can it be used as a contact grill? or is this strictly a panini press?
1123087
It can be used as a grill. I haven't used it that way, and the only concern I have for you is liquid run off. It is easy enough to clean, and it gets nice and hot.
1123088
The Panini press can be used as a contact grill. The lid opens to a 90* angle so you only have the bottom surface to use for grilling. The lid does not lay flat, which would have given double the surface. The only caveat to grilling with the lid up is that the lid gets hot, so safety is a concern. I hope this helps.
188229
You should be able to use it for grilling, it may just take a little longer, but as it states, it a grill, not a warming pan..
525266
I have not used on the grill, such as a BBQ, I bought it because my son likes pressed sandwiches but he does not like the panini presses, so I make it on a flat pan on the stove, I had been using a brick wrapped in foil, but this works much better and no, the handle does not get hot.
1391370
It comes with a metal drip pan, so i guess if you line it with foil you would be OK, but beyond that it's just a standard electric grill. The heating element detaches fairly easily, so that's a positive...
113524
Yes you can...it's a good sized grill...cooks really good. I'd say about around 15-20lbs.
1471517
Yes you can use it for panninis, searing meats and anything else you can think of.
1305469
The pizza pan has holes, a lot. So it may not be the best solution unless you are determined for "this pan" & "that grill". Then, while not impossible, it will take some adaptations and adjustment. For me it is an oven pan, if I were to grill a pizza with it on occasion I would use a cookie sheet as a buffer.
1834862
Absolutely, you can use it as a grill. It works great as a grill! We do more grilling than smoking. Furthermore, it works well as a grill with very few coals.
860831
The underside of this is flat, not grooved like a panini press. I use it for toasted cheese and other toasted sandwiches, and like it a lot. Just wipe off the bottom...easy to clean.
489775
Yea sure, why not. Its a grill , just like any back yard grill but compact to take anywhere. You can use a pan or even a grill plate. If your going to use it solely for pan frying, just get a camp stove...If your going to use it also for a camp grill/tailgating grill..its perfect.
442381
Sorry arol, I have as of yet to use my microhearth grill pan, would also like answers to a few questions myself, like hoe to cook steaks rare, also how to cook pork chops and burgers so if you or anyone else receives the answers to these questions I would appreciate you letting me know, Thanks
1979544
This particular round press is good and heavy. That is a main difference between it and our square one. And yes, fitting the round pan is a plus. If there was a heavier square one, we would like to have it for griddle cooking. Other than that, I can't think of any other differences.
15843
I bought the 10.5 inch grill pan and the 8.5 inch press together, and have been happy using them together. I preheat the grill pan with the press inside it, and add the buttered sandwich or steak after the pan and press are hot. The combination leaves really nice grill marks and helps make up for the fact that I don't grill outside in the dead of winter.
1055202
No I am not cooking chicken breasts nor burgers on the panini press. I'm an avid griller on my outdoor gas grill and I use it at least once a week to grill chicken or fresh ground beef or turkey burgers so there would never be an occasion that I would grill those items on the panini press. I used for sandwiches of all kind on wraps or artisan bread. Of course you can cook both of those items on it though. I used it a lot to cook bacon easily and fast. You have to watch that bacon because it cooks fast. Sorry I couldn't be of much help on this question.
1887753
Well... I suppose you could if you really wanted to and they were small but that's not what a direct fire grill is designed for. For cooking the ultimate pizza you want an indirect fire (heat) wood fire. Convection is the key with pizza. This grill is designed for (and works very well for) grilling steak, burgers etc.. with direct heat.
1909538
Yes. However, unlike the George Foreman grills I have, it is much more difficult to clean if something gets stuck to the plates. Paninis work OK, but stay away from burgers, etc.
876629
I suppose that it can be used as a grill, though I have a foreman grill and it leaches the grease into a container that the raclette does not have. I bought this for entertaining for my son and his wife and daughter and her husband for Christmas, and , to my knowledge they have not used them yet. Sooo maybe it was not the wisest gift for them. I thought it reminiscent of the old fondue parties where people sat around and talked and relaxed while the meal was cooking then they chose what they wanted in the way of side or dips, with these, I think you grill your meat above then cook it with cheese and rice and veggies etc individually adding condiments and etc. I suppose that it can be used as a grill, though I have a foreman grill and it leaches the grease into a container that the raclette does not have. I bought this for entertaining for my son and his wife and daughter and her husband for Christmas, and , to my knowledge they have not used them yet. Sooo maybe it was not the wisest gift for them. I thought it reminiscent of the old fondue parties where people sat around and talked and relaxed while the meal was cooking then they chose what they wanted in the way of side or dips, with these, I think you grill your meat above then cook it with... » Read More I suppose that it can be used as a grill, though I have a foreman grill and it leaches the grease into a container that the raclette does not have. I bought this for entertaining for my son and his wife and daughter and her husband for Christmas, and , to my knowledge they have not used them yet. Sooo maybe it was not the wisest gift for them. I thought it reminiscent of the old fondue parties where people sat around and talked and relaxed while the meal was cooking then they chose what they wanted in the way of side or dips, with these, I think you grill your meat above then cook it with cheese and rice and veggies etc individually adding condiments and etc. « Show Less