-seal plates and upright storage on the VST091; the VST098 has separate plates for toasties, waffles and paninis.
  • Removable dishwasher-safe plates are described for the VST098, not as a feature of every Breville toaster. Check the exact model and its filling guidance.

Russell Hobbs

The Creations Easy Clean Sandwich Maker 26800 is a conventional sealed-toastie option with vertical storage.

  • Russell Hobbs states that model 26800 cuts and seals sandwiches and has non-stick plates designed to wipe clean.
  • Check whether its plate depth suits your usual tuna filling rather than assuming it matches a model described as deep-fill.

Morphy Richards

The Mico is a microwave toastie maker for consumers who would rather store a small cooking accessory than another electric worktop appliance.

  • Morphy Richards lists the Mico at 17.5 cm × 14.5 cm × 4.5 cm and describes dishwasher-safe non-stick grill plates.
  • It requires a microwave; do not assume it handles a full tuna melt like an enclosed electric cut-and-seal toaster.

Joybuy microwave toastie maker

This microwave toastie maker is an option if putting the maker away matters more to you than choosing a dedicated electric deep-fill toaster. Check your microwave and the product’s filling guidance before using it for tuna melts.

Drew & Cole Clever Micro Toastie Maker

Drew & Cole Clever Micro Toastie Maker

A microwave toastie maker to consider if you want to put the appliance away after making lunch. Its product name describes it as dishwasher-safe and suitable for paninis as well as toasties; check which parts can be washed, whether it fits your microwave, and the maker’s bread and filling guidance for tuna melts.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are deep-fill sealed plates worth looking for when making tuna melts?

Yes, particularly if you use a substantial tuna-and-cheese filling. Breville describes the VST091’s enclosed cut-and-seal plates as intended to help prevent leakage, while Russell Hobbs says its 26800 cuts and seals sandwiches; neither description makes overfilling risk-free.

Would a microwave toastie maker suit a very small kitchen?

It is worth considering if stored size matters most and you have a compatible microwave. Morphy Richards lists its Mico at 17.5 cm × 14.5 cm × 4.5 cm, but you should not assume it has the same enclosed deep-fill plates as an electric toaster.

How do I clean cheese from a sandwich toaster’s plates?

Let the appliance cool, unplug it and follow the instructions for its exact plates. Breville says the VST091’s plates can be wiped after cooling; check separately whether any removable parts on your model are dishwasher-safe.

What should I check before using a sandwich toaster in a small kitchen?

Make sure the appliance has a suitable operating position and an undamaged lead and socket, and stay nearby while it heats. Electrical Safety First advises keeping electrical equipment away from wet conditions and avoiding overloaded extension devices.