Do you use your Panini Press for grilling other items, such as Chicken Breasts or Burgers? If so, for how long are you cooking them?
1055196
Never for burgers or chicken breast. Just precooked ham and chicken on paninis..Good luck
1055197
I only use it for sandwiches, so only bread is touching the heated grill part. I still use it a couple times a week and its still a champ. Sorry I can't answer the question about using it for meat though.
1055198
No, I wouldn't recommend doing that. It has open sides & won't cook it all the way through. It also doesn't have a grease trap or anywhere for excess juices to drip. We only use it for sandwiches, wraps, burritos, etc. I would not use it to cook raw meat at all. Hope this was helpful!
1055199
I gave it away since it did not have on/off switch it sparked when I plugged it into the wall & I didn't feel safe using it...
1055200
Usually go beyond warning light (red). Most of the time its look see. Really happy with the unit and for the two of us its the right size. I have found a try and look method to be the best. Have found that different thicknesses makes a difference.
1055201
i have just gotten the press and have had three sandwitches made with it. we haven't experimented with it at all
1055202
No I am not cooking chicken breasts nor burgers on the panini press. I'm an avid griller on my outdoor gas grill and I use it at least once a week to grill chicken or fresh ground beef or turkey burgers so there would never be an occasion that I would grill those items on the panini press. I used for sandwiches of all kind on wraps or artisan bread. Of course you can cook both of those items on it though. I used it a lot to cook bacon easily and fast. You have to watch that bacon because it cooks fast. Sorry I couldn't be of much help on this question.
198599
I know that problem. I've never had an issue with smoke. The trick with a grill pan is to pre-heat until hot then add your food item, and then it doesn't take long to cook. I've done hot dogs, pork chops, steaks of course. Hope this helps. Love my grill pan.
1347531
Yes for burgers or thin chicken breasts. Tried a London broil and it didn't cook well. Had to slice it up and then cook again. Meat dried out. But I've done marinated chicken and burgers with no problem
1121303
We cook frozen hamburger patties and chicken breasts on it all the time. You just have to make sure that the patties are situated so they are sitting on the heating element. As with other electric griddles, the surface doesn't heat evenly so you have to make use of the hot spots. I have also cooked thin cut ribeye steaks and carne asada meat on it before, but as John mentioned I would recommend using a skillet for thick steaks.
1913683
Sorry I've never cooked burgers or steak. I use it primary for Asian mostly for grilling veggies, marinated chicken and seafood.
2116471
I don't know a use for a water pan. I love this grill. Turn it on and grill to my hearts content. Have you tried grilled beets? Cut off the tops, bottoms and little strings. Grill till a little soft. Quarter, add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. YUMM
1504684
Yes...it's awesome for everything but broiling and grilling (too hot of a direct heat). If you roast veggies tossed in oil or bake chicken, or any other thing where oil is involved, they are much harder to clean and they darken over time, but it has not affected performance for me. I have had mine for about 4 years. Just use Dawn or some other soap that really cuts grease and a scrub sponge designed for nonstick cookware along with some elbow grease and they will clean up, but they do darken with such use. It is still a snap to clean compared to a roasting pan with its burnt-on gunk! Do not hesitate. I use mine for roasting four times as often as I bake with them...maybe more. Yes...it's awesome for everything but broiling and grilling (too hot of a direct heat). If you roast veggies tossed in oil or bake chicken, or any other thing where oil is involved, they are much harder to clean and they darken over time, but it has not affected performance for me. I have had mine for about 4 years. Just use Dawn or some other soap that really cuts grease and a scrub sponge designed for nonstick cookware along with some elbow grease and they will clean up, but they do darken with such use. It is still a snap to clean compared to a roasting pan with its burnt-on gunk! Do not... » Read More Yes...it's awesome for everything but broiling and grilling (too hot of a direct heat). If you roast veggies tossed in oil or bake chicken, or any other thing where oil is involved, they are much harder to clean and they darken over time, but it has not affected performance for me. I have had mine for about 4 years. Just use Dawn or some other soap that really cuts grease and a scrub sponge designed for nonstick cookware along with some elbow grease and they will clean up, but they do darken with such use. It is still a snap to clean compared to a roasting pan with its burnt-on gunk! Do not hesitate. I use mine for roasting four times as often as I bake with them...maybe more. « Show Less
1819529
I use the oven. I'm sure you can use a lower temperature, but I just throw the metal plates in a 350 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes. Whatever is convenient. You could probably throw them on the grill, but the oven is cleaner in m y opinion.
211715
I just cooked some today and I have found out that the time they give you in the recipe book is always, not enough time. It cooks bacon perfect without burning it or drying it out or frying it too crisp. I love my grill and do most everything that requires frying in a skillet. You just have to found out much time it takes to cook it the way you want it.
1392648
So far, I have only used it for baking fish or other foods that require a high temperature for 15-20 mins, I have a convection oven. It is heavy and doesn't warp even when the heat is at 450F. I think you could use it under the broiler (is that what you mean by "grilling"?), try heating just the pan to 500F and see.
138420
From fridge to plate is 15 minutes, I use Hebrew franks. The bun warmer is so so and the timer broke on mine the 3rd time I used it. It still cooks I use the clock to cook with.
1033490
That was a good answer. I use mine on the stove, I like to get the grill marks on my burgers.
1962670
Yes, I use 1/3 pound per-formed patties from Costco. Cooking between 360-400 four to five minutes per side. It works well for a single patty to as many as will fit on the grill.
1877670
The press (lid/cover/top) DOES NOT leave any marks on a cooking panini. The "grill marks" are created from the pan itself. Under ordinary circumstances, you'll need to flip the panini part way through the cooking time.
1033055
Yes, you can make burgers and then freeze them. You would not freeze them in the press, as there is no way to seal them and might have an adverse affect over time on the plastic.. This question is actually not about the product but I thought I would answer you anyway.
95225
No, but I pre-cooked the items to stuff burgers with first, I don"t think they would turn out as well if I didn't. The burgers are fun to make as there are so many varieties to try.
1235823
Yes it is great for Panini sandwiches. Very user friendly grill for more than just cooking meat. I have done veggie slices in it as well as sandwiches.