Kenwood HGM80.000SS Contact Grill, 2000W with 30-Minute Timer

Our review

This is a countertop grill from Kenwood built around a 2000W element, which is the figure that matters most if you want the plates to come back up to heat quickly between batches. The adjustable temperature control and 30-minute timer let you set a cook and walk away rather than standing over it, and the three positions change what the machine can do: closed for contact grilling, open flat for a 180-degree grill, and a middle setting for oven-style cooking. The plates detach, which makes cleaning far less tedious than fixed-plate grills, and there is a removable oil drip tray to catch run-off. A lock and unlock system holds the top plate safely when not in use. It suits someone cooking for two to four people who wants one appliance for sandwiches, meat and vegetables rather than several. Before buying, measure your counter and cupboard space, since a grill that opens flat needs clearance behind and above it, and check that the plate material and coating suit the utensils you use. Compare it with panini presses, which are usually cheaper but fixed shut, and with larger open grills, which cover more surface but take longer to heat and are harder to store.