The best flat plate Panini presses are small electric grills that allow you to cook food items (such as hot sandwiches) from both below and above simultaneously. That said, the flat plate units we’ve included in this guide aren’t limited to just making sandwiches. You can also use them for grilling a chicken breast, a burger, reheat pizza, cook bacon, and more.
With that in mind, I went out into the market before you and tested more than 30 different flat plate Panini Presses and then narrowed that list to the best five that I could find. This means that all you ought to do now is go through the list and pick the one you think will best meet your needs and requirement. If, for some reason, you’re still having a hard time making a final educated decision by the end of the post, I’ve also included my favorite unit from the list in the conclusion section.
Without further ado, let’s get into it and look at the first product.
The Top 5 Best Flat Plate Panini Presses in 2022
| Panini Maker Name | Weight | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-in-1 Griddler | 8 lbs | 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 in | Check Price |
| Panini Grill | 68.5 lbs | 15.5 x 21.8 x 21.6 in | Check Price |
| 3-in-1 Waffle Maker | 9.38 lbs | 14 x 13.1 x 6.2 in | Check Price |
| Cuisinart Griddler | 16.84 lbs | 14.65 x 16.22 x 8.11 in | Check Price |
| Commercial Panini Press Grill | 39.5 lbs | 16.73 x 14.57 x 7.87 in | Check Price |
Flat Plate Panini Press #1:
- If you’ve been following my guides for a while (I hope you have been), then you know that I like to start all my guides on a high note – and what is a better way to start a post on the best flat plate Panini Presses than with a unit from one of the best kitchen appliance brands? Started in 1971 by Carl Sontheimer, Cuisinart is a leading American home appliance brand best known for releasing revolutionary kitchen appliances. This Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Maker is no different.
- As you can see from the product’s image above, the unit has been fitted with a floating hinge, which allows it to adjust to the thickness of your sandwiches. This awards you the freedom to use as many fillings as your mouth desires.
- If one of your goals this year was to eat healthily, then this unit has also got your back. Its dishwasher-safe non-stick cooking plates have been designed in a way that allow them to drain grease from your meals for healthy cooking into an integrated drip tray. Cleaning the drip tray won’t be a hassle either.
Notable features:
- Retails from a reputable brand
- Extremely durable
- Compact and lightweight
- The feet are anti-skid even on wet surfaces
- Retails with a user manual
- Easy to use and clean
Flat Plate Panini Press #2:
- A few months ago, my best friend invited me to a cookout his wife had organized. Approximately 40 people attended the cookout, where my friend’s wife served some of the most delicious Panini sandwiches I’ve ever tasted in my life. When I asked about the unit she had used to prepare such a huge number of delicious sandwiches, she pointed out that this exact unit she had used. So, as expected, I promised myself to give the appliance a try whenever I create a review where I think it would fit (and today, the chance has finally presented itself.)
- After going through the list of features fitted on this masterpiece, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the unit has been equipped with 3200 watts. That explains why it had no trouble maintaining its consistency after preparing hundreds of sandwiches.
- The second thing you’ll notice is that the unit has been designed for commercial purposes. And if it can handle the needs of a restaurant, you can rest assured nothing your home throws on it will slow it down.
Notable features:
- Commercial grade
- Extremely powerful and sturdy
- Easy to use and clean
- No assembly required
- Durable
Flat Plate Panini Press #3:
- Any guide on kitchen appliances would be incomplete without at least one masterpiece from Black + Decker. Founded in 1910, Black + Decker is a reputable brand currently leading manufacturing home appliances, fastening systems, hardware, home improvement products, accessories, and power tools.
- Over the century the company has been in existence, its products have become synonymous with durability and sturdiness, precisely what this BLACK+DECKER G48TD Panini Maker delivers.
- During my review sessions online, I came across people who claimed that they had been using this exact model for years now, and their units have never run into any issues or complications. Besides working as a flat plate Panini Press, it also works as a griddle, grill, and waffle maker. If I were to create a guide on the best versatile Panini Presses, you could rest assured it is one of the units I’ll consider.
Notable features:
- Very versatile
- Easy to clean and use
- Boasts a floating hinge system
- Boasts stay-cool black handles
- Stands upright for storage, saving space on your counter
Flat Plate Panini Press #4:
- The third product in our detailed enumeration is also from Cuisinart. If that doesn’t solidify the fact that Cuisinart is a leading kitchen appliances brand, then I do not know what does. Having said that, what does this particular unit offer?
- Well, for starters, the unit retails with six different cooking options, namely top melt, half griddle/half grill, full grill, full griddle, Panini Press, and contact grill. This certainly qualifies it as one of the most versatile Panini Presses out there.
- As you can see from the product’s image, the unit has also been fitted with an LED display that shows you all the functions the appliance retails with. This feature will mainly come in handy if the person who’ll be operating the machine has never used a Panini Press before.
Notable features:
- Very versatile
- BPA free material
- Easy to clean and use
- Boasts a dual-zone temperature control
- Boasts an LED display
Flat Plate Panini Press #5:
- The last but by no means the least flat plate Panini Press in our detailed guide is the TAIMIKO Commercial Panini Press Grill. If you’re after a unit that also qualifies as one of the most unique Panini Presses, this could be the unit you’re looking for
- After testing the product, I placed it on my kitchen counter, and everyone who walked in there had something amazing to say about its aesthetic design. The outer shell is also anti-scratch, easy to clean, and non-stick.
- The manufacturer has equipped the unit with a 1.5KW heating element that will allow it to handle anything your kitchen throws on it.
Notable features:
- It will look aesthetic on the kitchen counter
- Easy to use and clean
- Quality assurance
- Very powerful
- Boasts high-quality heating elements
Conclusion
There you have it, my guide of the five best flat plate Panini Presses. If you’ve found a product that you think will best meet your needs and requirements, then I urge you to go ahead and place an order while stock lasts.
If you haven’t, which is quite common and understandable, then as I promised, I have a pick that I think can meet anyone’s needs and requirements. The Cuisinart GR-4NP1 Panini Press withstood everything I threw on it during my test sessions. It was consistent with its results, had a huge capacity, it’s powerful, and delivered all the meals fast. Give it a try, and you’ll thank me later.
And what will be the best flat plate panini press in 2023? If you are interested in this subject subscribe us and share your opinion in a comment. Thank you!