A cast iron grill press, as its name tells, is used to speed up cooking by safely pressing meat or other foods down to increase heat contact and ensure even heat distribution. It is also known as a bacon press, steak weight, or hamburger press. A cast iron grill press can be used in a variety of ways. It is useful for removing fat from food like sausages, reducing grease splatter, and flattening your bacon. A grill press’s heavy metal surface distributes heat evenly and can reduce cooking time by up to 30% to 50%.
Buying a cast iron grill press can be complicated. This guide will walk you through the many considerations, from size and shape to cleaning and seasoning to handles, that you should consider when purchasing a cast-iron grill press.
Best Cast Iron Grill Presses
1. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Press
1 used from $18.49
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Comfortable grip and rectangular shape nonstick press
- Good weight of about 3 lbs ensure long life and press any meat flat with speed
- Flat and smooth bottom
- Suitable for all kinds of grill cooking
- Easy to clean
- Dimension: 6.75 x 4.5 inches
- The grip is not that cool in cooking.
- The handle screw may need to be tightened during cooking.
2. Cuisinart CGPR-221 Cast Iron Grill Press
1 used from $14.05
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Well-made cast iron press with comfortable wood handle
- Add nice grill marks
- Hand wash and dry fast
- Suitable for large skillet and burgers
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Dimension: 9.3 x 4.7 x 3.7 inches
- Need to be seasoned properly after each use.
3. Bellemain Cast Iron Grill Press
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Sear bacon, steak, or sandwich evenly without raw or overcooked sections
- Food grade iron cookware without harmful chemicals
- Heavy-duty cast iron press with wood handle for safe cooking
- Good weight to press the meat down
- 8.5 inches round to fit perfectly in skillets
- Weight: 3 pounds
- The wood handle may get hot after a long time of use in the skillet.
4. HIC Bacon Press and Steak Weight
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Distribute heat evenly
- Structured with cast iron and wooden handle
- Adorable pig pattern on the bottom
- 7.75 inches cooking surface fits larger pans perfectly
- Suitable fore careful use with non-stick pans
- Handwash, rinse and dry
- Need to be seasoned by yourself
- The bottom is not flat, takes time to clean
5. New Star Foodservice Commercial Grade Iron Steak Weight
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Single piece durable iron body
- Wooden handle for comfortable grip
- Weigh: 2 pounds
- Not pre-seasoned
- Need extra weight on the press for a burger or firm meat.
6. Victoria Cast Iron Grill Press
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Flatten bacon and squeeze fat with texturized bottom
- Speed up meats and bacon from 8-4 minutes
- Screw-removable cool-touch wood handle
- Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil and ready to use.
- Measures: 8.3 x 4.4 inches perfect for 12 inches cast iron pan
- Weight: 2.15 pounds
- It takes a little effort to scrub and completely dry with the bottom.
7. Homenote Round Cast Iron Press and Basting Dome
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Made with heavy-duty cast iron
- Come with a stainless steel dome
- Cook meat evenly and melt cheese on several burgers at a time or steam vegetables
- Professional chef-level griddle set
- The press is not heavy enough for some people.
8. Cuisinart CGPR-223 XL Cast Iron Griddle Press
Free shipping
Amazon.com
- Durable cast iron construction
- Extra-large press for pressing multiple pieces at a time
- Add good weight to steak, chicken, or vegetables
- Wooden handle for comfortable grip
- Dimension: 10 x 10 inches
- Take more space for storage
What to Consider When Buying a Cast Iron Grill Press?
Weight
The best weight for cast iron grill presses is between 1 and 3 pounds. Larger presses tend to be heavier. These presses are large enough to flatten most foods without damaging them. When deciding on the weight of the grill press to purchase, consider the type of food you will be using it for. Steaks and other hard meats need a heavier press. However, delicate foods such as fish may break down if they are too heavy. Some lightweight models are portable for camping.
Size and shape
Cast iron grill presses tend to be rectangular, but some are round. A round grill press has the advantage of being able to cook indoors in a cast-iron skillet.
The larger the cast iron grill press is, the more food you can press at once. The standard length for rectangular grill presses is eight inches. Some presses are a little shorter. It is ideal for pressing full-sized bacon strips and can be used with an outdoor or indoor cast iron grill pan.
Before making a purchase, don’t forget to measure the size of the pan that you intend to use indoors and outdoors.
Construction
Cast iron is the primary material used in a cast-iron grill press. The flat surface of the cast iron grill press is heavy enough to hold food down but evenly distributed. For ease of use, grill presses have a handle. It can be made from cast iron, stainless steel, or wood. It should be strong and durable enough to last for many years.
Appearance & texturing
There are many cast iron grill presses on the market that can be imprinted with decorative handles and designs. Cast iron grill presses can have texture on their underside. This texture can be heated to create grill marks on sandwiches and steaks. This feature can be found on grill presses.
Seasoning
A cast iron grill press that has been seasoned can help protect it against rust, pitting, or other wear and tear. Some presses come pre-seasoned, so you can use them straight out of the box. Others require some seasoning. Although this isn’t a difficult task, it can take over an hour so make sure you have enough time to complete this chore.
Cast iron grill presses should not be washed in a dishwasher. Avoid soaking cast iron. To protect the seasoning, wash and scrub with your hand, then rinse it thoroughly and completely dry with a dry cloth or paper towel. The seasoning will be lost if the grill press is exposed to detergents or soaps. Never leave a cast-iron press air dry, otherwise, it will get rust.
Handle
Cast iron grill presses have a handle that prevents you from getting burned. The handle should be comfortable to hold and secure to the grill press. Even when heated, the handle should be cool to the touch. Although most handles are made from wood, some can be made of coiled stainless steel, which is an attractive option.
The handle is attached to your press. Some handles are part of the cast iron grill presses, but most are attached separately, often with bolts or screws. These should be checked and adjusted as needed.
What Is The Purpose Of A Cast Iron Grill Press?
The cast iron grill press is used to press down the grill cooking food to increase heat contact and ensure even heat distribution. This can reduce cooking time and remove fat from some kinds of meat, reducing grease splashing. A press with raised strips, or other patterns on the bottom can sear steaks and create grill lines. Also, it works well on paninis and other grilled sandwiches.
Can I Use A Cast Iron Grill Press In The Oven?
Yes. As long as your press has a metal handle, you can use it in the oven. If the handle is wooden, it will burn and smoke. Make sure to remove the wooden handle before putting the press in the oven.
How Can I Season A Cast-iron Grill Press?
Seasoning the grill press is an effective way to prevent it from getting rusting and sticking in use. If the press you bought is not pre-seasoned, you will need to season it yourself before using it. It is easy and can be completed within an hour and a half.
You can follow these steps to season your press:
- Season cast iron with an oil that has a high smoking point such as grapeseed oil, peanut oil, or canola oil.
Handwash the press and towel dry it. - Coat the press with oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. You can use a paper towel to wipe the oil evenly around the grill.
- Place the cast iron in the oven at 320 degrees for 15 minutes, or heat it in a cast-iron skillet for about 20 minutes on medium heat.
Make sure to remove any wooden handle before placing it in the oven. Pay attention to the high heat. - Then take out the press and re-coat the oil and place the press back in the oven or skillet for another round.
- Let the press cool down, then remove the oil with a towel paper, or dry cloth.
Seasoning twice or three times before use can ensure the best effect.
Avoid using soap and detergent to wash the cast iron grill press, because it will wash away the seasoning.
Hand wash, rinse and towel dry the press, never leave any cast iron to air dry. Therefore, you will never have a rust issue.
How To Clean An Iron Cast Grill Press?
Let the cast iron grill press cool in the pan or on the grill after use. It will still be very hot. Once the press is cool, you can easily remove any bacon or other food stuck to a grill press by rubbing kosher salt onto the press and then wiping it with a damp cloth. This will remove food particles from the grill press without affecting the seasoning. Then towel dries the press, oil it if necessary, and store it in a dry place.
Accessories
