Braun MultiGrill 9

Some time ago, returning home with my partner and our two adorable children, I announced that I had finally found the time – and energy – to embark on a baking journey. This declaration was met with a hint of skepticism, perhaps due to the self-assuredness with which I delivered the news, which, admittedly, is quite typical. But in the weeks that followed, I enthusiastically dove into one baking project after another.

Naturally, this culinary adventure led me to seek out ways to utilize the abundance of bread accumulating in our overflowing bread basket and freezer. This quest brought me to the Braun MultiGrill 9, a versatile solution to prepare delicious meals for my already well-fed family. And what a resounding success it turned out to be!

So, what exactly is the MultiGrill 9? It's an ingenious way to combine a whole host of cooking functions – tasks that previously were either difficult to achieve or demanded separate equipment – into one streamlined gadget. This 'all-in-one' approach is widely appreciated in modern kitchen appliances. Its exterior boasts durable stainless steel, while the grill plates themselves are meticulously crafted from cast aluminum. Thanks to a hard-wearing PTFE coating, these plates are conveniently dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.

The integrated heating element delivers up to 2200W of power. While that's a significant figure, in more understandable terms, we're talking about temperatures reaching 230 degrees Celsius (446°F). On the two independent temperature control dials, there's also a dedicated 'Sear' button that boosts the heat to 265 degrees Celsius (509°F), specifically designed to give steaks that perfect, professional char and beautiful crust. Indeed, the MultiGrill 9 functions almost like a versatile table grill, allowing you to seamlessly transition from using it as a waffle maker one day to an open grill for cooking steaks the next.

This appliance features a clever 3-in-1 design, offering remarkable flexibility. It can be fully closed, perfect for those times when the family, unsurprisingly, craves 'Dad's paninis' made with homemade focaccia. Alternatively, it can be opened 180 degrees flat, transforming into a large open griddle, or even used as an 'oven' with the top lid propped up. The MultiGrill 9 transitions between these various modes with remarkable elegance, and crucially, in my experience, the heat distribution has always been exceptionally even – a feat often challenging to achieve with larger ovens.

Two independent thermometers diligently monitor the heat, and overall, the device feels engineered with incredible precision and attention to detail. Furthermore, it comes with included interchangeable plates, making it exceptionally versatile. These allow you to prepare those delightful paninis and waffles we mentioned, which, frankly, could easily become the culinary highlight of any chaotic weekend.

With an approximate price tag of £170, it's certainly not a small investment, and it feels significant compared to a cheap, basic toaster. However, not only is the MultiGrill 9 brilliantly constructed and built to last, but it consolidates a multitude of essential kitchen functions into a single, compact device. What's more, it performs these tasks even better than some specialized, single-purpose appliances. In my opinion, this makes it not just recommendable, but downright brilliant and an excellent addition to any kitchen.