Cuisinart WM-SW2N1 Nonstick Sandwich Grill Maker

If you enjoy toasted sandwiches, using a sandwich maker is a convenient alternative to cooking them by hand. You can simply prepare a sandwich with bread and your desired fillings, put it in the sandwich maker, close the lid and have your meal ready within around five minutes. This appliance is compact enough to have in your kitchen, dorm or camper, and its versatility makes it possible to create other treats such as pizza pockets, French toast and omelets.

Sandwich makers come in various styles with different types of plates. It helps to know how many sandwiches you’ll cook, which types you prefer and how much versatility you need. You’ll also want to pay attention to the size of the machine’s plates and the maximum height your sandwiches can be, especially if you like thick bread and many fillings. The cooking time is another important consideration.

Many sandwich makers have special indented plates that make two or four triangular sandwiches. However, others have a long plate that is flat and can accommodate a few full-sized sandwiches or even one long sandwich. The flat plates offer more versatility since you can use them for other types of foods easily. You can also consider sandwich makers with swappable plates to make various types of sandwiches and even waffles.

While less common, special-purpose sandwich makers exist for cooking breakfast sandwiches such as croissants and English muffins. These have multiple plates so you cook an egg separately from the bread, meats and other fillings. The downside of these, though, is that they’re not as versatile as traditional sandwich makers.

Regardless of which sandwich maker you choose, you’ll notice some common features such as nonstick plates, automatic temperature controls and clear indicator lights. The plates are also designed to keep your sandwich fillings from leaking out and causing a mess. In addition, you can expect your sandwich maker to cook both sides of your food evenly so you don’t have the hassle of flipping your sandwich over.

• Unless your sandwich maker is marked otherwise, only use it indoors. You should also stick with using a grounded outlet for safety.
• Always check the sandwich maker’s plug for any defects and avoid plugging it in if you see any.
• Place the sandwich maker on a stable and heat-safe surface and avoid locations where the maker could get wet or come in contact with something flammable. Plus, make sure that it’s out of the reach of children who could touch it and get burned.
• When you plug in the sandwich maker, a red indicator light should show that there’s power. After a few minutes, a green indicator light usually comes on to indicate that the maker has warmed up and is ready to cook your sandwich.
• Make sure you properly prepare your sandwich so that it cooks well. This means avoiding overstuffing it and knowing the limitations of your sandwich maker.  You can also add some butter to your sandwich’s sides if desired.
• Most sandwich makers don’t require oiling the plates beforehand, but you can still do this if you’re concerned about your sandwich sticking.
• To use the appliance, place your sandwich on the bottom plate, press the lid down tightly and apply the latch. Make sure you remove the sandwich once it has finished cooking so that it doesn’t get burned. Some makers will automatically shut off to prevent this.
• It’s best to remove your cooked sandwich using a spatula instead of your hands.
• Always unplug your sandwich maker and let it cool off before you either clean it or store it for later use.
• Thanks to the nonstick surface most sandwich makers have, cleaning the plates is usually as simple as using a damp cloth. However, you should avoid using chemicals on it since this can cause damage. Some products make things even more convenient with parts you can remove and safely put in the dishwasher. 
• When you’re ready to store your sandwich maker, make sure to lock the lid’s latch. This gives you the option to store it upright in a cabinet if desired.