Lunch was always a grilled cheese she made using a small, silver countertop appliance—possibly a pizzelle maker or a waffle iron—that pressed down on the sandwich, turning both sides of the bread toasty brown with crispy, frico-like bits of melted cheese coming out at the edges. She was the only person who made grilled cheeses this way, and they were delicious.
Looking back, I realize now that Nana’s sandwich maker was actually her own version of the panini press, which didn’t really become commercially available to home cooks until the 1990s. Since then, they’ve only increased in popularity, with brands like Cuisinart, Breville, and, of course, George Foreman producing machines that promise to make perfect panini in minutes.
Our top pick
Best panini press overall: Cuisinart Griddler Five
Panini presses—sometimes called panini grills—come in a variety of sizes and styles, from single-function presses that only make sandwiches to multipurpose models that double as griddles and open-face grills. The best panini presses, however, all have a few things in common: They give bread a crunchy, evenly toasted exterior with signature grill marks; warm and meld fillings such as cheese, meat, and veggies without overcooking them; and squish the sandwich just enough so that it isn’t too flat.
We tested some of the most popular models on the market to find the absolute best panini press, and there was one clear winner.
