What's the difference between the panini maker and a george foreman grill?
446639
Good question. I used the George Forman grill ( which I have had for years) as a Panini Press . It works fine except that it doesn't have a floating hinge, so you can get angled sandwiches on thick bread. Some of the panini makers have adjustable hinges, some have floating ones, but all have some sort of hinge adjustment. The Forman Grill (at least the one I had) didn't. But you can pretty much use them interchangably. Watch for drip trays on some (particularly if you want to use them like a grill for chicken or things that might drip). But I like the convenience and clean-ability of the panini presses that I have now. So I'm going to stay with the press rather than the grill. Hope this helps.
287056
The griddle is just the top of the oven, so they have the same controls. To use the griddle you turn in the oven and visa versa.
1503727
This model does not come with different plates. The removable grates are just for cleaning only. The George Foreman G5 comes with what you are looking for.
1639653
Agree with C. Cruz. I believe it's a quality pan. Obviously, good to make a panini, but I like it for burgers when I can't get outside to grill.
1517124
Yes it is the same grill. I was confused by this when I bought my grill as well. Best grill I ever owned cooks awsome
800739
The gr-4n is only slightly larger, but it also grills and can cook bacon and eggs, for example. It apparently has a flat grill plate as well as the ridged one. If you're looking for an all-purpose griller/Panini maker, that one might be a better choice. In my case, I didn't want the grill feature, and I like the compact size of the gr-1. I can easily put it away when it's not in use, and it's easy to clean with a damp cloth. It makes great Panini sandwiches, but that's all it does.
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.
1088936
Get a Cuisinart Griddler/Panini maker instead. Gets hotter and has more funstions.
699570
Never having used the other,but it's also cast iron-so just looking at it I noticed first the difference in SIZE about two inches difference which though it doesn't sound like much, is good when considering grilling surface. Also, the other has higher sides which would promote more liquid to stay on the surface -- and make it harder to achieve "grill" effect. But either should work -hope it helps.
1493578
It looks like the same grill to me. The only difference I see is that the newer model has tool hooks on the handle. Maybe they are hoping to catch someone asleep. Do yourself a favor and get the new one along with the Weber work table (Weber Number 7413, $59.95) and use the extra cash for some good steaks.
1077057
Your question made me curious, so I went to T-fal's site and looked around for a bit and no other plates are offered from what I can tell. You're probably better off buying another grill with the style of plates you're looking for, or just buy a panini grill outright. Too bad, because I think more customers, myself included, might buy some different plates if they were offered.
521876
It has flat plates to make old fashioned grilled cheese. On the reverse there are waffle plates. So if you mean by panini that you want your bread grilled with diagonal stripes, no. But you could get them grilled without stripes if you use the flat plates, and with a checkerboard pattern if you use the waffle side.
1530681
I have not used the cuisinart, but I love my lil grill! I use it every day, in fact since I first plugged it in, I have turned on my stove only a couple of times, if I can grill it I do, it is awesome for veggies, and all meats...and makes an awesome panini sandwich. Sausage patties done in a flash without the greasy mess! Its small, but for 2 people it is great!
861673
I don't think there is a difference. The oven cooks using convection and infrared technology. I don't know why they list them different. I bought this black one with the extender ring. I love it. It comes with a pan, 2 metal racks, the extender ring and a DVD to show you how to use it. They also give you a plastic coated 8x11 card that is a quick guide to how long to cook meats and a little cook book. Here's my advice to you. They give you this lid holder. Don't use it. I think that is one of the reasons people's domes are cracking. The plastic gets really hot and the heating unit on top is heavy. When I want to check or turn the food, I pause it and completely take the dome off and place it upright on a wooden cutting board. Further more. When your food is done cooking, take the heating unit off the dome and let them cool separately. After the dome is cool, as in after your meal, hand wash it. People seem to have a problem with the dome cracking. I don't. I never put it in the dishwasher and I never leave it on it's side. Other than that, it's a great oven and I highly recommend it.
220698
I do not feel any difference in the surface of the Lodge Logic or the Pro-Logic cast iron pans.. I love the way they both cook....
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.
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.