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.
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
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Cuisinart Burger Press
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 I Don’t Like:
- Can stick to meat
What Others Are Saying:
The Cuisinart Burger Press has a 4.6-star rating from more than 14,800 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the 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 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. Because it’s stainless steel, this version is easier to clean than cast iron presses, but it’s not quite as heavy, so you will have to use more manual force to smash down burgers and other meat.
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 I Don’t Like:
- Not as heavy as others
- Expensive
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.
Buy the 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 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. Just keep in mind that the rubber may warp or melt if exposed to high temperatures, so it’s not an option you should leave on the grill for long periods.
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 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 large grill press.
Buy the Blackstone Griddle Press:
4. Best Budget Burger Press: Lodge Burger Press
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 I Don’t Like:
- No heat protection
What Others Are Saying:
The Lodge Burger Press has just under 15,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon.
Buy the Lodge Burger Press:
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. Despite its enameled finish, the brand still recommends hand-washing the press, but the good news is that it won’t require seasoning like bare cast iron. 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
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
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, but like other cast iron cookware, they require careful cleaning and seasoning to prevent rust. Stainless steel options are much easier to wash after use but generally aren’t as hefty.
Size: You can find both circular and rectangular burger presses, and they vary in size. The best size for your needs will depend on what you’re planning to cook. A 6-inch press is great for smash burgers, but if you want to cook steaks or bacon, you may want a larger option.
Heat Protection: Burger presses tend to get hot while on the grill or stove, so it’s best to select one with a heat-resistant handle. Wooden or rubber handles won’t get as hot as bare metal, but it’s still a good idea to use an oven mitt or kitchen towel to lift it while cooking.
What Is a Smash Burger?
Smash burgers are thin patties that are pressed down while cooking, which creates a crispy exterior on the burger. The weight of a burger press keeps the patty in contact with the griddle, delivering better browning and caramelization on the outside of the burger.
How Do You Use a Burger Press?
For best results, you’ll want to preheat your burger press before use. You can either leave it on the griddle for several minutes or put it directly on a stove burner to heat up. When you’re ready to cook, simply use the burger press to smash down the patties into a thin, even layer. You can remove the press once you have a good sear on the burger and flip it.
How Do You Smash a Burger Without a Press?
If you want to try out smash burgers before committing to a grill press, another option is to use a large spatula to press the patties. It will take a little extra effort on your part, but you can use the large surface to smash down the meat and keep it in contact with the grill for similar results.
How Do You Keep a Burger from Sticking to a Press?
It’s common for patties to get stuck 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 even buy pre-cut parchment paper squares just for this purpose! The non-stick paper will ensure the press releases from your burger, and you can simply remove it before flipping each patty.
The Best Smash Recipes
Your new burger press is great for making smash burgers, but there are many other foods that you can make with it, as well. You can use the press to cook bacon, steak, and pork chops, and the following are several other recipes where I frequently use my grill press to achieve a crispy crust on food:
Prices were accurate at time of publication.