The 6 Best Panini Makers with Removable Plates

Panini Makers are great for obviously making paninis but are great for making a number of other items and meals. From grilling meats, toasting bread and even grilling vegetables such as asparagus and long stem brocoli.

You might find you can find alternative plates for panini makers which are either flat or have a different kind of press to them for cooking other things. This makes your panini press much more diverse and more useful within the kitchen, this is why you might want to look for a panini maker with removable plates.

Another great reason for wanting removable plates is to be able to replace them and wash them thoroughly. In this article I am going to talk about why you might want removable plates in your panini maker, what the benefits are and the 6 best on the market right now.

Do All Panini Makers Come with Removable Plates?

While it is a feature often sought in a panini maker, not all of them have removable plates.

When selecting a panini maker, you should make sure to read through all of the specs to ensure that the one you are purchasing features removable plates. 

Why Would I Need to Remove The Plates?

Removable plates on a panini maker is actually a pretty important feature that offers several advantages over those that do not have them. There are three main reasons why:

  • Cleaning
  • Versatility
  • Replacement

While you may be dreaming of delicious homemade paninis, you may not be considering the mess that could come with it.

Removable plates on your panini maker allow for a much easier means of cleaning the cooking surface as well as the interior of the maker which can be hard to reach with the plates attached. Many plates can simply be thrown in the washer.

In some cases, the plate is removable for added cooking versatility. Some panini makers feature reversible plates that provide two surfaces.

For example, a ribbed surface can be used to cook things like burgers to provide those tantalizing grill lines and a flat surface can be used to evenly heat things like a sandwich or panini

A removable plate is also useful because it generally means that the plate can be replaced. You would hope that a fairly large metal surface is not damaged or lost, but things happen.

For example, improper cleaning methods can damage a nonstick cooking surface. No matter the circumstance, removable plates are usually replaceable plates.   

What Should I Look For In A Panini Maker With Removable Plates?

Like most home appliances, you have a multitude of options when it comes to selecting your panini maker. It can be a little overwhelming and you would probably rather be eating a panini than reading every single product review.

Here are some aspects to consider that should hopefully narrow your search.

  • Removable plates
  • Cook settings
  • Washability
  • Surface Versatility 
  • Size
  • Grease Management

Removable plates are a feature that not every panini maker has, but makes them much easier to use, clean, and maintain. You will most likely want to consider panini makers that offer removable plates

Another thing to consider are the cooking settings. Can you adjust the temperature? Heating a sandwich will probably require a different heat setting than grilling a burger. Does it have a timer? Afterall you don’t want to lose track of your panini and end up dealing with a smokey mess. 

How easy is it to wash your panini press? Removable plates can make this process much easier but you might want to consider other things. Specifically, are the plates nonstick and safe to use in the dishwasher?

What are the cooking options provided by your panini maker’s plates? Reversible or interchangeable plates with different surfaces can allow you to cook different things. As stated, flat and ribbed surfaces are great for cooking different food. In some cases, your maker may have other plates available for cooking items like waffles. 

The size of your panini maker can be important as well. First, you may simply not have a ton of space in your kitchen and do not want a hulking sandwich machine to dominate the space. Second, maybe you do have the space and a lot of people that want paninis, so a large panini maker may be preferable.

Like with most cooking, grease is an issue. Many panini makers feature different ways of dealing with grease, including ways to help drain it from your meal. It is worth looking at how your prospective panini maker drains grease from your food and how it prevents it from becoming a mess you need to clean later.  

6 Best Panini Makers With Removable Plates

Cuisinart GR-4P1 5-in-1 Griddler

The Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler has a lot of features that make it a great panini maker. It has reversible plates that provide different cooking surfaces.

The versatility of this panini maker is increased with temperature control which gives you the ability to cook many different things. You can also get specialty plates for waffles separately. 

  • Removable and reversible cooking plates
  • Nonstick cooking surface
  • Temperature control
  • Grease and oil draining surface with a removable drip tray
  • 8lbs, 13.5” by 11.5” by 7.12” 

Cleaning is very easy with this panini maker because the plates are removable, nonstick and dishwasher friendly. It also features a removable grease drip tray which means the cleaning is even easier and your food will be less greasy. 

Yedi Total Package 6-in-1 Digital Grill, Wafflemaker, Panini Press, Griddle

The Yedi Total Package 6-in-1 has all the features that you are looking for in a panini maker. It has reversible and alternate cooking plates that allow you to cook just about anything. It features temperature control that can go up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a digital temperature display that allows you to cook with precision.

  • Removable and reversible cooking plates
  • Temperature control
  • Digital display
  • Grease and oil draining surface with a removale drip tray
  • 14.2lbs, 16.9” by 9” by 16.7” 

The plates are removable and safe to use in a dishwasher which means cleaning is easy. It also drains grease and oil into a removable drip tray which is also safe to use in the dishwasher, so cleaning is minimal.  

SHAQ GMC01 Smokeless Grill & Press

The SHAQ Smokeless Grill & Press is a great panini press. It has temperature control and can reach a temperature of 450 degree Fahrenheit. It is also designed to not emit smoke so you could potentially sear a steak indoors with it. It offers a digital display for precision temperature control. 

  • Removable cooking plates
  • Nonstick cooking surface 
  • Temperature control
  • Digital display
  • Grease and oil draining surface with a removable drip tray
  • 15lbs, 12.7” by 13.6” by 6.1” 

Removable plates, nonstick surface, and a removable grease drip tray provide exceptional  ease when cleaning. It also means that there will be a minimum of grease in whatever you make with it. 

Breville BGR820XL Smart Grill

The Breville Smart Grill can do a lot more than make paninis. It has temperature control that can reach as high as 450 degrees Fharenheit along with set “Panini,” “Low,” and “Sear” modes. It can even open and cook such that it is not a press at all. 

  • Removable plates
  • Temperature control
  • Digital display 
  • Grease and oil draining surface with a removable drip tray
  • 18.95lbs, 16” by 14” by 5” 

Cleaning is also very easy with this panini maker. It has removable plates that are safe to clean in the dishwasher. It also has a grease drip tray which makes cleaning easier and food healthier. 

De’Longhi America CGH 1020D Livenza All Day Combination Contact Grill and Open Barbeque

You can get a lot of the De’Longhi Contact Grill and Barbeque. It has temperature control that allows you to cook a variety of different meals. This panini maker also comes with alternate plates with different cooking surfaces which makes it even more versatile. The digital display ensures that you can cook with precision as well.  

  • Removable plates
  • Temperature control
  • Digital display
  • Grease and oil draining surface with a removable drip tray
  • 20lbs, 18” by 14” by 7.5” 

The removal plates and drip tray ensures food won’t be too greasy and cleanup will be easy. The plates are also dishwasher safe so the cleaning process can be even quicker. 

George Foreman RPGV3801K Grill and Panini Press

This George Foreman Grill and Panini Press is easy to use and a great way to quickly make those paninis that you are craving. It has temperature control that offers some versatility for whatever meal you are making. It also has a preheating system that makes it much quicker than other George Foreman models. 

  • Removable plates
  • Nonstick cooking surface
  • Temperature control 
  • 9.11lbs, 6.14” by 15.67” by 13.94”

Cleaning is a breeze with this panini maker as well. The plates are removable, nonstick, and safe to use in a dishwasher.