Pie iron
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A pie iron, also called pudgy pie iron, sandwich toaster, snackwicher, toastie maker, sandwich maker, panini grill is a cooking appliance that consists of two hinged concave, round or square, cast iron or aluminium plates on long handles. Its "clamshell" design resembles that of a waffle iron, but without the checkered pattern. Pie irons are used to heat, toast and seal the sandwich.
Name
The most common type in most countries are electrically heated counter-top models, and names vary from place to place. In the United Kingdom, the pie iron is referred to as a "toastie maker" or "toasted sandwich maker".
Origins
In the U.S., the Tostwich is possibly the earliest toasted sandwich maker, dating back to before 1920. However, it was not patented until 3 March 1925 (applied for on 26 May 1924). It was invented by Charles Kozak, whose other inventions include a corn-popping machine for the mass production of popcorn.[1]
Operation
Modern versions of the pie-iron are commonly more domestic, if not necessarily more refined, with subdivisions allowing pairs of bread slices to be clamped together around fillings to form pockets or stuffed sandwiches. A combination of heat and pressure seals the bread at the outer edges.
Campfire versions are still made of cast iron and can be cooked over coals, open flames, or a stove, but lightweight aluminium stove-top versions are made, generally being coated with a non-stick surface (PTFE) both as a cleaning aid and to allay fears regarding aluminium in the diet. PFAs
Once the device is hot, the sandwich can be assembled "inside-out", where the buttered side of the bread faces outwards against the metal plates and the filling sits inside. This produces a crunchier sandwich and helps prevent the bread from sticking.[2] Alternatively, bread can be placed inside unbuttered, which produces a chewier sandwich.[2]
Regional variants
In 1949, in Australia, the original Jaffle brand jaffle iron, to be heated over a fire, was designed and patented by Surfoplane[3][4] inventor, Dr Ernest Eric Smithers[5] from Bondi, Australia.[6]
In 1974, Cuisinart made an Australian electric jaffle iron.[7] Rights acquired by John O'Brien for Australian cookware company Breville in the 1970s[8] mean that the name Breville is sometimes used there eponymously to describe both the device and the toasted, sealed sandwich product.[9]
In the UK, the appliance is notorious for being little-used. A survey in 2005 suggested that 45% of British adults own, but do not use, sandwich toasters.[10]
In India, open flame toasters are used to toast sandwiches. They are often called "Bombay sandwiches" in Mumbai.[11] A similar American utensil is trademarked "Toas-Tite".[12]
A "Jaffle" is another variant in Australia. The original Jaffle brand jaffle iron only sealed the sandwich around the edges, and did not cut it in half. This allowed more filling and or a whole egg.[13] However, since the introduction of the Breville Snack'n'Sandwich Toaster in 1974, most electric jaffle makers in Australia split the sandwich in half.[14]
See also
References
- ↑ "Catlin's Own Inventor", Shirley Nesbitt, 2000, accessed 26 December 2007
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