A sandwich toaster, also called a sandwich maker, is one of the most basic kitchen appliances - both at home and in commercial kitchens. You can use it to prepare a hot breakfast, midday snacks, or even dinner. Read our article and find out which sandwich maker to choose and what to pay attention to when buying one.
A sandwich toaster, also called a sandwich maker, is one of the most basic kitchen appliances – both at home and in commercial kitchens. You can use it to prepare a hot breakfast, midday snacks, or even dinner. Read our article and find out which sandwich maker to choose and what to pay attention to when buying one.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a sandwich toaster?
A sandwich toaster is one of the many heating devices used in the kitchen. When choosing this type of equipment, you should above all pay attention to two parameters:
- the power,
- temperature regulation.
Both of them work together, because the more powerful the device, the faster it heats up and lets you prepare toasted sandwiches in a shorter time. The above synergy also saves energy, so it is therefore better to invest in more powerful equipment. The situation is exactly the same as with deciding how powerful a waffle maker you should choose.
Standard sandwich toasters for home use usually have a power range of 700-800 watts. You can use them to prepare two hot sandwiches at a time, i.e. four triangular sandwiches. Devices with higher power, e.g. 1200-1300 watts, are more efficient and let you toast more sandwiches in less time. Choosing equipment with optimal power depends on your needs. If you simply want to prepare yourself a hot snack from time to time, then less powerful models will be fine. If you are looking for a sandwich toaster to prepare e.g. breakfast for the whole family, then you’re better off going for a more powerful product that will quickly prepare four sandwiches at the same time.
Another type are Salamander grills. Their very high power range, usually 2000-3600 watts, makes them perfect for commercial use. They have a much wider scope and can be used to heat toasts and other snacks, as well as grilling, caramelising, etc. We will have a look at other features that a good commercial sandwich toaster should have later in the article.
As mentioned at the beginning, the temperature range is linked to the power output. The cheapest and most basic models usually do not have temperature regulation, while more advanced models allow for automatic regulation. The thermostats in Salamander grills usually let you set it smoothly in the range of 50-300°C, so you can precisely adjust it to a given dish.
Below are the other features that good sandwich toasters should have. In addition to the appropriate power and heating, it is worth paying attention to:
- plate coating – it should be non-stick, most of the models available on the market have ceramic or Teflon plates,
- removable plates – these are most often found in 3-in-1 models (we advise which 3-in-1 toaster you should choose later in the article), allowing you to prepare e.g. waffles, panini, etc.
- control lamps – indicating the current status of the device (heating and operational readiness),
- sound signal – informing that the food is ready,
- robust design – housing made of a solid material and flexible hinges that allow you to properly fit even thicker sandwiches inside the sandwich toaster.
Once you have decided which sandwich maker you want to buy, or you have a specific model in mind, try finding reviews of current users. There are many similar devices available on the market, so the choice is not always easy.
Which 3-in-1 toaster is best?
If you are looking for universal equipment that will let you show off in the kitchen, you should consider a 3-in-1 device, which is good for making more than just traditional toast. Thanks to additional plates, you can use it to prepare toasts, waffles and grilled dishes. You will therefore not have to buy a separate device for each type of dish or snack.
The additional plates are a key design element in 3-in-1 sandwich makers. You should consider two aspects when it comes to additional plates: ease of replacement and convenient cleaning. The first feature is related to the second, because only fully removable elements can be properly washed under running water or in a dishwasher (depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations). Ideally the plates should be removable in one easy move. Just like in the case of any sandwich maker, such components should also have a non-stick surface, so that waffles or paninis do not stick and can easily be lifted off the plates.
Which sandwich maker is best for commercial use?
In a commercial kitchen you will need reliable and robust equipment. A classic sandwich toaster, although perfect for home use, may turn out to be insufficient in a restaurant or bistro. So which sandwich maker should you choose in that case? More advanced models will let you prepare not only delicious sandwiches, but also other snacks, and even some cakes and meat dishes.
Which sandwich toaster will be good in a sandwich bar?
A sandwich bar uses heating devices for preparing snacks and cooling devices for proper storage of the ingredients, as well as ready-made sandwiches. A Salamander grill will be a great addition, especially models equipped with quartz heating tubes. They are not only powerful (e.g. more than 3000 watts), but also very efficient heating elements. The location of the quartz heating tubes, e.g. under each grill tray, ensures faster and more even heating of dishes.
Commercial sandwich toasters and grills are almost always made of stainless steel. It is popular for commercial use not only as a reliable material that is resistant to numerous factors, but also due to the easiness of keeping them clean. Traces of fat, sauces, meat juices or raw dough can be removed quickly and easily from their smooth surface.
Standard toasters will also come in handy in a sandwich bar. Hot bread is not only the main ingredient of toasts, but also a great addition to soups, scrambled eggs, salads, etc. Models intended for commercial use are also more efficient. With classic pop-up toasters you can prepare up to six slices of toast at a time, and commercial conveyor toasters can prepare up to several hundred slices of toast per hour.
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Contact Grill – smooth – 1,800 W 169.00 €
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Contact Grill – 1 x 1800 Watt 219.00 €
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Contact Grill – 2,200 W – ribbed 289.00 €
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Contact Grill – Ribbed Griddles – 2200 W
239.00 €219.00 €
Which sandwich toaster will work best in a bistro?
A bistro usually has a much larger menu offer than a sandwich bar. In addition to snacks, you will usually find soups, main dishes, salads and desserts. However, regardless of the number of menu items, a powerful toaster will always come in handy. The most universal option, a Salamander grill, is good not only for toast, but also soup, sauces and meat.
Which sandwich maker will be best in a restaurant?
A sandwich maker will also come in handy in larger venues, such as a restaurant. However, it will be used more as additional equipment, as snacks are not the main item on the menu in such places. Nevertheless, such universal equipment is always a good idea.
Convection ovens, on the other hand, are recommended for larger kitchens. They work by circulating hot air around the oven chamber, helping the food to cook faster. This technique has several important advantages:
- faster baking compared to traditional ovens,
- evenly-baked food,
- it provides a crispy finish,
- efficient energy use.
Models equipped with an additional steam function will also perfectly moisturise dough and meat. Convection ovens are highly versatile and can be used to prepare a variety of dishes: meat, fish, vegetables, as well as pizza and sweet pastries. Even simple dishes like lasagna can become a real culinary delight. For this reason, they are increasingly popular in restaurants, bars, pizzerias and catering companies. This 3,200 W Salamander Broiler is perfect for for broiling, gratinating, caramelising, and keeping food warm in a restaurant kitchen.
Sandwich toasters for commercial use – summary
Having read our article it should be easier for you to decide which sandwich toaster to choose. Of course, choosing equipment for home use is much easier than equipment for using in a commercial kitchen, mainly due to the much lower investment. Therefore, when looking for equipment for commercial use you should carefully analyze your needs. Regardless of whether you plan to open a sandwich bar, small bistro, restaurant or pizzeria, you need something that will evenly heat or toast your snacks and other dishes in a short time. .
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