If you’re looking to become a pro at making burgers, it’s important to get the right ingredients and equipment. Lots of aspects such as the kind of condiments or buns you use can play a role when it comes to the quality of your burgers. The shape of the patty can sometimes be overlooked but it’s an essential detail for tasty homemade burgers that cook evenly and efficiently. That’s why getting a burger press represents a smart investment for any barbecue enthusiast.
Pressing your own patties will simply result in superior burgers in every way. There are different burger presses on the market so it’s not easy to choose. In this article, we’ll explore a selection of the best tools for this job. When shopping for a burger press, you need to take into account the material quality, size, and design characteristics. It needs to fit both your grilling needs as well as budget limits. No matter the style of burger press you prefer, it has to be comfortable to use and efficient for speeding up the cooking workflow. Check out the best burger presses for the cost.
1. Cuisinart Cast Iron Smashed Burger Press
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This Cuisinart Burger Press is perfect for people who want a cheap cast iron product that will (technically) last forever. If you only want the classic 6 inch patties and you don’t want to spend too much time or money looking for a more sophisticated burger press then stop and get this one. It’ll serve you just fine for years (unless you somehow lose it) and you probably won’t think about buying another one again so you can check that off your shopping list.
A pro tip since we’re talking about cast iron, is that you should probably use a buffer material like parchment paper or heat resistant cooking paper when you press the patties using this press. It makes the press much less likely to stick. Other than that, you can’t get a more no frills burger press than this Cuisinart.
2. Lodge 6.25 Inches No Frills Cast Iron Seasoned Burger Press
Another cast iron classic that gets the job done and has a 6.25 inch circumference is this burger press from Lodge. One neat thing about this one is that its seasoned with natural vegetable oil. Lodge likes to season their cast iron items including their skillets and cast iron pizza pans so they went with the same approach for their burger press as well.
While the handle on this one looks vertically placed compared to the previous one from Cuisinart it actually makes no difference because it’s a circle so it all depends on how you grab the handle. If you ignore their logo placement it can be just as much a horizontal handle as it is a vertical one.
Best Stuffed Burger Press
3. Cuisinart Plastic Stuffed Burger Press
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Inexpensive and well-designed, the Cuisinart stuffed burger press represents a solid option for the money. Although it features simple plastic construction, the press works like a charm to make your ideal style of burger patties. The accessory is practical for regular burgers but it’s primarily recommended for stuffed burgers. It makes an indentation at the top of the patty to add some extra ingredients such as peppers or onions.
The burger press provides a great opportunity for putting your creativity to good use. Homemade burgers will taste much better if you create evenly sized patties that perfectly suit the buns. Compared to pressing by hand, you can create nicely shaped burger patties in record time and without the associated mess. This little gadget is highly recommended for all kinds of burgers, including vegan options.
Best Aluminum Burger Press
4. Weston Burger Press
Weston makes some great accessories appreciated by food traditionalists. Check out this cast aluminum burger press that relies on a classic and efficient design. It’s optimized for convenient patty shaping while the non-stick surface speeds up your workflow due to a performant spring plunger. Both regular and stuffed homemade burgers can be created with the help of this reliable accessory.
The burger patties end up evenly packed tightly regardless of the stuffing ingredients or choice of meat. It’s a solid burger press if you want consistent grilling results. The patio thickness is adjustable. You can also adapt the weight to create your favorite style of burgers. Thanks to the non-stick coating, the cleanup process is a breeze. Mix this tool with patty paper to avoid dirtying up the press and conveniently separate all your homemade patties.
Best Smashed Burger Press
5. Burger Iron Extra Wide Burger Press
If you want a crispy gourmet burger experience in the comfort of your backyard, consider getting the Burger Iron press. This tool is designed for making smash-burgers with an extra crispy flavor comparable to famous hamburger joints. It’s made from stainless steel and features a round design optimized for pressing burgers directly on the griddle surface or skillet. You can easily take your grill game to a new level.
The burger patty has to be pressed down properly using this tool to become thin enough to cook fast on high heat. Although you can improvise with a spatula to press the burger, it’s safe to say that you won’t get the right consistency and smashing quality. This burger press works like a charm for this style of burger cooking. It’s equipped with a sturdy wooden handle that gives you a solid grip to apply the required force.
Best Adjustable Burger Press
6. Cuisinart Adjustable Aluminum Burger Press
The adjustable aluminum burger press from Cuisinart is a must-have tool in the hands of any grilling enthusiast. With the help of its adjustable dial, you can craft ideally-sized burger patties according to your desired thickness specifications. This burger press is made using pre-seasoned cast aluminum with a special non-stick finish to simplify the cleanup. It’s also a recommended tool for salmon or veggie burgers, not just for typical beef options.
Figuring out how to obtain the exact level of thickness for your burger patty can take a few tries. The rotating dial allows you to make adjustments anywhere from 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches. It’s a versatile tool that can be extremely valuable for any burger lover. Patties end up shaped more evenly so they will be cooked optimally to maximize flavor release. You can create burgers like a pro because the patties will form a perfect match with the buns.
7. Burger Iron Sasquash Burger Press
Anyone who wants a professional-grade press for making smash-burgers should check out the Burger Iron Sasquash. This is the kind of tool used by burger joints to create consistently great burgers in the smashed style. It’s made using dishwasher-friendly stainless steel and boasts a balanced square design to suit most skillets on the market. The welded design gives off a premium durability vibe.
Instead of forming burgers by hand, this press works using a simple method. Cut some nicely sized chunks of meat and use the press to apply force when cooking on the hot griddle surface. The wooden handle looks attractive and provides some reliable comfort during pressing. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to obtain thin and crispy smashed burgers with the help of this practical grilling gadget. It’s a massive improvement compared to a spatula.
8. Jim Beam Cast Iron Burger Press
Cast iron is a great material for a burger press. Check out this heavy-duty model made by Jim Beam. With the help of this great tool, you can remove some of the excess fat from your patties to create thin smashed burgers full of flavor. Both sides of the meat patty can be cooked optimally to start making burgers taste like those from famous burger joints.
Aside from the sturdy cast iron frame, this burger press also shows off an ergonomic wooden handle that lets you manage the cooking without any risk of burning your hand. The diameter of 7” makes this burger press suitable for users who like to grill some particularly large burger patties. The extra dimensions make it a practical gadget for other applications such as pressing tortillas. It’s recommended to wash it by hand when it comes to keeping the tool clean.
9. Pure Grill Aluminum Burger Press
Another solid burger press for the money, the Pure Grill aluminum model can cover all your burger grilling needs. It’s designed for making homemade burger patties with an elegantly sculpted shape that rivals the even patties of professional burger joints. The burger press relies on food-grade aluminum that’s made for long-term use without durability concerns. It features a removable handle for easier storage.
Despite its affordable price tag, this is a well-made burger press that’s worth the cost. It arrives complete with a set of 100 wax papers to separate your homemade patties more effectively during the pressing process. This can come in handy when freezing the burger patties for later. Compared to plastic, this metal burger press offers a more enjoyable experience. The size of the patties could be a little small for some but they will fit most standard buns.