Cuisinart Gourmet Griddle Griddler Panini Press GRID-8NPC

I bought the griddler in February of 2005 and have taken care to ensure it lasts. The Griddler is heavy and sturdily constructed. It heats up quickly, and cleans up even faster. We have used it for Panini, grilling meat, and toasting burger buns. The griddler comes with interchangeable dishwasher safe griddle and grill plates. The unit can be used as a Panini press or as a griddle.

The base of the unit heats up and maintains temperature better than the top. This creates uneven toasting of the Panini or other items. It's not so much of a problem using as a griddle, since one side will simply cook faster than the other.

After a year the nonstick surface has started pealing off of the grill plates. I have never used metal on the nonstick surface and have taken great care to preserve the finish. Perhaps it is in the design, but the now I will have to take care not to get pieces of the nonstick surface in my food. The plates don't stay attached in the top anymore either. It's very annoying trying to reposition a hot plate into place.

On the surface, the Griddler has the looks and design to be a great product. Cuisinart has some bugs to work out to attain even heating and plates that last. If I were to buy a new Panini press, I would not look to Cuisinart again.

PROS:

Heavy and sturdily construction

Heats up and cleans quickly

CONS:

Non-stick surface does not last

Uneven heating

I wanted a Breville but bought this instead at half the price, mainly because the plates (it has two flat and two ridged) pop out and can be easily washed off at the sink. But Cuisinart would have you believe it's more versatile than it really is: the right and left temperature knobs control both heating elements and the center knob merely activates the right or left control. They both do the same thing, and could just as well be replaced by one "Off/Temp" control. I mention this because mine failed after 30 days one of the thermostats stuck closed and the thing almost caught on fire. Too many points of failure, thanks to the marketing people.

The surfaces are that sandy-gritty nonstick, not as easily cleaned as most. Other than that, it works well and I use mine often.

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Used this once as a griddle, and everything was fine. On the second use, it overheated and melted the plastic griddle plate release knob, and sparked. What a mess.

Too bad, we thought this would be everything we wanted. will be looking at other brands.

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I bought this grill last week & it is WONDERFUL! Every time we make something to eat we think about grilling it. Last night we made grilled stuffed burritos. They were GREAT! Better than any we have eaten anywhere. I love the temp dials. Having the on/off dial is great. I can leave it pluged in & turn it on as needed. I looked for a few months before I decided on this one. I am sooooo glad I did. Hope you all enjoy yours as much as we do.

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I just replaced my Griddler (older model with 4 plates and separate drip cups), with the newly designed Griddler Gourmet. My huge complaint was the uneven cooking, I also did not like having to store the extra set of plates and the 2 drip cups. The old model had the heating element only around the outer edge, leaving anything toward the middle under cooked (VERY uneven cooking). I was at Costco, and saw the new designed one (the Griddler Gourmet). I thought it was GENIUS to make the plate reversible, and integrate the drip cups. Then I popped off the plates and saw that they now have the heating element coming in toward the middle. I got it, and LOVE it now!!!! This new design took away ALL the things I did not like about my older one. It cooks SO even now (don't have to rotate food at all), and I don't have extra parts to store (at least not until I get the optional waffle plates!!!). Anyway, if you are looking at this, get it. It really does work wonderfully!!!

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