SUSTEAS Panini Press Review: Perfectly Grilled, Crispy, and Delicious Every Time
When it comes to preparing café-quality paninis, grilled sandwiches, and mouthwatering melts at home, the SUSTEAS Panini Press stands as a true kitchen game-changer. Known for combining modern design, precise heating, and user-friendly engineering, SUSTEAS has earned a growing reputation among home cooks who value performance, safety, and style.
Panini Press Review
The SUSTEAS Panini Press Sandwich Maker & Electric Indoor Grill is a highly versatile 3-in-1 appliance that brings together the functions of a panini press, a sandwich maker, and a flat electric grill — all in a single, compact countertop unit. For users who want one device to handle grilled sandwiches, steaks, vegetables, and more, this model offers an appealing combination of flexibility, performance, and value.
One of the most compelling features of this SUSTEAS model is its adjustable hinge, which allows the top plate to open in two modes: 105° for pressing sandwiches, and 180° for grilling larger items. This floating-hinge design means you can cook thick paninis on one side or open it flat to grill meats and veggies on a broad, dual-surface grill.
Heat control is another strength: the press offers a temperature dial (approximately from 0°C to 200°C, or 32°F to 392°F), letting you fine-tune how hot the plates get. Whether you’re after a gentle toast or a serious sear, the ability to adjust temperature gives you more control than many simple sandwich makers.
To complement that, there’s a built-in timer (0–60 minutes) so you can set and forget your food. The timer beeps when the cook time is up, helping prevent overcooking or burning your sandwiches or grilled food.
The grill plates are coated with a non-stick surface, making food release easy and cleaning much simpler. There is also a drip tray to catch grease or liquids during cooking — an important addition for health-conscious users and for minimizing mess.
With a power rating of 1400 watts, this SUSTEAS press heats up quickly and delivers sufficient energy to cook food efficiently. The design also includes heating on both plates, so you get consistent coverage top and bottom.
Indicator lights help with safe operation: a red light shows that power is on, while a green light signals preheating complete. These visual cues give you confidence that the press is ready to cook without guesswork.
Finally, the handle and base are built with user safety in mind. The handle remains relatively cool to the touch, and the base features non-slip feet to keep the grill stable when you’re opening or closing it. SUSTEAS also backs the product with a one-year warranty, giving decent peace of mind for home use.
In all, this SUSTEAS Panini Press is a smartly designed, multipurpose kitchen appliance that provides great value for money — ideal for users who want more than a sandwich maker but don’t want to invest in a full-size grill.
1. Panini Press Capacity
Cooking Surface & Plate Size
The grill plates are non-stick and designed to cover enough surface area for a variety of foods. According to the manual, when opened to 180°, it acts like a flat grill with two large cooking zones.
In the 105° “press” mode, the floating hinge accommodates thick sandwiches, ensuring even contact without squashing the food too much.
The dimensions are roughly 13.62″ (depth) × 4.61″ (width) × 12.44″ (height) for the whole unit.
According to some regional listings, the cooking plate area is large enough for “1 large or 4 regular sandwiches.”
Practical Capacity
Sandwiches / Paninis: You can grill one generous sandwich, several smaller ones, or stacked wraps.
Grilling Mode: When opened fully, it can handle burgers, steaks, vegetables, or even grilled chicken.
Flexible Food Sizes: Thanks to the floating hinge, you’re not limited to very thin sandwiches — thick, hearty fillings are accommodated.
Meal-Prep Friendly: The large grill surface makes it possible to batch-cook items for meal prep, or to grill multiple sandwiches or ingredients in one go.
Limitations of Capacity
While versatile, the grill area isn’t as large as a dedicated countertop griddle — so very large steaks or oversized paninis may not fit perfectly.
Because the plates are not removable (they are fixed), cleaning could feel more tedious if you cook greasy items or use thick sauces.
The unit’s size, while compact for a grill, still requires some counter space, especially when fully opened to 180°.
2. User-friendly design and cleaning
Dual Opening Modes
105° Mode: Ideal for paninis and sandwiches; the floating hinge adapts to sandwich height so that top and bottom sides press evenly.
180° Mode: Opens completely flat to behave like a contact grill; helpful for items like burgers, vegetables, meats, or quesadillas.
Temperature Control
The adjustable temperature dial (0–200°C) gives you control over how much searing or toasting you want.
This helps avoid burning bread or undercooking meats.
Timer
You can set a timer up to 60 minutes.
When time runs out, an audible beep alerts you so that you don’t forget to turn off or remove the food.
Indicator Lights
Red light: indicates power is on.
Green light: signals that preheating is complete and that the grill has reached the target temperature.
These lights make operation intuitive, even for beginners.
Non-Stick Cooking Plates
The grill surfaces are coated with a non-stick material, so food lifts off easily and you rarely need to use much oil.
Non-stick also helps in less mess and more consistent grilling.
Drip Tray / Spout
The design includes a drip channel or tray area to collect grease or excess liquids while cooking.
This feature reduces mess and makes post-cooking cleanup easier.
Cool-Touch Handle & Stability
The handle is designed to stay relatively cool, providing a secure grip and reducing burn risk.
Non-slip feet on the base add stability while closing or opening the lid.
Warranty & Support
SUSTEAS provides a 1-year warranty for this product, giving reasonable support for normal home usage.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Because the plates are non-stick, once the grill has cooled down, a simple wipe with a damp cloth is often enough to clean off food residue.
The drip tray or outlet helps catch grease, preventing it from pooling on the plate — again simplifying clean-up.
Since the plates are not removable, you need to be careful when wiping so as not to damage the non-stick surface; avoid aggressive scouring pads.
Letting the unit cool before cleaning helps preserve the coating and avoids warping or damaging the surface.
3. Safety Features and Durability
Temperature Control & Overheating Prevention
The adjustable temperature knob gives you fine control over cooking heat, helping prevent overheating or burning.
The preheat light ensures you know when the cooking surfaces are ready, reducing the risk of putting food in too early.
Timer with Auto Alert
Built-in timer (0–60 min) lets you set cooking time and get an audible alert when cooking ends.
This helps prevent overcooking and reduces safety risks from leaving the grill powered for too long.
Floating Hinge
The floating, adjustable hinge not only helps with cooking different sandwich sizes but also ensures safer closure — the top closes smoothly without slamming.
Reduces risk of food spilling or uneven pressure that could lead to burns.
Cool-Touch Handle
The handle is designed to remain cool enough to allow safe opening and closing while cooking.
A secure grip helps prevent accidental slips.
Stable Base
Non-slip feet help keep the press stable on countertops during use.
Adds to safety when opening or closing, or when using it in flat-grill mode.
Drip Collection
The grease/spill channel helps prevent dripping onto the countertop, reducing mess and risk of oil splatter.
The 1400-watt heating system is sufficiently powerful and built to handle repeated daily use.
Non-stick grill plates are designed for durability, though care is needed to avoid scratching with metal utensils.
The hinge mechanism, being adjustable and floating, is built to handle pressure from different food thicknesses over time.
The body and handle are constructed from heat-resistant materials to withstand repeated heating cycles.
The presence of a 1-year warranty provides some reassurance about build quality and manufacturer confidence.
Some models (from similar SUSTEAS variants) report sturdy non-slip bases and stable build during use.
Potential Durability Trade-Offs:
With no removable plates, prolonged exposure to grease could degrade the non-stick coating if not cleaned properly.
High-temperature use over many cycles may stress the hinge or the internal heating elements.
If the drip tray or grease path is not regularly cleaned, buildup could affect performance or longevity.
4.Conclusion
The SUSTEAS Panini Press Sandwich Maker & Electric Indoor Grill is a highly adaptable and well-rounded appliance that delivers far more than just toasted sandwiches. With its 3-in-1 functionality, floating hinge, adjustable temperature, and timer, it offers real value for people who want a versatile countertop grill.
It performs excellently for paninis and sandwiches, thanks to the 105° press mode and non-stick plates.
The 180° grill mode turns this into a mini indoor grill, allowing you to cook burgers, vegetables, or meats without needing a separate appliance.
Adjustable heat control (up to ~200°C) brings precision that many basic sandwich makers lack.
The timer helps you cook with confidence and avoid overcooking or burning.
Non-stick surfaces and a grease path make cleanup manageable, and the drip collection helps reduce mess.
Safety features like the cool-touch handle, stable base, and preheat indicators make it reliable for frequent use.
Durability appears solid for regular home use, and the 1-year warranty offers a buffer for early defects.
If you’re looking for a multi-functional grill that doesn’t take up too much space but can handle sandwiches, grills, and more, this SUSTEAS press is an excellent choice. It strikes a strong balance between performance, usability, and affordability.
However, it may not be for you if:
You need very large cooking space for commercial-level grilling.
You prefer removable or dishwasher-safe grill plates for cleaning.
You cook extremely greasy foods and don’t want to clean a fixed drip path.
Overall, for small to medium kitchens, apartments, or anyone who wants a flexible, reliable, all-in-one grill + sandwich maker, this SUSTEAS model delivers exceptional value.
5.FAQS
Can this panini press really open flat to grill foods?
A: Yes — the hinge lets it open up to 180°, turning it into a flat surface grill for items like burgers, veggies, or steak.
What is the power rating of this grill?
A: It is rated at 1400 watts, offering strong and efficient heating for both sandwich pressing and grilling.
Does it support adjustable temperature?
A: Yes — there is a temperature control dial that goes roughly from 0°C to 200°C (32°F to 392°F), letting you dial in the right amount of heat for different foods.
Is there a timer built in?
A: Yes — there’s a 0–60 minute timer that beeps when cooking time is up, so you don’t have to watch it constantly.
Are the cooking plates non-stick?
A: Yes — the grill plates are non-stick, which helps food release cleanly and makes cleanup easier.