De'Longhi CGH800 Contact Grill and Panini Press
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of De'Longhi CGH800 Contact Grill and Panini Press
Customer Review: Great specialty item.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a thirty year food service manager, who is exceptionally picky about kitchen gadgetry. My home is very small (950 sq ft) and only the best makes it in to my equally small kitchen.
For someone who opts not to have a food processor because of limited space, I asked for this item for christmas in 2008. Let me clarify, in deference to other reviewers, that it is a "SPECIALTY ITEM". It's purpose is making paninis, and when used per instructions it does a tremendous job with minimal clean up and great results. I use it weekly with any leftover meats, cheeses and vegetables, even stale breads. It saves money while encouraging creativity.
If you want to crate an impressive weeknight meal, premake your sandwiches and refrigerate. Pop them in when you get home and by the time you change, dinner is ready. Serve with soup for heartier fare.
Company coming over? Premake two or three different sandwiches and when company arrives, spend minimal time in the kitchen. Serve with pasta fagioli and a chianti. Desert is fruit and biscotti....a no fuss italian fare. I have actually made dessert paninis on my grill, with fruit and chocolate pressed between breads. And breakfast paninis with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. All have been yummy.
Love this grill. It is functional, easy to clean, has simple settings and is a great price. It is well made and of heavier construction than many other panini grills, and the weight of the unit helps the "press" process. A real winning addition for my small kitchen.
Customer Review: DeLonghi vs. Krups FDE312-75
Summary: 5 Stars
Had the Krups model FDE312-75 for about 3 years before it decided not to turn on one day -- so to replace it, thought I'd try something different. Went with the DeLonghi this time, about $20 cheaper. I loved my Krups, and initially thought I'd like the DeLonghi a bit better. Here's my experience:
*Krups always "sparked" at the outlet when I unplugged it. Not so with the DeLonghi.
*DeLonghi has adjustable heat, so, although I only used the Krups for Panini, I'm kind of excited about the options I now have with the DeLonghi. Might try a burger or chicken! It also has a channel where the grease can run off -- and a little cup to catch the grease. If you'd ever use the Krups for anything other than a sandwich -- the grease would have no where to go.
*DeLonghi has wider channels on the grill plate -- which make it a lot easier to clean up. But the panini does NOT get as crispy as it does with the Krups...for specifically that reason.
*The Krups latch, meant to hold the top & bottom together so you can store it on its side, was flimsy and broke after a week. It latched when I didn't want it to -- and wouldn't when I did. (A minor thing, but it got to be annoying.) There seems to be no threat of that happening with the big latch on the DeLonghi.
*The DeLonghi is kind of "chunky" -- it takes up more space when stored on its side than the Krups. The Krups also has a slightly bigger grill surface.
There's my 2 cents. Happy sandwich-making!
Customer Review: Happy with it, but not perfect - it's not slanted, but it cooks meats well
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this after reading reviews on tons of the panini grills and contact grills on Amazon. I wanted something that could work well for both purposes, and the adjustable thermostat, large cooking surface and reasonable price won out in the end.
Overall, I am pleased with the item: it looks nice, heats quickly, nice nonstick, as everyone has said here.
I'm adding my opinion because it seems no reviewers have used the grill for cooking meats/veg. I've used it for bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, portobello mushrooms, chicken breasts, bacon, and pork chops (bone-in) and had great results with all of them. Since the grill ridges are a bit wide, I turn my items about 45 degrees half-way through cooking to get more browned surface.
HOWEVER, the description says the cookplates are slanted (presumably to aid the fat run-off), but they are not. I have accepted this shortcoming because the grill ridges are quite deep, and after the bacon it appeared to me that much of the fat still drains from the meat. However, it doesn't all end up in the little cup, which means a bit more cleaning of the plates (no difficulty there with the nonstick).
All in all, I am pleased enough to not return it over the non-slanted plates. But if I bought it at a local store, and knew immediately of a similar alternative with all the same features AND slanted plates, I might go for an exhange. As it stands, I'll keep it, and I do recommend it.
Customer Review: Delicious Made Easy-Don't Pass This One Up!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this panini press based on other Amazon reviews and am so glad I did. This press stores on its side, so it takes up little space in your cabinet, it's super easy to clean and it comes with an actual cookbook called "Delizioso!" which is full of delicious recipes ranging from breakfast style panini all the way through dessert style panini and crostini. This panini press heats up quickly and cooks evenly. The first time I used it, and every time since, my panini came out perfectly. And, I was impressed with how easy the clean up was. I use this press at least 3 times a week to feed my family of 4, and can't imagine not having it. It's so easy to make healthy lunches and dinners with this press. Just throw in a fresh salad at dinner time, and you're set. Literally, you have a fantastic meal in less than 15 minutes.
My favorite panini are tomato, fresh basil and mozzerella cheese on rustic whole wheat bread, cheddar cheese, pre-cooked bacon and tomato on honey whole wheat bread, diced chicken, diced dried apricot and mayo on rustic whole wheat bread, and stuffed french toast.
If you like cooking at home, like food that tastes delicious, yet don't want to spend a lot of time cleaning up or prepping then this is the panini press to get. Also, this press says it holds 2 sandwiches, but really you can easiy do 3 at a time-maybe 4 depending on how big you make your sandwiches.
This is an awesome piece of kithchen equipment.
Customer Review: Great product, adds to our quick meal repertoire!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a terrific product. My wife and I have enjoyed several panini dinners. My son and grandson also liked it, the seven year old remarked that it sure beat dad's old toaster oven. There is little mess, easy cleanup and the panini turn out hot and crisp. I read all the reviews and worried about the absence of an on/off switch. I think this complaint is ill founded. It's very easy to pull the plug and it is cool. Because there are heating elements on top and bottom it could be difficult to place a switch on the machine that would not get hot or cause fingers to come in contact with the hot chassis. Besides, pulling to plug is full proof. People have stated that the grill ridges are too far apart, but when you consider the ease of cleaning, I think the design is justified. Certainly the panini is nicely marked after 4-5 minutes of grilling. The cord wraps underneath, but the plug doesn't exactly fit into the restraint. If you skip one corner when winding the cord it works much better. I have found that cooking on the highest setting works very well. The hinged top is sufficiently heavy to press the panini properly. The only problem I had with excessive oozing of cheese was when I pressed the top down by hand. Placing a layer of meat (or any non-cheese layer) just below the top piece of bread allows you to open the panini when it is done and add lettuce, tomatoes, etc.