Prices from Amazon AU, updated daily. Swipe or use the arrows for more.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to amazon.com.au. If you buy through one of these links iFix may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't change which products we recommend. We focus on what actually lasts based on 16 years of repair-shop experience.
Quick summary7 picks
- Entry PickSunbeam Café Style 2-Slice Sandwich Press… about$55
- Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press about$582000W.
- Sunbeam Café Style 4-Slice Sandwich Press… about$68
- Sunbeam Café Style 6-Slice Sandwich Press… about$75
- Breville BSG220BSS the Toast & Melt… about$75
- GC27B8 Inicio Sandwich Press 4-slice about$1002000W.
- Most PremiumBreville LSG545BSS the Toast and Melt 4… about$127
Flat presses, toastie makers and grills
A sandwich press has two flat or ribbed heated plates, one on a hinged lid, and it cooks whatever's between them from both sides at once. It's different from a jaffle or toastie maker, which has shaped plates that seal and cut the bread into pockets. A press is more flexible: you can do toasted sandwiches, wraps, focaccia, open melts and, on the bigger ones, a bit of breakfast.
At the top end, a press shades into a contact grill, with a drip tray and plates designed for steak, burgers and vegetables. The Sunbeam Café Style picks lean that way, with listings that talk about searing steaks and cooking a full breakfast. If you mainly want toasties, a plain flat press is enough. If you want one appliance to do sandwiches and the odd steak, a bigger plate with a drip tray makes more sense.
Plate size decides capacity. The two-slice presses fit one or two sandwiches, the four-slice models fit four standard slices, and the Sunbeam six-slice fits six. Bigger plates take a little longer to heat and more room to store, but they're far less fiddly when you're feeding a family, because everyone eats at once rather than in shifts.
All five picks here are sold by Amazon AU, from $58 to $127 at time of writing. Two are Sunbeam, two are Breville and one is Russell Hobbs. They're the brands that dominate the category on Amazon AU, and they're also the ones I'd expect to still be selling spare parts and honouring warranties in a few years' time.
The floating hinge is the feature that matters
A basic press with a fixed hinge closes the top plate at an angle. Thick bread gets squashed at the back and barely touched at the front, and the filling squeezes out the sides. A floating hinge lets the top plate rise and stay flat over the bread, so a thick focaccia or a stacked toastie gets even pressure across the whole sandwich.
Every pick here has some version of that. The Russell Hobbs and both Breville listings name a floating hinge. The two Sunbeam Café Style presses use what Sunbeam calls AnyHeight Control, a lever that sets the top plate at several heights and locks it there, so it can hover over an open melt or a steak without pressing down. The Breville Toast and Melt models add height settings too: four on the compact one and seven on the four-slice.
Height control is what lets a press do open melts. With the top plate locked just above the food, it radiates heat down onto cheese on toast without touching it, a bit like a small grill. That's handy for open sandwiches, bruschetta and reheating pizza. A press without height control can only press, which is fine for toasties and not much else.
The hinge is also a wear point. It carries the weight of the top plate thousands of times, and on lower-priced presses the plastic around the pivot cracks or the pin works loose. Lift the lid by the handle, not by one corner, and don't lean on it to squash a thick sandwich flat. The Breville compact press lists heavy duty die cast arms, which should help.
Non-stick coatings and how long they last
The plates are aluminium with a non-stick coating, and the coating is the part that wears out first. Every pick here uses non-stick plates, and the two Breville listings both say PFOA free, with the compact one also mentioning a titanium-infused coating. None of the listings say how long the coating should last, which is fair, because it depends almost entirely on how it's treated.
Metal is what kills it. A knife or a metal spatula used to lift a sandwich scratches the coating, and once it's scratched, food sticks there and the coating starts to lift around the edges. Use a wooden or silicone spatula, and never cut sandwiches on the plates. Abrasive scourers do the same damage more slowly, so stick to a soft cloth or sponge.
Heat is the other problem. Running a press empty on full heat for long periods, or leaving it on after you've finished, bakes the coating and dulls it. Turn it off when you're done. Spray oils can also leave a sticky residue that builds up and burns, so if you use oil at all, brush on a little rather than spraying the plates.
When the coating starts flaking, it's time to replace the press, because on most of these the plates aren't sold separately. A press that's treated well should keep its coating for years. One that's attacked with a knife every morning usually looks tired inside twelve months, and no brand's coating changes that much.
Heating elements, thermostats and the ready light
Inside, each plate has a heating element underneath and a thermostat that switches it on and off to hold temperature. That's why the ready light on most presses goes on and off while you're cooking: the thermostat is cycling the element. It's normal, and it doesn't mean the press is faulty.
When a press fails, it's usually that thermostat or the element. A press that never gets hot, or one plate that stays cold, usually means a failed element or a broken connection to it. A press that overheats and burns everything, or never turns its ready light on, often has a thermostat that's stuck. Both are inside the plate housing, and on most presses at this price they're not worth repairing outside warranty.
Most presses also have a thermal fuse that cuts the power if the thermostat fails and the plates overheat. If a press dies completely after burning something, that's probably what's happened. The fuse is a safety part, and replacing it without fixing the reason it blew is asking for trouble, so a dead press that smells burnt is usually a replacement rather than a repair.
The cord is worth checking as well. Presses are folded up and stored with the cord wrapped tight around them, and over time that kinks the cord where it enters the body. If the cord is cracked, scorched or the press only works when you wiggle it, stop using it. That's a common fault and it's a real shock and fire risk.
Power, running cost and your powerpoint
Two picks state their power: the Russell Hobbs and the compact Breville are both 2,000W, and the Breville also lists 220 to 240 volts. The other three listings don't give a wattage, which is common in this category, but the rating plate underneath will tell you. Most presses at this size sit somewhere between 1,000W and 2,400W.
Running cost is small. At roughly 33c per kWh, a 2,000W press costs about 66c an hour flat out. A press only runs flat out while it heats up, then the thermostat cycles it, so a five minute toastie costs a few cents. If you want to know where a power bill really comes from, here's the appliances that really drive a power bill. It's the heater, the dryer and the hot water, not the sandwich press.
Heat-up time is the part of the running cost you can control. The Sunbeam listings quote about two minutes to heat, and most presses are ready inside five. Put the filling together before you switch it on, cook straight away once the ready light comes on, and turn it off as soon as you're done. Leaving a press on between rounds doubles the energy and dries out the coating.
The circuit is the thing to watch. A standard Australian 10A powerpoint is good for about 2,400W. A 2,000W press and a kettle on the same double powerpoint at lunchtime is enough to trip the breaker or cook a low-quality powerboard. Plug the press straight into a wall powerpoint and give it room, away from the kettle and a four-slice toaster.
Give it space while it's on, too. The top plate and the case get hot, and steam comes out the sides when you close it on a wet filling. Keep it clear of the wall, curtains and overhead cupboards, and don't store it until it's cooled down, because folding a hot press shut with the cord wrapped round it is how cords get damaged.
Cleaning and storage
Clean the plates while they're warm, not hot, with the press unplugged. A damp cloth or a soft sponge lifts most melted cheese and crumbs, and a bit of warm soapy water handles grease. Don't pour water onto the plates or put the press anywhere near the sink, because the elements and wiring sit right under the plates.
Drip trays make a big difference on the grill-style presses. The Sunbeam six-slice lists a pull-out drip tray, which catches fat when you cook steak or bacon. Empty and wash it after every greasy cook, because old fat in a tray under a hot plate smokes and can catch alight. The other listings don't mention a drip tray, so plan on wiping up oil by hand.
All five picks list some form of upright storage, so they can stand on end in a cupboard. The Russell Hobbs and four-slice Breville have locking clips that hold the plates together, the Sunbeams fold up with a cord wrap hidden in the base, and the four-slice Breville also has a cord wrap. Let the press cool fully before you store it, and wrap the cord loosely. A cord wrapped tight around a warm press is the most common reason a cord cracks where it enters the body.
Which size to buy
For one or two people, a two-slice or compact four-slice press is plenty. The compact Breville fits two small sandwiches, and the Russell Hobbs says it's wide enough for up to four slices, which in practice means two decent toasties. Both fold away easily and heat fast.
For a family, a four-slice press with height control is the sweet spot. The Sunbeam four-slice and the Breville four-slice both do that, and they'll handle lunch for four in one go. If you also want to cook steak, burgers or a full breakfast on it, the Sunbeam six-slice gives you the most plate area and a drip tray for the fat.
If you already own benchtop ovens or an air fryer, you may not need a big grill-style press, because those already handle the cooking jobs a press would do. In that case, a simple flat press for toasties is the better buy, and it takes up less cupboard space. If yours stops heating, our Erina workshop can tell you whether it's worth fixing before you buy another.
How I picked these five
I searched Amazon AU for sandwich presses and contact grills, kept only new stock sold by Amazon AU, and dropped toastie and jaffle makers, waffle makers and anything without flat or near-flat plates. Then I checked each listing's model code and features against its title and ranked them by Amazon AU's Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses sales rank on the day.
The five best-ranked that fit run from $58 to $127. The Russell Hobbs RHSP801 is ranked #1, the compact Breville #3, the Sunbeam four-slice #4, the four-slice Breville #5 and the Sunbeam six-slice #6. A few close contenders are in the extras below the picks, and where a listing leaves out a spec, the card says so rather than guessing.
The 5 picks, $58 to $127
Prices are Amazon AU at time of writing (2026-11-07) and move week to week. Ranks are Amazon AU category sales ranks, checked the same day.
Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press RHSP801BLK, 2000W, Floating Hinge, Black
ASIN B07X1HDF1W • $58.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Russell Hobbs RHSP801 is the best-ranked sandwich press on Amazon AU, sitting at #1 in Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses, and at $58 it's also the lowest-priced pick. It's sold by Amazon AU, and the model and part number RHSP801BLK match the title. This is the black version. It's a 2,000W flat-plate press, and the listing says the plates are wide enough to fit up to four slices. The floating hinge keeps the top plate flat on whatever you're cooking, whether that's a panini, a focaccia, a wrap or a toastie, so thick fillings don't get squashed at the back. It's sold ready to use, with nothing to assemble.
It's a simple press done properly. There are power-on and ready indicator lights, so you know when it's up to temperature, and the listing says the 2,000W element heats it up fast. The plates are non-stick and flat, which suits toasties, wraps and open melts if you hold the lid off, though it doesn't have the height-lock that the Sunbeams and Brevilles offer. It stands upright for storage, with handles that lock together with a clip. Amazon lists its release date as April 2019, so it's an established model. The listed warranty is two years, which is the joint longest of the picks and more than the compact Breville's twelve months.
The #1 rank is shared with the red RHSP801RED listing, which sells at the same price, so it isn't the black version's rank alone. The listing doesn't give plate dimensions, so check the photos for size. Use a wooden or silicone spatula to protect the coating. Plug it straight into a wall powerpoint, never a powerboard shared with the kettle. Let it cool before you clip it shut and stand it up. Wipe the plates while they're warm, never under the tap. It's the one I'd buy for most people who want a good press without paying for extras.
Honest caveats: There's no height-lock, so open melts mean holding the lid off by hand. The listing doesn't give plate dimensions or say whether the plates come off. The rank is shared with the red version's listing. At 2,000W it shouldn't share a powerpoint with a kettle. There's no drip tray, so grease runs off the front edge.
Best for: Most households who want a well-ranked, 2,000W flat press with a floating hinge and a two-year warranty.
Type: Flat-plate sandwich press • Power: 2,000W • Capacity: Up to 4 slices (listing) • Hinge: Floating • Indicators: Power and ready lights • Storage: Upright, lid lock • Model: RHSP801BLK • Warranty: 2 years • Rank: #1 in Sandwich Toasters & Panini Presses (Amazon AU), listing shared with the red RHSP801RED
View on Amazon AU
Breville the Toast and Melt Compact Sandwich Press BSG220BSS
ASIN B075RYPR7P • $75.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Breville Toast and Melt compact press is the small one, at $75 and ranked #3 in Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses. It's sold by Amazon AU, and the model code BSG220BSS matches the title. It's brushed stainless steel with heavy duty die cast arms, and the listing gives 2,000W, 220 to 240 volts and dimensions of 31.4 by 25.8 by 9.6cm, which is more detail than any other pick. It's built for up to two small sandwiches at once. Four adjustable height positions and a floating top plate let it press a toastie or hover over an open melt. It's the one pick whose listing gives full dimensions and voltage.
The plates are flat top and bottom, with what Breville calls a premium PFOA-free, titanium-infused non-stick coating. Flat plates suit wraps and open melts better than ribbed ones and are easier to wipe clean. The four height positions are the main reason to pick it over the Russell Hobbs, because they let you melt cheese on an open sandwich without pressing it flat. The die cast arms should also make the hinge tougher than a plastic one, which matters on a part that takes the lid's weight every day. At just under 32cm long it fits in most kitchen drawers and cupboards, and it's the pick I'd suggest for a small kitchen or one or two people.
The listed warranty is a 12 month replacement, the shortest of the picks. Two small sandwiches is genuinely small, so it won't keep up with a family. Use soft utensils on the titanium coating, because it still scratches. Let it cool before storing, and wrap the cord loosely. Plug it straight into a wall powerpoint, because 2,000W is a lot to share with a kettle. Clean it while warm with a soft cloth. It's the press for a small household that wants height control and a well-built hinge in a compact size.
Honest caveats: It fits up to two small sandwiches, so it's not a family press. The warranty is a 12 month replacement, against two years on the Russell Hobbs and the four-slice Breville. There's no drip tray. The coating is titanium infused but still scratches if you use metal on it.
Best for: Small households who want height control, a die cast hinge and a stated 2,000W in a compact press.
Type: Compact flat-plate press • Power: 2,000W, 220-240V • Capacity: Up to 2 small sandwiches • Height settings: 4 • Coating: PFOA-free, titanium infused • Dimensions: 31.4 x 25.8 x 9.6cm • Model: BSG220BSS • Warranty: 12 month replacement • Rank: #3 in Sandwich Toasters & Panini Presses (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Sunbeam Café Style 4-Slice Sandwich Press SPM4000SS, AnyHeight Control
ASIN B09RCY49NR • $68.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Sunbeam Café Style four-slice press is the family value pick, at $68 and ranked #4 in Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses. It's sold by Amazon AU, and the part number SPM4000SS matches Sunbeam's four-slice press. It's silver and fits four sandwiches. The headline feature is Sunbeam's patented AnyHeight Control lever, which sets the top plate at several heights and locks it, so you can toast, melt or hover over thicker food. The listing says it heats up evenly in about two minutes and that you can start cooking steak from three minutes after switching on. Like every pick here, it's sold and shipped by Amazon AU, so returns are simple.
Sunbeam pitches this one as more than a sandwich maker. The listing talks about grilling wraps, cooking a full breakfast, searing thick steaks and making fritters, and the height lock is what makes that possible. The plates are non-stick with curved corners, a small detail that matters, which makes wiping out oil and crumbs easier than on square-cornered plates. It folds up for stand-up storage, and the cord wraps into a hidden space in the base. Amazon lists its release date as March 2022. At this price, it's the lowest-priced way among the picks to get four-sandwich capacity with proper height control, which is why it's the one I'd point most families to before the Breville.
The listing doesn't state a wattage or a warranty, so check both on Sunbeam's site or the rating plate. There's no drip tray on this model, unlike the six-slice, so wipe up fat from steak by hand. Use soft utensils on the coating. Let it cool fully before folding it away. Plug it into its own wall powerpoint, since the wattage isn't listed. Check the lever locks firmly at each height when it arrives, and return it if it slips. It's the family pick for toasties, breakfasts and the odd steak without paying Breville money.
Honest caveats: The listing doesn't give a wattage, a warranty or plate dimensions. There's no drip tray, so fat from steak and bacon runs to the edges. Steak searing claims are the maker's, and a sandwich press won't match a hot pan for crust. The coating will scratch under metal utensils.
Best for: Families who want four-sandwich capacity and a lockable height lever at a low price.
Type: 4-slice press with height lock • Capacity: 4 sandwiches • Height control: AnyHeight lever with plate lock • Heat-up: About 2 min (listing) • Plates: Non-stick, curved corners • Power: Not stated on the listing • Model: SPM4000SS • Warranty: Not stated on the listing • Rank: #4 in Sandwich Toasters & Panini Presses (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Breville the Toast and Melt 4 Slice Sandwich Press LSG545BSS
ASIN B0C27PJMJQ • $127.00 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Breville Toast and Melt four-slice press is the premium pick, at $127 and ranked #5 in Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses. It's sold by Amazon AU, and the part number LSG545BSS2IAN1 carries the LSG545BSS from the title with a regional suffix. It's brushed stainless steel. The listing says its extra-wide plates toast up to four large sandwiches at once, and it has seven height settings, from open melts to fully toasted sandwiches, plus a floating hinge that adjusts to thick or thin bread so the pressure stays even across the whole plate. It's sold and shipped by Amazon AU. The colour is brushed stainless steel, and a Black Truffle version is also listed at a higher price, so pick the finish you prefer before you order.
It's the most complete press here for sandwiches. Seven height settings is the most of any pick, which gives finer control over open melts than the compact Breville's four. The plates are flat, PFOA-free and non-stick. For storage, a sturdy clip holds the plates together, a rear foot lets it stand upright, and the cord wraps into the base. Amazon lists its release date as April 2023, so it's a newer design than the compact press. The listed warranty is two years, double the compact Breville's twelve months and level with the Russell Hobbs. If you want Breville build and four big sandwiches at once, this is the one, and the seven-step control is easy to read.
The listing doesn't state a wattage, so check the rating plate before sharing a powerpoint. There's no drip tray listed. Brushed stainless shows fingerprints, so wipe the lid when it's cool. Use a silicone or wooden spatula on the plates. It's the press for a family that makes a lot of toasties and wants the most height control and the longer warranty, and doesn't mind paying for it. Let it cool before you clip it shut, and check the clip holds the plates firmly the first time you store it. Run it on its own wall powerpoint.
Honest caveats: At $127 it's the most expensive pick, nearly twice the Sunbeam four-slice. The listing doesn't give a wattage, plate dimensions or a drip tray. It's built for sandwiches, so if you want to cook steak and breakfasts, the Sunbeam six-slice suits that better. Brushed steel shows fingerprints.
Best for: Families who want four large sandwiches at once, seven height settings and a two-year warranty.
Type: 4-slice flat-plate press • Capacity: Up to 4 large sandwiches • Height settings: 7 • Hinge: Floating • Storage: Clip, upright foot, cord wrap • Power: Not stated on the listing • Model: LSG545BSS • Warranty: 2 years • Rank: #5 in Sandwich Toasters & Panini Presses (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AU
Sunbeam Café Style 6-Slice Sandwich Press GRM7000SS, AnyHeight Control
ASIN B09RD71TX8 • $74.99 • Ships from Amazon AU
The Sunbeam Café Style six-slice press is the biggest pick, at $75 and ranked #6 in Sandwich Toasters and Panini Presses. It's sold by Amazon AU. The part number is GRM7000SS, which is a different code family from the four-slice's SPM4000SS, and the extra features suggest why: this one is closer to a contact grill. The listing says it fits up to six sandwiches and adds a pull-out drip tray, which none of the other picks list. It has the same AnyHeight Control lever as the four-slice, so the top plate can lock at several heights over steaks, fritters or open melts. The colour is silver, matching the four-slice model.
For anyone who wants one appliance to do toasties and grilling, this makes the most sense. The large plates take six sandwiches or a full breakfast at once, and the drip tray catches fat from steak, burgers and bacon instead of letting it run onto the counter. The listing says it heats evenly in about two minutes, and like the four-slice, it has non-stick plates with curved corners for easier cleaning. It folds up for stand-up storage with a hidden cord wrap in the base. Amazon lists the release date as March 2022. It costs barely more than the four-slice Sunbeam, so if you've got the cupboard space, the bigger plates are worth having.
The listing doesn't state a wattage or a warranty, so check the rating plate before sharing a circuit, because big plates usually mean a big element. Empty and wash the drip tray after every greasy cook, since old fat smokes. Use soft utensils on the coating. Store it upright once it's cooled. Check the drip tray slides in fully before every cook, so fat doesn't run onto the counter. Wipe the plates warm, never under the tap. It's the pick for a family that wants a sandwich press and a grill in one.
Honest caveats: It's big, so it needs real cupboard space. The listing doesn't give a wattage, a warranty or plate dimensions. The part number belongs to a different Sunbeam code family from the four-slice, so check the photos match what you expect. Grilling claims are the maker's, and a drip tray needs emptying every time.
Best for: Families who want the biggest plates, a drip tray and height control to grill as well as toast.
Type: 6-slice press and grill • Capacity: Up to 6 sandwiches • Height control: AnyHeight lever with plate lock • Drip tray: Pull-out • Heat-up: About 2 min (listing) • Power: Not stated on the listing • Model: GRM7000SS • Warranty: Not stated on the listing • Rank: #6 in Sandwich Toasters & Panini Presses (Amazon AU)
View on Amazon AUSide-by-side comparison
What we see fail in the workshop: sandwich presses
Sandwich presses are simple appliances, which makes their faults predictable. Most of the ones people ask us about either won't heat, heat on one side only, or have a cord or hinge that's given up. Here's what's usually behind each one, what you can check yourself with it unplugged, and when it's worth fixing at all rather than buying another one.
Won't heat, or one plate stays cold
A press that never heats, or heats on one side only, usually has a failed element or a broken connection inside the plate housing. Start with the easy checks: another powerpoint, a firm plug and a look at the cord. If the power light comes on but a plate stays cold, the element or its wiring has likely failed. On most presses at this price the plates and elements aren't sold separately, so outside warranty it's usually a replacement rather than a repair. Keep the receipt, because a cold plate inside the warranty period is a straightforward claim.
Burns everything or never shows ready
If a press runs far too hot, or the ready light never comes on, the thermostat may have stuck. It's the small switch under the plate that cycles the element on and off, and when it fails the press either overheats or never thinks it's ready. A press that dies completely after burning something has probably blown its thermal fuse, which is a safety part. Fixing the fuse without fixing the thermostat sets up the next failure, so treat it as the end of that press. Unplug it and let it cool before you inspect anything.
Cracked cord or a hinge that wobbles
Wrapping the cord tight around a hot press is the usual way cords get damaged, especially where they enter the body. A cracked, scorched or kinked cord, or a press that only works when you move the cord, needs to stop being used straight away, because it's a shock and fire risk. Hinges wear too: a lid that wobbles or sits crooked usually has a worn pivot or cracked plastic around it. Lift by the handle, and don't lean on the lid. A crooked lid also cooks unevenly, which is often the first sign.
Decision tree: which one should you actually buy?
- You want one good press for most uses at the lowest price? → The Russell Hobbs RHSP801 at $58 is ranked #1, 2,000W, with a floating hinge and a two-year warranty.
- You're cooking for one or two in a small kitchen? → The Breville Toast and Melt compact at $75 has four height settings and a die cast hinge.
- You want four-sandwich capacity and height control at a low price? → The Sunbeam Café Style four-slice at $68 has the AnyHeight lever that locks the top plate.
- You want four big sandwiches and the most height control? → The Breville Toast and Melt four-slice at $127 has seven height settings and a two-year warranty.
- You want a press that grills steak and breakfast too? → The Sunbeam Café Style six-slice at $75 has the biggest plates and a pull-out drip tray.
- Your press won't heat, trips the power or the cord's damaged? → Bring it into our Erina workshop. We'll find the fault and tell you whether it's worth fixing before you spend anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is a floating hinge on a sandwich press?
It's a hinge that lets the top plate rise and stay flat over whatever you're cooking, instead of closing at an angle. With a fixed hinge, thick bread gets squashed at the back and barely touched at the front. A floating hinge spreads the pressure evenly, so focaccia, stacked toasties and thick sourdough cook evenly. The Russell Hobbs and both Breville picks list one, and the Sunbeams use a lockable height lever that does a similar job and also holds the plate above open melts.
How do I stop the non-stick coating wearing off?
Keep metal away from it. Use a wooden or silicone spatula, never cut sandwiches on the plates, and avoid abrasive scourers. Clean the plates while they're warm, not hot, with the press unplugged, using a damp cloth or soft sponge. Don't leave the press heating empty for long periods, and turn it off when you're done. Brush on a little oil rather than using spray oil, which can leave a sticky residue that burns onto the coating over time.
How much power does a sandwich press use?
Two of the picks state 2,000W, the Russell Hobbs and the compact Breville, and most presses this size sit between 1,000W and 2,400W. At roughly 33c per kWh, a 2,000W press costs about 66c an hour flat out, but it only runs flat out while heating, then the thermostat cycles it, so a toastie costs a few cents. The bigger concern is the circuit: don't run it on the same powerpoint as a kettle, because together they can exceed a 10A socket.
Is a sandwich press the same as a toastie maker?
Not quite. A sandwich press has flat or ribbed plates and a hinge that adjusts to the bread, so it handles toasties, wraps, focaccia and open melts. A toastie or jaffle maker has shaped plates that seal the edges and cut the sandwich into pockets, which is great for classic jaffles but limits what else you can cook. If you want one appliance for most jobs, a flat press with height control is more flexible.
Can you cook steak in a sandwich press?
On the bigger grill-style presses, yes. The Sunbeam Café Style picks say you can sear steak, cook breakfast and make fritters, and their height lever lets the top plate sit at the right height. The six-slice adds a drip tray to catch the fat. A press won't give you the crust of a very hot pan, and the coating doesn't like high heat for long periods, so it suits thin steaks, burgers and bacon more than thick cuts.
Is it worth repairing a sandwich press?
Usually only under warranty, or for a simple fault like a damaged plug. Elements and thermostats sit inside the plate housing, and on most presses at this price the plates aren't sold separately, so repairs often cost more than a new press. A blown thermal fuse also needs whatever caused the overheat fixed. If a press sparks, smells of burning plastic, has a damaged cord or trips the power, stop using it and get it checked or replaced.
Related buying guides
Sandwich press won't heat or tripping the power?
Most press faults we see come down to a failed element, a stuck thermostat, a blown thermal fuse or a damaged cord. Bring it into our Erina workshop and we'll find the actual fault and tell you whether it's worth fixing or replacing before you spend anything. Stop using it if the cord's damaged.
Visit our Erina workshop Book Online