The Best Deep Fill Toastie Makers (2026)
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The best deep fill toastie maker is the Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041): deep, well-sealed plates, strong 850W heat and a latch that holds over generous fillings. The Breville VST091 and Tower T27013 are cheaper deep fill machines that get you most of the way, while Salter's Aspen XL Deep Fill suits bigger bread. If you want deep fill plus dishwasher-safe plates, choose the Breville VST098.
Quick answer:
- Breville Deep Fill (VST041): best deep fill overall
- Breville Deep Fill (VST091): best-value Breville deep fill
- Tower T27013: best budget deep fill
- Salter Aspen XL Deep Fill: best for larger slices
- Breville 3-in-1 (VST098): best deep fill with removable plates
- Russell Hobbs 4-Slice Deep Fill (24550): best family-size deep fill
On this page
What "deep fill" really means
A deep fill toastie maker has plates that are moulded into deeper cavities, so the closed sandwich has a fat, pillowy middle and a firmly crimped edge. Standard (shallow) plates press the bread nearly flat, which limits you to a slice of cheese and ham. Deep fill plates take a proper handful of grated cheese plus a second ingredient, or wet fillings like beans, without the lid fighting you. The full trade-off is explained in deep fill vs shallow fill.
Depth alone is not enough, though. The extra filling has to stay inside, so the sealing ridge needs to be tall and sharp enough to cut through and crimp the bread, and the latch needs to hold the lid down against the filling pushing back.
Comparison table
Price bands are typical UK prices, not live prices.
| Model | Portions | Plates | Power (listed) | Storage | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breville VST041 | 2 | Deep fill, cut-and-seal | 850W | Check listing | £25–£40 |
| Breville VST091 | 2 | Deep fill, enclosed plate design | 850W | Upright, cord storage | £25–£35 |
| Tower T27013 | 2 | Extra deep, ceramic | 900W | Check listing | £18–£28 |
| Salter Aspen XL Deep Fill | 2 | XL deep fill | Check listing | Check listing | £25–£40 |
| Breville VST098 | 2 | Deep fill, removable | About 820–900W | Upright, cord storage | £30–£50 |
| Russell Hobbs 24550 | 4 | Deep fill | Check listing | Upright | £30–£45 |
The best deep fill toastie makers
Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST041)
The VST041 is the reference point for deep fill. The plates are generously deep, the cut-and-seal ridges are pronounced, and the lid latch holds firmly over a filling that would pop open lesser machines. At 850W it browns evenly in around three to four minutes. It is the one to buy if toasties are a staple in your house. Read the full VST041 review for design and cleaning detail.
- Very deep, well-sealing plates
- Strong latch
- Even browning
- Wipe-clean plates
- Costs more than the VST091
Breville Deep Fill Sandwich Toaster (VST091)
The VST091 is Breville's simpler, usually cheaper deep fill model. Breville describes a fully enclosed plate system to help prevent filling leakage and a longer element for more even browning, and it stands upright with built-in cord storage. Listed at 850W, it heats in a couple of minutes. Some reviewers find it a little small for very generous sandwiches, so it suits standard sliced bread best.
- Enclosed plates limit leaks
- Upright storage, cord wrap
- Often well priced
- Plates sized for standard bread
- Fewer premium touches
Tower T27013 Deep Fill Sandwich Maker
Tower's extra-deep moulds and 900W element make the T27013 the best-value deep fill machine around. The ceramic non-stick plates release cheese well, and it is light and compact. The build is less solid than Breville's and the plates are fixed, but for the money the filling capacity is excellent. See our best cheap toastie makers for more budget picks.
- Extra-deep moulds
- 900W
- Low price
- Lighter build
- Ceramic coating needs gentle care
Salter Aspen XL Deep Fill Toastie Maker
Standard deep fill plates are sized for supermarket medium sliced bread, so big bloomer or farmhouse slices overhang and the seal suffers. Salter's XL plates address that, so the Aspen XL Deep Fill suits households that buy larger loaves and want a bigger toastie. Larger plates mean a slightly longer preheat and more worktop space. More in our Salter toastie maker guide.
- XL plates for larger bread
- Deep fill capacity
- Bigger footprint
- Check specs for power and plate type
Breville 3-in-1 Ultimate Snack Maker (VST098)
Deep fill toasties leak more often than thin ones, simply because there is more filling. That makes removable plates especially useful. The VST098's sandwich plates are deep fill with a cut-and-seal edge, they detach for the dishwasher, and you also get waffle and panini plates. Breville's older VST082 Ultimate Deep Fill also had removable plates but is now listed as discontinued by several retailers, so the VST098 is the current way to get both features from Breville.
- Deep fill and dishwasher-safe
- Waffle and panini plates
- Spare plates to store
- Costs more
Russell Hobbs 4-Slice Deep Fill Sandwich Maker (24550)
Four deep, sealed portions mean two full deep fill toasties per cycle, and it stands on end for storage. Preheat fully so the outer portions brown as well as the inner ones. If you are feeding a family, compare it with the other big machines in our best 4-slice toastie maker guide.
- Two deep toasties at once
- Upright storage
- Wide fixed plates to clean
- Longer preheat
How we chose
- Cavity depth. We favoured plates described and pictured as genuinely deep, not standard plates with a "deep fill" label.
- Seal. A tall, defined cut-and-seal ridge, because deep fillings push harder against the edges.
- Latch strength. The lid must stay shut against a full sandwich.
- Power. Deeper fillings take longer to heat through; 850–900W helps the centre catch up with the crust.
- Owner feedback and availability. Each model is sold in the UK at the time of writing and has a solid track record.
Getting the most from deep fill plates
How much filling?
For a standard two-slice deep fill machine, around 50–60g of grated cheese plus one other ingredient (two slices of ham, a couple of spoonfuls of beans or tuna mayo) is about the limit before leaks start. Pile the filling slightly higher in the centre of each triangle, where the cavity is deepest, and keep a clear border.
Wet fillings
Deep fill is what makes classics like cheese and beans and chilli cheese possible. Drain wet fillings well, put cheese on both sides of them as a barrier, and do not overfill. Our how to stop toasties leaking guide has the full method.
Bread size
The bread needs to cover the whole plate including the seal. If slices are smaller than the plates, the edges will not crimp and the filling escapes. For bread advice see best bread for toasties, and for inspiration try our toastie filling ideas.
Who should skip deep fill
Deep fill is the right choice for most people, but not everyone. Consider a standard or different machine if:
- You like thin, very crisp toasties. Shallow plates press the bread flatter, which gives a crunchier, more biscuit-like result.
- You mainly use thick or artisan bread. Sourdough and thick-cut slices fill a deep cavity on their own and often stop the lid closing. A panini press suits them far better.
- You want waffles and grilling too. A 3-in-1 machine with deep fill sandwich plates, such as the Breville VST098, covers both.
- You have no space at all. A microwave toastie maker takes up a drawer rather than a cupboard, though it is not deep fill.
Deep fill filling ideas that need the depth
The extra cavity is what makes these fillings work without leaking. All are written for a standard two-slice deep fill machine:
- Cheese and beans: the UK classic, and the real test of a seal.
- Chilli cheese: a great use for leftover chilli con carne.
- Tuna melt: tuna mayo with plenty of cheddar.
- Breakfast toastie: bacon, egg and cheese.
- Mac and cheese toastie: leftover pasta, extra cheese.
- Christmas leftovers: turkey, stuffing and cranberry.
For more, our toastie filling ideas list has dozens of combinations grouped by type.
FAQs
Is a deep fill toastie maker worth it?
For most people, yes. Deep fill machines cost little or nothing more than shallow ones and make a much more satisfying toastie with far more filling choice. Only very thin, crisp toasties are easier on shallow plates.
Do deep fill toastie makers take longer?
Slightly. More filling takes longer to heat through, so allow around four minutes rather than three in a typical 850W machine. Grated cheese and room-temperature fillings help.
Can I use thick bread in a deep fill toastie maker?
Medium sliced bread works best. Thick slices fill the cavity themselves, leaving less room for filling and making the lid hard to latch. For thick or artisan bread, a panini press is better.
Which is better, Breville VST041 or VST091?
The VST041 is the more established machine with very deep plates and a strong latch; the VST091 is often cheaper and is designed to store upright with cord storage. If storage space matters, the VST091; for maximum filling, the VST041. Our Breville toastie maker guide covers the whole range.
Why does my deep fill toastie leak?
Usually too much filling, filling too close to the edge, or bread slices smaller than the plates so the seal cannot form. Wet fillings that are not drained make it worse. Use slightly less, keep a one-centimetre border and put cheese on both sides of wet ingredients.