Sandwich makers

Anyone shopping for a breakfast appliance is choosing between a sandwich maker and a pop-up toaster. Milton says a pop-up toaster suits plain bread slices and has an easy crumb tray. A sandwich maker grills filled sandwiches, and its plates need wiping after use.

For the maker itself, wattage and plate design matter most. Milton says sandwich makers and grillers typically use 750 W to 1000 W. Higher wattage preheats faster and suits thicker sandwiches.

Our main pages are the best sandwich maker and the best sandwich maker for home. Type guides cover the best grill sandwich maker, the best sandwich maker and griller, the best sandwich toaster and the best toast maker. For a simpler option, see the basic sandwich maker guide.

Plates come first. Milton says most models have non-stick aluminium plates for even, fast heating. A common size fits two sandwiches at once. Detachable plates make cleaning easier.

Safety features are the next check. Milton suggests looking for a power indicator, auto cut-off, a lid lock, a heat-resistant body, ergonomic handles and sturdy hinges.

Care keeps the plates in good shape. Borosil advises unplugging and cooling the maker before cleaning. Wipe the plates with a damp cloth and lift food with wooden or plastic tools. Avoid steel wool and abrasives, and keep water away from the internal electrical parts.

Toasters follow a different standard. IS 1287 requires toasting to take between 60 and 180 seconds. It wants bread browned evenly on both sides and a power cord at least 2 metres long. A toaster must also work properly through 200 hours of repeated on-off cycling.