My Russian Grandmother used to call sandwiches "sam-o-viches." Back to the review, one day I went to the gym and all I could think of while running, was eating a Cuban Sandwich. I remembered that the last time I made a hot sandwich, I had to use the stove. When I was growing up, my mother had this huge grilling iron thing for grilled cheese sandwiches. I went out looking for this type of thing.

Alas times have changed. They have a small and simple appliance for everything that you would ever want to eat. After going to 3 stores, I found a Krups Sandwich Express Sandwich Maker 132-46 for only $19.99. I hastily grabbed it and made my way around town to collect the ingredients for all my favorite hot sandwiches.

Operation
Setting up the K)rupps S)andwich E)xpress was a snap. You plug it in and let the unnatural stuff that coated the machine (for shipping purposes) burn off for 2 minutes.
1) Then you butter a couple of pieces of bread
2) place them on either side
3) depress the middle of bread slices
4) place ingredients on bottom slice
5) take slice from other side and place on top on bottom slice and ingredients
6) close KSE and wait 3-6 minutes
After that you delicious sandwich is ready to eat. But beware the filling of the sandwich is hot.

Advantages
For the sake of this review, let's compare this device to a toaster.
*The average toaster is priced around $40, and this was only $20. I suspect this is cheaper because it only does one thing.
*Cooks bread perfectly even on both sides, while preserving the flavor of the meat, whereas a toaster sometimes dries out the meat.
*Easier cleanup than a toaster.
*Smaller than a toaster.
*Cooks sandwich quicker than a toaster would (probably b/c heat pressed against the top and bottom of sandwich).
*No risk of fire with KSE.

Disadvantages
*Only good for sandwiches...using bread.
*Bread will stick if butter isn't used.
*Cannot make a very thick sandwich with KSE, inside will not cook well.
*Only has room for one sandwich (really has room for two but one uses both sides to pre-toast bread).
*Doesn't come with a book of hot sandwich recipes.
*Hard to find good roast pork slices for Cuban Sandwich

Favorite Sandwiches
Ignore the heating instructions in recipes if you have a KSE.

Original Cuban Sandwich
URL = http://foodtv.com/foodtv/recipe/0,6255,12699,00.html
Rueben
URL = http://cooksrecipes.com/sandwich/classic-rueben-sandwiches-recipe.html
Hot Browns
URL = http://cooksrecipes.com/sandwich/hot-browns-recipe.html
Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches with Horseradish Spread
URL = http://foodtv.com/foodtv/recipe/0,6255,19628,00.html
Hot Ham and Turkey Sandwich
URL = http://www.ligia.clara.net/4-32.htm

Frivolous appliances that I would buy if I could find more than one thing to cook with them:
Steamer --- for Shrimp Dumplings
Dehydrator --- For Homemade Beef Jerky
Pressure Cooker --- for Homemade chicken/beef broth
Waffle Maker
Crepe Maker
Kettle Popcorn Maker
Crock pot --- Shredded Pork Shoulder
Blow Torch --- Crème Burlee




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 19.99