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Smash burgers and Smash Tacos are all the rage right now on social media, and if you want to create these tasty recipes at home, you’re going to need one of the best burger presses. Also called grill presses, these tools are the key to creating a crispy crust on smash burgers, as they apply consistent pressure to the meat as it cooks. You can also use a burger press to flatten bacon, press paninis, and grill other types of meat, such as steaks or pork chops.
Credit: Skinnytaste
If you’re ready to try making your own smash burgers at home, I’ve put together a list of the best burger presses to use. I’ve tried some of them myself, and the others come highly recommended by reviewers and trusted food publications. Any option you choose will work great on a full-size griddle or the stove in a cast iron skillet or grill pan.
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart Burger Press – $16.32 at Amazon
- Best Splurge Burger Press: Made In Grill Press – $69 at Amazon
- Best Large Burger Press: Blackstone Griddle Press – $24.99 at Amazon
- Best Budget Burger Press: Lodge Burger Press – $14.98 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Burger Presses
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What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart Burger Press
Credit: Amazon
This grill press from Cuisinart is my go-to option for any type of smashed recipe. It’s made from heavy cast iron that applies just the right amount of pressure to your food as it cooks, and the wooden handle doesn’t retain as much heat as a metal one would. The round design is 6.5 inches in diameter, which is perfect for pressing burgers, and the press is also reasonably priced. To get the best results, I recommend placing a small piece of parchment paper between the press and your meat to prevent sticking.
The Specs:
- Material: Cast iron
- Shape: Round
- Size: 6.5 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
What I Like: Reasonable price, Wooden handle, Highly durable
What Others Are Saying: The Cuisinart Burger Press has a 4.6-star rating from more than 14,800 reviews on Amazon.
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Best Splurge Burger Press: Made In Grill Press
Credit: Amazon
If you make smash burgers regularly, it might be worth investing in this high-end grill press. It’s crafted from a thick layer of stainless steel that can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees F, and its handle is higher than many others, helping to keep your hand away from the heat. Plus, it comes with a leather handle cover that offers additional heat resistance if you want more protection.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Shape: Rectangular
- Size: 5.5 x 5.6 inches
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
What I Like: Rust-resistant material, Raised handle, Leather handle cover, Easy to clean
What Others Are Saying: The Made In Grill Press was named the best overall grill press by Food & Wine and the best grill press with a handle cover by Serious Eats.
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Best Large Burger Press: Blackstone Griddle Press
Credit: Amazon
Most burger presses are only big enough to handle one burger at a time, but if you’re cooking in larger batches, this Blackstone Press can help speed up the process. The heavy press is 10 inches wide, so you can use it on multiple servings at once, and it has a hefty 4-pound weight that will deliver crispy crusts on all your patties. The press itself is cast iron, but it has a heat-resistant rubber handle to keep your hand safe.
The Specs:
- Material: Cast iron
- Shape: Rectangular
- Size: 10 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 4.28 pounds
What I Like: Extra-large form, Heat-resistant handle, Substantial weight
What Others Are Saying: Both Serious Eats and Food & Wine named the Blackstone Griddle Press the best large grill press.
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Best Budget Burger Press: Lodge Burger Press
Credit: Amazon
Lodge makes some of the best budget-friendly cast iron cookware, and its inexpensive burger press is great for occasional use. This option has a 6.25-inch round form that weighs just under 2 pounds, but the brand also has square and ridged options, depending on what you’re cooking. The cast iron press comes pre-seasoned to help prevent sticking but keep in mind that its low metal handle will almost certainly get hot while cooking, so you’ll want to have an oven mitt nearby.
The Specs:
- Material: Cast iron
- Shape: Round
- Size: 6.25 inches
- Weight: 1.75 pounds
What I Like: Inexpensive, Several design options, Pre-seasoned
What Others Are Saying: The Lodge Burger Press has just under 15,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon.
Other Burger Presses to Consider
Winco Grill Press: If you want a stainless steel press, the Winco Grill Press is another good choice. It has a narrow rectangular design that’s great for bacon or smaller burgers, and the handle has a heat-resistant rubber cover to protect your hand. The press weighs around 2 pounds, and it’s easy to clean thanks to its stainless steel design. The Winco Grill Press is available at Amazon for $39.56.
Bellemain Bacon Press: As its name suggests, the Bellemain Bacon Press is great for cooking bacon—it will keep the strips flat to get them nice and crispy. However, it can be used for other types of meat, as well. The round cast iron press weighs three pounds and is 8.75 inches in diameter, and it has a textured surface that helps prevent food from sticking. The Bellemain Bacon Press is available at Amazon for $21.99.
Our Place Grill Press: If you’re looking for a stylish option for your kitchen, the Our Place Grill Press comes in the brand’s signature colors that will match your Always Pan. It’s made from cast iron with an enameled exterior, and the press surface is lightly textured. The circular design is 7 inches in diameter and weighs 2.6 pounds, and it has a small pill-shaped handle on top. The Our Place Grill Press is available at Our Place for $40.
Williams Sonoma Smash Burger Press: The Williams Sonoma Smash Burger Press is another basic cast iron option for your kitchen or grill station. It’s 6.25 inches in diameter and weighs 2.5 pounds, and its beech wood handle stays cooler to the touch while you’re cooking. The design is safe to use at temperatures up to 600 degrees F, and the cast iron arrives pre-seasoned to help prevent sticking. The Williams Sonoma Smash Burger Press is available at Williams Sonoma for $32.95.
Why You Can Trust Me
Credit: Skinnytaste
Hi! I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste, where I share my favorite lightened up recipes made with whole, fresh ingredients. I love grilling for my family during the summer, and I have a whole collection of healthy burgers and other grilling recipes that are easy and satisfying on hot days.
When I saw the smashed burger trend going around on social media, I knew I wanted to make a healthier version for my family, so I invested in a burger press for my kitchen. In addition to the press that I personally use, I’ve also highlighted other top-rated options that have been tried and tested by my favorite food publications, as well as hundreds of real users.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Burger Press
Credit: Skinnytaste
What to Consider Before Buying a Burger Press
Material: Burger presses are made from metal and come in both cast iron and stainless steel options. Cast iron presses tend to be heavier…