Smash Burgers and Smash Tacos are currently very popular on social media. If you want to make these delicious recipes at home, you need one of the best burger presses. Also called a grill press, this tool is the key to creating a crispy crust on your smash burgers because it applies consistent pressure to the meat while it cooks. You can also use a burger press to flatten bacon, press paninis, and grill other types of meat, such as steak or pork.
If you're ready to try making your own smash burgers at home, I've put together a list of the best burger presses you can use. Some of them I've tried myself, others have come highly recommended by reviewers and trusted food publications. All of the options you choose work great on a full-size griddle or on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet or grill pan.
My top picks:
- What's in my kitchen: Cuisinart Burger Press – $16.32 on Amazon
- Best Splurge Burger Press: Made In Grill Press – $69 on Amazon.
- Best Large Burger Press: Blackstone Griddle Press – $24.99 on Amazon.
- Best Budget Burger Press: Lodge Burger Press – $14.98 on Amazon
Reviews of the best burger presses
1. What’s in my kitchen: Cuisinart Burger Press
This grill press from Cuisinart is a great option for all kinds of recipes. It's made of heavy cast iron to apply 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 handle. The circular design is 6.5 inches in diameter, perfect for pressing burgers, and the press is reasonably priced. For best results, we recommend placing a small piece of parchment between the press and the meat to prevent sticking.
specification:
- ingredient: cast iron
- shape: round
- size: 6.5 inches
- weight: 1 pound
What I like:
- reasonable price
- wooden handle
- Excellent durability
What I don't like:
What others are saying:
The Cuisinart Burger Press has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with over 14,800 reviews.
Buy Cuisinart Burger Press:
2. Best Splurge Burger Press: Made In Grill Press
If you make smash burgers regularly, it might be worth investing in this quality grill press. This product is made from a thick layer of stainless steel that can withstand temperatures up to 800°F, and the handle is higher than other products to keep your hands away from the heat. It also comes with a leather steering wheel cover that provides additional heat resistance if you want more protection. Because it's stainless steel, this version is easier to clean than a cast iron press, but since it's not quite as heavy, you'll have to use more manual force to break down burgers and other meats.
specification:
- ingredient: stainless steel
- shape: Rectangle
- size: 5.5 x 5.6 inches
- weight: 1.8 pounds
What I like:
- anti-rust material
- raised handle
- leather handle cover
- Easy to clean
What I don't like:
- Not as heavy as others
- High value
What others are saying:
The Made In Grill Press was named Best Grill Press Overall by Food & Wine and Best Grill Press with Handle Cover by Serious Eats.
Buy Made In Grill Press:
3. Best Large Burger Press: Blackstone Griddle Press
Most burger presses are only big enough to handle one burger at a time, but if you're cooking larger batches, this Blackstone press can help speed up the process. The heavy press is 10 inches wide so you can make multiple servings at once, and weighs 4 pounds to give every patty a crispy crust. The press itself is cast iron, but has heat-resistant rubber handles to keep your hands safe. Keep in mind that rubber can warp or melt when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, it is not recommended to leave it on the grill for long periods of time.
specification:
- ingredient: cast iron
- shape: Rectangle
- size: 10 x 5.5 inches
- weight: 4.28 pounds
What I like:
- extra large form
- Heat resistant handle
- considerable weight
What I don't like:
- Not suitable for high temperatures
What others are saying:
Both Serious Eats and Food & Wine named the Blackstone Griddle Press the best full-size grill press.
Buy Blackstone Griddle Press:
4. Best Budget Burger Press: Lodge Burger Press
Lodge makes some of the best budget-friendly cast iron cookware, and their inexpensive burger presses are great for occasional use. This option has a 6.25-inch round shape that weighs less than 2 pounds, but the brand also offers square and ridged options depending on what you're cooking. Cast iron presses come pre-seasoned to prevent sticking, but the low metal handles will almost certainly get hot while cooking, so it's a good idea to have oven mitts nearby.
specification:
- ingredient: cast iron
- shape: round
- size: 6.25 inches
- weight: 1.75 pounds
What I like:
- It is cheaper
- Various design options
- pre-seasoned
What I don't like:
What others are saying:
Lodge Burger Press has just under 15,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon.
Buy Lodge Burger Press:
Other Burger Presses to Consider
winco grill press
If you want a stainless steel press, the Winco Grill Press is also a good choice. It has a narrow rectangular design perfect for holding bacon or small burgers, and the handle has a heat-resistant rubber cover to protect your hands. The press weighs about 2 pounds and its stainless steel design makes it easy to clean. The Winco Grill Press can be purchased at: Amazon $39.56.
Belmain Bacon Press
As the name suggests, the Bellemain Bacon Press is perfect for cooking bacon. Keep the strips flat so they are nice and crispy. However, it can also be used on other types of meat. The round cast iron press weighs 3 pounds, has a diameter of 8.75 inches, and has a textured surface that helps prevent food from sticking. The Bellemain Bacon Press can be purchased at: Amazon $21.99.
Our Place Grill Press
If you're looking for a stylish option for your kitchen, the Our Place Grill Press is available in the brand's signature colors to match the Always Pan. The exterior is made of enameled cast iron and the pressed surface has a light texture. The circular design is 7 inches in diameter, weighs 2.6 pounds, and has a small pill-shaped handle on top. Despite the enamel finish, the brand still recommends hand washing the press, but the good news is that it doesn't require seasoning like cast iron does. Our Place Grill Press can be purchased at: My house is 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 measures 6.25 inches in diameter and weighs 2.5 pounds, and the beech wood handle stays cool to the touch while cooking. This design is safe for use in temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and the cast iron arrives pre-seasoned to prevent sticking. The Williams Sonoma Smash Burger Press can be purchased at: Williams Sonoma ($32.95).
why you can trust me
hi! I'm Gina, author and recipe developer at Skinnytaste. Here I share light recipes made with my favorite fresh ingredients. I love baking for my family in the summer. Here's a collection of healthy burgers and other grilling recipes that are easy and satisfying even on hot days.
After seeing the smash burger trend floating around on social media, I knew I wanted to create a healthier version for my family, so I invested in a kitchen burger press. In addition to the press I personally use, I've also highlighted some of my favorite food publications and other top-rated options that have been tried and tested by hundreds of real users.
Everything you need to know before buying a burger press
Things to Consider Before Buying a Burger Press
ingredient: Burger presses are made of metal and come in both cast iron and stainless steel options. Cast iron presses tend to be heavier, but like other cast iron cookware, they require careful cleaning and seasoning to prevent rust. Stainless steel options are much easier to clean after use but are generally not as heavy.
size: You can find both round and rectangular burger presses and they come in a variety of sizes. The best size for your needs will depend on what you want to cook. A 6-inch press is perfect for smashing burgers, but if you're cooking steak or bacon, you may need a larger option.
Thermal Protection: Burger presses tend to get hot while on the grill or stovetop, so it's best to choose one with a heat-resistant handle. Wooden or rubber handles don't get as hot as metal handles, but it's a good idea to use oven mitts or a paper towel to lift the handles while cooking.
What is a Smash Burger?
A smash burger is a burger that makes the outside of the burger crispy by pressing the thin patty while cooking. The weight of the burger press keeps the patties in contact with the griddle, which enhances the browning and caramelization of the outside of the burger.
How do I use a burger press?
For best results, we recommend preheating your burger press before use. You can heat it by placing it on a griddle for a few minutes or directly on a stove burner. When ready to cook, use a burger press to break the patties into thin, even layers. Once the burgers are nicely seared, you can remove the press and flip them over.
How do you crush a burger without a press?
If you want to try smashing burgers before starting the grill press, another option is to use a large spatula to press down on the patties. It takes a little extra effort, but you can achieve similar results by using a large surface to break up the meat and keep it in contact with the grill.
How do I keep my burgers from sticking to the press?
It's common for patties to stick to the grill press while cooking, but there's an easy way to prevent this problem. Simply place a small piece of parchment paper on top of each patty before pressing it down. You can also buy pre-cut parchment squares for this purpose! The non-stick paper ensures burger press and can be simply removed before flipping each patty.
Best Smash Recipe
The new burger press is great for making smash burgers, but there are plenty of other foods you can make with it, too. You can use the press to cook bacon, steaks, and pork chops, and here are a few other recipes where I often use my grill press to create a crispy crust on my food.
Prices were correct at time of publication.
