The first usage of the word “sandwich” came from an 18th century English aristocrat, John Montagu, aka the 4th Earl of Sandwich. He would often order his servant to bring him meat tucked betwixt two slices of bread, enjoying the versatility and convenience of such a meal. As others started to recognize the brilliance of this culinary masterpiece, they began ordering “the same as Sandwich!” Thus the phenomenon began.
We’ve come a long way since then. Sandwiches have evolved into all different shapes and sizes and integrated with every culture. There’s a sandwich out there for just about everyone, however, if you’re looking for the absolute most perfect sandwich for you, you’ll probably need to make it yourself. So in an effort to help you become the sandwich artist we always knew you could be, we’ve rounded up some of the best sandwich makers and accessories.
Sandwich Makers
The sandwich is complicated beast, so having the right appliances in your kitchen can really help you out in a pinch — or a press.
Panini Press – $25
Have you ever had a panini? Grilled bread, melted cheese, and warm meat get pressed together to create a something more glorious than the sum of it’s parts. You can find these tasty items at your local Panera, but if you want to start making paninis on your own, you’re going to need a panini press, which is essentially just a sandwich grill.
You can pick up the Hamilton Beach Panini Maker for the price of $25 on Amazon after nice little $7 discount. If you’re looking for a smaller indoor grill, you can take a look at this Proctor Silex Sandwich Toaster for $19.
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker – $34
Breakfast, as they say, is the most important meal of the day. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the time to pull out the griddle and create something tasty. We either grab a bowl of cereal, buy breakfast somewhere on the way to work, or just skip it all together. However, with a breakfast sandwich maker, you could have delicious breakfast sandwich every morning without even breaking a sweat.
You can pick up the Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker for just $34 on Amazon. Don’t worry, it comes with removable parts, so cleanup is a breeze.
A Pie Iron – $21
If you’ve gone camping with your family and friends, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve eaten a sandwich in the great outdoors. Camping sandwiches tend to be either pre-prepared and hastily squished into ziplock baggies or made on site with ingredients that have been in a cooler for far too long. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you should be subject to such poor sandwich conditions, though.
With a Rome Industries Pie Iron, you can use a campfire to turn that sad excuse for a sandwich into something toasty and delicious. You can pick up one of these non-stick cookers for just $21 on Amazon.
Hamilton Beach Quesadilla Maker – $20
Is a quesadilla a sandwich? Technically it’s meat and cheese sandwiched between two tortillas, so the real question is: are tortillas considered bread? Whatever the answer, quesadillas are convenient and quite delicious. If you’ve ever tried to make a quesadilla on your own, you probably know how difficult it can be to reach the optimal amount of cheese melt without burning the tortilla.
With this electric quesadilla maker, you can make the perfect quesadilla every single time — just follow the instructions. Pick up your very own quesadilla maker for just $20 on Amazon.
Sandwich Accessories
Sandwich makers may get the bulk of the credit when it comes to crafting a masterpiece, but it’s in the small touches that the real magic happens.
A Sandwich Cutter and Sealer – $9
Do you hate the crusts on your sandwiches? We get it, crusts can be so … crusty. Cutting the crusts off can be quite the hassle, however, and you’re likely not going to take the time to seal up the edges when you’re done. Whether you’re packing lunches, or just hate the texture, this sandwich cutter and sealer is there to make your life easier.
You can pick on up for $9 on Amazon and say goodbye for crusts forever.
Sandwich Knife and Condiment Spreader – $5
Spreading condiments and making the proper cuts may seem like a small thing, but it can drastically change the sandwich experience. If you’re just using a butter knife to do those things, you could end up with dry spots — or worse, two uneven slices. With a stainless steel sandwich knife, you can spread and cut faster and more efficiently than you ever dreamed possible.
You can pick up a sandwich maker for just $5 on Amazon and start spreading.
Sandwich Frill Toothpicks – $8.50
Creating the perfect sandwich isn’t just about flavors, it’s also about stability and presentation. It may seem unnecessary to add a bit of bling to your sandwich, but in reality, a toothpick can hold your sandwich together and maintain it’s integrity.
You can pick up 1,000 of these frilly little toothpicks for just $8.50 on Amazon. If you want that sandwich to look magnificent on the plate, you need to go the extra mile.
Proper Lunch Container – $15
Lunch containers come in many different shapes and sizes, but we’ve found that most of them don’t expressly incorporate the sandwich into their design. If you want to do lunch right, you need a container that separates your sandwich from your side. While their are containers made specifically for sandwiches, they leave no room for the rest of the meal.
You can pick up this innovative lunch container for just $15 on Amazon and do lunch properly.
Have you ever heard of a waffle sandwich? Learn how to make your own with our comprehensive how-to guide.