Getting the Most Out of Australia’s Best Contact Grill
Doctor Who’s Tardis, CS Lewis’ wardrobe, Platform 9¾. All these things appear simple and unassuming to the casual observer. However, take a closer look, and you’ll realise they are so much more than they first appear.
Ok, GreenPan’s Contact Grill isn’t precisely a portal to a mysterious magical world with talking lions, homicidal robots or noseless megalomaniac wizards. However, beneath the unassuming exterior of this countertop quiet achiever lies a wealth of culinary capabilities and possibilities that will knock your socks off.
At first glance, you could easily mistake this modern marvel for a simple sandwich press. However, your contact grill is a surprisingly sophisticated piece of culinary equipment, capable of everything from perfectly seared steaks and succulent stir-fries to caramelised grilled peaches and fabulous fajitas.
In this guide, we'll explore the hidden talents of what we like to think is Australia’s best Contact Grill, providing you with the inside scoop on everything from mastering temperature control to discovering unexpected recipes that go well beyond basic grilled cheese territory. You'll learn how to achieve restaurant-quality results, troubleshoot common issues, and maintain your grill for years of reliable service.
Let’s start with the basics before getting into the more creative stuff.
How to Use a Contact Grill: Understanding the Features
Contact grills come in various sizes and configurations, but they all share the same fundamental principle: food cooks simultaneously from above and below, reducing cooking time and creating those coveted grill marks on both sides. Most models feature adjustable temperature controls, removable plates for easy cleaning, and a drip tray to catch excess fats and oils.
- Temperature Control: Different foods require different heat levels. While high heat (220°C) works well for searing steaks, lower temperatures (160-180°C) are better for delicate items like fish or vegetables. GreenPan's digital LED display and precise temperature control make it easy to dial in exactly the right heat level, with settings from 80°C to 230°C.
- Height Adjustment: This often-overlooked feature allows you to accommodate foods of varying thickness, from thin prosciutto to thick chicken breasts. GreenPan's 6-height adjustment settings let you fine-tune the contact pressure for everything from delicate pastries to hefty burgers.
- Floating Hinge: The 180-degree hinge system enables even pressure distribution across foods of different thicknesses. It also allows you to open the grill fully flat, doubling your cooking surface when needed—perfect for weekend breakfasts or entertaining. Not satisfied with this handy feature, we’ve taken it one step further and included dual-zone controls so you can easily control the temperature and timing of each side of the grill with the touch of a button. So, if you need to fire it up to get the perfect sear on a hearty steak while gently sauteeing some delicate asparagus, our Contact Grill has you covered.
- Compact Storage: When not in use, the Contact Grill’s compact design means you can fold it up and stow it out of the way if counter space is at a premium.
- Removable Plates: The removable plates are coated with our revolutionary Thermolon Volt non-stick ceramic coating, making cleaning a breeze. Better still, they are dishwasher-safe and free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, cadmium and other harmful chemicals. The angled design channels excess fat into the drip tray, helping you create healthier meals while keeping your grill clean.
Now that you’re comfortable with the basic features, it’s time to explore the more creative side of contact grilling. Starting from the first meal of the day, we’re about to teach you how to elevate your countertop cooking game on both the flavour and health spectrums.
Boosting Breakfast With Your Contact Grill
Your contact grill's most underappreciated talent might be its ability to cook multiple breakfast items simultaneously. The trick lies in using the dual cooking zones strategically. Flip the hinge 180 degrees and while hashbrowns crisp on one side, you can have French toast gently achieving golden perfection on the other.
The real magic happens when you master the temperature zones—the back of the grill typically runs slightly hotter than the front, so experiment with positioning your ingredients so that they cook through at an even pace.
Here are some of our favourite Contact Grill breakfast ideas:
- Cranberry Waffles With Spiced Maple Syrup
- Andouille Sausage with Spinach and Sunny Side Up Eggs
- Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Panini
- Gruyere and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese
- Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini
The Perfect Protein Principle
The secret to restaurant-quality meats isn't just about temperature—it's about mastering the pre- and post-cooking ritual. Allowing refrigerated meat time to settle back to room temperature gives you the perfect start to your cooking session. Meanwhile, allowing five minutes of resting time after cooking can make the difference between juicy perfection and a plate of disappointment.
Even if you skip these critical steps, the contact grill's consistent double-sided heating means you can achieve steakhouse results without watching your dinner disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Here’s how to prep your protein for a perfect contact grill experience:
- Start with room-temperature meat (30 minutes out of the fridge should do it)
- Pat completely dry
- Season just before grilling
- For steaks: 220°C for medium-rare
- For chicken: 180°C until internal temp reaches 75°C
- Rest for 5–7 minutes under foil before serving
- For seafood: crustaceans such as crab or lobster should be cooked at 200°C. Fish is best at 220°C until the flesh is fully cooked through. Use a fork to check between flakes to ensure fish is fully cooked.
The list of mouthwatering recipes you can make on the Contact Grill is seemingly endless. However, we have to start somewhere, so here are some of the tantalising delicacies that we love best:
Sweet Plot Twist: Contact Grills Are Brilliant at Dessert
When the final crumbs of the main course have been scooped up, your contact grill can transform into an impressive dessert station. The key is to understand how caramelisation works under pressure. Stone fruits like peaches and nectarines develop an intense sweetness when their natural sugars caramelise against the hot plates. Unlike traditional grilling, the contact grill's even pressure ensures consistent caramelisation across the entire surface.
Here are a few of our fav dessert combos:
- Peach halves brushed with honey (4 minutes)
- Pineapple rings with cinnamon (3 minutes)
- Banana and chocolate in flatbread (2 minutes)
Pro tip: A very light dusting of icing sugar on fruit before grilling creates a gorgeous caramel crust.
And Yes, The Contact Grill Also Makes Incredible Sandwiches!
While we’ve gone to extreme lengths to demonstrate how our unfeasible versatile Contact Grill is so much more than just a sandwich press, that’s not to say that it doesn’t make spectacular sandwiches! The crispy, grilled deliciousness of toasted sandwiches elevates them from the every day to the divine. GreenPan’s Contact Grill is the perfect appliance to help you unleash your creativity that turns the humble sanga into an art form.
Toasting your sandwich on the contact grill not only toasts the bread it also helps to gently cook the fillings and melt any cheese you’ve included in your creation. An often overlooked advantage is that the gentle compression pressure exerted by the upper plate compacts the sandwich, and, when combined with the heat, this helps to keep the sandwich together and not fall apart when it comes time to devour it.
If you're tired of the same boring old sandwiches for lunch, here are some jaw-droppingly scrumptious ideas for your next lunchtime experiment:
The list of mouthwatering recipes you can make on the Contact Grill is seemingly endless. However, we have to start somewhere, so here are some of the tantalising delicacies that we love best:
- Roast Vegetable & Feta Sandwich
- Gruyere & Caramelised Onion Grilled Cheese
- Roast Beef & Swiss Cheese Panini
- Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Panini
Contact Grill Maintenance and Care
GreenPan's signature Thermolon™ Volt ceramic non-stick coating is completely free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Unlike traditional non-stick surfaces, it won’t release harmful fumes and, in fact, helps you achieve better searing while using less oil. The diamond-reinforced coating is also exceptionally durable. Just follow our simple usage guidelines, and your Contact Gill will give you years of effortlessly delicious grilling:
Daily Care
- While it’s safe to use metal utensils with the plates, we recommend sticking with wood or silicone to prolong their lifespan.
- Wipe plates after each use
- Empty and clean drip tray
- Check hinge mechanism
- Store unplugged once it’s completely cool
Deep Cleaning
- Remove plates when cool
- Soak in warm, soapy water
- Use non-abrasive cleaners, and avoid scouring pads or metal objects when cleaning, as these may scratch the non-stick surface
- Dry thoroughly before returning to the grill
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Uneven heating: Check plate alignment
- Sticking food: Clean thoroughly, season plates
- Temperature inconsistency: Allow proper preheating
- Loose plates: Check locking mechanisms
Making the Most of Your Contact Grill
With smart temperature control, dual cooking zones, and precise timing, there's so much more to Contact Grill life than cheese toasties. Indeed, our state-of-the-art grill sits somewhere between a scientific instrument and a gastronomic wonder. It measures, monitors, maintains temperature with the precision of a lab technician. So, while we wander off to scroll through recipes or post photos of our latest culinary creation, the Contact Grill is doing all the hard work for you.
GreenPan's advanced range handles the technical heavy lifting. Dual-zone temperature control and time settings, combined with our 7-in-1 design and 10 one-touch preset modes, give you the flexibility and functionality to cook virtually anything with ease and flair.
The GreenPan Contact Grill has the potential to truly revolutionise the way you cook. With so much versatility packed into one appliance and a host of advanced features, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Explore Greenpan’s full range of Contact Grills to find your perfect match. Then go forth and grill with confidence! While you’re at it you can also check out our outstanding range of other electrical kitchen appliances and discover more ways that GreenPan can make your life easier and more delicious.
