Cooking for yourself can be exhausting sometimes, especially if you’re making breakfast but all you want to do is sleep in. There is so much to consider, and you may find yourself asking, ‘How long should I cook the eggs? How do I slice the bread? Will this end up taking too long?’ We’ve all been there, but the key to efficiently preparing a perfect breakfast sandwich is a quality breakfast sandwich maker. This machine makes breakfast with less fuss, and of course, without making a mess of the kitchen. Below, we’ll discuss the factors to consider when buying breakfast sandwich makers and other important information about them.
What Is a Breakfast Sandwich Maker?
A breakfast sandwich maker is a kitchen appliance built to prepare a variety of breakfast foods, particularly sandwiches. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and functions, but one constant is that it makes breakfast preparation ten times easier. For the most part, using a breakfast sandwich maker does not require any special skills. It is an ergonomic product, and all you have to do is add the ingredients to the designated spaces, close it, turn it on, and voila, breakfast is ready!
Types of Breakfast Sandwich Makers
As breakfast sandwich makers come in different shapes and sizes, we’ve explained some of the types below:
Egg sandwich maker
These breakfast sandwich makers are custom-built for preparing eggs only. They cook the eggs in such a way that they’re ready to be eaten on their own or as part of other foods, including sandwiches. These models are typically smaller than the others, mostly because of their limited functionality.
Layered sandwich maker
If you’re looking for a breakfast sandwich maker that lets you stack multiple ingredients for a sandwich, then a layered sandwich maker is what you need. They’re reasonably larger than other models, but you can use them to simplify the sandwich-making process or prepare a variety of other recipes.
Dual breakfast sandwich maker
A dual breakfast sandwich maker can prepare two sandwiches at once, which is great if you plan to make breakfast for multiple individuals. The best part is that these devices don’t take more time to make twice the usual number of sandwiches.
Multipurpose sandwich maker
This model is arguably the most versatile of the bunch. With a multipurpose sandwich maker, you can cook a wide range of food items, making it ideal for food business owners or busy families.
Benefits of a Breakfast Sandwich Maker
Breakfast-making ease
Many people use breakfast sandwich makers because they make preparing breakfast super easy. This is because not everyone wants to spend tons of time in the kitchen, especially at the beginning of the day. These appliances also help people circumvent the need for complex kitchen skills and tools to make good breakfast foods.
Speed
Breakfast sandwich makers are often referred to as alternatives to fast food and drive-throughs. This is because they can make breakfast meals in less than five minutes, which is probably less time than it takes to order food online and have it delivered, or to go pick it up and wait in line on the way to work.
Versatility
Even though they’re branded as “sandwich makers,” these machines can do a whole lot more than prepare sandwiches. Some models can make 20+ food recipes with the same ease and time efficiency.
Cleaning ease
Most cooking appliances are difficult to clean. This is because food particles always get stuck in weird places, and it becomes a hassle to remove them. However, breakfast sandwich makers are built differently. Most are non-stick, so food particles don’t necessarily attach to them; plus, their parts are easy to dismantle and clean manually or with a dishwasher. With the optimal breakfast sandwich maker, you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of time cleaning after using it.
Portability
For a device with so many functions, you’d expect it to take up a lot of space or be super heavy, but that’s not true in the case of these appliances. Some breakfast sandwich makers are as small as an average toaster, so they’ll sit nicely on your kitchen counter without taking up much space. They don’t take a lot of storage space either and can be easily moved.
Breakfast Sandwich Maker Maintenance Tips
- Always unplug the sandwich maker after use and before cleaning it
- Don’t clean your sandwich maker with abrasive material that could damage the non-stick finish
- Never soak your breakfast sandwich maker in water
- Never use metal objects to remove food particles from the plates to avoid damaging the non-stick surface
Features To Look for When Buying a Breakfast Sandwich Maker
Size
The size of a breakfast sandwich maker refers to two things: its actual size and the amount of food it can prepare at once. A big sandwich maker will be able to hold bigger bread slices, and therefore, prepare large sandwiches, while a small one is better suited to English muffins or bagels. It is also pertinent that you consider the number of sandwiches you want to make at once. Some models can prepare up to four sandwiches at a time, which is excellent if you have a big family that loves breakfast sandwiches.
Power
A breakfast sandwich maker’s power determines its heating and cooking speed, so it’s just as important as any feature on this list. Basically, the higher the power, the better, because it means you’ll be able to prepare breakfast faster and more efficiently. A breakfast sandwich maker with 700-750 watts of power is ideal, but you can always go higher.
Adjustable heat settings
Not many breakfast sandwich makers have this feature, so look for it before you make a purchase. Adjustable heat settings enable breakfast lovers to customize the cooking temperatures of their meals. As different food recipes require varying heating temperatures, this feature ensures proper cooking.
Handle
Most breakfast sandwich makers have plastic handles, which makes sense since plastic doesn’t conduct heat and electricity well. However, not just any plastic will suffice. That’s why you should ensure that the handle is made of high-quality plastic that won’t melt over time with exposure to heat. The handle also should be ergonomic and easy to clean.
Plate surfaces
The cooking surface of your sandwich maker is another important factor to consider because it determines cleaning ease. The best plate surfaces are either made of non-stick material, which can either be ceramic or Teflon. All you need to clean these surfaces after use is a damp cloth, which is as easy as it gets.
Plate shapes
Your sandwich maker’s plate shape will determine the shape of the sandwiches and other foods you can make. There are rectangular, triangular, and half-round plate shapes to choose from, so pick what suits you best. Some appliances also include a waffle maker and grilling plates.
