kc-
You are llikely to get what you pay for.
Be sure you check out the Cuisinart "Griddler". It lists for about $150, but if you shop carefully and manage your coupons from Kohl's or BB&B, you should get it for around $85.
It's basically a panini press, but very thoughtfully designed for versatility. There are two sets of 8-1/2" x 11 grill plates- one set flat and one with ridges. These plates are non-stick and removable for putting in the dishwwasher. DON'T LEAVE THEM TO SOAK IN WATER FOR OVERNIGHT: one CT member did aid the non-stick coating turns white - didn't say how that affected their cooking performance.
The two heated parts (top and bottom, in normal panini-grilling operating mode) have separate heating controls. The unit can be folded out flat with the elements side-by-side to form two griddles or warm servers. I used mine, for example, to keep a large pot of soup nicely hot while serving a buffet over a period of nearly two hours.
Pancakes, various preparations of eggs, bacon, hash-browns and the like are easy to do. Be sure to use plastic utensils, though. Not that it's fragile - you just don't want to push your luck.
Folded up, it is very good for grllled sandwiches, panini, and the like.,
Not that you shouldn't look at other models, but this one has served us very well for 2+ years.
Good luck.
Mike
