Truth be told, you don’t need much more than a good pan to make panini. That said…I’ve found some simple, inexpensive tools that have made panini-making a whole lot easier (and tastier!) for me over the years. Today I’d like to share with you my 8 Essential Panini Tools – what they’re good for and why I use them.
Plus, one lucky reader will have the chance to win ALL 8 TOOLS, thanks to OXO (worth more than $100!). The giveaway details are at the end of this post!
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Silicone Grill Brush
Many grills come equipped with their own grill scraper, but for those that don’t, you will probably find a silicone grill brush very helpful when it comes time to clean your panini press. The soft-yet-firm bristles make it easy to scrape up the cooked-on bits that can get trapped between the grates without damaging the nonstick coating.
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Meat Thermometer
If you’re going to grill meats on your panini press, I highly recommend using a meat thermometer. It’s the easiest and most reliable way to ensure that meat is cooked to the desired temperature. With the OXO model I have, it’s easy for me to set the temperature (it comes with preset USDA and chef recommendations), insert the probe into the meat I’m grilling, place the meat on the panini press, close the lid, and wait until the thermometer beeps to tell me that the meat is done. It eliminates all of the guesswork, and I don’t lose any heat by having to open the lid repeatedly to check for doneness.
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Cheese Plane
You can, of course, buy pre-sliced cheese but it tends to melt and layer more easily when you slice it yourself. A basic cheese plane or slicer is relatively inexpensive (this one, from OXO, sells for $10). You want one that is comfortable to grip, and with a metal blade that can stand up to slicing firmer cheeses without bending itself out of shape.
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Cheese Grater
Yes, slicing your own cheese is usually best, but I do grate some cheeses, especially Parmesan and other harder cheeses that take longer to melt. Go for a good quality cheese grater with sharp blades and a non-slip grip. You can also use the grater for zesting lemons and limes as well as for finely grating garlic and onions.
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Silicone Basting Brush
For brushing olive oil onto bread, vegetables, black bean patties, and more, a silicone basting or pastry brush is a useful tool. It distributes oil evenly and goes right into the dishwasher for cleanup.
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Serrated Knife
A sturdy serrated knife will allow you to slice through your panini cleanly without placing undue pressure on your ingredients. I alternate between using a bread knife, like the one pictured here, and an offset type which you’ll often see used in cafés and restaurants. An offset design allows you to bring the knife all the way down to the cutting board without your knuckles getting in the way.
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Silicone Spatula and Tongs
Everything you place on the grill has to come off at some point. For this task, you’ll want a silicone spatula and silicone tongs. They easily lift your food without causing any damage to the nonstick surface of the panini press. These are probably the two cooking tools I use most often in my kitchen.
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** WIN ALL 8 ESSENTIAL PANINI TOOLS, FROM OXO!! **
OXO would like to send one lucky Panini Happy reader a set of all 8 of my Essential Panini Tools (valued at more than $100).
- To enter: Leave a comment on this post, telling us your favorite go-to cooking tool.
- For an optional bonus entry: Sign up for my Panini Happy e-mail list, and leave a comment to let me know. (Existing subscribers, just leave a comment letting me know you’ve already subscribed)
The giveaway will close on Monday, June 24, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT. I will use random.org to select one winner and announce the winner in this post. I will contact the winner via e-mail – if I don’t receive a response within 5 days I will draw another name. My apologies to my international readers, the prize can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Many thanks to OXO for providing the prize for this giveaway. I was not compensated in any way, and my opinions are, as always my own. Panini Happy receives a portion of the purchases made via the Amazon affiliate links in this post – many thanks for your support!
Panini Happy, online since 2008, is more than just a sandwich blog. Here, you'll find hundreds of my original 
My fav go-to cooking tool would have to be my microplane grater!
My melon baller – for making perfect cookies every time.
I couldn’t live without my silicon spatula. I’d love to have all of these tools in my kitchen!
I love tongs. Not sure I could cook without them anymore.
I love my dutch oven!
My Grandma’s cast iron skillets! I cook everything in them.
My favorite tool has to be my chef’s knife–I rarely even put it away.
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I like my hand mixer, I use it often to make pancakes.
I subscribe to your email under kellywcuATyahooDOTcom
My silicone spatula or my measuring cups are the tools I use nearly every day!
My fave tool is my mandolin; it makes slicing veggies so much faster!
My digital meat thermometer — without it, I’d have no idea when my steaks (or chicken or pork) are done!
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Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I love my beautiful Global knives!
My favorite cooking tool is a wooden spoon!
My cutting boards and my sharp tomato knife.
I love my food chopper.
My mini food processor. It just saves so much time on things like chopping onion, and yet it’s super small and easy to clean.
Definitely tongs. Great for cooking, grilling, juicing lemons, etc. etc. 🙂
My fave tool is my mandolin; it makes slicing veggies so much faster!
My favorite tool is the silicone garlic peeler. Need another one for my pro kitchen!!
My favorite tool is the silicone garlic peeler. Can´t cook without it! Tips on buying another one, anyone?
I hate to admit that my favorite took has been my mini food chopper (also by OXO) … makes me seem like I’m lazy, but that thing does wonders with onions and garlic!! Love it!
I’m a subscriber … button_patch {at} hotmail {dot} com
My all time fav kitchen tool is my spatulas. Use them all time to get all the nibbles and never leave anything behind.
My good knife is indispensable (picked it up in Italy awhile back, don’t know the brand)
subscribed! Great resources!
Having a basting brush definitely makes grilling easier and less messy!
I love my kitchen scale.
I want to win these! My favorite go to is my grater – I use it all the time.
I subscribe by e-mail!
It would be a toss-up..my chef’s knife, my oversized spatula and tongs..always in reach.
My everyday go to tool is called a clamata. It is used to attach as a handle to a sufaria ( a wide lipped aluminum pan) used here in Kenya!
It is like a tong that clips on to hold the pot in place when stirring or for transferring the pan from the fire.
I am already subscribed and LOVING Paninihappy!!!
I love my Microplane zester!
I’m an email subscriber.
I know this will sound crazy, but my Panini Press is my favorite! We have removable grates that flip over (Cuisinart) so it works as a griddle too – – it is awesome for everything!
I’m on this email/blog list – – Kathy does a great job with this!!!!
I love my sharp knife and cutting board
My favorite kitchen tool is my Kitchen Aid Mixer, I use it all the time – but especially for Homemade Bread to make my Husband’s sandwiches for lunch during the week. He would LOVE to take a Panini to work!
I follow you on Pinterest and am subscribed via e-mail-
Love your posts!
My large cookie scoop! I use it for cookies, cupcake batter, portioning mashed potatoes, making uniform sized meatballs, the list goes on and on 🙂
I’m already an email subscriber – thanks!
just now getting started with my new panini press. seeing this give me some ideas as to some of the items that I will need in the future that I have not thought of as yet. thanks as I really enjoy your website.Pplease make sure to enter me into your contest.
I have to say a good chef knife and cheese plane are some of my favorite tools in the kitchen!
My favorite go to is my Wusthof Santoku 7 Inch Knife.
I am already a subscriber and my favorite cooking tool is my silicone spatula because it scrapes the bowl(s) nice and clean..
My favourite kitchen tool is my lemon juicer. It measures, it keeps out the seeds and it’s cute!
My favorite go to cooking tool is the microplane grater, i use it for cheese, nutmeg, garlic, all kinds of things.
My favorite cooking tool is my paring knife…I finally invested in a good one!
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I have a big silicone “spoonula” that gets quite a workout.
I love my cheese grater, couldn’t live without it! A freshly grated parmesan is delicious and not in the same category as a store grated one. I’m already a subscriber.
Lately it’s been my blender for smoothies and agua frescas.
My favorite tool is my cookie scoop. I use it for everything! Filling muffin tins, making meatballs, of course cookies…and so much more!
I use my silicone spatula most.
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I also subscribe to your email.
Thanks!
I love my pastry cutter for mixing butter into flour!
my go to would be my grater
I like my iron skillet
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I am a subscriber to Panini Happy email.
My favorite tools are my knife set, I use it almost every time I cook, and my tongs. I never realized how useful they were until I had a set and wore them out. Now I have several pairs in various sizes for multiple uses!
My favorite cooking tool is my basic rubber spatula! I use it all the time whether I am baking, cooking, etc. It definitely gets the most use in my kitchen!
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Flexible spatulas!
I’m subscribed!
I love my tongs. I use them all the time for everything!
I couldn’t survie without my kitchen aid mixer and food processer
I am a long-time subscriber!
I am subscribed
My tongs are the most utilized tools in my kitchen. Second place, my Chicago Cutlery.
I’m a subscriber to your list and enjoy it immensely.
I’m glad to hear it – thanks, Mike!
wooden spoon
signed up for the email list – thanks!
Favorite tool…probably the food processor because I can chop, slice, grate, mix doughs, etc. Very versatile.
Rubber coated 3 inch spatula. It’s invaluable, useful on every surface, and can do a variety of things like chopping and flipping.
My favorite kitchen tool has to be my tongs. It seems like I am always reaching for them!
My kitchen would be incomplete without my wooden spoons.
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My favorite cooking tool is my set of Gerber knives. We got them as a wedding gift 22 years ago and they still look (and perform) like new.
My favorite kitchen tool used most often is my silicone spatula. I use it for making salads with mayo – gets a large amount out of the jar, mixes everything then scrapes every last bit out of the bowl.
I’m already a subscriber. Love your column. I print out most of your recipes and keep them in a notebook.
Thank you so much, Jean – that’s really nice to hear. 🙂
Definitely a pair of chopsticks. They’re super versatile and how the heck do you pick up a swimming noodle with a fork anyways?!?
A good chefs knife and s wine opener!
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My favorite kitchen tool is my good knife. I would be lost without it.
I am a subscriber and enjoy your newsletters.
Thanks so much, Rose – I’m glad you enjoy them. 🙂
Ooh, that grill brush looks neat! I always have trouble cleaning my grill plates really well.
Hmm, I think it’s a tie between my stick blender and my good santoku knife. It’s the very first good knife I’ve used in my life and it completely changed cooking for me.
Great list!
I also have an e-mail subscription.
my kitchen knives, they get the most use out of any tool that I have
Definitely my chef’s knife!
I have 3 g0-to tools: the basting brush, the tongs, and the spatula — all OXO. I can’t pick just one. Also, I am already signed up as an e-mail recipient from Panni Happy. That is how I learned about this “8 Esssential Panni Tools article.
I have 3 g0-to tools: the basting brush, the tongs, and the spatula — all OXO. I can’t pick just one. Also, I already receive Panni Happy e-mails.
My go-to cooking tool is my thin egg turner spatula.
I love my micro planer. I use it almost every day!
I can’t live without my Vitamix which I use just about every day for various dishes like smoothies, sauces and soups. Love your site and am already subscribed to e-mail. Thank you!
My new favorite tool to use is my new garnishing set – melon baller, grater, channel knife, spiral cutter, etc…having fun just playing with my food!
other than that it’s my Cutco Knives – they are still as sharp as the day I got them 15 years ago.
I have subscribed to the newsletter too.
My favorite go to kitchen tool is probably my garlic press. You can’t beat it!
Love my Ninja blender.
spatula !
My grill brush is by far my favorite. I love the easy no hassle clean up.
I just subscribed!
I have a silicon spoon that I use all the time
Tongs! I really hadn’t considered how many times a day, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, that I grab for tongs. Really the most useful tool in my drawer.
I all ready subscribe to panini happy by email.
my oxo tongs
Hi, I am new to the Panini business and can use all the help to be given. Plus I am a tool junky so don’t ask me to narrow it down! Sue S.
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Oh gosh, I have to just pick one?? I guess I would say my wooden spoons. I think I use them every time I walk into the kitchen!
Probably my LONG handle spatula for turning burgers…
I already subscribe to your newsletter…love your site!!
Silicone spatulas!
I love my silicone spatulas!
Hard to pick, but I would have to say my favorite cooking tool is my rubber spatula.
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My favorite cooking tools are my set of pampered chef knives
My favorite cooking tools are my cast iron skillets and my slow cooker.
Love my tongs and a good knife
I subscribed too 🙂
Oh I wish I could join the giveaway, but I am not in the Us. -_-
Oxo kitchen tools are available here but they are imported and not that commonly available yet. All foodies in India are waiting impatiently for oxo to enter the Indian market, I know everybody is looking for pretty and handy kitchen tools.
My grandmothers cast iron pan. Can’t cook withou it.
I am a newbie with my recent purchase of the panini press and am so excited to have found you and your panini~happy blog site!! You have been amazing with all the great recipes and tips for all your followers. I have just added this meat thermometer from OXO to my cart and expect it will be used often. Can’t wait to try out some of those delish-looking sandwiches you have concocted!! Thanks for all you do Kathy!!! <3
That’s terrific, Debra – thanks so much! The meat thermometer is so helpful – have fun!
I am already a subscriber and have enjoyed your newsletters very much!!
My favorite cooking tool is my son who is just starting to love to cook!!
signed up for the email
My silicone brush
the good ole wooden spoon!
Definitely our Chef’s knife!
Silicone baking cups! So easy 🙂
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For every recipe I pull out my silicon spatula, tongs and my wooden cutting board!
My favorite tool is an awesome spatula. It is better than any other one I own!
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my hand blender & my oxo tongs!!
I’d say my mini spatula–we make a lot of cookies around here!
I love my Joseph Joseph Uni-tool, 5-In-1 Utensil
My favorite tool is my 5 bladed herb scissor, slices up fresh herbs so quick and easy .Anyone that uses fresh herbs must get a pair!
I see your book is due to be released this fall, I expect to see one of those under my Xmas tree this year!
Of course I’m a subscriber!
Anne villeneuve
Ottawa Canada
I love my wisk!
I subscribe via email
Digital scale. Once you start using one, you wonder how you ever cooked with out it!
I subscribe via e-mail. Thanks so much.
I can’t cope in the kitchen without my silicone spatulas (I have about 6 of them, maybe more – all red!)
I’m on your email list now (let’s cook!)
mandolin slicer
Trying to decide on my favorite kitchen tool is a lot harder than one thinks. I have several favorites, but the one I reach for the most I believe would have to be my silicone spatulas. I use them for everything, and I use them in place of spoons a lot! haha
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My microplane zester (love it for garlic)
I am a new email subscriber. Thank you!
I guess my grill. I grill year round and live in Indiana, so it’s not always warm here. For me, it’s the ease of clean up. Plus, the house we lived in for 10 years had a tiny kitchen that was not conducive to cooking, so it was my outdoor kitchen.
Actually, I think of my panini press as my favorite tool!
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Outdoor Grill, use it almost every day…winter, spring, summer and fall
Not sure if its considered a tool but I love my baking stone!
I so enjoy cooking, but I’m intimidated when it comes to grilling… I LOVE this Panini grilling idea. I don’t own one YET !!! It’s on my list. My favorite “go to” tool are Tongs…
My favorite is my cookie dough scooper!
My favorite go to tool is my pizza cutter. Not only does it cut pizzas but sandwiches, pancakes and waffles too saving me lots of time.
My non-stick pan
locking tongs are my go to tool of choice
I use my silicone spatula daily.
It is so hard to choose one tool since I love my whole kitchen! I have so many gadgets and use them all! but I must come to my microplane and a good set of sharp knives. I have a set that goes with me everywhere. Whenever I go to a friend’s house, somehow I always find my way to their kitchen helping around.
my fork and knife,i dont go to a BBQ without them both
I have these steak knives that I bought at the state fair 20 years ago and they are still as sharp as the day I bought them. I have no idea who makes them, but I love them.
For a go-to grilling tool, it would be my expandable grill basket. Vegetables, fish, sliders or hot dogs can all cook at once and they are easy to flip without losing anything through the grates. For an all purpose tool, it would be my iron skillets.
I love using silicone spatulas, great for cooking and cleaning out mixing bowls.
My go-to cooking tool is my bamboo spoons and spatulas.
I’m an email subscriber.
My fave is my tongs. I do everything with them
I signed up for your newsletter. I just found this website today and I love it.
Thanks so much, Stephanie – welcome!
I love my rubber stapula!
My garlic press – I don’t like mincing garlic.
My favorite kitchen tool is the Chef’n VeggiChop Vegetable Chopper. 🙂
My Silpat baking pan liner, nothing sticks and you can make everything from isomalt bubble sugar decor to crispy cheese discs… Easy to use easy to clean easy to store…love it
My favorite go-to tool is a small metal spatula. It’s great for serving cake, brownies, and other treats.
My go-to cooking tool(s) are wooden spoons! I use them for everything and never have to worry about scratching my pots and pans. 🙂
Amazingly that OXO silicon Spatula is the best one that I have yet to find
For things like the Panini Press, my favorite tool to have on hand is a toothbrush. They come in handy for brushing out anything missed in the curves and corners. They’re also great for when your electric can opener eventually gets gummed up, the little nooks and crannies in your food processor bowl, etc.
My favorite go-to cooking tool are tongs.
My favorite tool is my immersion blender. I make smoothies daily and the cleanup is quick.
Oh goodness, that’s a hard question. I mean, my favorite chef’s knife (and honing/sharpening stuff) is THE essential kitchen tool. But if you mean besides the basics, my Zyliss avocado tool stays in the dish drainer, and I have 3 sizes of microplane graters that also rarely make it out of the drainer and into their assigned spots. For gadgets, my panini press/griddle and my electric water kettle would fight it out for supremacy.
Hmmm… Actually, after blathering, I think I’d nominate my largest dinner fork. After my knives, or possibly before, it is my most used kitchen tool. It mixes and stirs, lifts like a small spatula, makes impromptu tongs, spears stuff out of jars, and I can use it to eat dinner too.
the avocado thingie is this one
http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-12550-Avocado-Tool/dp/B00421ATN6
knife/slotted spoon all in one
My favorite tool (and my husband totally teases me for this) is a pair of super long tongs. It makes me less nervous to have a little room between me and things that are right on the fire 🙂
A quality cheese grater is always in use in my house 🙂
Great contest!! My favorite go to kitchen tool would be my mini-kitchen utensils!! They are perfect size for me!!
My favorite tool or tools has to be my grater/zester and my tongs especially for grilling tongs do not pierce the meat or fish causing them to lose valuable juices and the zester grater tops all with cheese or a quick zest burst of flavor
I think my “go to” tool would have to be my tongs … they’re now like an extension of my arm!
I’m waiting for my first paninni maker to be delivered.
I didn’t realize that you can grill meat on them.
I look forward to getting your e-mails regarding paninni recipes.
Thanks,
Brenda
Yes! As long as your press comes with a drip tray or other drainage mechanism you absolutely can. Happy grilling!
My favorite go-to tool… Just one? Okay, the one tool I turn to repeatedly is my set of heavy-duty kitchen scissors that can be taken apart for easy cleaning. I put a heavy-duty magnet (I got it at Lowe’s) on my fridge, and that’s where those scissors stay. Except for the 15 times a day I used them for opening bags, cutting up chicken for teriyaki, slicing pizza, and any other big and small job I can find.
Love all silicone gadgets, especially flattened silicone whisk.
I use my spatula for so many things – not just flipping burgers
My Oxo anything is my fav tool. Particularly my veggie pealer. But I love them all………cuz I don’t slip and I don’t drop them!!!
I meant “peeler”.
It’s a toss-up between my mini food processor & digital scale which both sit on the countertop ready for quick usage.
I’m shopping for a sandwich/panini maker – looking for a bargain deal, not wanting to get too fancy, maybe $50 tops. Any recommendations? I have looked at the Cuisinart Sandwich maker, its on $20, but is it any good? will I be disappointed for not spending a bit more for a better appliance? Help!
Thank you!
Hi Maria — I’ve got a summary of my panini press buying advice here: https://paninihappy.com/panini-press-buying-advice-what-to-look-for/
Personally, I want appliances that I can use often and are decently versatile (or I’d just as soon use the stove or oven) so when it comes to panini presses I usually don’t recommend the $20 sandwich makers. The compact grills made by Cuisinart and Breville are usually around $50-$60 on Amazon. Hope this helps! ~Kathy
New here and new to the whole Panini scene but can’t wait to get started! All looks so yummy!! Thank you for doing this for all of us out here!
Thanks, Barbara — have fun!! ~Kathy
I just bought the Hamilton Beach Panini press, looked for recipes and guess what? I made the Ice cream Cookie sandwich and it’s a go to desert. Love it.
My favorite kitchen tool is Butter Knife. I use it tighten loose screws, scrape stubborn food, loosen the seal on pickle jars, oh I can go on and on. I also use it to butter my toast 🙂
Just found your Panini recipe book in the library. It is great! I have an older Italian Panini press that really does a good job but w/o removable plates. I could really use that panini brush. My favorite cooking tool is a stainless steel wok that was a gift to me. I use it for so many things– soup, chili, veggies of all kinds but the tool I actually use most are my kitchen tongs which I use for almost all cooking and serving as well. So happy to have discovered your blog listed in your fabulous book.
Thanks so much, Joan! Hope you’re enjoying the book. 🙂 Kathy