A contact grill is much more versatile than just a sandwich press. Depending on the model, you can also use it to prepare paninis, vegetables, meat, fish and other dishes. Some contact grills can even be opened completely, giving you a larger grilling surface.
But how do you actually use a contact grill? Do you need to preheat it? What temperature do you need? And what is the difference between a contact grill, panini grill and a regular sandwich press?
In this guide, we explain it step by step. Would you like to view the different models first? Then discover the contact grills at TEKZEN.
What is a contact grill?
A contact grill is an electric kitchen appliance with a lower and upper grill plate. You place the dish on the lower plate and then close the top.
This allows the dish to be heated from the top and bottom at the same time.
This is an important difference compared to, for example, a regular grill pan, where the dish is mainly heated from one side and you turn it over during preparation.
What can you make with a contact grill?
A contact grill can be used for various preparations. What options you have exactly depends on the appliance you choose.
Depending on the model, you can think of:
- toasts;
- paninis;
- hot sandwiches;
- vegetables;
- meat;
- fish;
- other suitable grilled dishes.
Always check the manual and product specifications of your appliance for the exact usage options.
How do you use a contact grill?
Use is relatively simple with most contact grills.
You switch on the appliance, let the grill plates reach the required temperature if specified, and then place the dish on the lower grill plate.
Then you carefully close the upper plate over the dish.
Because both plates emit heat, the dish is heated on both sides at the same time.
The exact operation, temperature and preparation time vary by appliance and dish. Therefore, always follow the instructions of your contact grill.
Do you need to preheat a contact grill?
For many contact grills, preheating is part of the use.
This ensures that the grill plates are already at temperature before you place the dish on them. This can help you start the grilling process immediately.
Some appliances have an indicator light or display that indicates when the desired temperature has been reached.
How long preheating takes and how this is indicated varies by model.
Making toast with a contact grill
One of the best-known uses is making toast.
Spread two slices of bread with the desired ingredients, place the sandwich on the lower grill plate and close the appliance.
The advantage of a contact grill is that with many models you are not limited to fixed triangular shapes like with some traditional sandwich presses.
This allows you to use different types and sizes of bread depending on the size of the grill plates.
Making paninis with a contact grill
A contact grill is also very suitable for hot paninis.
Spread the bread as desired and place it between the grill plates. Due to the contact with the upper and lower plate, the bread is heated on both sides.
Ribbed grill plates can leave the characteristic grill marks on the bread.
For this, view the contact grills and panini grills at TEKZEN.
Grilling vegetables on a contact grill
Various vegetables can also be prepared on a contact grill.
Think, for example, of suitable pieces of zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant, onion or mushrooms.
Preferably cut the vegetables into pieces that can make uniform contact with the grill plates. This allows the heat to be distributed better over the surface.
The required preparation time varies by vegetable, thickness and set temperature.
Preparing meat on a contact grill
Depending on the model, you can also use a contact grill for various meat preparations.
Because the meat lies between two heated grill plates, it is heated on both sides at the same time.
The correct preparation time depends on the type of meat, the thickness and the temperature of the grill.
When preparing meat, always ensure that a safe core temperature is reached that is suitable for the product in question.
Can you prepare chicken on a contact grill?
With a suitable model, chicken can also be prepared on a contact grill.
For chicken, it is extra important that the meat is fully cooked. The outside can look grilled while the thickest part is not yet sufficiently heated.
Therefore, if in doubt, use a suitable food thermometer and check the safe core temperature.
Fish on the contact grill
Certain types of fish can also be prepared depending on the grill plates and the appliance.
Fish can be more delicate than, for example, a panini or a firm piece of meat. Therefore, handle the product carefully and do not use sharp objects that can damage both the fish and a possible non-stick coating.
Check the manual of your contact grill for suitable preparations.
What does 1800W or 2000W mean for a contact grill?
When comparing contact grills, you often come across the power in watts.
For contact grills, the power is often stated in watts. Compare this together with the size and the functions.
The wattage indicates the electrical power of the appliance. A higher power can contribute to quick heating and powerful heating, but it does not independently tell you how well a contact grill performs.
Therefore, also look at the size of the grill plates, temperature control, construction and functions.
Contact grill opens 180 degrees
Some contact grills can be opened completely.
This means that the upper and lower grill plate lie next to each other and a larger grilling surface is created.
This can be handy when you want to prepare multiple ingredients at the same time or use the appliance as a table grill.
Always check the chosen product whether this function is actually present.
Using a contact grill as a table grill
When a contact grill can open completely, a suitable model can also be used as a table grill.
You then use both grill plates next to each other instead of on top of each other.
This gives more surface and can be practical when you want to grill different ingredients at the same time.
When using it on the table, make sure that the appliance is stable and heat-resistant and that the cord is placed safely.
Contact grill with temperature control
Temperature control gives you more control over different preparations.
After all, a panini does not necessarily require the same setting as vegetables or meat.
On some models you can adjust the temperature manually, while other appliances work with fixed settings.
Therefore, compare the operation when choosing a contact grill at TEKZEN.
Contact grill with non-stick coating
Various contact grills have grill plates with a non-stick coating.
Such a layer is designed to help prevent suitable ingredients from easily sticking to the surface.
Do not use sharp metal objects on a non-stick coating when the manufacturer advises against it. This prevents unnecessary damage.
Also follow the maintenance instructions of the appliance when cleaning.
Contact grill or sandwich press?
A contact grill and a sandwich press can both prepare hot sandwiches, but they are not completely the same.
A traditional sandwich press is mainly intended for toasts and often has shaped baking plates.
A multifunctional contact grill generally offers more possibilities. Depending on the model, in addition to toasts, you can also prepare paninis, vegetables, meat and other dishes with it.
If you only want to make a traditional toast occasionally, a simple appliance may be sufficient. If you are looking for more versatility, a contact grill is more interesting.
Contact grill or grill pan?
You use a grill pan on a stove, while a contact grill is an electric appliance.
With a grill pan, the dish is mainly heated from the bottom and you usually turn it over during preparation.
With a closed contact grill, the top and bottom of the dish make contact with a heated plate at the same time.
Which method you find more pleasant depends on the dish and your way of cooking.
Would you rather grill on your stove? Within the collection of pans at TEKZEN you will also find grill pans and grill plates.
Contact grill or air fryer?
Although both are electric kitchen appliances, they use a different preparation method.
A contact grill heats the dish via the grill plates with which the product is in contact. An air fryer uses circulating hot air.
A contact grill is therefore, for example, handy for paninis, toasts and dishes where you want direct contact with a grill plate.
An air fryer is specifically designed for preparation with hot air.
Both appliances can therefore fulfill different roles in the kitchen. Also view the kitchen appliances at TEKZEN when you want to compare different appliances.
How do you clean a contact grill?
Let the contact grill cool down sufficiently after use and if specified, remove the plug from the socket.
Then remove loose food residues and grease according to the maintenance instructions.
Do not use aggressive or abrasive materials on a non-stick coating when they can damage the surface.
On some contact grills, the grill plates can be removed. On other models, they are fixed to the appliance.
Therefore, always check the manual before you start cleaning and never immerse electrical parts in water.
Contact grill with removable plates
Removable grill plates can make cleaning easier, because you can clean them separately from the appliance.
This does not automatically mean that every loose grill plate is dishwasher safe.
Always check the maintenance instructions of the specific model for this.
How do you prevent baked-on residues?
Preferably do not leave food residues on the grill plates for unnecessarily long.
After the appliance has cooled down sufficiently, you can remove residues according to the cleaning instructions.
Do not use knives, forks or other sharp metal objects to scrape baked-on residues from a non-stick coating.
Which contact grill should you choose?
The best choice depends mainly on what you want to prepare with the appliance.
When comparing, pay attention to, among others:
- the size of the grill plates;
- the power;
- temperature control;
- possibility to open 180 degrees;
- removable or fixed grill plates;
- non-stick coating;
- storage options;
- the dishes for which the model is suitable.
Someone who mainly makes one toast at a time has different requirements than someone who regularly wants to grill paninis, meat and vegetables for multiple people.
View the Cheffinger contact grill 1800 W as a concrete version. Look at the grilling surface, the operation and the storage options when choosing.
Buy a contact grill at TEKZEN
A contact grill is a versatile kitchen appliance with which you can make much more than just a toast. Depending on the model, you use it for paninis, sandwiches, vegetables, meat, fish and various other grilled dishes.
Check the current offer which sizes, powers and functions are available.
View the contact grills at TEKZEN and compare the different sizes and functions. Would you also like to discover other electric appliances? Then view the complete collection of kitchen appliances at TEKZEN.
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