Best Sandwich Maker Without Teflon 2023 | Non-toxic Alternatives

Since the offer of Teflon-free sandwich makers on the U.S. market is somewhat limited, a reasonable alternative can be a ceramic grill with a panini press. You can find some great options with ceramic plates which are PTFE and PFOA-free. They are versatile since you can use them for paninis and grilling, saving space in your kitchen. On top of that, the plates are removable and dishwasher safe, so they are super easy to clean. Below you can find our top picks.

Blue Diamond Sizzle Griddle (Amazon link): comes with griddle, grill and waffle plates. The ceramic plates are lead and cadmium free.

The George Foreman Rapid Grill: comes with one pair of plates for both grilling and paninis. You can find two sizes of this grill on Amazon, but only the 4 servings size comes with the ceramic plates. Here is the Amazon link.

George Foreman Grill & Broil: this 4-in-1 grill is the most versatile Teflon-free option we found. It comes with grill plates and a griddle/bake plate, meaning it can function as a grill, broiler, panini press, or top melter. Here is the Amazon link.

According to the official George Foreman Cooking Facebook page, lead could not be detected in the ceramic coating. Also, no detectable amount of cadmium has been found.

Similar Breville Sandwich Makers

If you look for Breville Sandwich Toaster, be aware that Breville offers similar models to the VST070 mentioned above. At first, they might look similar, but there are substantial differences. Here is a quick rundown of other Breville sandwich makers and the main differences:

• Breville VST074 – Amazon link
  • No temperature settings
  • Older model than the VST070
• Breville VST041 – Amazon link
  • No Ceramic coating
  • No temperature settings
• Breville VST082 – Amazon link
  • No Ceramic coating
  • No temperature settings

Breville also sells a waffle maker called VST072 with removable DuraCeramic waffle plates (Amazon link). It is basically the VST070 without the two temperature setting sold with the waffle plates.

Tower T27021
4-Slice Deep Fill
Sandwich Maker

Interchangeable Plates
No
–
Size
11.1×14.6×4 inches |
28,2x37x10,2 cm
Number of slices
4
High Hinge
No
Power Light
Yes
Ready Light
Yes
Cool Touch
Handle
Non-slip Feet
–
Upright Storage
Yes
Cord Storage
Yes
Power Consumption
1600 Watts
Extended Warranty
+2 years – subject to registration

Tower
T27013
Deep Fill
Sandwich Maker

Interchangeable Plates
No
–
–
Size
11.4×9.6×4 in
29×24,5×10,2 cm
Number of slices
2
High Hinge
No
Power Light
Yes
Ready Light
Yes
Cool Touch
Handle
Non-slip Feet
–
Upright Storage
Yes
Cord Storage
Yes
Power Consumption
900 Watts
Extended Warranty
+2 years – subject to registration

Tower T27021
4-Slice Deep Fill
Sandwich Maker

Interchangeable Plates
No
–
Size
11.1×14.6×4 inches |
28,2x37x10,2 cm
Number of slices
4
High Hinge
No
Power Light
Yes
Ready Light
Yes
Cool Touch
Handle
Non-slip Feet
–
Upright Storage
Yes
Cord Storage
Yes
Power Consumption
1600 Watts
Extended Warranty
+2 years – subject to registration

Why Choose Ceramic over Teflon Coating in Sandwich Makers

Both coatings have excellent non-stick properties. Teflon tends to last longer; however, it has severe environmental drawbacks. Furthermore, when heated to high temperatures, it releases toxic fumes, which pose a danger to your health and can be lethal to bird pets. Ceramic coating is generally less durable, but if you opt for a higher quality model labeled lead and cadmium free, then you don’t have to worry about the toxins linked to Teflon.

More on Teflon

Although the use of PFOA in Teflon (produced by DuPont, now Chemours) was discontinued in 2015, other harmful chemicals (e.g., GenX) are still used in production, posing a risk to the environment and our health.

When heated, Teflon poses a danger to human health by releasing polymer fumes. The Teflon manufacturer discloses this temperature as 660°F (348°C) and states that the coating may deteriorate. However, Teflon is also not recommended for temperatures above 500°F (260°C). Some sandwich makers can get close to 500°F (260℃); however, the maximum temperature will vary depending on the model.

Polymer fumes are especially dangerous to bird pets, which can get poisoned to death. If you decide to use Teflon appliances, you should take safety precautions to protect your pet. To learn how check out our other post on Teflon.