Breville 3-in-1 Toastie Maker Review: The VST098 Ultimate Snack Maker
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Breville's current 3-in-1 toastie maker is the VST098 Ultimate Snack Maker: one hinged base with swappable toastie, panini and waffle plates, all removable and dishwasher-safe. It is a good buy if you will really use all three plate sets; if you mostly want sealed toasties, a dedicated Breville deep fill model is cheaper and easier to store.
Quick answer: Buy the Breville VST098 if you want waffles and paninis as well as toasties and have a cupboard shelf for the spare plates. Skip it if toasties are 90% of what you make: the Breville Deep Fill VST041 does that job for less, and the Tower 3-in-1 or Salter 3-in-1 machines undercut it if budget matters most.
Older guides and listings sometimes refer to earlier Breville sandwich/waffle/panini machines under other codes. The VST098 is the 3-in-1 that Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Costco list in 2026, so this review focuses on it. This page is a research-led review based on Breville's published specifications, retailer listings and the consensus of independent reviews and owner feedback; we have not run lab tests.
On this page
Breville VST098 key specs
| Feature | Breville 3-in-1 Ultimate Snack Maker (VST098) |
|---|---|
| Plates included | Deep fill sandwich (toastie), panini, waffle |
| Plate type | Detachable, non-stick, dishwasher-safe |
| Power | Around 820W in most UK listings (one retailer lists 900W; a VST098X variant also exists) |
| Capacity | Two portions per batch |
| Finish | Black and stainless steel |
| Controls | No temperature dial; indicator lights show power and ready |
| Typical price band | Usually £40–£60; frequently discounted |
Check the rating plate on the underside if the wattage matters to you, as listings disagree. In practice the difference between 820W and 900W shows up as a slightly longer preheat, not a different result.
Design and plate system
The VST098 looks like a slightly taller Breville sandwich toaster. Each plate set clips in with a release button, and you change top and bottom plates together. Swapping takes under a minute once you are used to it, but the plates must be cool before you touch them, so you cannot switch from waffles to toasties mid-brunch without a wait.
The toastie plates are the familiar Breville diagonal design, cutting and sealing two triangles. They are deep enough for a generous cheese and ham or cheese and beans filling, though a dedicated deep fill machine has a little more room. The panini plates are flat-ridged and suit pressed sandwiches with ciabatta or focaccia rather than sealed pockets. The waffle plates make two thick waffles per batch.
Storage is the real compromise
Two sets of plates are always out of the machine. They are flat and stack neatly, but they need a home where they will not get scratched. A tea towel between plates or a shallow drawer works; a cluttered cutlery drawer will damage the coating. If storage space is tight, our compact toastie maker guide is more useful.
How it performs: toasties, paninis and waffles
Toasties
Independent reviews generally rate the toastie plates as the strongest of the three: even browning, good sealing and a crisp finish in roughly 3–5 minutes once the ready light shows. Leave a 1cm border of bread around the filling so the edges seal cleanly. Our classic cheese toastie recipe gives quantities that suit these plates.
Paninis
Because the hinge is fixed rather than floating, the panini plates suit sandwiches of fairly even thickness. A very tall ciabatta will be squashed more at the back than the front. For thin pressed sandwiches, wraps and quesadillas it works well. If paninis are your main use, a floating-hinge contact grill from our best panini press list will do a better job.
Waffles
The waffle plates are a genuine bonus. Use a thick batter, fill to just below the top of the grid and cook for around 4–6 minutes. Our toastie maker waffles recipe explains batter consistency and why thin batter sticks. Expect a softer, more cake-like waffle than from a dedicated Belgian waffle iron.
Tips for getting the best from it
- Preheat every time. Wait for the ready light after swapping plates; cold plates are the main cause of pale toasties and stuck waffles.
- Butter the outside lightly. A thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the outer faces gives more even colour on the toastie and panini plates. See butter or mayo for toasties.
- Use less filling than a deep fill machine. Around 40–50g of grated cheese per sandwich is plenty on the toastie plates.
- Keep sugar off the edges. Jam, chocolate spread and banana caramelise and stick hardest where the plates seal.
- Store plates flat and separated. A sheet of kitchen roll between each pair prevents scratches.
For more ideas beyond sandwiches, from hash browns to omelettes, see hash browns in a toastie maker and toastie maker omelette.
Cleaning
This is where the VST098 earns its price. All three plate sets come off and go in the dishwasher, so melted cheese and waffle batter in the ridges are much less of a chore than on a fixed-plate machine. For the longest coating life, many owners hand-wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush and keep the dishwasher for the worst messes. Wipe the hinge area and drip zones of the body with a damp cloth once cool. Full instructions are in how to clean a toastie maker.
Pros and cons
- Three useful plate sets in one appliance
- All plates removable and dishwasher-safe
- Proper Breville Cut and Seal toastie plates
- Two portions per batch
- Spare plates need careful storage
- Fixed hinge limits thick paninis
- Toastie wells slightly shallower than a dedicated deep fill
- No temperature control
Who should buy it, and alternatives
The VST098 suits families who will make waffles at weekends and toasties in the week, and anyone who values dishwasher-safe plates. It is not the best choice for students in a tight room or for someone who only wants cheese toasties.
| If you want… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Toasties only, lowest price | Breville VST041 | Deeper plates, cheaper, smaller |
| Removable plates, toasties only | Breville VST082 or VST101 | Dishwasher plates without spare sets to store |
| A cheaper 3-in-1 | Tower T27032 or Salter 3-in-1 | Similar plate trio, often for less |
| The widest choice of 3-in-1s | Best 3-in-1 toastie makers | Our full roundup across brands |
To see how the 3-in-1 fits into the wider range, read our Breville toastie maker guide.
FAQs
Are the Breville 3-in-1 plates dishwasher safe?
Yes. Breville and UK retailers list the VST098's sandwich, panini and waffle plates as detachable and dishwasher-safe. Hand-washing with a soft sponge is gentler on the non-stick coating over the long term.
Can I buy extra plates for the Breville 3-in-1?
Breville sells some plate sets separately for certain models, such as the VST079 waffle plates for the VST082. Availability for VST098 replacement plates varies, so check Breville UK's spare parts pages with your exact model code.
Do I need to grease the waffle plates?
Not usually, as they are non-stick. A light brush of melted butter before the first batch can help if your batter is low in fat. Avoid aerosol cooking sprays, which can leave a sticky residue on non-stick coatings.
Can I cook eggs or hash browns in it?
Yes, on the toastie or panini plates. See eggs in a toastie maker and what to make in a toastie maker for ideas and timings.