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12Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press RHSP801

Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press RHSP801

 Verified
12Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press RHSP801
4.0

24 reviews

Positive vs Negative
59%8%33%
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Non-Stick Longevity
  • Still Works
  •  · 
  • 1 - 4 months
  •  · 
  • 1 - 3 years
Even Heat DistributionYes · No
Value for Money
4.4
Ease of Use
4.8
Build Quality
3.9
Cleaning & Maintenance
4.7
Non-Stick Quality ?
4.9
sis
sis32 posts
  RHSP801BLK

Absolutely awesome sandwich press heats up very fast cool floating hinge cheap for its awesome functionality! Better than most brevilles I've tested it's a awesome toastie / grill for eggs bacon pancakes and more! Show details

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Max Beeeem
Max BeeeemQLD51 posts
  Fair Incentive Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Russell Hobbs 4 Slice Sandwich Press – Functionality - Traditional top heating plate lift up style. Has even (smooth) non-stick surfaced top and bottom heating plates. Able to handle thick slices. Has a locking handle to keep closed on right hand side. Power cord approx. 85cm in length. Pricing and Value for Money - At the time of review (Mar 2024) this has been seen selling for… Read more

between $58-$62 which from a search around of other similar sized sandwich press is at the lower end of the mid-range. I feel it represents good value for money.

Warranty – 2 years

Instructions – Easy to understand

Look and Feel - Black (matt) and chrome with a contemporary look.

Positives - Easy to use, able to toast 4 sandwiches at a time, quicker to toast sandwiches than our older (10yrs) double press.

Negatives - Naturally in comparison to a double sandwich press it has a larger footprint (39L x 37cm D) so you either need ample bench space or store it away when not in use

Suggested improvements - None to mention

Colic
ColicNSW50 posts
  Fair Incentive Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Hard to fault, lets see how it holds up over time – I found it difficult to comparatively review a sandwich press. In essence, it’s a simple device with heated plates that press onto your food to toast it! The press of course needs to heat your food through, and not burn or overheat parts of the food. This sandwich press passed both tests. Compared to my Breville, the Russel Hobbs was… Read more

missing the adjustment for how far the upper lid is lowered, the labels suggesting it differentiates between toasting or melting. In reality I imagine this might help not overheat foods of varying thicknesses. But in practise, when using the Russel Hobbs which does not have this adjustment I could not find any difference. It heated sandwiches and wraps perfectly.

The thing I especially liked about the Russel Hobbs was its large capacity. When I ever heat a large wrap, or do sandwiches for two people, the Russel Hobbs easily accommodates this. For me this is a major advantage, especially considering its price point.

As with many of my reviews, one of the important factors to consider I can't report on yet – namely how it holds up to repeated use over time. I will have to report back on the surfaces and other parts and how they fare. To me this would be an important consideration, because if it didn’t stand the test of time I may have thought a higher budget would bring that. But there is no reason I can see now not to give this 5 stars, but I will report back over time and adjust that if necessary :-)

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Cindy
CindyQLD15 posts
  Fair Incentive Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

No more flipping and turning – I received this sandwich press as part of the Ambassador program. I’ve been using the Kmart Anko press for a couple of years and the Russell Hobbs is by far the better product. It’s roughly the same size so fits 4 sandwiches at once which I really need with so many people to feed in our house. It heats quickly and evenly, and cools down rapidly as… Read more

well so I don’t have this dangerously hot thing on my bench for the next half and hour after I’m done making lunch. I don’t bother preheating, just put sandwiches in and turn it on. Unlike my previous press, there is no need to flip or turn sandwiches halfway to brown them evenly. They all cook through with a lovely crunchy exterior by the time the indicator light turns green. I don’t put anything on the outside of our sandwiches as we like a dry finish rather than oily, and they turn out great every time. No stick whatsoever even if the cheese escapes a bit. Vegetable fillings get heated all the way through very quickly and cheese melts well. We’ve done tuna, eggs in the hole, beans, and meats of all kinds without success. White bread, rye, and croissants all toast perfectly. I haven’t been able to try any panini because I live in a remote area, but this would easily replicate cafe style sandwiches at home. I reckon you could probably fry eggs and sausages on this directly if you didn’t have a cook top. There don’t seem to be any hot spots and the floating lid comes down level so it’s not squeezing cheese out one end like my old press. I’ve left sandwiches on a little too long while trying to multitask as I’m used to my old press taking ages and they still turned out fine, just a bit darker which I actually preferred without going hard enough to hurt my gums. So now I leave mine on a bit longer as the kids prefer blondes. I haven’t timed it, but the Russell Hobbs press seems to work a bit quicker than the Anko as well, so don’t go anywhere. I’m used to wandering around the kitchen doing other things while I wait, but the sandwiches are done quickly now. Wipe clean with a damp paper towel and back to brand new. Nothing sticks. I store mine with a clean Chux between the plates to prevent scratching - it locks closed so there’s no clacking when I move it or anything. It looks quite sleek and stylish in the black too which is a plus.

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Shellby
ShellbyNSW44 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Basic Sandwich Press - Does the job – I was excited when I found out I was going to be testing this sandwich press as I'm a daily user of mine and its was reaching the end of its life. I use my sandwich press daily for multiple uses from doing sandwiches, egg and bacon as well as even pancakes. I find them a very versatile kitchen appliance and a must have for my home. When I… Read more

received the press I found I couldn't get it to stand vertically which was going to be a issue as I store mine vertically in my pantry. It took about 10 minutes until I discovered you needed to have the back spring going onto a certain side otherwise it will not stand up. Over time it did become softer and easier to just close and stand up but a few times I sometimes have to hold it across when standing it upright so it will stay up.

I did find it strange that when you turn it on it has both a green and red light on. It is warmed up and ready to go when the green light goes off. I'm use to my old press which has both lights and then leaves the green on when ready to use so this can be confusing if you come back to find only the red light on and think there is a error - but its not, its now ready to use.

It did cook my bacon and eggs every morning for breakfast without fail as well as my regular toasted sandwich or wrap. I did pancakes once as well but did not have a photo. All my items did come out well but did take longer than my other sandwich press, it seemed it was a lower heat than I'm use to. For my pancakes it was nearly double the time to cook them compared to my old press. For some people in a rush this could be a problem however if you have the time it will get there. As I'm normally on a time crunch in the morning it was a little inconvenient on the time it took to make my eggs and bacon.

One thing that does worry me is the clip to hold it close. Over the period of 2 and half weeks of daily use I found the clip part getting less and less under the holder. I feel that shortly it won't clip closed at all which will be a problem for me as you need to clip it closed before storing it upright which I need to do. If you don't use yours very often this might not be a issue but it did make me wonder about the longevity quality of the unit.

I had hoped it would have the different height settings as I normally close the lid while cooking eggs, bacon and other items you don't want to squash using a holder in which you set the height it closes at. It does not do that, however it does have a movable hinge so if placing a high wrap or roll it will still cook it flat both sides which is useful. I just had to use a glass under the handle to sit it above my eggs.

It is very light which would be good for anyone who doesn't have alot of strength for lifting items around. The coating on the press was also very easy to clean and wipe down which was a plus.

If you are after a basic sandwich press that works and it might not use as often as I do this is a good model and doesn't take up alot of space. The clip issue would also not be a problem as you wouldn't be using it as often.

However if you are like me and a daily user of sandwich presses and use it for multiple of items of food then you may find this press lacking due to being slower to cook, not having extra features like height control and making sure the spring is in the correct position for storage.

Update - After a month of using this the hinge screw fell out of the handle and required putting back. After 6 months I found it took a long time to toast compared to my old sandwich press and ones I use at work so I finally gave in a threw it away and brought a new sandwich press.

Russell Hobbs
Russell Hobbs    

Hi Shellby, Thank you for sharing your experience… Read more

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bronstar1
bronstar1VIC100 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

For the price this is worth the money and cooks great although could be upgraded with a few extra features – I trailed the black version through the ambassador program. Taking into consideration the good price and the amount of times we have used this it’s worth the money. Pros: You can butter the bread (you don’t need much) or not butter the bread and it still toasts nicely without butter for a healthier alternative. You can toast four sandwiches at a… Read more

time. You can toast larger items like focaccias because of the flat plates and thickness adjusting top plate. It cooks through evenly and doesn’t burn. Stores upright, not cumbersome, lightweight and locks in place for space saving. Looks classy with easy clean finish. I find cleaning the plates while it is still warm works the best. It cooks quickly and evenly, it has an indicator light to show heating and ready to cook. With the lid open you can cook eggs and bacon on it like a hot plate and pikelets. There is a rim on the bottom plate to stop oil/butter from leaking out which I appreciate. Heats up and toasts super quickly.

Cons: Cord could be longer. My last sandwich press you could have the top plate so it worked like a grill and not press which was great for open sandwiches. Shows finger prints but also cleans well with microfibre cloth. The latch to close it feels low quality. The overall quality also feels not up to standard, kind of flimsy on a whole and as I appreciate it being lightweight and easy to put away but I am thinking will this pass the rest of time??

Overall quite happy with it due to the cooking performance. Big thick slices of tomato cooked well and the toasties came out crispy each time we used it and I like how it adjusts to the thickness of the sandwich. It would be a step up with a position lock for a grill function and a better quality lock. I would pay extra for that. Priced well and If it lasts a few years it would be a good buy so I recommend.. I have owner other sandwich presses which I paid way more for and this cooks the best.

BackstageRebel
BackstageRebelNSW65 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Really Impressed - Flexible & Functional – Hi, I'm Sarah - I'm a gluten-free chef who focuses on healthy eating. Any kitchen appliance I use truly has to be functional and TOUGH. I cook everything from scratch for a family of 5 big eaters, so everything I use gets a real work-out. I aim to be thorough and honest in all of my reviews. Please note, I'm writing this review as part of… Read more

Product Review's Ambassador Program.

I have to say, I'm impressed with this sandwich press. I'm so used to non-stick items like this being a little toxic (with a smelly burnt plastic type smell when you first use them) but the first thing I noticed when I plugged it in for its initial use was that there was absolutely no smell - winning!

The size of the plate is awesome - easily can fit 2 (or 3 or even 4 at a stretch) sandwiches on the plate. The lid hinges and swivels to accommodate whatever height size you require (which is both a pro and a con - I will elaborate later)

There is a small lip on the bottom plate, which means there is no drippage, no spills out the side, and no mess on the bench (my previous sandwich press used to leak cheese out the side everywhere when the kids over-filled their grilled cheeses, and the plates were interchangeable so any leaked grease or oil would get into the heat-coils beneath the plate meaning it would have a burning smell whenever it was used, so I'm LOVING how easy it is to keep this one clean!)

It's extremely easy-clean - we just let it cool and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.

I've also used the unit to make zucchini fritters which worked so well! I'll definitely be using it for that purpose again - nothing burned, nothing over-cooked and it was so easy to clean up. Pancakes or pikelets would also work a treat on this unit.

French toast is another excellent use for the unit - though I suggest propping the lid up on something so your toast can puff up properly.

** A quick suggestion for the Russell Hobbs development team - if you could include/attach a little lever that allows you to prop the top lid up just a little so it doesn't squash everything flat, that would be amazing - I ended up propping the handle of the top lid on an upended cup to stop my fritters from being too flat.

PROS: Easy clean. I love the locking switch on the handle, meaning you can clip it shut and carry it when not in use, and it doesn't just flip open. Consistent heat - It doesn't overheat, and I didn't experience it burning any food. Swivel on the lid that allows for varying volumes/heights of whatever you're cooking

CONS: No power switch on the unit itself - it's just on/off by using the power outlet switch. Needs a lever or prop to hold the lid up if you don't want softer items like french toast or fritters to be squashed completely flat and have no rise.

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Mum37
Mum37Queensland28 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Great compact good looking sandwich press – When I first opened the Russell Hobbs RHSP801BLK sandwich press I was left a little bit hmmm. The package was sealed brand new, yet there were clear finger marks on the hot plate - see pictures. Quality control a little lacking perhaps? Yes of course I would clean it before use but to see clear finger marks on a brand new appliance left me with a… Read more

little bit of a nose curl, especially where the food goes.

Anyway, once thoroughly cleaned I thought, no way is this going to fit 4 sandwiches, as the plate is smaller than my old one but to my surprise it sure did!

I use a sandwich press almost everyday and this has not disappointed. It’s fairly compact, heats up quickly, browns the bread fairly evenly and consistently melts and cooks the filling in a timely manner.

I like the shiny black casing which is easy to clean and looks nice out on the bench.

I don’t feel overly confident with the very small piece of plastic that clamps it closed and time will tell if this loosens up over time or holds firm.

The non stick plates wipe clean in a jiffy however my one gripe is the angle the top plate sits when open. As it sits more on a tilt down it’s slightly harder to clean because any pressure on it tips the sandwich press so you need to place a hand at the back to support it. I like to clean everything off while it’s still hot, so I need to put either a rubber washing glove or oven mitt on my hand to stop me getting burnt which I find a bit annoying. But all that aside, it’s good, quick and efficient.

I would recommend the Russel Hobbs RHSP801BLK sandwich press as it surprisingly fits 4 standard sandwiches and cooks them quick! It’s a good compact sandwich press that’s very efficient.

JSB
JSBQLD69 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

A sandwich presser that exceeds our expectations – Pros: - Sandwich press is made of great quality, I expected nothing less from Russell Hobbs to be honest, I find their products always great value for money. - Sandwich press has rubber feet, so it doesn't move around easily on the bench top. - Childproof - the lid has a lock which is great for childproofing, however the external elements still… Read more

get hot so I would keep it out of kids reach to avoid injury. - It isn't heavy! If you store yours away (we store ours in an appliance cupboard), it really makes a difference when appliances aren't too heavy....this is always a big factor as we age. - It doesn't take long to heat - a big bonus considering the cost of electricity these days... it doesn't take long to heat and it doesn't take long to cook sandwiches/rolls.

Cons: - The finish is a glossy finish and always shows fingerprints (not a major con but it's on the list) - The lid can be a little heavy so it seems to really flatten the bread, even a Turkish roll turns out quite flat.

Overall, we would definitely recommend this appliance to those shopping for a new sandwich presser - you can't go wrong with a Russell Hobbs appliance, they stand the test of time with quality and functionality, and always seem to be on trend with the designs.

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Clea_Hooper
Clea_HooperACT29 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Reliable and powerful – I was interested to try this out, because I have a very old, red version of this sandwich press. It would be close to 10 years old now, so if that’s any indication, then we know that they’re built to last. The new black version is almost identical, so I’m assuming that’s where the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” comes into play. The… Read more

only change really is that I think the non-stick surface may have been upgraded, as it has a different appearance, and it certainly seems better than my old one. It’s really resistant to melted cheese drips etc, which wipe away easily. This press works fast - if you’ve got a lot of filling between your bread, the filling may not completely heat in the time it takes to toast on the outside, but I’ve never found this to be a big problem, as you can keep toasting without burning it. It toasts the outside beautifully and evenly, and is weighted well for heavier breads like panini (I personally love using cut Turkish rolls). If you do use it with ordinary bread it will press that down very thinly, so it’s not necessarily ideal for ordinary toastie making. That said, you can quite easily fit four standard toasties on this, or two to three large paninis or rolls. The one thing I wish they had improved is the latch for storage. It’s a plastic piece that weakens or wears quickly, so it can fall open when you’re storing it or getting it out of a cupboard. Given that it’s a weighty press, you need to be quite careful of this happening, so that’s where it loses one star from me. But all in all, this sandwich press is a dependable and versatile kitchen item that will last you many years. I highly recommend it.

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Dani
DaniVIC122 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Very happy – The first thing I noticed was how light this is,not like our old heavy other brand one. It is very light so easy to move and clean under and it looks so nice on the bench. I love the push in side clip to lock it,it’s so much easier than the lock you have to turn as I’ve found they always break. I love the black finish and it works like a… Read more

dream,heats up super fast,cooks evenly and perfectly every time. I would highly recommend this,I’m a bit of a fan of Russell Hobbs appliances,the quality is always outstanding.

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Playskoolpeople
PlayskoolpeopleQLD16 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Ticks the Essential Boxes – I use a sandwich press almost every day to make a breakfast toasty. I’ve had my Breville sandwich press for at least 10 years and it’s never missed a beat so the Russell Hobbs’ press has steep competition. First impressions were that it is significantly lighter than my Breville and it takes up a fair bit of kitchen real estate, measuring 35cm x… Read more

35cm. Unless you have a decent amount of cupboard space, you’ll want to store this standing up rather than flat.

My Breville heats in 3 minutes and the Russell Hobbs heats in 2 minutes. It counter-intuitively displays both green (temperature) and red (power) lights when turned on. The green light turns off when pre-heated and intermittently comes back on to denote re-heating.

My Breville cooks in 4 minutes and the Russell Hobbs cooks in 5 minutes. Psychologically, I’d prefer it to pre-heat for an extra minute and give me a minute faster cooking time.

What’s good? - It cooks evenly all over the plate – melting the inside while nicely crisping the bread. I did need to monitor the cooking though as leaving it a bit too long can lead to almost burnt bread. - It’s fairly versatile, nicely cooking thin-bread toasties as well as crumbed products such as fish fingers. Thicker breads need more attention and flipping. - It easily accommodates 4 normal sized sandwiches. - The light weight makes it easy to manoeuvre despite its large size. - It cools quickly meaning it can be set up, used, cooled and cleaned with efficiency. - Cleaning is uncomplicated - just a swift wipe down of the cooled surfaces and it’s ready for packing away.

What could be improved? - The locking mechanism is flimsy plastic and its clip is minimal. I question how long this will work before breaking. - You cannot ‘lock’ the plate into a cooking position so everything cooked is pressed down. When cooking a single toasty, it must be placed in the middle of the plate to stop the filling being squashed into the outermost edges of the bread. - The plastic power cord wrap posts under the machine are sharp, brittle plastic. Some of the plastic shards broke off as I ran my finger over them. Sharp edges are not what you want against a power cord so this is a safety no-no.

Conclusion This sandwich press ticks all the essential boxes. It cooks evenly and quickly. It has a large plate that accommodates multiple well-sized items and different product types (including crumbed). It’s quick to cool and easy to clean. It loses one point for its underwhelming plastic elements. For the price, it is a good buy for simple family use.

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Lovetoshop
LovetoshopQLD15 posts
  Fair Incentive Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Surprisingly robust & cooks flawlessly – I already had an old sandwich press in my cupboard when I volunteered to take this one for a test drive. Our previous model was another reasonably priced well-known brand and we used it at least 3-4 times per week. When I opened the box containing the Russell Hobbs sandwich press, I wasn't convinced it was going to pass muster to be honest. It… Read more

was half the weight of my previous sandwich press which I wasn't sure was a good thing. Turns out I was wrong. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this new model worked and how robust it actually felt.

The fact that it was half the weight meant it was much easier to get it in and out of the low cupboard we had it stored in. It is the same size and shape as our previous one which I'm happy about. We use ours for toasties, quesadillas, roasting bacon and open toasted sandwiches. During winter, we literally use it everyday for lunch.

It's a great size for large bakery bought loaves and also the larger wraps we use for our quesadillas. It cooks evenly and because the lid is so much lighter in weight, it doesn't completely squash your sandwich.

It's super easy to clean even when we've been toasting bacon in it (it keeps the bacon from rolling up when it's cooked which is great for burgers and toasties). Just wipe it over with a damp soapy cloth and then dry it down with a paper towel. So easy.

A couple of minor almost-negatives. It doesn't have a knob on the side for height adjustment. Our old one had this and it made it perfect if you wanted to do an open-grill toastie. Also, the heating cable that sticks out at the bottom of the unit means that you can't store it standing up very easily. The cable sticks out too much and the unit falls over. We don't have much space to store our unit so standing it up is the easiest for us. With this unit, we have to lean it against something else because it won't stand my itself. Not a massive issue, but something to mention.

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by how well this unit works. It does everything you expect it too, it toasts quickly and evenly, and it's light and easy to get in and out of cupboards. I'm definitely happy to put our old one into retirement and use this one as our daily from now on.

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John13
John13WA168 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Some not so good features offset by excellent cooking performance – The Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press is a budget item that was tested without expectations. The upside is that this sandwich press is fairly well constructed with some really good features - and excellent value for money. But first the downsides. Contrary to what is claimed, this unit cannot be stored upright as the electrical cable protrudes beyond… Read more

its feet so impossible to store freestanding. The other huge negative is the Lid Lock. This has to be the worst I have encountered to date. One could easily, inadvertently move the locking lever when retrieving it from a cupboard or when picking it up from a counter, accidentally unlocking the lid in the process. If I had to choose a sandwich press that needed to be stored upright, I’d give this one a miss. The lid locking mechanism on the Russell Hobbs sandwich press is dangerous and should be replaced in its entirety.

Positives. The Russell Hobbs sandwich press is light in construction, yet robust and compact. The power cord storage housing allows for the cord to be easily wound up for storage. The unit sits higher than average providing good ventilation and unidirectional power cord placement. The floating hinge is one of the best I have encountered on any unit - no flattened sandwiches on one side which is a common complaint with many units- even premium models. Other good features are the nonslip feet, power light and simplicity. The most crucial aspect is how this unit performs when cooking - and here it really excels. The Russell Hobbs sandwich press is one of the best I have encountered. Equal heating on bottom and top plate surfaces with equal pressure on sandwiches saw perfectly toasted sandwiches every time. What a pleasant surprise and what a pleasure it is to use this sandwich press. When it comes to cooking perfect sandwiches every time, look no further than the Russell Hobbs Sandwich Press.

Nik C.
Nik C.NSW61 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK

Loving the sandwich press it is a great addition - I do miss my grill plate – I recently upgraded to the 4-slice sandwich press, and it has completely transformed my sandwich-making experience. With its ample capacity, I can now prepare multiple sandwiches at once, making mealtime a breeze, especially when feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests. What sets this sandwich press apart is its ability to consistently… Read more

deliver perfectly toasted sandwiches. Whether I'm making classic grilled cheese or experimenting with gourmet fillings, the sandwiches come out evenly toasted with deliciously melted cheese and crispy exteriors, elevating the overall taste and texture of my snacks.

Cleanup is also a breeze thanks to the non-stick cooking plates a. I appreciate how easy it is to wipe clean after each use, saving me time and effort in the kitchen.

It has a sleek and modern design, this sandwich press adds a stylish touch to my kitchen countertop.

However, it's worth noting that this unit features two flat plates rather than a grill surface, which may be a drawback for those who prefer grill marks on their sandwiches.

Pros: - Ample Capacity: The ability to press up to four slices of bread at once allows for efficient meal preparation, perfect for families or gatherings. - Consistent Results: This sandwich press consistently delivers perfectly toasted sandwiches with evenly melted cheese and crisp exteriors, enhancing the overall taste and texture of your favorite snacks. - Easy to Clean: The non-stick cooking plates and removable drip tray make cleaning a breeze, saving time and effort after each use. - Sleek Design: With its sleek and modern design, this sandwich press adds a touch of style to any kitchen countertop, complementing the overall aesthetic.

Cons: - Lack of Grill Function: For those who prefer grill marks on their sandwiches, the absence of a grilling surface may be a drawback as this unit features two flat plates instead.

Overall, I'm thrilled with my new 4-slice sandwich press. Its performance, ease of use, and sleek design make it a valuable addition to my kitchen arsenal, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to elevate their sandwich game.

ssesprit
ssespritSA51 posts
  Ambassador Review RHSP801BLK
Ease of Use
Build Quality
Cleaning & Maintenance
Non-Stick Quality

The Cheap Car version of Sandwich Presses – When you’re in the market for a sandwich press but don’t have the budget for a high end variant, then this is the sandwich press for you. Looks good in the pictures and does what it says on the box. What more do you want when it makes a nice golden ham and cheese toasty. Heat up time is good at around two minutes (exactly), heat is evenly… Read more

spread across the plates, simple to clean and very lightweight, what’s not to like…

Well when compared to a premium brand sandwich press the differences are plain to see. As mentioned it’s very lightweight and as such feels a little delicate to handle, and the top plate (which has a floating hinge for self-leveling) is not heavy enough to provide an even heat on taller sandwiches. The locking latch appears very flimsy to the point of being not really trustworthy. The design of the handle puts your hand in close proximity to the hot top plate – not good for kids or for people with big hands.

So to sum up it’s like buying a cheap car. You know its cheap, it feels cheap, but it does the job it was designed for. Personally I’d spend the extra $20 and buy a premium sandwich press.

Teejaydoubleu
TeejaydoubleuSA10 posts
  RHSP801

Do Not Buy Under Any Circumstances! – This product is seriously sub-standard. It just stopped working after two and a half years! I had a Breville sandwich maker before this and it lasted 15 years. Show details

Darren
Darren
  RHSP801RED

I regret getting this sandwich press, every time I use it – I've thought hundreds of times about writing this review, and now I'm here I'm a little disappointed there isn't an option with less than 1 star. When I got this sandwich "press", I never for once dreamed that someone would make something like this without a lever to adjust how much the sandwich gets pressed. But it doesn't. Seriously. This is the… Read more

single most important piece of a sandwich press, and this one doesn't have it.

So that means for the last couple of years, whenever I use this sandwich "press", I have to decide how much I want it cooked vs how flat I want it pressed. If you take your sandwich out before it gets too flat, it won't be cooked. If you let it cook, your "sandwich" will be very, very flat. It's a difficult decision to make, and one I highly recommend you avoid by buying a different product. And if you do get one of these, don't ever leave your sandwich for any length of time as you could well return to a paper thin (but only just cooked) sandwich. I have contemplated writing this, every single time I have used the "press" and every time I have unbelievingly seen that these are still being sold in shops.

You might think that is enough, but there is also the 'catch' to keep the sandwich press closed. It is very finicky and seems to magically hold the press closed when you want to open it, but doesn't hold it closed if you need it to be.

honesty
honesty132 posts
  RHSP801RED

Light and Flimsy – Just purchased 2 snadwich makers online via points redemption - one a brevile and this red Russell Hobbs one - one for our house and one for our AirBnb. This Russell Hobbs unit is so light and flimsy I would be surprised it lasts more than a dozen or so uses. In comparison to the breville unit which is heavy and solid I feel this one (that was more expensive by the way) is rubbish and built to not last long. Show details

SKoi
SKoi10 posts
  RHSP801

Good design bad quality – I bought the sandwich press few months back, was really impressed with color and design. It looks great in Kitchen but in few months the non stick layer is coming off and there is a rust like apperance. I am not sure if it happens with all press. Should have bought the normal toaster and now I cannot throw this as I recently purchased. I will use this for few months but will never again buy russel hobbs product.  Show details

Jim
JimWA5 posts
  RHSP801

Rubbish – This unit was used very few times and after just over a year stopped working. Also when it was working it heated up way too much and too fast. I expected better than this from russell hobbs but after taking the unit apart and figuring out it must have been the thermostat and seeing how low quality the parts are I will never buy russell hobbs again.  Show details

Emi
EmiVictoria6 posts
  RHSP801

Worst Sandwich Press Ever! – I have resorted to toasting my sandwiches in a frypan. This sandwich press is so bad in every way. The heating element is not evenly positioned so half of the sandwich comes out burnt and the other half under done every time. The latch on the side that is supposed to hold the press together for storage may as well not be there as it is constantly… Read more

coming loose and the press falls open. I think Russell Hobbs products are all quite low quality (my mum had an issue with a Russel Hobbs kettle too) and I would never buy them again.

SLA
SLA
  RHSP801

A good basic sandwich toaster, however mine stopped working within two months! – I started using my new Russell Hobbs sandwich toaster in mid-February and I was happy with its overall functioning. The toaster cooked well and quickly. The lack of a temperature control feature meant that on occasion things would cook too quickly on the outside, for example the outside bread of sandwiches would be well toasted while the cheese… Read more

inside had not melted. As I did not purchase the product myself I was not aware of whether it had adjustable temperature settings. In early April, by which time I had used the sandwich toaster on less than te occasions, it stopped heating up for no apparent reason. I used it one morning and left it on the kitchen counter as I had planned to use it again soon after, however when I turned it back on it would not heat, and has not worked since. As the product was still in warranty a refund was able to be obtained. I never had any issues with the floating hinge design or any other features of the product. Inexpensive, produced good quick Broke within two months of use commencing, no temperature control

clevergirl
clevergirl13 posts
  Sandwich Press RHSP801

Locking design does not work – Thank goodness have moved out from home. My parents own one of these and they store it away vertically in a cupboard when not in use. When it comes to pulling it out by the handle for use the lock which keeps the two hot plates together fails and the bottom plate swings out and hits anything in its pat (knees and cupboard door). After examination… Read more

I was able to determine that the two screws that act as a hinge losen over time and this means even when the lock is engaged it does not make contact with the bottom tray.

In summary if you plan on storing this unit away. Make sure you have an allan key handy to tighten the screws.

Other than that it provide an even cook. provides an even cook locking system does not work all the time

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