Do you want to enjoy evenly cooked steaks, meats, pancakes, burgers, or sandwiches on your griddle? It’s time to boost your cooking expertise with the best griddle presses by making your food evenly cooked, perfectly golden, and packed with flavor on your flat top grills.
But with so many options, how do you choose the right one for your needs?
Fear not!
In this guide to the best griddle presses, you’ll explore the features and benefits of top griddle presses and steak weights to find your new best friend.
Let’s get started on your journey to culinary greatness!
5 Best Griddle Presses and Steak Weights Review
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1. Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Meat Press with a Wooden Handle
Made through the exceptional manufacturing skill of Victoria Cast Iron, a three-generation family business, Victoria Rectangular Cast Iron Meat presses feature a perfect blend of size and ergonomic design.
This 8.3 x 4.4 Inch griddle press, with its 1.3-pound weight, allows you to iron your steak and small burgers on the griddle top. The griddle press comes pre-seasoned with non-GMO, Kosher Certified flaxseed oil. So, you can love it for its non-stick surface and health safety.
What impressed me the most about the griddle press? It’s the Victoria Grill Press’ pure wood handle with no paint. This wooden handle has a curvy design. So the grill press does not slip in your hand. It also doesn’t weigh too much and is easy to use for small hands.
Long story short–usage is easy.
Victoria Meat Press has another unique addition.
It’s the underside textured pattern. This unique pattern helps in more even pressure on every centimeter of food (not inch), unlike the griddle presses with engraved lines. This is why this griddle press is lightweight–it utilizes every ounce of force instead.
This textured underside further helps with better drainage of the meat juices by creating small channels. These channels prevent the juices from pooling at the bottom of the press and creating steam. Thus, the grill press helps to prevent the meat from becoming soggy and flavorless.
In addition, the textured underside of a Victoria meat press is easier to clean than those with engraved lines. The texture helps to prevent food particles from getting stuck, which makes wipe cleaning easier. Yet, still, it needs the care that cast iron requires.
In a nutshell,
I recommend Victoria Griddle Press as the best small grill press. I don’t see any cons in it…most of the user complaints are because folks don’t know cast iron a lot.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Thoughtful, textured design for avoiding steam build-up and even heat distribution
- More stable, stronger, cool-to-touch wooden handle
- Comes seasoned with Kosher flaxseed oil
- Not overpriced
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not heavy
- Can’t be used to cast searing marks on food
2. Cuisinart CGPR-221 Cast Iron Grill Press, Steak Weight
Victoria Cast Iron Griddle Press is the best rectangular griddle press. Yet, it lacked weight and couldn’t be used to cast searing marks on food because it lacked ridges. So, if you need a similar, rectangular, but heavier griddle press, Cuisinart CGPR-221 Cast Iron Press can be your ultimate pick.
This heavy-duty grill press with 2.27 pounds weight and 4.33″D x 8.75″ W x 3.43 ” can elevate your cooking game to a new level.
This Cuisinart Griddle Press sports a wooden handle like Bellemain and Victoria’s. Yet, this handle is cool-to-touch and fully stable. The wooden handle also has no color (it’s health-safe). I wish the handles were a bit curvy to allow you a firmer grip like Victoria’s.
The underside of the Cuisinart Griddle Press has diagonal lines–just to add a signature touch. However, they don’t do anything exceptional to your panini, burgers, or meats. You can use the griddle press like other grill presses to press the food or create grilling marks by heating it over an open flame.
Cleaning is easy too. Just let it cool down, then wipe it with a damp cloth. Season it occasionally to prevent rust–it’ll maintain all its non-stick properties well.
In summary, the Cuisinart CGPR-221 Cast Iron Grill Press is a simple yet effective tool that can take your grilling skills to the next level…I nominate it as the best griddle press rectangular.
Pros
- Durable cast iron construction
- Comfortable wooden handle
- Heavy enough to press down on food without crushing it
- Wide separation between ridges makes cleaning easier
- Relatively affordable
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- It can be heavy to lift and maneuver.
3. Bellemain 8.5-Inch Round Griddle Press
Measuring 8.5 inches in diameter and weighing 3 pounds, the Bellemain Cast Iron Bacon Press has been designed to help you easily achieve culinary perfection!
The Bellemain Griddle Press’s round shape and engraved surface are among the most palpable things. It evenly distributes weight on your steaks and meats to press them against the hot surface. The result is even and fast cooking with flawless grill marks on the burgers, sandwiches, and meat.
The Bellemain Bacon Press has been made with safety in mind. It boasts a stay-cool, 3 inches high wooden handle for firm gripping and saving your hands from accidental burns. However, this straight wooden handle has been slippery when working with fatty food.
Besides this, I’m also concerned about the handle’s beautiful color (it might fade away); and the handle’s screws becoming loose.
It’s cast iron, it has grooves…So, you must be ready to take care of this premium griddle press. It needs regular cleaning with a gentle brush after every use and then proper seasoning. It’ll last for decades. I hope you won’t mind that.
In short, I recommend this large round cast iron griddle press by Bellemain. The wooden handle’s minor problem isn’t the deal breaker. The care that the Bellemain griddle press needs is also compulsory for all other cast iron presses.
Pros
- Heavy-duty cast iron construction
- Even weight distribution to flatten food without crushing it
- Cool-touch wooden handle
- Versatile to flatten burgers, panini, grilled cheese sandwiches, and other foods.
- It’s non-stick and easy to clean.
- 3 years warranty
Cons
- The straight wooden handle can be slippery.
- The wooden handle screw can become loosened to make it wobble.
- Pricey
4. Lodge LFIP3 Lodge Flat Iron Grill Press
The Lodge Cast Iron Griddle Press is the best griddle press with a flat surface. This USA-made grill press earns its top spot for several reasons.
Foremostly, its anti-slip textured surface provides stability during use. With dimensions of 1.37″ x 8.31″ x 8.31 inches with 3.9 pounds, it is just the right size and weight to apply the perfect amount of pressure on thick foods like steaks and meats for even cooking.
One of its big perks is that it comes pre-seasoned with Lodge’s signature black finish. No need to worry about seasoning it yourself – it’s ready.
The Lodge Steak Press is a single, solid piece of metal, which makes it super easy to clean—no crevices or joints to trap food. Plus, its design is flawless; it’s round, flat, and has no raised edges that could limit your burger-smashing potential.
Looking at this griddle press, I only wish it could have a higher handle to let me use it easily. I’m okay with not having a cool touch handle. But when you use it with some mitten, the space to place your finger is further limited. I can’t understand why Lodge will do this to me…!
The Lodge Cast Iron Griddle Press is a fantastic kitchen tool. It’s robust, easy to clean, and versatile. Remember to give it some TLC to prevent rust, and learn how to pick it with its smaller handle.
Pros
- Single solid piece construction makes it the most solid cast iron griddle press
- A flat, texture-free surface is easiest to clean.
- The blackest black finish makes it beautiful.
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- It has a flat surface, so it can’t be used for producing searing marks on food.
- The handle is lower, so it’s tricky to use for big hands or with BBQ gloves.
5. Blackstone XL Griddle Press
Do you prefer an extra large griddle press to cook more food in one go?
The Blackstone XL Griddle Press can be a great choice. With its 5.9-pound weight and 10 x 4 inches size, this heavyweight champion can press up to 6 burgers, 4 sandwiches, or 3 juicy pieces of meat at once. The size is also ideal for preventing thin meat strips from curling.
Thanks to its heavy gauge cast iron flat surface, it retains heat like a champ. At the same time, the underneath engraved lines help to distribute the weight uniformly. Therefore, your food cooks evenly and thoroughly.
Most griddle presses come with wooden handles, which can become wobbly. Yet, adding a wooden handle could be a bad idea for such heavier presses. Therefore, Blackstone has a thoughtfully added rubber grip handle with vertically engraved lines. The handle offers you a firmer and safer grip, no matter if the handle gets wet or oily.
Cleanup is a breeze with this press. You can clean it with a simple wipe or use a gentle brush to wash it if grease has stuck. But don’t forget to season it–cast iron starves for proper seasoning.
Pros
- Extra large to press multiple burgers, sandwiches, or steaks simultaneously.
- Heavy-duty, durable construction
- Pre-seasoned griddle press has a non-stick surface.
- Versatile owing to its large size
- Easy to clean
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Shipment might cause damage to this heavy object.
- Requires seasoning for maintenance
My Final Thoughts on “Which is Best Griddle Press?”
You can’t find perfection in a single thing…same goes with these best picks in today’s guide. Each griddle press is best for some reason, but it’s not perfect. Keeping your needs in view, you can pick one or two or more for you. You can love having:
- Blackstone Griddle Press for your backyard cooking on special occasions
- Cuisinart for its rectangular shape but heavier weight to cook single food items like steaks and burgers.
- Victoria Cast Iron Press for your delicate foods like burgers, sandwiches, and veggies
- Lodge Cast Iron Grill Press for its flat surface when you don’t need searing marks
- And Bellemain’s Griddle Press for your round skillets when cooking indoors
The choice is yours!
Is a Griddle Press the Same as a Burger Smasher?
No, a griddle press is not the same as a burger smasher. They look similar, yet they serve different purposes—the secret lies in their weight.
A griddle press is a heavy, flat metal or cast iron surface with a handle. It weighs 2-6 pounds. It’s used to flatten meats, prevent them from curling, and speed up cooking.
On the other hand, a burger smasher looks like a grill press, yet it’s no different than a heavy metal spatula in terms of its purpose. It’s specifically designed for smashing burgers, and an ideal smash burger press weighs 1 pound.
Can you interchangeably use a burger smasher and griddle press? The answer is almost no. Because of its weight, you can use a griddle press to smash the burger. Yet, a burger-smashing tool owing to its lower might not help you press heavy steaks or meats.
How Heavy Should a Griddle Press?
Unlike a burger smasher, a griddle press for pressing meats should be heavy enough to apply sufficient pressure on meat without demanding extra effort to press. It’s like placing it on steak and leaving it.
A griddle press weighs around 2 to 6 pounds, depending on size. Yet, 2-3 pounds weight is a sweet spot for home use–a heavier grill press can be challenging and potentially unsafe. It might strain your wrist. Besides this, being overweight means over-pressing the meat or burgers, leading to quick moisture loss to make your food drier. So, find a balance between weight and manageability for an excellent cooking experience.
What Size of Griddle Presses Should You Get?
The size of a griddle press you should get depends on your cooking needs and the size of your griddle or cooking surface. Look for a grill press large enough to cover the area of the food you want to press, ensuring it makes full contact. For example, a wider press is useful if you’re cooking multiple steaks or meat strips.
A press that fits the sandwich size is ideal if you’re making sandwiches. Just remember, it should be easy for you to handle and maneuver. A common size for griddle presses is around 8×8 inches (20×20 cm), but choose one that suits your cooking habits.
Round vs. Rectangular: which Shape of a Griddle Press is Good?
Choosing a round and rectangular griddle press depends on your cooking needs. Round presses are great for evenly pressing down on burgers and pancakes or using in round skillets. On the other hand, rectangular ones are better for larger pieces of meat or pressing multiple items at once. So, if you make many round foods, go for a round. If you cook various things, a rectangular press might be more versatile. It’s all about what you’ll be cooking in your kitchen!
Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel: Which Material is Better for Griddle Press?
The choice between cast iron and stainless steel for a griddle press depends on your preferences and cooking needs.
Cast Iron
Cast iron griddle presses are known for their excellent heat retention and even distribution. They stay hotter for longer to help you achieve crispy and well-cooked results. You can also use them to create those iconic searing marks on meats by heating and pressing on fire.
Additionally, cast iron adds a subtle flavor to your food over time, enhancing its taste. However, cast iron requires regular seasoning to prevent rust and maintain its non-stick properties. It can be heavy and may require more maintenance.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel griddle presses are durable, corrosion-resistant, and relatively low maintenance. However, stainless steel doesn’t keep heat like cast iron, which might cause slightly different cooking outcomes. Another downside is you can’t use them for searing, for they lack ridges.
Still, they make a great choice if you prefer a lighter, low-maintenance option.
In summary, cast iron is excellent if you prioritize heat retention, getting searing marks on meat and burgers, and don’t mind the weight and maintenance. If you want something lighter and easier to care for, stainless steel is a solid choice. Both can be effective, so choose based on your cooking style and preferences.
What Type of Handle a Griddle Press Should Have?
Usually, the handles of griddle presses are made of metal. They seem to remain cool: after all, they’re mounting high. Yet, when using the metal press for a longer or cooking a lot of meat, they get hot and remain hot because of cast iron’s heat retention properties. Therefore, your grill press handle should have a wooden or cool-to-touch handle. However, sometimes, it might be difficult to find such a griddle press, especially when you opt for an extra-large grill press.
Why do Griddle Presses have Engraved Lines or Texture?
Grill presses have engraved lines or textures to help cook food evenly. These textures create contact points with the food, ensuring it stays flat against the hot grill or griddle. This even contact results in consistent cooking and attractive grill marks. The textures also allow excess fat and juices to flow away from the food, preventing sogginess and promoting a delicious, crispy texture.
These lines also serve for searing. You can directly heat the griddle press on a grill or stove fire and place it over food to create searing marks.
So, those lines make your burgers, steaks, and sandwiches turn out just right!
How Should You Clean Your Cast Iron Grill Press?
Cleaning your cast iron grill press is a straightforward process that helps maintain its durability and performance. Here’s a simple guide:
- Wait for your griddle press to cool after grilling. Handling it while it’s still hot can be unsafe.
- Scrape off residue and food particles from the grill press’s surface by using a gentle brush. Doing this while the grill press is still warm is essential, as it makes the cleaning process easier.
- Wipe it down using a paper towel or a damp cloth to remove any remaining food bits and grease. You can add a little mild dish soap if needed, but avoid using harsh chemicals or soaking the press in water.
- Rinse the grill press under warm water to remove any soap residue. Pat it dry thoroughly with a towel to prevent rust.
- Re-season (optional) your cast iron grill press if it loses its non-stick properties over time. In this regard, apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or shortening to the entire surface, including the handle, and bake it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about an hour. This process helps maintain the non-stick coating and prevents rust.
- Store your clean and dry grill press in a dry place to prevent moisture and rust buildup.
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your cast iron grill press will keep it in excellent condition for years.
