Sandwich Maker vs. Panini Press: What's the Difference?

Commercial sandwich grills aren't just for sandwiches; by compressing ingredients and heating from the bottom and the top, they can sear steaks and burgers, heat up wraps and quesadillas, and grill vegetables or meats. Panini presses feature ridges that create grill marks, while sandwich makers use flat griddles.

What Is a Panini Press?

Panini presses function as sandwich grills and have parallel ridges on the top and bottom plates. They are traditionally used for panini—Italian sandwiches made with breads like ciabatta or focaccia and filled with ingredients such as prosciutto, mortadella, and mozzarella—and are popular in the United States. Due to their free-floating tops, many panini makers can accommodate thick and large items, making them useful for cooking foods beyond the sandwich realm.

What Is a Sandwich Maker?

Sandwich makers have flat grills that offer more surface contact for full heat transfer and no grill marks. They use the same style of press, featuring adjustable heights and temperature controls. The flat surface on sandwich makers is ideal for toasting bread, warming sandwiches, or even cooking items like eggs, burgers, and vegetables. Most come with drip trays for easy cleanup.

Choosing Between a Sandwich Maker and Panini Press

Sandwich maker and panini press grills both offer different cooking plate materials. The most common are cast iron, aluminum, and ceramic. While both styles come in all three materials, panini presses frequently use cast iron, while sandwich presses are more often offered with ceramic. When deciding on which machine is better suited for your operation, think about which surface style best suits the recipes you make the most.

Choose a panini press if:

• You want classic panini with grill marks
• You cook a lot of large, hearty sandwiches
• You want grill marks on other items, like meats or vegetables

Buy a sandwich maker if:

• You want to lightly toast sandwiches or bread without grill marks
• Your recipes call for even heating
• You want a versatile grill for a wider range of items

If you can't decide which kind suits your style, consider purchasing a combined model that offers both flat and grooved surfaces. Learn more about different types and sizes of panini presses and sandwich makers from our panini press buyers' guide.

Shop KaTom's Commercial Sandwich Grills

KaTom offers a wide selection of restaurant sandwich equipment for everything from concession stands to fine dining restaurants. Whether you're heating up gourmet panini on a grooved press or grilling stuffed quesadillas with a smooth plate, shop KaTom to find the best sandwich grill for your operation.