Toast has been a British staple for hundreds of years and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Whether you’re making a quick peanut butter jelly sandwich or getting more elaborate with cold meats and condiments, you cannot go wrong with toast, at any time of the day.
In recent years, toast options have expanded, offering up new and exciting ways to enjoy this old favourite. We’ll look at one of these gadgets and see how it fares against the good old toaster. Keep reading to find out more about sandwich makers vs toasters and which one would suit your needs best.
What is the Difference Between Toast and a Sandwich?
First things first, what is the difference between a sandwich and toast? Toast is simply bread browned through a Maillard reaction, making it firmer and slightly altering the flavour.
On the other hand, a sandwich is a dish that consists of two slices of bread, with ingredients between these slices. Cheese, vegetables and meat may be involved, but there are no limits. A sandwich can include just about anything and will still be called a sandwich if there are two slices of bread on the outside, keeping it all together.
Sandwiches don’t have to be toasted, but many would agree that they are much better when they are.
Sandwich Maker and Toaster Comparison
There are a few elements to consider when comparing toasters to sandwich makers. Here are the most important:
Versatility
Toasters are simple appliances. They can brown bread, English muffins, and waffles. Sandwich makers, on the other hand, have multiple uses and can be used to prepare a few tasty things. They can toast bread, prepare a sandwich, and warm or brown several other snacks that fit inside. The design of these appliances makes it possible to fit in oddly shaped foods, while a thick piece of bread can get stuck in a toaster.
Cooking options
As previously mentioned, a toaster toasts. Simple. A sandwich maker toasts on the outside while cooking the food on the inside. This means that you can have bread that is crispy and browned on the outside, but still soft on the inner layer. It also means that your cheese will melt beautifully, resulting in a perfect melted cheese sandwich.
A toaster can, of course, also produce great sandwiches. The main difference is that the bread will be firm and crispy throughout, and the inner ingredients will not be cooked.
Speed
If you’re wanting to make a quick breakfast before heading off, a toaster is your best bet. You can simply pop the bread in the top and pop it up a few minutes later before spreading on a little butter, and you’re good to go. A sandwich press requires a little more preparation and time.
Clean up
Toasters do not need to be cleaned, making them extremely convenient. You can simply remove the crumb tray every now and then and knock it out. A sandwich maker, however, needs to be cleaned every time it is used. Fortunately, cleaning is very simple, as its non-stick surface can often just be wiped quickly before you pack it away.
Space
Since toasters are such staples, they seem to simply blend into a kitchen space. If you have a classic 2-slice toaster it will be small and compact and can easily exist on your kitchen surfaces. A sandwich maker is a little larger and takes up about twice as much surface area as a toaster. It is, therefore, more often packed away between uses, which makes it a little more convenient to use a toaster instead of a sandwich press.
Toaster or Sandwich Press?
Now that you know the differences between them, which do you think will suit you best? Both are excellent kitchen appliances that will serve you well, so you cannot go wrong with either. But if you’re looking for a staple, a trusty toaster is the way to go. If you don’t mind a little extra hassle in exchange for a more versatile gadget, then a sandwich press is your best option. And if you really love bread, we recommend getting both.
