Not an easy simple purchase. I bought one maybe ten years ago and it was great for a couple years---then it broke down on so many levels. The surface became sticky and failed in heat level. ---removeable grates for easy cleaning....yada yada. Junk and not cheap. Loved it for a very short time.

I have an enameled cast iron staub griddle with high sides. Brilliant and a lifetime purchase.

I originally was given a panini grill press but it didnt have removeable plates and was a pain to clean. Then I bought the Cuisinart griddler which has reversible and removable grates; mine also came with waffle grids. Easy to clean and versatile mine is similar to this one. there are several versions of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-GR-4N-Griddler-Silver-Black/dp/B002YD99Y4/ref=asc_df_B002YD99Y4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167141308073&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17393031285561317978&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1022278&hvtargid=pla-275333813461&psc=1

I wonder if that would be good for making Reuben sandwiches. That's the only grilled sandwich I make, and it is a pain to have to flip it on the cast iron that I've been using - some of the sauerkraut always falls out.

I doubt I would want to spend $100 just to make Reuben sandwiches, and so I wonder if it has uses other than making grilled sandwiches.

I use an old George Foreman grill that hubby bought at Goodwill for $1 at least 20 years ago. Nothing fancy no temperature controls, removable plates or anything like that. I use it for Patty melts, Reuben sandwiches, grilled ham and cheese, grilled tuna and cheese, etc.,, etc. When sandwiches are done I just put unplug it, put two damp paper towels in it and close the lid. By the time dinner is over, it's ready to be wiped clean. No fuss, no muss!

blubird, how long have you had your Cuisinart and do you use it a lot?

I've had my cuisinart over 5 years. It's used less often for paninis, but used often for pancakes and waffles. and if i need to grill a piece of chicken or two, i use the grill for that. Sometimes for Sunday family get together, we've made 10+ custom paninis, 2 at a time.

I bought it very inexpensively as i live near what used to be a Conair warehouse, and they had great sales near Christmastime. Sadly, they've closed that warehouse.

I noticed that the Cuisinart waffle grids cost an additional $28, and that's what I would use it for primarily, but I already have a good waffle maker and a good griddle for making pancakes on the stovetop.

However, if I could find one for cheap, I would buy it.

One thing that has helped me with Reuben sandwiches is a fish spatula, which I bought recently. I either use two spatulas to turn the sandwich, or else I remove it to a board when one side is done and then turn it over on the board. I'm not good at flipping them on the pan, even with two spatulas.

I'm wondering if this would be good for making okonomiyaki. I make that more often than I make Reuben sandwiches or waffles, but that's just because I like it.

Maybe I'll check the thrift stores in Palm Springs and Cathedral City - they're better than the ones in L.A.

Other suggestions of another one anyone has that you really like? Maybe just a simple one that is not also a grill?

We have the even fancier Cuisinart. [ Amazon.com: Cuisinart GR-150P1 GR-150 Griddler Deluxe, Brushed Stainless: Electric Contact Grills: Home & Kitchen ] It gets used so often, it is left on the counter. Originally we purchased a Bella (nonremovable plates & smaller), but that brand tends to only last about a 8-12 months, according to experience and gifts.

The temperature adjustments on our Cuisinart are nice, and it is of a large enough size for our multi-sandwich needs. We tend to use it with flat bottom and grill top, but that is just a personal preference. It does take about 8-10 minutes to heat up, so turning it on during prep is a good idea. Browning is very even. We have had this one about 2 years.

I understand the obsession. When i had to have one 10+ years ago i did searches and DH came home with one----lasted about 6 months. Now in a land-fill with other counter appliances.

The best are stovetop griddles that will last for years.

That said, look at your local Costco, Aldi, Thrift, ---i've not been in a BedBathBeyond in years but if they have the 20 off still and good returns....buy cheap appliances so returns are easy. I so dislike cheap appliances so hard to recommend.

At one point work had 5 cuisinart griddle pannini presses---and two busted. No heat enough to toast. Garbage.

If you have a stovetop. A cast iron grill will give years of service.

Here is another vote for the Cuisinart griddler. I don’t make sandwiches with it but it works great for pancakes and random indoor grilling needs. Cleans up easily. You could make a flat panini or a panini with grill marks.

Sounds like there really isn't a good one. I just hate trying to make sandwiches that have a lot in them on the stove. Everything falls out when flipping.

I have both a 30+ y.o. waffle maker and an early George Foreman. Both make great paninis but the waffle maker - with removable plates - works better than the GF. The lid is hinged to accommodate a nicely plump sandwich :-)

I also use my cast iron skillet and a stovetop griddle a lot. Spillage is minimal.

Kathy, you might want to try my method for the stove: Remove the sandwich using a fish spatula to a cutting board, and flip the sandwich on the board. If something falls out, it is fairly easy to put it back in on the board. Then put the flipped sandwich back on the grill/griddle.

You can also use a cast iron grill pan plus a cast iron skillet, providing that the skillet will fit inside the grill pan. Heat the skillet on a separate burner before putting the sandwich on the grill, and then put the hot skillet on top of the sandwich as soon as you put it on the grill. I've also used this method, but the skillet has to be very hot, as it will start to cool once it is on the sandwich, but it will press down on the sandwich.

I would love to have a good panini maker, but I have not read good enough reviews on any that are under $200.

If I were going to buy an expensive one, I would probably get the Ovente Panini Press. It has a one year warranty.

Kathy, my mother gave me her Cuisinart many years ago because she could no longer read the knob. It's old, and I'm sure they must have improved on it. I haven't used it since it was given to me since I've always done fine with a grill plate on the stove, so it hasn't seemed worth dragging it out, but it worked fine.

Given that, and your most recent post, may I make a couple of suggestions? First, use sandwich worthy bread. The slices should be firm enough to hold the filling without being floppy even before toasting/grilling. Second, little things that easily fall out should stop a quarter inch away from the crust. Third, the weight of the press is important, whether you're using a grill press which you heat separately, a heated cast iron frying pan or an electric sandwich press, compacting the filling with weight keeps it from falling out so much. That's much of the magic of the ”panini” sandwich (named for the large rounded roll it's traditionally made with, but applicable to any grilled sandwichj. These are the things that keep your sandwich together.

There are two other important points: Approach. Turning a sandwich with loose fillings in a frying pan is really hard! They all leak out. Even a plain grilled cheese can lose its goo if the pan is too small or the sides are too high. A griddle or grill plate, like Sleevendog showed, works much better, unless you're using a huge pan, because your turner can get under flatly, rather than arcing.

The other point is the turner. It needs to be big enough to support the sandwich. It also needs to be stiff. I use a pliable turner for all kinds of things, but sandwiches are too heavy. A stiff metal fish turner is ideal, because the cutouts help keep the bread from sticking due to heat and moisture (same as for fish!), and the length can be useful for wide bread from a boule (big round loaf). Many fish turners are at least somewhat pliable, for delicacy, however, and unbendable is important for sandwiches,

Even better, since you're having issues, is sandwich tongs. You can use two turners, or other utensils, if you're adept, but if the special appliance is attractive, sandwich tongs are a lot less money and easier to store, assuming you have a place for long utensils. It's basically just tongs with big turner ends instead of the usual pincers. You still have to position well to hold everything together, but once you have hold of the sandwich, the flip part is a lot easier.

Good luck! Sandwiches should be fun, not an ordeal.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and comments!