Brentwood TS-245 Panini Maker

Overview

Drop a sandwich between the nonstick plates, close the lid and wait for the ready light; the plates heat from both sides and press grill lines into the bread. Locking handles let you carry it, and it stores standing on end with the cord wrapped.

Buy it for a countertop with little room: it stores on end and makes a sandwich or two without any settings to learn. The limit is the single heat level, which rules out tuning for thick or delicate fillings, and the capacity of only a couple of sandwiches at once.

Who it's for

Lunch for one or two in an apartment, dorm or office kitchenette is where it belongs, since it stores on end in a cabinet. Cooks who want to set a lower heat for cheese or a higher heat for a crisp crust should choose a press with a dial. It also will not replace a full griddle for breakfast.

Pros and cons

Performance notes

Heat comes from both plates at once, so the sandwich browns top and bottom without flipping. The preheat light tells you when the plates are up to temperature, and waiting for it decides whether the crust crisps or steams. With one heat level, the thickness of the bread sets the cooking time instead of any dial.

Specifications