Tefal Toastie Makers and the Snack Collection
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Tefal's toastie maker is the Snack Collection: one compact base that takes boxed sets of removable plates, starting with triangle toastie and waffle plates and expandable to many more shapes. It is the most versatile plate system in the UK and the plates are dishwasher safe, but it is not a deep fill machine and the extra plate sets add up. Buy it for variety and easy cleaning, not for maximum filling.
Quick answer: The Tefal Snack Collection (SW852) suits households that want toasties, waffles and other snacks from one tidy machine with dishwasher-safe plates. If you mainly want big, overfilled toasties, a deep fill toastie maker is better. For grilled paninis, a Tefal OptiGrill-style contact grill or a dedicated panini press makes more sense.
On this page
The Tefal range at a glance
Tefal's UK line-up for toasties is narrow but distinctive. The UK Snack Collection listing has been the SW852D27 (stainless steel, around 700W), supplied with triangle toastie plates and waffle plates.
| Model / type | Plates | Best for | Typical price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snack Collection (SW852) | Removable boxed sets: triangle toastie + waffle included | Variety, easy cleaning | Usually £50–£80 |
| Snack Collection extra plate sets | Many shapes sold separately | Expanding what the base can do | Usually £15–£30 per set |
| Tefal contact/health grills (OptiGrill and similar) | Ridged grill plates | Paninis and grilling, not sealed toasties | Usually £80–£180 |
Tefal has also sold basic sandwich makers at times, but the Snack Collection is the one consistently available in the UK. Check the live price, as Tefal frequently discounts.
How the Snack Collection plate system works
One base, boxed plates
The base is a compact hinged unit with a heating element in each half. Plates clip into the top and bottom and release with a button. Each plate set comes in its own storage box with a small recipe booklet, which keeps the spares tidy in a cupboard, a nice touch that most 3-in-1 toastie makers lack.
The plate range
Tefal has marketed many collectable plate sets for the system, roughly sixteen in total, covering toasties, waffles, grill and panini, and novelty shapes such as small cakes and doughnuts. Not every set is in stock at once, so check what is currently available before buying the base for a particular plate.
Plate depth
The triangle toastie plates are standard rather than deep fill. They seal two triangles well with moderate fillings, but piling in beans or lots of cheese will push filling out. Use medium sliced bread and keep fillings a little back from the edge; see how to stop toasties leaking.
Cleaning
All plates are removable, non-stick and listed as dishwasher safe. You never have to clean around a fixed heating element, which is the main reason owners rate it.
Power and timing
At around 700W, it is on the lower side for a sandwich maker, so allow a proper preheat and roughly 4–5 minutes per toastie. Waffles usually take a similar time. Our toastie maker waffles guide covers batter consistency.
Recommended Tefal models
Tefal Snack Collection (SW852)
The best choice for people who value variety and easy cleaning over sheer filling capacity. Toasties, waffles and, with extra sets, grilled sandwiches and sweet treats all come from one compact base, and the plates go in the dishwasher. Good for families with children who like shaped snacks; see our kids toastie ideas.
- Dishwasher-safe removable plates
- Each plate set has its own storage box
- Wide range of optional plates
- Standard depth, not deep fill
- Extra plates add significant cost
- Around 700W, slightly slower
Russell Hobbs Creations 3-in-1 Deep Fill
If you want toastie, panini and waffle plates but prefer deep fill toasties and a lower price, this is the alternative. The trade-off is fewer plate options and no storage boxes. See the Russell Hobbs guide.
- Deep fill toastie plates
- Three sets included
- No expandable plate system
What the plate system really costs
The base with two sets is fairly priced for a removable-plate machine. The cost creeps up if you start collecting. Three extra plate sets can cost about as much as the base again. Before buying more, ask whether you'll use them monthly; otherwise the Snack Collection is best treated as a toastie and waffle maker with an option to expand. For other uses of a sandwich maker without extra plates, see what to make in a toastie maker.
Reliability, cleaning and warranty
Tefal is a major French brand (part of Groupe SEB) known for non-stick cookware, and the Snack Collection has been on sale for many years, which suggests a stable design. Owner complaints tend to focus on the standard-depth plates and the cost of extra sets rather than breakdowns.
Keep the coating healthy by avoiding metal utensils and harsh scourers; dishwasher-safe plates still last longer with occasional hand washing. Our non-stick safety guide covers coating care, and how to clean a toastie maker covers the rest.
Tefal has offered a standard manufacturer guarantee, and has also promoted repairability and spare parts on many products. Check the current terms on the Tefal UK website or the retailer listing.
Where to buy
Tefal is stocked by Argos, Currys, John Lewis, Amazon and Tefal's own UK site. Extra plate sets are easiest to find through Tefal and Amazon. See where to buy toastie makers and the John Lewis guide.
Watch out: Snack Collection plates are designed for the Snack Collection base only. Plates for other Tefal grills or other brands won't fit, so check compatibility before ordering.
Who the Snack Collection suits
Good fit
- Families who want different snacks from one appliance, particularly waffles and shaped treats for children.
- People who find fixed plates a chore. Every Snack Collection plate comes out and goes in the dishwasher.
- Tidy cupboards. The boxed plate sets stack neatly, unlike loose spare plates from other 3-in-1 machines.
Poor fit
- Fans of overfilled toasties. Standard-depth plates mean modest fillings; a deep fill toastie maker handles beans and big cheese loads better.
- Buyers on a tight budget. The base costs more than a basic sandwich toaster, and the extra plates add up.
- People wanting four portions at once. It makes two triangle toasties per batch; see 4-slice toastie makers.
If you do buy one, preheat with the plates fitted, use medium sliced bread, and butter the outside of the bread rather than the plates. For timing by filling, see how long to cook a toastie.
Snack Collection vs other 3-in-1 machines
| Tefal Snack Collection | Typical 3-in-1 (Russell Hobbs, Tower) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plates included | Toastie + waffle | Toastie + panini/grill + waffle |
| Extra plates | Many optional sets | Usually none |
| Toastie depth | Standard | Often deep fill |
| Plate storage | Individual boxes | Loose |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
In short: the Tefal is the better system, while a typical 3-in-1 is the better value if you only need three plate types. Read the Tower guide for the budget option.
FAQs
Are Tefal Snack Collection plates dishwasher safe?
Yes, Tefal lists the Snack Collection plates as removable and dishwasher safe. Let them cool fully before removing them.
Is the Tefal Snack Collection deep fill?
No. The triangle toastie plates are standard depth. They work well with moderate fillings and medium sliced bread.
How many plates are there for the Tefal Snack Collection?
Tefal has marketed around sixteen plate sets for the system over time, but what's in stock in the UK varies. Check Tefal's site for the current list.
Can the Tefal Snack Collection make paninis?
With the optional grill/panini plate set, yes, though a dedicated panini press handles thicker sandwiches better.