Cuisinart Griddler: the sandwich press that opens into dinner

A sandwich press usually earns its place at lunch. The Cuisinart Griddler GR-4NNAS has another trick: release the hinge and it opens flat, turning the lid into a second upward-facing cooking surface.

Open it when the meal needs room

The supplied reversible plates offer ridged grill faces and smooth griddle faces. Fit the surfaces before heating: pancakes can spread across smooth plates, while a grilled meal can use the ridged sides.

Close the floating lid for a pressed sandwich. Keep neighboring sandwiches similar in thickness so the lid rests evenly. The two outer dials select controls for the chosen cooking mode; they do not independently set each plate’s temperature.

The plates come out when cooking is done

Removable plates, the drip tray and the supplied scraper make cleanup more practical than working around fixed hot surfaces. Let the machine cool and follow its care instructions.

Opening flat also needs extra counter room and working clearance. Choose the GR-4NNAS if both pressed lunches and open cooking would be regular jobs. If you only want the occasional sandwich, the second surface may spend most of its life folded away.

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Promotional product note by Keenrove; the linked guide may contain affiliate links. This is not a hands-on test. Product image source.