Ok, I admit… it's not as fancy as a Panini grill. But, I still LOVE my sandwich maker. To be honest, I love it so much that I'm on my third one. (Not because of shoddy craftsmanship. With repeated use, they wear out after awhile.)

I bought my first one when my son was little. He was addicted to grilled cheese sandwiches and I wanted a really quick way to make them. Needless to say, it worked like a charm and I was hooked!

A sandwich maker is great to use on a squelching summer day, when the thought of standing next to a hot burner doesn't thrill you. It's also perfect the little appliance to whip up a (no mess) late night snack, especially when you feel creative.

The best part of using a sandwich machine is that it makes SO much more than sandwiches, which is something that a more expensive Panini grill is certainly not capable of.

Over the years, I've made countless corn dogs, mashed potato patties, little pizzas, omelets and mini pies… just to name a few. It works remarkably well when you're in the mood for canned biscuits or cinnamon rolls, too.

Cupcakes are probably one of my favorite things to make in my sandwich maker. I mix up half a box of cake mix (Yes, it's possible), make a few mini cakes and store the unused batter in the refrigerator for no longer than two days.

Visit the Taste of Home forum for more recipe ideas. If you don't already own a sandwich maker, there's no better time to invest in one. At right around $25, the price just can't be beat!