Since (almost) all raw cast iron cookware is pre-seasoned nowadays and being used to it, the very first sight of this press was unspeakably ugly to me. However, it’s still an excellent smash burger press for its price. It has a good size and weight, is well-built, and is comfortable to use and clean. Pros The other popular type of burger press is a grill press, which is a metal plate with a handle used to press meat once it’s already on the grill. These can be handy if you find your patties expanding too much, and they can help the burger get a nice char on the grill. This 6.2 inches round shape burger press can help! Just place your burger patties in the press, smash them down, and then sear the bottom into a caramelized shell that seals in the juices. Once it is clean, you can place it on your seasoned patty and press down hard. Since steel is light, you may want to increase pressure for a better burger.

Cast iron is traditionally what grill presses were made from, and many of the best still use it. It’s durable, heat resistant, has enough heft to provide a great press and is available in tons of shapes and sizes.Measures 8 inches and weighs 3.5 pounds–the right size and weight for all your pressing and smashing tasks. A smash burger is a burger that has been smashed down with a burger press or a spatula. Smashing a burger enhances its taste and can increase juiciness. The pressing or smashing of a patty increases the surface area touching the flat surface and thus increases the amount of carmelization. This creates more flavor. You’ve got a correctly seasoned cast iron grill press ready for the grill or griddle. Easy to Clean Bellemain also offers a non-rotating, rectangular option at a lower price if a fixed handle is your number one priority. This option also features a wooden handle, but the handle design is such that it doesn’t rotate. It comes pre-seasoned, with a wooden handle and downright hilarious pig and bacon pattern on the top. It was easy to clean and felt quite sturdy while we were handling it.

You would want a press that keeps the shape and size of your burgers consistent. This is especially important if you are cooking for a large group of people. Nobody wants to be the person who gets the misshapen burger because the cook couldn’t use a press properly. Look for a press with a mold or two so you can get perfectly shaped burgers every time. Durability The most affordable option on our list so far. Inexpensive but not cheap (in terms of quality.) Does its job efficiently. The only caveat is that the handle is secured with only two screws, one on each side, so it can start rotating after some time. Pit Boss Griddle Press You may also want to consider the Lodge Flat Press with a rectangular surface and the Lodge Panini Press with a rectangular, ridged lower surface. While Lodge offers eight grill presses, I wouldn’t recommend anything from their offerings other than these because they have some issues. Pros:The Cuisinart Cast Iron Hamburger Grill Press is a well-rounded press that provides an even temperature distribution while adding enough weight and size to handle two average burger patties at once. At a hefty three pounds, this grill press will provide plenty of weight to the grilled item. Moisture and flavor need not be lost when cooking on the grill. Each time a burger gets smashed by a spatula, the juices are lost. A nice, even, constant pressure will keep those juices from being forced out and provide the best flavor from the grill. I love this burger press (or meat press) for its quality construction. The press is made in Victoria’s own factories in Colombia–they never outsource it–and the look & feel of their press validate it. This cast iron grill press has a winding, cool-to-touch steel handle. Even though separate from the body, the handle is comfortable, stable, and sturdy. It doesn’t have a nut and bolt attachment–the screws go into tapped holes, almost a snap-fit arrangement. On the downside, it’s made of cast iron, which makes it prone to rust. If you can’t get off your a** to give it a hand wash and season it, it’s not for you. This press features the most ergonomic handle design. The price is also affordable. It does its job effortlessly and is easy to use and clean. Made of stainless steel. No complaints, highly recommended. Bellemain Bacon Press, 8.5” – Best Value for Money

Uniformity – We eat with our eyes first, and the presentation of food is what really gets us excited for chowing down. Having precisely shaped, sized and pressed patties improves the overall eating experience and ensures your burgers cook at the same rate. You can press burgers, steaks, and pretty much anything else quite well, but there was one glaring defect. A smash burger is made by smashing a ball of ground beef onto a hot grill or griddle with a spatula or a press. This creates a thin, crispy patty with a well-browned crust and a juicy, flavorful interior. What happens when you press a smash burger? The handle of a burger press is an important factor in its usability, and it is the only part of the press that can break. So, whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice, read on to learn more about the best smash burger presses on the market. What’s in a name?Cost-Effective– Pressing your own patties provides the ability to select your own ingredients, which is great for both quality and cost purposes. By knowing the exact price of each ingredient in your patty mix, you can control costs and wastage, which will ensure savings in comparison to buying pre-made, unhealthier alternatives. We prefer wooden handles as they’re generally a little more comfortable, but many like the sturdy feel of metal or the comfort of plastic/silicone handles. Smooth vs. Ridged Every cast iron hamburger press enthusiast will tell you how excellent cast iron is for making burger patties. Cast iron radiates heat, applying it evenly to the entire surface. The design of the cast iron grill press is intended to help the weight distribution across the surface and cook evenly. Some of the perks of cooking with cast iron are its ability to last almost forever if taken care of properly, and its ability to heat evenly. The weight of the press is needed, but it can't be so heavy as to force too much liquid from the meat. That’s where the smash burger press comes in. A smash burger press is a simple tool that helps you create the perfect smash burger every time. It has a heavy-duty surface to flatten a burger patty down to size. If a longer heating time and inability to fit a ten-inch skillet is not an issue, this cast iron grill press is a good choice for grilling your favorite delicious burger, steak, or sandwich. Wener Bacon Press 6.88-Inch Round, Heavy Duty Cast Iron Grill Press/Meat Press/Steak Grill Weight/Burger Smasher/Burger Press with Wood Handle