When purchasing a Panini sandwich maker as a gift or for yourself, there are a number of things you should first take into consideration. If you do some research before you make your purchase, you will have a better chance of making an educated purchase, and you will get a good, durable appliance that you will enjoy using and that will be appropriate for your needs.

You want to make sure that you get a sandwich maker that is the proper size for how you will generally be using it. If you have a family, and need to make more than one sandwich at a time, a large model will be your best option. Because these models allow you to make at least two sandwiches at a time, it will save time when making sandwiches. However, if you generally only have a need for one sandwich, a smaller model would be more appropriate, and would save you storage space.

You should always purchase a good quality metal variety. Although some are made with plastic parts, these usually are not durable enough to make a good Panini sandwich. You need to apply some pressure when making the sandwich, and plastic parts tend to break under this type of pressure. Plastic also cannot be heated as much as metal, so you might not be able to achieve the proper hot temperature that is required to make a good sandwich. Metal is always the best choice for your sandwich maker.

Look for good high quality construction, and a heavy lid when choosing your Panini sandwich maker. This will not only be durable, but will help you press the sandwich down while you are cooking it. Test out some sandwich makers at your local store, picking them up to compare the weight and feel. They should be heavy, and should feel like they are solidly constructed. In addition, you will want to choose a hinged lid. This will allow the lid to adjust to fit the size and shape of the sandwich that you are cooking, and will allow for more even cooking, without just squashing the sandwich.

Choosing a non-stick surface is usually your best choice when selecting a Panini sandwich maker. If the cooking surface is not non-stick, it will be difficult to clean up after you use it, which will probably mean it will get used infrequently. Even sticky sandwich fillings are easy to clean up when the surface is non-stick, and usually only requires cleaning with a damp cleaning sponge or cloth.