Would you enjoy eating gourmet, restaurant-style sandwiches that won’t cost you a fortune? If you answered yes, then you should definitely consider buying a Hamilton Beach panini maker. These great gadgets can make toasty warm sandwiches in no time and you don’t even need to leave your house.
Hamilton Beach has earned its place as a household name for offering quality appliances like waffle makers, egg cookers and coffee makers at affordable prices. So we decided to research their assortment of panini makers taking into account grill size, product materials, cooking capabilities, and much more.
Contents
Hamilton Beach Comparison Table
| Image | Our Rating | Price |
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Hamilton Beach Panini Maker Reviews
Our goal is to help you make the best buying decision based on your needs. You should explore our in-depth guide to get all your questions answered so you can feel confident when you make your purchase.
1. Best Pick-Hamilton Beach (25462Z) Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker
This model offers high-quality essential features at an affordable price. This panini maker does not lack grill space. The grill plates measure 8”x10” just like the Hamilton Beach 25460A model.
This gives you enough room to toast two paninis at once. This panini maker has non-stick grill plates, too. When your panini is done toasting, lifting it with a spatula should be no problem.
The two-plate mechanism is similar to panini makers with higher price points. You’ll get even toasting and warmth on the top and bottom of your sandwich.
Along with our other picks, this panini maker has a cafe-style floating lid. This lid type is popular because it adjusts to toast sandwiches of any thickness. It is equipped with a lid lock that lets you make open-faced sandwiches and other foods with toppings.
The lock holds the lid in place as it hovers over ingredients. This nicely cooks any toppings while preventing the top grill plate from touching the food.
Key Details
This panini maker is the smallest one. It measures 4.5”x12.3”x12.6” and weighs 5.75 pounds. You can easily tuck it into any cabinet, or keep it within reach on your kitchen counter. It is built for upright storage to save space.
The Hamilton Beach 25462Z has a no-frills design, but it certainly doesn’t look or feel cheap. The cherry red lid is made from durable plastic. The finish gives the unit a subtle polished look. The lid also features the on/off light display. All other interior and exterior parts are black.
The grill plates for this model are identical to the Hamilton Beach 25460A. The top and bottom 8”x10” plates evenly toast both sides of your panini. You get even and thorough results.
Like the other two panini makers, the grill plates have a non-stick coating. This popular feature creates a user-friendly cleaning experience. You just dampen a paper towel or clean cloth with plain water and wipe off both grill plates. Make sure the entire unit has cooled off before you clean it.
There are two drawbacks we noticed about this panini maker. It doesn’t offer temperature control, but this is a trait all three panini makers lack. If you read our FAQ section for ideal cooking times, then temperature control shouldn’t be an issue.
Secondly, the lack of a drip tray is inconvenient. If you cook with butter or oil, you may experience a bit of spilling. This adds a bit more to the cleanup process, but it’s not a major flaw. It comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Compact and portable.
- Non-stick surface makes it easy to clean.
- Lid lock feature for making open-faced sandwiches.
- One-year Hamilton Beach limited warranty.
Cons
- No drip tray for oil and fat collection.
- No on or off settings
- Must unplug when not in use.
- Griddle can’t be taken apart for cleaning.
2. Best User-Friendly Pick-Hamilton Beach (25460A) Electric Panini Press Grill
This model has several features that make it stand out from similar options. It has plenty of grill plate surface area.
With an 8”x10” layout, you can even make two paninis or sandwiches at a time. There’s also no need to worry about the ingredients of one sandwich spilling over onto the other.
It’s tricky to make a perfect panini if you have to worry about flipping it. This Hamilton Beach panini maker eliminates this problem.
The top and bottom grill plates are finished with a non-stick coating. This makes it easier to cook and lift the paninis off the plates.
Another benefit of having two grill plates is that you get both sides of your paninis evenly toasted and warmed. The grill plates are also enclosed by a cafe-style floating lid with a handle that lets you firmly press each panini.
The lid lock is an excellent feature if you want to make open-faced sandwiches. The lock secures the top grill plate so that it hovers over food.
This heats up ingredients without pressing them and creating a mess. The lid lock is also suitable for cooking miniature pizzas, desserts with toppings, and similar foods.
Key Details
This panini press measures 5.6”x13.8”x12.7” and 3.0 pounds. This enhances the upright counter storage design. So there’s no need to worry about it taking up too much space in your kitchen.
The Hamilton Beach 25460A is very user-friendly thanks to its simple light system. There’s one light for power and one for preheating – that’s all you have to worry about. This display takes away the confusion or complication that’s common with new appliances.
When it’s not in use, this panini press can be stored upright so it will not take up much space. You can tuck it into a cabinet, but counter storage may be best if you use it frequently. The polished stainless steel exterior looks sleek and blends well with any kitchen decor.
Cleaning this panini press should be a breeze. The non-stick plates can easily be wiped down using a warm, damp cloth. You shouldn’t need soap or harsh cleaners. The sleek exterior can also be easily cleaned by wiping it.
You can use this panini maker to make more than just paninis. It’s versatile and lets you easily whip up quesadillas, bruschettas, Reuben sandwiches and other tasty meals.
This appliance is built to toast sandwiches of any thickness so your options are far from limited. You can even make a few paninis in the morning and reheat them in the microwave with a plate cover for enjoyment later in your day.
When you’re done using this panini press, you unplug it to start the cleanup process. Teflon coating covers the grill plates, so excess food is removed with ease. The plates are not removable, so make sure the panini press has cooled down before cleaning it.
The one drawback is that this panini maker doesn’t have adjustable heat settings. These settings give you more control over the warmth and toasting of your panini. You’ll need to keep an eye out during the pressing process.
It’s not a huge inconvenience but it’s still important to know about. Lastly, it comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Non-stick grill surface for easy cooking and cleaning.
- Cafe style floating lid for thorough and even results.
- 8”x10” surface is ideal for grilling single or multiple paninis.
- Upright storage conveniently frees up counter space.
- One-year Hamilton Beach limited warranty.
Cons
- No options for adjusting temperature settings.
- The outer unit made of stainless steel may get too hot.
- Grill plates are not removable.
3. Best Value Pick-Hamilton Beach (25410) Electric Panini Press, Sandwich Maker & Grill
This model is tailored to do much more than a standard panini grill. You can cook several paninis or sandwiches at once. It’s easy to fit three or more sandwiches on the grill surface.
The top and bottom grill plates are each 95 square inches. In comparison, the Hamilton Beach (25460A) and Hamilton Beach (25462Z) have 80 square inch plates.
This panini maker can cook most items in 10 minutes or less. Once you plug it in, the unit is ready to use within six minutes. In addition to sandwiches, you can grill meats and other foods with this appliance.
The top and bottom plates are coated with Teflon to create a non-stick surface. This allows you to grill paninis and other delicious foods with ease. Bread won’t cling to the grill when it is done toasting. Excess ingredients such as shredded cheese and sauces can easily be wiped off.
This model is made for upright storage, too. It does take up slightly more space than other options because it measures 13.5”x13.75”x5.1” and 5.65 pounds. This is only a few inches larger, so the difference isn’t huge. But if you don’t have a lot of counter space, you may want to store it in a cabinet.
Like the other models, this panini press features a cafe style floating lid. There’s no need to flip food during the heating or cooking process. This helps produce evenly toasted sandwiches and thoroughly grilled meats.
It is equipped with the same lid lock as the Hamilton Beach 25460A. You can efficiently heat open-faced sandwiches and other foods like it.
Key Details
When you buy this panini maker, you get a free scraper/spatula tool. This bonus item is useful for safely removing sandwiches from the hot grill. The scraping mechanism helps remove excess ingredients from the non-stick plates. The tool is plastic, so you don’t have to worry about metal scratching your panini maker.
This panini maker is ideal if you want to go beyond toasting sandwiches. It’s able to cook beef, fish, vegetable kebabs, and more. You get the benefits of an indoor grill and panini press in a single appliance. Other Hamilton Beach panini makers cannot grill meat, so this model really stands out.
This panini maker is also a good choice if you’re making food for several people. The 95 square inch grill surface can fit at least three paninis. One grill plate on top and one on the bottom ensure that food is thoroughly warmed, toasted, and cooked. This helps you get even results, too.
It’s easy to get started because the panini maker powers on once it’s plugged in. It immediately starts preheating, and it is ready to use within six minutes. When you’re done using the panini maker, you just have to unplug it to shut off the power.
Cleaning the grill plates is a quick and easy task. They have the same non-stick design as the Hamilton Beach (25460A) and the Hamilton Beach (25462Z) models. You can use a clean, damp cloth for basic cleaning. The plastic scraper tool is handy for a thorough cleaning, too.
The drip tray is also convenient to clean. The removable tray is dishwasher safe. It’s best to pour excess fats and oils into a safe container prior to washing. Fats and oils may clog drains if they cool off and solidify.
The exterior of this panini press is sleek and classic. The lid features a stainless steel look with a very polished finished. The rest of the unit is black with a standard finish. If you decide to store it on the counter, it should blend in well with other kitchen appliances.
Our main complaint about this panini grill is that it doesn’t have adjustable heat settings. You can’t control the temperature when toasting or cooking. This may be particularly inconvenient when cooking meat.
To help prevent undercooking, make sure you let the grill preheat. The user guide offers suggested cooking times, so the lack of settings isn’t a deal-breaker. It comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- 95 square inch surface for cooking large portions or multiple servings.
- Removable drip tray neatly collects fat.
- The drip tray is also dishwasher safe.
- Hamilton Beach scraper and spatula included.
- One-year Hamilton Beach limited warranty.
Cons
- Size may be slightly bulky for counter storage.
- No on/off switch.
- No adjustable heat settings.
Hamilton Beach Buying Guide
At first glance, it may seem that these three panini presses are very similar. All three certainly share similar traits but each one meets different needs. We’re here to help you choose the one that’s right for you. Our buying guide covers all of the factors to consider before making your purchase.
Key Features
The panini press you choose should allow you to make sandwiches precisely how you want them. Thick or thin, large or small, two meals or four – it’s important to get what you truly need.
What’s perfect for you may not be ideal for another buyer. That’s why our research is so comprehensive. Read on so you can make a truly well-informed purchase.
Grill Size
The Hamilton Beach (25460A) and the Hamilton Beach (25462Z) both have an 8”x10” grilling surface. For many buyers, this is plenty of space to make a few small sandwiches or one larger one. You may find these two options ideal if you plan to use the panini maker for 1-2 people.
Our Best Value Pick offers an ample 95 square inch grilling surface. This option may suit you better if you plan to cook for multiple people. You should have enough space to make at least three paninis or sandwiches.
Cleaning
It’s important to correctly clean the grill plates of a panini press. Fortunately, all of these panini makers feature non-stick grill surfaces. They are easy to clean once the press is unplugged and fully cooled off.
To remove any oils or excess food, simply use a damp cloth or paper towel. Clean, warm water should do the trick. Occasionally, you may wish to deep clean the grill plates.
Some panini makers have removable parts to clean. For example, the Hamilton Beach 25410 has a removable drip tray. The tray is dishwasher safe but make sure to carefully get rid of the oils and fat it holds. Pouring these substances down the drain can lead to clogged pipes.
Durability
All three of the panini makers are for non-commercial use. They’re designed for typical household use. Each unit is durable enough to withstand the average sandwich making that a single person or family does. Performance within a commercial setting may speed up wear and tear.
Warranty
Each Hamilton Beach product comes with a limited manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty guarantees that the appliance will be free of defects for one year. The one-year warranty starts from the date of purchase, and it covers defects in material and workmanship.
It’s important to note that the warranty doesn’t cover natural wear and tear or product misuse. Make sure to register your panini maker on the Hamilton Beach website. This makes it easier to file a claim if you ever need to.
You may buy an extended warranty for your panini maker. Extended warranties for kitchen appliances are available through product retailers. They offer extra appliance coverage for a one-time fee. Check with the retailer to get specific details on your extended warranty options.
Accessories
You don’t need to worry about purchasing many accessories for your panini maker. A spatula is all you need to remove hot sandwiches when they’re ready. The Hamilton Beach (25410) comes equipped with a two-in-one spatula/scraper. The scraping feature helps you gently get rid of excess ingredients that melt on the grill plates.
Safety
Safety is incredibly important when using a panini maker. You always need to unplug yours when it’s not in use. All three Hamilton Beach models begin pre-heating once they’re plugged in. Once the panini maker is fully heated, it stays at that temperature until you unplug it.
This also ties into safely cleaning the unit. Once again, make sure to let your panini press cool off first. This may take several minutes once it’s unplugged. Use caution the first few times you clean it to avoid getting burnt.
Exterior Design
The exterior appearance doesn’t affect how you make your paninis. However, most people have personal preferences when it comes to style, so you should know the differences before you buy.
The Hamilton Beach (25460A) features a silver cafe style floating lid. The finish is shiny and somewhat reflective. The lid also features a red power light and a green light that lets you know it’s ready to use. The rest of the unit is black.
The Hamilton Beach (25410) is very similar, but there are a few subtle differences. This panini maker also has a silver floating lid with a stylish stainless steel finish. However, the lid is detailed with six thin vertical lines. The rest of the panini maker is mostly black, but the sides feature more silver. Lastly, this larger option has a removable black drip tray.
The Hamilton Beach (25462Z) looks just a bit different from the other two options. The lid has the same cafe-style floating design, but it’s red instead of silver. It also doesn’t feature a polished finish like the others. Aside from these differences, it’s nearly identical to our Best User-Friendly panini maker.
Assembly
Assembly shouldn’t be an issue with any of the three panini makers. The Hamilton Beach (25460A) and the Hamilton Beach (25462Z) come fully assembled and ready to use. All you’ve got to do is unpackage the panini press.
The Hamilton Beach (25410) is mostly assembled, but you’ll need to slide the drip tray into place once you remove the packaging. There’s a designated spot for the drip tray centered on the bottom portion of the panini maker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to make sandwiches, quesadillas etc. in a panini press?
A: The amount of time it takes mostly depends on what you’re cooking. Common panini recipes list 3-5 minutes for cooking time. Quesadillas are thinner than paninis, so they will probably take less than three minutes. Large Reuben sandwiches may take longer than five minutes.
Here are 10 side dishes that go well with Quesadillas.
Q: What is the ideal type of bread and thickness when making a panini sandwich? Do you butter the bread?
A: Every Hamilton Beach panini press is created to grill sandwiches of any thickness. Buttering the bread isn’t necessary when making a panini. It’s a matter of personal preference. This is also true for olive oil and similar ingredients.
Foccacia bread and ciabatta bread are commonly recommended. They are both firm, thick, and can stand on their own when sliced. These aspects make the bread easy to grill without flattening it.
Pre-packaged sandwich bread is not recommended because it’s thin, airy, and soft. The pressure applied by a panini press may totally flatten the bread. However, you can use a bread maker to make your own bread to grill.
Q: Can you cook burgers in a panini press?
A: It depends on which panini press you use. The Hamilton Beach (25410) can grill burgers and other types of meat. However, the Hamilton Beach (25460A) cannot be used to cook raw meat.
Q: How hot does a Panini Press get?
A: Every panini press is different but all of them get very hot. The three Hamilton Beach panini makers we’ve reviewed do not have temperature settings. They become hot enough to toast bread and make sandwich ingredients warm.
The Hamilton Beach user manuals recommend the use of oven mitts when you are cooking. The manuals also warn users that excess steam during cooking can be a burn hazard.
Q: Do you need to buy a panini press scraper?
A: A panini press scraper is optional. The Hamilton Beach (25410) comes equipped with a spatula/scraper combo.
Conclusion
Panini makers are great investments for making delicious warm paninis at home. They are very cost effective and eliminate the need to pay high restaurant prices.
Panini makers are generally user-friendly, so there’s no frustrating learning curve. Diverse options and broad price ranges make it easy for most people to find their ideal Hamilton Beach panini maker.
With so many inclusive designs, you can use a panini press to make a variety of different foods. You can whip up quesadillas, flatbreads, petite grilled cheese, and savory Reuben sandwiches.
Panini makers with lid-locking features allow you to make mini pizzas, bruschetta, fruit turnovers, and more. Some panini presses even cook meat, so your options are practically endless.
We hope that after reading our detailed reviews and comprehensive buying guide, you’ll have all the information you need to select the Hamilton Beach Panini Maker that is right for your kitchen.
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