Tips to Buy the Best Sandwich Makers for Your Kitchen
Sandwiches are easy to make, filling foods which can be made with minimum fuss. Delicious sandwiches can be eaten at breakfast or enjoyed as a snack. Having a sandwich maker at home allows you to make delicious grilled sandwiches easily and within a short time. To make grilled sandwiches using a sandwich maker, all you need to do is add the fillings between bread and heat it in the appliance. Your sandwich will be ready in minutes.
Modern sandwich makers also come with added features such as grills on which you can cook meat or vegetables. There are lots of advantages to having a sandwich maker at home. But before you head out to buy a sandwich maker in the UAE, you need to keep a few things in mind. Here are the points you need to consider before purchasing the best sandwich maker available in the UAE:
Types of sandwich makers in the UAE
Sandwich makers are of two main types; panini press grill and four-triangle sandwich maker.
Panini press – A panini press sandwich maker doubles up as a basic grill and a toaster too. It consists of ridged plates on the top and at the bottom which when pressed together, heats the food. A panini press is useful if you like different types of bread and want to make heavily stuffed sandwiches. The heavy grilling plates of a flat panini press will compress the filling and cook it to perfection giving you delicious sandwiches every time. The heavy-duty ridged plates can also cook meat, seafood and vegetables so that they are crunchy outside and juicy inside. You can also make pancakes, kebabs and burger patties in a panini press.
Four-triangle sandwich maker – This is the most common type of sandwich maker available for home use. It consists of four, square plates with a diagonal ridge in between which cuts sandwiches into two triangular halves as it cooks them. Four-triangle sandwich makers have removable plates for easy cleaning. The power consumed by four-triangle sandwich makers is variable and fewer number of bread slices will consume less power. However, the limitation of this type of sandwich maker is that only sliced bread can be used. Grilling, waffle making and toasting functions are available in high-end models of this type of sandwich makers.
Features to consider when purchasing a sandwich maker in the UAE
Appliance power – The power is the first thing you need to check in a sandwich maker. Having a high-powered appliance saves time by heating the plates rapidly and shortening the cooking time. Ideally, you should go for a sandwich maker with a power of 700-750 watts.
Bread capacity – Sandwich makers are not a one-size-fits-all device. The bread slots in most sandwich makers are variable. While some sandwich makers can make 2 sandwiches at a time, others can make 4 sandwiches simultaneously. The size of the sandwich maker you choose should meet the requirements of your household.
Plate surface – Check the sandwich plates to see if they can be cleaned easily. Non-stick plates prevent food particles from sticking and are easy to clean. On the other hand, steel or iron plates may heat up faster but will take a lot of time to clean. Higher-end ceramic sandwich presses are another good option as they heat up fast and can be cleaned easily as well. Look for a sandwich maker with detachable plates. A sandwich toaster with removable plates is easier to clean without the chances of getting water inside the heating coils and damaging the appliance.
Heat settings – This is an advanced setting and is available on a few models. Adjustable heat settings allow you to make sandwiches of varying crispiness to suit different palates. This additional setting is useful for households with children or aged people who may have difficulty in chewing very crisp grilled sandwiches.
Handle – Sandwich makers are usually heavy appliances and you need to make sure it has a sturdy handle which will allow you to open and close the lid frequently without any danger of breaking or getting damaged. Plastic handles are best avoided since the constant heat emitted from sandwich makers turn plastic brittle making it break easily. the best option is to go for stainless steel handles with a rubber or silicone coating to protect your hands from the heat.
Price – Price is, of course, an important factor to consider. While spending a bit more for add-on or safety features is advised, you need not go overboard in terms of price. There are plenty of sandwich maker models available in the market and with a little searching, you are sure to find an appliance that caters to all your needs while staying within your budget.
Apart from the above-mentioned points, other features such as grill options, egg plates and waffle plates are also worth looking into if you think that you will benefit from those add-ons.
The best sandwich maker brands available in the UAE
There are several brands of top sandwich makers available in the UAE offering a plethora of functions and features. Some of the best sandwich maker brands in Dubai and the UAE include names such as Russel Hobbs, Kenwood, Black & Decker, Havells and Philips. Sandwich makers from these brands have top-notch features at the best price for sandwich makers in the UAE.
Sandwich maker uses are varied and these days it is an essential appliance for any modern kitchen. Having a dedicated sandwich-making appliance allows you to experiment with different types of fillings easily. Using your creativity, you can cook lip-smacking sandwiches at any time. And, if your chosen model has grill or waffle functions as well, then you have more scope to use a sandwich toaster to try out a variety of foods. Our guideline given above will make sure you get the best grill sandwich maker available in the UAE to suit your household needs.