Finally, we test how easy each appliance is to clean. We measure the consistency of the sandwiches’ colour and note the evenness of toasting.

We then take the temperature of every toastie to check its consistency, before taking the temperature of the outside of the toastie maker to ensure that it’s safe to touch. We always eat well during toastie maker testing! We use each machine to make several toasties, timing how long it takes to heat up and cook the sandwiches. Look for models with removable plates that are dishwasher-safe. With lots of ingredients at play, toastie makers can be fiddly to clean. This allows you to create other appliances such as a waffle maker or grill, saving you both money and kitchen cupboard space. Some toastie makers come with a range of plates that can easily be swapped in and out. It should seal the sandwich to stop any fillings leaking, else things may get messy! Multipurpose plates A good toastie maker will have non-slip feet to keep it stable and indicator lights to let you know when it's hot.

Toastie makers can get very hot, so it’s important to be careful when you’re cooking with one – ideally the exterior should be around 40C or cooler. Here are the factors we recommend you take into account: Safety features The main thing to consider is the features you’d like your toastie maker to have. While there isn’t a single best toastie maker brand, Breville is probably most well-known for the appliance, which is why we've featured several of its models on our list. It also helps if the toaster maker is easy to clean and maintain, making the whole process fuss-free and enjoyable. The toasties themselves should cook evenly, resulting in crisp bread that has a uniform golden brown colour, melted cheese throughout and ingredients that reach the same temperature. The appliance should heat up quickly and form a tight seal, so that no filling escapes. There’s more that makes a good sandwich toaster than you might think.

Contraption maker toast