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: Works Perfectly
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd like to point out a fact for the people that are disappointed that there's no on/off switch. The reason is that the number one cause of house fires is faulty appliances, according to the Red Cross web site. My friends house burned to the ground about 5 weeks ago from this. Luckily they got out. You should unplug your toaster as well. For the woman who said her insurance adjuster told her it's bad to unplug/plug, sorry but you should file a complaint with your insurance company about that adjuster so people aren't in harms way from their bad advice. This is a great panini press. It works perfectly. It seems to be of good quality. I looked at the Cuisinarts and they seemed cheap. Every Breville I looked at was broken at the store. I wanted the Villaware but they stopped making it because they were bought out by another company. As far as grill marks, I think you want them. It heats up the inside quicker. I was in Rome 11 months ago and my panini had grill marks. I just ate a breakfast sandwich on home made Italian bread and it was light golden brown, and piping hot in the middle. The cheese was oozing and the outside had a nice crunch. It had carmelized red onion with a balsamic reduction. I brushed the outside with EVOO, which contributed to the crunchy and delicious exterior. It was totally awesome.Customer Review: I love it, my friends are jealous of it
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had my panini grill for two years now. Recently, though, it has been seeing more and more use. It is a great way to make a wonderful sandwich (using whatever combination of ingredients you choose) in just a matter of minutes. It is quick to heat up...generally it's ready by the time I assemble my sandwich. I like using large slices of bread (sourdough, Italian, etc.) so I can make 2 sandwiches at a time with it. I brush the outside of the bread with olive oil, but spraying it with cooking spray also works well. Absolutely nothing sticks to the grill.
I have also used it to grill chicken, which produces those nice grill marks without the hassle of a grill. I like that it cooks on the top and the bottom at the same time. It also conveniently stores in an upright position, which means it takes up way less storage space on your counter or in the cabinet.
I have never owned another panini maker (and don't see myself needing another one for a long time...the quality is nice!). I do know several people who have liked my panini maker and tried to buy their own (cheaper) version. They have always been unimpressed, and end up wanting one of the DeLonghi ones. I say it's well worth the money.
Customer Review: Amazing...WHILE IT LASTED :(
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this Panini Press on July 15, 2006 its and incredible machine, EXCEPT for one thing. It has fallen apart. First after about 6 months of owning it something inside started rattling, but it still worked fine [better then fine this Panini press works so well everything cooks evenly and well with perfect grill lines]. I go to use it today [April 11, 2008]and the whole top comes off the machine [aside from the coil in the back] the connection to the bottom piece [through the handle] broke off on both sides. I am hoping it was just my machine because while it lasted it worked great, to think a respectable company such as DeLonghi was starting to make products that only lasted a bit longer then their warranty would be rather sad. So as far as the machines skills as a panini press I give it 5+++ stars but as far as its longevity I would say 2 stars maybe. I hope this review helps and I hope that other people have not had the same results. Oh and for those who want to know the press was left on the counter and moved around only to clean underneath it.Customer Review: Bad for Panini, OK for hamburgers
Summary: 2 Stars
I was looking for .... a panini maker, for top and bottom hot plates to make plate-grilled sandwiches. The problem with this item is that its grill plates have DEEP ridges, so instead of a toasted sandwich what you get looks like a deeply ridged toasted waffle. Or you get destroyed bread. This is sounds trivial, but the things are ugly and unaesthetic. Definitely not the panini of my youth.
If I were buying again I'd get an Imusa Cuban Sandwich Maker
This machine IS a good buy if what you're after is a retro looking George Foreman hamburger grill. It's got deep ridges in the top and bottom plates, which leave nice looking faux-grill marks on hamburger and steaks.
But if what you're hoping for is food that tastes grilled and has the texture of grilled, remember this is not really a grill. It's a hot plate with ridges. Spiral sliced ham, for eg, ends up charred at the "grill" lines and warmish and soggy in between.
Customer Review: Great product!
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutey love this panini grill! I initially was looking for a grill with flat plates since I thought it would heat the sandwich more evenly, and would make the grill a bit more versatile, but I already own a griddle & can just use that if I'm looking for something with a flat plate. As far as heating the sandwich evenly, I've never had a problem with this grill; it makes the perfect sandwich! I've never had any cheese ooze out of the indentations either, like a previous reviewer. I was a bit hesitant to get a grill with plates that don't remove for easy cleaning, but I have to say cleanup is a breeze. Now I actually prefer that the plates don't remove since I've heard complaints about a lot of the grills that have removable plates. The clips that hold removable plates in place can break, rendering the unit useless. The non-stick surface on this grill makes cleanup so easy. I just let it cool & wipe it down with a wet paper towel. My only complaint is that the unit does not have an on/off switch, but it's really not that big a deal.