One of the best reasons for owning a Blackstone or alternate brand of flat top grill is being able to make smash burgers! You may be wondering what the best smash burger press is so your homemade smash burgers come out perfectly and taste even better than the restaurants.
We’ve got your covered. What’s the best burger press for smash burgers? We tested them out and came up with our top 3 best burger smashers!
Top 3 Griddle Presses for Smash Burgers
If you want to skip right to it and see our top 3 best smash burger presses, here you go! Keep reading for more information about what to look for in a smash burger press as well as a full review of each of our top 3 burger smashers including the pros and cons of each.
Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press
Blackstone Press & Sear Burger Kit
The Burger Iron
Smash Burger Press Use
Making smash burgers is all about pressing the ground beef down on the hot griddle surface and creating the delicious brown caramelized crust from the Maillard reaction. This special process creates a mouth-watering and delightful taste that you won’t get in other burger cooking methods.
Best Burger Press for Smash Burgers
When deciding which smash burger press to purchase, there are some considerations to be aware of so that you buy the best one. Many griddle presses are available for sale, but not all of them are ideal for making smash burgers. Here are the components of the press you need to consider when making your selection.
Material
Smash burger presses are typically made of 2 different metals, each offering its advantages and disadvantages. You’ll have your choice between cast iron and stainless steel.
Cast Iron
Cast Iron burger presses are heavier than stainless steel ones, which means you don’t have to apply as much pressure when smashing the burger. Cast Iron absorbs and maintains heat better, which isn’t important when making smash burgers, but it is helpful if you’re using the press for cooking other foods and wanting to place it on top to help cook both sides.
The downside with cast iron burger smashers is that they require more maintenance and can’t be put in the dishwasher. You’ll need to season the smash burger press and treat it just like you would treat a cast iron cooking pan, so it doesn’t rust.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is lighter, and you may need to apply more pressure when smashing the burgers down on the griddle. They don’t hold heat as well as cast iron which, again, is relevant when making smash burgers but will matter if using the griddle press for cooking other foods.
Stainless Steel does not require nearly as much special treatment as cast iron. You don’t need to season it, and it can be washed in the dishwasher if desired. Both cast iron and stainless steel work great for smash burgers, so it comes down to your preference based on the differences.
Size, Shape, and Surface
The size and the surface of the smash burger press are important factors when making your selection. The ideal smash burger press should be round, approximately 6″ wide, and have a flat surface on the bottom rather than a one with ridges.
Size
There are larger griddle presses on the market and they are great for griddle sandwiches or cooking bacon on a griddle but are too big and bulky for making smash burgers. A smaller 6″ burger smasher is easier to handle but still large enough to cover the entire burger patty as you press it on the griddle cooktop.
Shape
Griddle presses can be round, square or rectangle. Because smash burgers are round, a round shaped burger press is the ideal shape. If you use a rectangle press, it’s not as wide and you may have ground beef not being pressed onto the griddle properly as you smash it down.
Surface
Some grill presses different textures on the bottom. For example, some have ridges that simulate grill marks. This is fine for other griddle cooked foods but you want maximum surface area making contact with the flat top grill’s cooktop when making smash burgers.
You’ll want to use a burger press that has a smooth, flat bottom. This will help ensure the entire burger is being pressed against the griddle cooktop resulting in the maximum amount of that tasty crust that forms on the burger.
Handle
Some smash burger presses have metal handles, while others have wood. They each have their advantages and disadvantages, so this is another factor that’s a matter of personal preference.
Metal Handle
A metal handle makes cleaning easier compared to a wooden handle. If you have an all stainless steel press, including the handle, you can wash it in the dishwasher. One drawback to the metal handle is that it gets hotter when left on the griddle.
This shouldn’t apply when making smash burgers, but if you use the press for cooking other foods, you’ll want to be sure you have a pair of heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands.
Wood Handle
A wood handle makes cleaning the smash burger press a little more challenging as you can’t put it in the dishwasher, but if you have a cast-iron press, you couldn’t do that anyway.
If left on the cooktop, a wood handle won’t get hot as quickly as a metal one. If you’re making smash burgers, this shouldn’t be a factor but could be important if using the press for cooking other dishes, and you’ll be leaving the press on the griddle.
Raised Edges or Flat
Another factor you’ll have to consider is whether to purchase a smash burger press with a raised edge or one that is flat. See which style you prefer.
Raised Edge
A raised edge griddle press will help lock in the juices as your press the patty down since they can’t escape out the side. This aspect makes a raised edge a great option. The only downside is that you may not get the proper sear you’re looking for if you don’t use the appropriate amount of ground beef between 1/4 pound and 1/3 pound.
Flat
A flat smash burger press won’t lock in juices; however, you will get the entire surface area of the meat in contact with the griddle regardless of what amount of ground beef you’re using. If you prefer smaller smash burgers under 1/4 pound each, this will be a better option.
Price
As with any purchase, the price of the item is going to be a key component. This shouldn’t be the number one consideration but it’s something you’ll certainly want to factor in. Also, several of these smash burger presses are offered as part of a burger smashing kit.
You may prefer to spend a little bit more to get some additional accessories along with your smash burger press. Blackstone’s Press & Sear Burger Kit includes a great spatula for making smash burgers as well as dredge to quickly apply seasonings.
Best Smash Burger Press Reviews
Now that you know the primary factors to be aware of, here are our top 3 smash burger presses for making smash burgers on your griddle. See the pros and cons of each option so you can select the best one for you!
#1 Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press
Pros:
- Made of heavy-duty cast iron
- Raised edge locks in juices during the sear
- Well priced
- Wood handle
- Optional burger kit
Cons:
- Cast iron can rust if not cared for
- Not as ideal for smash burgers under 1/4 pound
- It can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher
#2 Blackstone Press & Sear Burger Kit
Pros:
- All stainless steel makes it dishwasher safe
- No raised edge, so better for smash burgers under 1/4 pound or thinner smash burgers
- It comes with excellent smash burger spatula and seasoning dredge
Cons:
- Not as heavy as cast iron
- No raised edge to lock in juices during the sear
- Sold as part of a kit rather than individually
#3 The Burger Iron
Pros:
- No raised edge, so better for smash burgers under 1/4 pound or thinner smash burgers
- Stainless Steel is easier to maintain than cast iron
Cons:
- Handle screws tend to loosen over time
- No raised edge to lock in juices during the sear
- Not dishwasher safe due to wood handle
Best Smash Burger Press Final Thoughts
Though the Cuisinart was our best overall smash burger press, the Blackstone and Burger Iron presses are still great options. Some griddle cooks prefer the flat bottom and ease of cleaning/maintaining stainless steel over cast iron and a raised edge. You’ll be happy with any of these three smash burger presses.
You’ll also want a good smash burger spatula to make sure you can flip the burgers easily without losing any of the delicious caramelized crust. See our list of the best smash burger spatulas to see our favorites.
Also, be sure to check out our article on how to cook smash burgers on a griddle for a full breakdown of everything you need to know about making smash burgers on your Blackstone griddle or alternate brand of flat top grill.
Read more of our griddle top lists on GriddleSizzle.com now!
