The Top 5 Best Spatulas for Making Smash Burgers

Best Spatula For Smash Burgers

Do you love a good smash burger? Would you love to create that same delicious crust on your burgers at home? The secret to a good smash burger is quality meat and a heavy, extra wide spatula. Some of the best spatulas for a griddle are moderately priced and will last a long time.

There are some key factors to consider before making a spatula purchase. We’ll explain what to look for in a flat top grill spatula and will review the five best griddle spatula options for making smash burgers.

5 Best Spatulas For Smash Burgers

Here are our top five spatulas for making smash burgers if you want to get right to it.

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner

Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner

Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner w/Blue Handle

Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner

Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner with Strong Wooden Handle

Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner

Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner, 9.65-Inch, Black

Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner

Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner, Cookie Spatula, 14.5-Inch

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner

Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner

Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner

Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner

Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner
Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner w/Blue Handle
Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner with Strong Wooden Handle
Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner, 9.65-Inch, Black
Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner, Cookie Spatula, 14.5-Inch
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon

Now let’s take a more detailed look at what a smash burger is, what makes a good smash burger spatula, and the best smash burger spatulas available.

What are Smash Burgers?

There are many ways to cook a burger, but what sets this method apart from the others? When making smash burgers, you don’t pre-make the burger patty in advance and place it on the cooktop.

When making smash burgers, you shape the ground beef into a ball, and then you “smash” the burger down on the hot griddle using a griddle press or griddle spatula to form the patty. See our list of the best smash burger presses for making smash burgers.

Smashing your burger into a patty on hot griddle results in maximum surface area between the burger and the cooktop, and take advantage of the Maillard reaction. This chemical reaction gives foods an amazing flavor. Another example of this would be when you sear the outside of a steak.

Smash Burger Balls
Griddle Press Smashed Burgers

After you press the meat onto the griddle, a crisp brown crust forms, and all the flavorful juices get locked in. If you’ve ever eaten at Shake Shack, Steak ‘N Shake, or Smashburger and wondered why their burgers are so good, this is why.

As the cook presses down, the ball of ground beef, it caramelizes against the surface to create a delicious crust. Bon Appetit claims this is the key to an excellent smash burger.

Griddle Smash Burger

A cook needs a proper spatula when flipping the burger to preserve the crisp crust that has formed underneath. A good smash burger (like they make at Shake Shack) will be wide and thin. Be sure to check out our article on how to make smash burgers on a griddle for even more details.

What to Look for in a Griddle Spatula for Smash Burgers

The secret to creating an epic smash burger is to have a firm spatula that can smash evenly. Here are the important qualities to look for in a good smash burger spatula.

Build Quality

When it comes to building quality, it’s all about the tang. The tang is the amount of blade that extends into the handle. You can identify how long the tang is by the number of rivets on a spatula handle.

If the tang reaches the handle’s end, it will be more durable for flipping heavy burgers. If the tang only extends to the handle’s mid-point, it will have more bend and be less stable.

Size

When it comes to smashing ground beef onto a flat top grill, you need a spatula with a wide blade. The best turner blades have a width of five inches or more. This size also makes the turner handy for flipping and lifting additional foods like pancakes and delicate fish.

Material

To make a good smash burger, you want your spatula blade to be made of a durable metal like stainless steel. Stainless steel is heavy and stiff enough to apply the meat’s right pressure to get the desired caramelized edge.

Stainless steel is dishwasher safe and a long-lasting kitchen tool material. Be wary of low-quality stainless steel that can rust, warp or erode–even with proper maintenance.

Cost

Smash burger spatulas are generally pretty affordable; however, there are pricier spatulas that claim higher quality. While you don’t want a cheap spatula that will bend and flex when you press down on the meat, most moderately priced turners don’t sacrifice quality and have good longevity.

The Handle

You want a handle that won’t conduct heat or melt when left near the cooktop. Wood and polypropylene are suitable materials for handles but don’t always wash easily. Be wary of plastic handles. While they can go in the dishwasher, some can melt quickly too.

Reviews of the 5 Best Spatulas for Smash Burgers

Now that you know what to consider when making your selection let us take a more in-depth look at each of our top 5 spatula selections.

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner

Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty TurnerThe Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner is our best overall smash burger spatula for control, surface area, and sanitary safety. Measuring six-inches long by five-inches wide, the precision-ground stainless steel spatula is a perfect balance of flexibility and stiffness. The handle and blade allow for superior control and can apply an even smash to your next burger.

The slip-resistant handle absorbs less heat than standard polypropylene and has textured finger points for maximum control. The spatula is NSF certified, which means it has been rigorously tested to meet culinary safety, quality, and performance standards. It can also withstand heat temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros:

  • Superior quality and excellent consumer rating
  • Perfect weight for smashing burgers
  • Easy to clean
  • Tang goes to the end of the handle.
  • Very sturdy with little flex
  • Angled for even smash and effortless scraping

Cons:

  • While perfect for smash burgers, it can be a bit heavy and thick for some people.
  • The large size can be challenging to maneuver for some people

Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner

Dexter Russell 31655H High Heat S/S 6 x 5 Turner w/Blue HandleBuilt for everyday use, the Dexter Russell High Heat Turner has excellent quality and shape, which makes it a more versatile spatula. The blade is six inches by five inches and made from a stain-resistant carbon/stainless steel blended metal. This spatula is also is dishwasher safe.

The textured polypropylene handle can resist a heat temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Its shape and angle are ideal for smashing burgers, flipping fish, or cooking pancakes. The heavy, stiff spatula can press evenly and scrape without losing that beautiful caramelization.

Pros:

  • Great for the grill and griddle
  • Can handle burgers and other meats that fall apart easily
  • Strong enough to lift a pizza
  • Handle grips well and doesn’t get hot
  • Durable and long-lasting

Cons:

  • May rust if left in water too long

Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner

Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula Turner with Strong Wooden HandleThe Extra-Large Stainless Steel Wide Spatula made by Royal Home has a unique shape to maneuver and cook various food. It can easily cook, lift and scrape burgers, meat, pizza, and even cookies. You’ll find its beveled blade is very convenient in the kitchen and on the flat top grill.

This smash burger spatula has a six-inch rounded diameter, making it handy for flipping burgers and pancakes. The wooden handle easily maneuvers this wide blade to handle all your grilling and baking needs. It’s also very sturdy for lifting heavy food.

Pros:

  • It has a tapered edge for scraping and lifting
  • The sturdy wooden handle is comfortable to wield
  • Ergonomic design for excellent control

Cons:

  • Tang goes to the midpoint of the handle, so it will have more bend when smashing burgers

Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner

Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner, 9.65-Inch, BlackThe Sabatier Triple Rivet Stainless Steel Wide Turner is our budget pick for smash burgers’ best spatulas. You get all the standard features of an excellent smash burger spatula but for a ridiculously affordable price. The spatula is dishwasher-safe making which is nice.

The Sabatier wide turner is made from handle to blade of stainless steel. The handle has durable plastic covering for easy maneuverability. Sabatier is so confident in the quality of this spatula that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The smallest blade width of 2 ¾ inch, which is almost half the other spatulas’ width on the list.

Pros:

  • Tang extends to the end of the handle for excellent durability and strength.
  • Excellent stiffness and thickness for flipping
  • Smashes well with a little bend
  • Very affordable
  • It has a limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

  • The plastic handle can melt if left by the heat.
  • May rust if left in water for too long
  • Not as wide as other spatulas we reviewed

Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner

Fox Run Large Oversized Stainless Steel Turner, Cookie Spatula, 14.5-InchThe Fox Run Oversized Stainless Steel Turner is the widest spatula on our list. Made from durable stainless steel, the tang extends to the handle’s end for excellent durability and minimal flex. The beveled shape makes it easy for flipping burgers, meat, and pancakes—a versatile kitchen tool for an affordable price.

Its riveted angled handle has superior control for lifting, flipping, smashing, and scraping. The plastic handle covering is dishwasher safe and easy to grip. It also has a decent weight for pressing down to get an even smash and golden-crusted burger.

Pros:

  • The beveled edge makes it excellent for flipping
  • It has a heavy-duty, durable stainless steel blade
  • Smashes burgers evenly and scrapes well
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons:

  • The handle is plastic and not heat resistant
  • The short handle can make it difficult to use with a grill because of the heat

Final Thoughts

If you want to make delicious smash burgers, you’re going to need to invest in a heavy wide spatula that can press the hamburger meat to achieve the caramelized surface. A great smash burger spatula will have a great tang, be made of a durable metal like stainless steel, and be wide enough to press the large patty.

Hopefully, our list of the best spatulas for smash burgers will have a spatula that meets your needs. Whether you’re looking for a more versatile turner or a heavy-duty turner that was built to last, we got you covered.

We strongly recommend the Mercer Culinary Hell’s Handle Heavy Duty Turner for control, surface area, and ability to create the ultimate smash burger; however, you shouldn’t be disappointed with any of the spatulas we’ve covered above. Check out our post on how to use your flat top griddle grill tools and accessories to get the most out of your new spatula.

And don’t forget to read our article on how to make smash burgers on a griddle!

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