If you have lived under a rock for the past several years... you may have missed one of the most watched daytime telivision events held yearly in November. 

The Oprah Show holds this secret televised gift give away for an unsuspecting in house audience. Each year she displays and gives her Favorite Things away to each member of the audience, usually about 20 items in all.

One of the items on this years list is the Breville Panini Press.

She tells the audience about her Saturday ritual with boyfriend Steman, making him a special love sandwich. The recipe includes Sourdough bread, Mayonnaise, Turkey, Pepper Jack cheese and basil. The recipe is available on her website.

Oprah explains that "this panini press doesn't just make a great sandwich—it also grills meats, fish and veggies."

I agree that the counter top contact grills or panini press make easy work out of grilling anything.  But I am not in love with her choice of grills.  The Breville isn't easy to clean and doesn't have many of the nice features my favorite grill has. 

 The Hamilton Beach Indoor Contact Grill with Removable Grids

is one of my favorite appliances. I have had it for several years and it's still working perfectly.

I watched several of my friends grill with their large George Forman grills... and was not impressed.They were hard to clean, didn't store easily and catching the drips was up to the user. 

 The Hamilton Beach Grill has removable grill plates... they just pop out and go right into the dishwasher. I do use a spray oil... even on the non-stick grill plate. 

The timer is an option that is hard to find on other brands.  The grill must be preheated before use... so I set the timer for 5 min. or so and then the timer tells me it's ready.  Also, the timer is a shut off switch... which is great for safety.  I have gone to answer the phone, only to remember the grilled sandwiches are still in the grill... not ruined because the timer took care of it.

The drip catcher has a built in holder... which slides out easily and also goes right into the dishwasher.  

The latest model now comes with griddle plates so you can cook pancakes with both sides opened up too lie flat.  

The Hamilton Beach Grill doesn't look as impressive as the more expensive grills.  But it cooks a frozen hamburger patty or chicken breast to perfection in about 15 min. I good with that.