Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Metal Griddler, Sandwich Maker & Extra, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

Def a Kitchen Essential
The Cuisinart Griddler has quickly become one of my favorite kitchen appliances. This versatile device does it all—grilling, pressing, and even making waffles with ease. We bought the waffle insert, and it’s such a great feature! The ability to easily remove and insert the plates makes switching between cooking methods incredibly convenient.The adjustable temperature controls allow me to cook a variety of foods to perfection, whether I’m searing a steak, making a panini, or making delicious waffles. The non-stick plates make cleanup a breeze, and I love that their dishwasher safe for added convenience.I was also impressed by the compact design; it doesn’t take up much counter space but still delivers big results. Overall, the Cuisinart Griddler is a fantastic investment for anyone who loves cooking and wants a reliable, multi-functional appliance. Highly recommended!

LEARNING TO LOVE THE KITCHEN and COOKING WITH THIS “AWESOME” GADGET!
Admittedly, after reading many of the reviews, i was quite hesitant. However, I used Amazon rewards earned from doing surveys, so I didn’t feel like paying only $7 our-of-pocket for a $45.95 item would seem so bad if this thing failed. At the last minute, based on comments about the warranty, I did look at the ICHICH brand offered, but had never heard of, despite what sounded like a far better warranty. Anyway, I have had it a couple of weeks, and it has actually helped me to sort of like the kitchen and cooking. (Most of my friends/family know I HATE the kitchen and cooking.) I did tell a friend, who is a professional cook, and he agreed good name brand. He also agreed, despite non-stick cooking surface, to use cooking spray, which I have done–except for grilled cheese, bagels, or other sandwiches, bagels, etc to griddle for which I butter the bread that goes on the cooking plate vs cooking spray. As well, it had helped to have previewed the video and learn some of the item’s “quirks” to be aware of upon arrival. E.G. Green light shows up to temperature, but temp will drop when food placed, but does come back up to temp., sometimes more quickly than other times, seeming to depend on how thick the food is and if in closed cooking position. (My electric range for baking does about the same thing for a few seconds when I open the door and place food to bake.) The very first thing I cooked were hamburgers. I set to the ‘well done’ as per instructions for temp which is what my hubby likes. I figured I would just take mine off a little early as I like medium to medium-rare, but I got distracted. They came out perfect for his well done! I did goof with my first experience with chicken breasts which made me pay more attention to the settings! LOL! I thought I had turned the dial to high, but the chicken was taking forever; then I realized, I had not pointed the lighted end of the dial to the high temp. DUH! Even with the error, I cooked huge chicken breasts on the grill in about 15 minutes! Juicy and very good! First thin salmon filet cooked in about 10 min; next time thicker filets took about 15 min! Turkey bacon on the griddle– watch closely. Hubby likes his really crispy. I should have taken mine off when it looked like still droopy, but the crispy was okay. Further, we always cook the entire package and freeze the leftovers to micro later for other meals/sandwiches, etc. Definitely would want to take off earlier than crispy for those not being eaten immediately! Grilled cheese and grilled ham with cheese have been PERFECT based on settings and time–on the griddle-opened. Tuna melts in hamburger rolls with cheese slice on panini using the grill plates, as I wanted the little toasted marks gave another PERFECT result. For once in my life, something actually came out looking like a photo in a magazine! Marinated pork chops were to “die” for as per grill and time given in instructions, with cover closed! In the summer, my hubby travels a lot, and I tend to not cook for just myself, mostly because the cast-iron skillet (which I LOVE), is too heavy for me to carry across our huge kitchen to get to the sink and difficult for me to scrup with serious RA. I will definitely love having this little griddler. Am using 2 to 4 times a week with cooking spray except for grilled sandwiches, such as grilled cheese for which I butter its bread. (Have not tried eggs yet, mostly because hubby cooks when we have eggs, and he won’t use the griddler–doesn’t like to try new gadgets! LOL) His loss. . . . BTW: Heat distribution: I used in open position for the bacon on both panels and found both sides to cook at the same timing. Would need to try something else to verify heat distribution, so my 5-star heat distribution may be biased. Temp control: knowing it loses heat when food placed and then comes back up to temp to green, does not deter my rating in this arena. I LOVE THIS GRIDDLER!ADDENDUM: I still love this gadget. I attempted to answer a question from someone who had asked if BBQ sauce could be used. As I was answering, I got a red flag, saying the link had expired–DRAT! Anyway, here is my response to if one can use BBQ sauce with this appliance: Yes! I’ve had excellent results using the grill plates and using teriyaki sauce or BBQ sauce. What I have done, just trying it all out is as follows: 1. The first time I just brushed teriyaki sauce onto my burger on its top, slid spatula under, and when I got to the grill, I flipped the sauced side down. This leaves the top of the burger available to brush sauce on it. (The beauty of this grill: put the cover down and you don’t have to keep flipping the burgers which can cause them to dry out. Not having to flip, has given really juicy, flavorful burgers. 2. The 2nd time, I had bought a London broil and marinated it in a bowl in the refrigerator for a day and overnight. (during the day, I flipped in the bowl periodically, to make sure teriyaki was getting into both sides of the steak). I got my “pinky perfect–i.e. medium rare on grill/sear for 4 to 5 minutes. 3. BARBECUE SAUCE–with steak. I put some sauce in the bottom of a bowl, placed steak in the bowl; then coated the top. I let it sit overnight in a covered bowl. Again, used grill/sear for 4-5 minutes and got pinky perfect–i.e. medium rare. NOTE: Before I bought this grill, a friend of mine who is a professional chef agreed with me to USE COOKING SPRAY ON THE GRILL/GRIDDLE even though non-stick surface. The only time I have not used cooking spray was when I made grilled cheese, for which I melt and brush melted butter on the sandwiches before grilling. I brush melted butter on the top of the sandwich, pick up with spatula and flip to put the buttered side down on the grill first, which puts the unbuttered side up. Brush melted butter on the top, close the cover and VOILA! As much as I despise the kitchen and cooking, this little gadget has been my GODSEND! I have RA and as much as I love a cast-iron skillet, when my husband is gone, I struggle getting the skillet to the sink to wash and hard for me to scrub. Now, I don’t hesitate to cook a hot meal for myself when he is gone. EASY PEEZY clean up with no scrubbing, just a dish rag, and everything cooks perfectly. BTW: I LOVE my salmon on this grill. As with the steak, I have marinated in teriyaki sauce overnight; and I have also marinated in maple syrup—Spraying cooking oil has been another ‘key” to the easy cleanup after the sticky sauces! YUMMY! YUMMY! Hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy your Cuisinart grill/griddler as much as I do! Blessings! JJ

Hate and love —-> now I am in more love
I initially gave this 3 stars because the temperature isn’t adjustable while cooking. After almost two months, I realize I might’ve been too harsh. Sure, I still wish I could tweak the temperature mid-cook, but honestly, it’s a great product. My sandwiches now taste restaurant-quality. Even with frozen bread, it works perfectly! I throw in veggies, sauces, cheese, and ham etc anything I like, set it to 375F, and by the time the grill finishes preheating, my sandwich is ready—crispy and golden on the outside, and perfectly warm on the inside.The non-stick surface is amazing too—no hassle with cleanup. Even burnt cheese or butter comes off easily with a soak and wipe, and then into the dishwasher it goes. Super easy!*Here is my first review —————————-It’s a compact size portable grill and griddle which seems to be good for two serving.What I like: i can cook the bread and hamburger patty at the same time: easy to use – doesn’t even need a manual: so easy to clean – the plates can be taken off by a few seconds: it doesn’t need much space: my sandwich tastes even better after cooking on the griddleWhat I don’t like: I can’t change the temperature during cooking!! It almost cancels off the other good sides of this. I have to turn off and set the temperature again to change temperature. If I knew this, I would’ve bought the old model with dials.: the power cord is extremely short, I cannot use this on the islandI used it only twice so far, I will update later on

This grill / press works awesome. The plates are easy to remove and wash in the sink or the dishwasher. Great indoor grill for burgers, steaks, toasted sandwiches, or even in an open manner for breakfast items (which I haven’t done, but see the potential). Recommended

Love the functionality of this griller…..so quick to grill and easy, EASY cleanup….You will not be disappointed, trust me….and neither will those around your kitchen table.Sincerely,CA MacKinnon