Cook bacon in a skillet to your liking! Pour bacon grease into a small bowl.
Heat panini machine or ridged grill pan over medium-high heat.
Using a pastry brush, lightly brush both sides of each slice of sourdough with bacon grease.
Top one slice of sourdough with 2 oz of brie, half the slices of pear, a few pieces of baby spinach, and 3 pieces of bacon. Sprinkle a little sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme over the bacon then top with a second slice of sourdough. Repeat for second sandwich.
Place one sandwich on the heated panini machine or ridged grill pan (with a heavy skillet on top to push down the sandwich). Cook for about 5-6 minutes (or 2-3 minutes per side if using grill pan). Remove from heat then repeat with second sandwich.
Slice the paninis then eat!