Smash Burger Utensil

[BFletcher]

Last night my intention was making smash burgers on our new Little Griddle. The spatula bent without pressing the burgers but I'm both old and inexperienced enough to know planned meals sometime take a different turn. Do you use a certain spatula for this task, or perhaps a press? Thx.

 

[GGross]

I never smash a burger. I do put an indentation in the center of the burger to help it not puff up but prefer to let all the juices stay in the burger. I cook high heat maybe 2 minutes a side depending on thickness, I aiming for juicy, med rare burger.

 

[James Hadden]

I cleaned and seasoned my grandmother's cast iron clothes iron and use it for my smash burgers. It is a strange way to be reminded of her when grilling. It can be heated on the grill and used on top of certain meats as a press.

 

[BFletcher]

..It is a strange way to be reminded of her when grilling...

I can certainly appreciate that! Thank you.

 

[Clint]

I've used a big beer stein, and the last 2 times I've used my hands/knuckles but hot grease squeezed up/through when it got thin so be careful. Most of the time I flatten the patties on foil before it goes out to the grill or the pan, then I put it on the grill & peel the foil away.

I just searched Amazon for 'cast iron press' & there are several options there.

 

[BFletcher]

.. I just searched Amazon...

Thanks; I was just curious as to whether you guys and gals use a spatula, or press before ordering one or the other.

 

[George L]

I use a heavy duty spachula I picked up from a restaurant supply store. It has very little flex and it's perfect for smashing that ball of ground beef.

 

[BFletcher]

Thanks, George; can you offer specifics on that spatula?

 

[George L]

Thanks, George; can you offer specifics on that spatula?

I have something almost identical to these:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B016VLI83C/tvwb-20

 

[BFletcher]

I have something almost identical to these:

Thank you!

 

[Cliff Bartlett]

I picked up one of these. https://www.cast-iron-grate.com/smasher.html Kind of pricey but it works pretty good. The Lodge Cast Iron round press works well also.

 

[Bob H.]

Why smash a perfectly good burger? Its just a fad.

 

[Bob Correll]

Why smash a perfectly good burger? Its just a fad.

A fad that has lasted at Steak n Shake since 1934.

 

[BFletcher]

..Its just a fad.

Is there harm in a fad? A smash burger is sometimes desired by many; myself included.

 

[Bob Correll]

Here's the one I use, thought I bought it on Amazon, but it's not showing up in my past orders, so eBay maybe.

 

[George L]

It may be a fad but at parties when I'm doing a bunch of burgers the kids and many women find my smashing the balls of burger meat on the flat top grill very amusing.... ...

Plus, you're forming the patties as they cook so it's a time saver too....

 

[Chris Allingham]

In my tender youth, I worked the grill at Wendy's 1979-1980. We used a trowel-like spatula to smash square patties into irregularly shaped square burgers, something they no longer do. I wonder if something like it is still available?

Update: I think this may do the trick - Dexter Russell 1515 Hard Wood Handle 4 x 5" Hamburger Trowel

 

[George L]

Speaking of trowels I saw one guy on YouTube using a finishing trowel just like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-4-1-...hing-Trowel-with-Wood-Handle-49708Q/100173873

 

[Timothy F. Lewis]

Gee guys, are we over thinking this just a bit, why not simply use a CI skillet? If it's being griddled, not grate cooked, seriously?

 

[Bill Elwell]

I met Dave at a small airport in Detroit back in the early '90s. Seemed like a likable guy. FWIW, I also met Col Sanders in Atlantic City, NJ back in the '60s...but we do like Steak 'n Shake burgers.