The Quesadilla Maker:
There are several brand names that can be found for these, and they show up at various retail and etail locations. This is a very simple, cooking iron. There are no controls, switches or buttons. When it's plugged in, it is on. The surfaces are round, to accommodate tortillas, with raised sections to mark your finished quesadillas for cutting into segments. Cooking time is a couple of minutes. This can be good for party snacks, appetizers, dinners, etc. There are a number of recipes which you can use. My sister got me one of these for a gift about 8 years ago. I can say that it was worth it. Right now, it's in the kitchen, while some of the other gizmos are put up in the basement. Prices can vary from about $15 and up.
The Sandwich Maker:
Much like the Quesadilla Maker, the "sandwich maker" comes in assorted brandings like Toastmaster, Hamilton Beach, Oster, etc. Prices for these also vary, with basic models selling for between $5-10 (depending on sales). More expensive models may have removable or interchangeable plates for cleaning or cooking variety. These provide a quick way to make a grilled cheese sandwich, without getting out all the pans. These can be great for parents to make a quick hot lunch for kids (or themselves). The sandwich maker can make two sandwiches simultaneously, and is designed to press the bread for easy diagonal cutting.
The Waffle Maker:
There are a large variety of waffle irons available. Price, size, capacity, and features vary. Like the Sandwich Maker, the basic models can cost about $5-10 (sale depending) or more. More expensive models may offer the ability to flip the waffle while cooking, have removable/interchangeable plates, larger capacity, etc. The "basic" models are nearly identical to the basic sandwich makers. They can cook two waffles side-by-side in just minutes. This can be good for making fairly quick hot breakfasts, without using a lot of space.
The Panini Press:
There are a few different types of these available, to take advantage of the popular panini sandwiches. Prices on these tend to start at about $25 and up from brands like Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart (to name a couple). These distinguish themselves from the Sandwich Maker in a few ways. They don't have the compartments, so they can use a variety of different bread types or sizes, allowing for a greater variety in sandwich creation. The lever arm presses the sandwich down tighter than can be manually achieved through the other makers (based on the physics of the lever). These can be good for lunches, dinners, parties, etc, and make for a great gift idea.
There are also a number of other niche product makers that utilize the same style. Many of these can be found both online and in retail stores.
Convenience factor? Generally these are going to make the cooking process faster, as using the two plates to cook both sides simultaneously will speed up the process tremendously. Also, it will cut down on cleanup, a bit, as you won't have to scrub pans. It should be mentioned that it's best to clean these up quickly after use, as food can harden to the surface. These appliances can be stored in a cabinet or shelf until needed, and many have a flat spine, allowing for vertical storage to minimize space used.
Economical Value? This will depend on your use. Our quesadilla maker has earned its keep over and over. However, if it's not going to be used, then perhaps the $10 Donut Maker or $15 Fortune Cookie Maker may not be the best use of your money.
There's some fun and use to be had from these small appliances, and they can make for a good gift.
Check back tomorrow for the next gift idea!
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