1/4 to 1/2lb Burger patty press.

[Fraser]

I just use my trusty kitchen scale and a Solo soufflé cup lid. Works great, don’t care where it comes from; throw it away when done. Faster than digging out some gadget. Cost: less than a penny.

 

[gmc2003]

This is how us poor/cheap folks roll.
Lay down a piece of parchment paper, and add the rounded burger meat. Size is no issue

Cover the meat with another piece of parchment

Use a dinner plate to gentle press down with equal pressure

and BINGO your burger is formed.

all that's left is the smoking

Chris

 

[chef k-dude]

I'm curious as to why people use burger presses. I know they exist, but have never known why outside of commercial production, a regular home cook needs one. Is it the desire to have factory made looking hamburgers at home?

However, there WAS a day when we used square ciabatta buns...I was a metalworker at the time (retired) and I sliced 4" square aluminum tubing to use for forming the burgers. Made them fit the ciabatta well! I also sliced some 3" round stainless tubing to contain poached eggs in the pan for eggs Benedict.

I've got an old 1890's lathe out in my shop, and a benchtop mill. Hmmm... Is it overkill if the burger press uses hydraulics? haha... But seriously, I may try making one. Sounds like a fun project for some rainy day..

Today, this is probbaly the only place you are going to get a burger press made in the USA. There ARE metal shops still in America. But tradesmen make $30-$40+ an hour these days in America. They have factories in China with nets around them so the workers dont throw themselves to their death, I get why people want "Made In The USA" back.

I challenge those that REALLY want American made to take your design to your local metal shop. Or have them copycat something from China the way they do our designs. You can pay them $500-$2,000 or use the Chinese made version for $20.

The other way to maybe get something American Made is to go antiquing. My wife loves to do that, and I find the shops fascinating in a different way. She's looking to browse and spend all this time in them like a woman typically does and gets a little frustrated with me because I disappear and dont stick with her looking at freaking colored glass or whatever. I'm off on a mission to find tools and cookware that is unique. Usually dont leave with anything nowadays because I have all the old manual tools now for when the power grid goes down! Yep, I can drill a hole using just a hand tool!

But seriously, I found an old pyrex 8x8" 2" deep glass casserole baking dish with nearly square corners. Never seen one other than the one I have now! A burger press from a USA foundry HAS to be out there somewhere!

 

[Torch&Tone]

This is how us poor/cheap folks roll.

To form a patty, I just use... my palms...? Putting a slight dent in the middle helps compensate for the center bulging up when cooking.

As for smashburgers, good or bad, they are popular: https://sherwood.news/culture/smash-burgers-latest-food-trend-going-mainstream-2024/

 

[Smokin Okie]

Actually, I've been smoking my burgers, sort've Malcolm Reed style. Except I do the same as reverse searing a steak and I smoke the burger using 6 B&B briquettes and a pecan chunk in my Kettle. That gets me a cooking temp of about 225 for an hour.

Then I pour in a full chimney in my SnS and sear.

A lot like this except I'm smoking the burger a lot longer than 10 minutes ..........

 

[Smokin Okie]

What I'm doin is closer to the L&L burger

 

[forktender]

This is how us poor/cheap folks roll.
Lay down a piece of parchment paper, and add the rounded burger meat. Size is no issue
View attachment 700259
Cover the meat with another piece of parchment
View attachment 700260
Use a dinner plate to gentle press down with equal pressure
View attachment 700263
and BINGO your burger is formed.
View attachment 700267
all that's left is the smoking
View attachment 700268
Chris

That's how I do it as well, Chris.

 

[gmc2003]

That's how I do it as well, Chris.

My mom would just form them in the palm of her hands and they turned out like mini-meatloafs. It was a long standing joke growing up when dad fired up the grill.

Chris

 

[forktender]

I'm curious as to why people use burger presses. I know they exist, but have never known why outside of commercial production, a regular home cook needs one. Is it the desire to have factory made looking hamburgers at home?

However, there WAS a day when we used square ciabatta buns...I was a metalworker at the time (retired) and I sliced 4" square aluminum tubing to use for forming the burgers. Made them fit the ciabatta well! I also sliced some 3" round stainless tubing to contain poached eggs in the pan for eggs Benedict.



Today, this is probbaly the only place you are going to get a burger press made in the USA. There ARE metal shops still in America. But tradesmen make $30-$40+ an hour these days in America. They have factories in China with nets around them so the workers dont throw themselves to their death, I get why people want "Made In The USA" back.

I challenge those that REALLY want American made to take your design to your local metal shop. Or have them copycat something from China the way they do our designs. You can pay them $500-$2,000 or use the Chinese made version for $20.

The other way to maybe get something American Made is to go antiquing. My wife loves to do that, and I find the shops fascinating in a different way. She's looking to browse and spend all this time in them like a woman typically does and gets a little frustrated with me because I disappear and dont stick with her looking at freaking colored glass or whatever. I'm off on a mission to find tools and cookware that is unique. Usually dont leave with anything nowadays because I have all the old manual tools now for when the power grid goes down! Yep, I can drill a hole using just a hand tool!

But seriously, I found an old pyrex 8x8" 2" deep glass casserole baking dish with nearly square corners. Never seen one other than the one I have now! A burger press from a USA foundry HAS to be out there somewhere!

Because I just ground up two big Chuckie's and a massive brisket, and want to freeze up some preformed patties, why else ? Your theory was debunked when clifish posted this link.

Weber Burger Press

Weber Burger Press - 6483

www.acmetools.com

Thanks for your long winded reply, though.

 

[chopsaw]

posted this link.

In the FYI department , I've done business with Acme tools more than once . I've bought some floor model shop tools from them , and some basic hand tools / router bits and such .
Great company . They sell all kinds of stuff including grills .
I looked at that burger press and saw that my local Ace hardware has it in stock .

 

[Brokenhandle]

We use burger presses cuz we want to! Maybe we think we need a new gadget... I don't know. But by golly if we think it's cool then it is! I like new toys!

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

This thread is sliding to the dark side.
I abhor the YouTube links that ramble on for 15 minutes for 2 minutes of content. Same for any politician.
I don't use a press, but if the unit clifish posted is made in the USA there is hope.

 

[Smokin Okie]

This thread is sliding to the dark side.
I abhor the YouTube links that ramble on for 15 minutes for 2 minutes of content. Same for any politician.
I don't use a press, but if the unit clifish posted is made in the USA there is hope.

Yeah, I get that too. That kid at the start of the L&L video was annoying. I almost did not make it through him to get to the good parts.

 

[chef k-dude]

Because I just ground up two big Chuckie's and a massive brisket, and want to freeze up some preformed patties, why else ? Your theory was debunked when clifish posted this link.

Weber Burger Press

Weber Burger Press - 6483

www.acmetools.com

Thanks for your long winded reply, though.

You answered my question. Thank you. That is nearly commercial level production, so I can see the want for a burger press for quick production of many burgers.

Not a chance that Weber burger press for $15.50 is made in the USA. I called Weber customer service (anyone else do that?) and they couldn't tell me where it is made and the representative was clearly English as a second language which would have annoyed you since you clearly have a problem with that (so do I, seldom do I encounter an actual American in customer service).

I will be sure to avoid replying to your posts going forward. Being long winded is my nature. Just like the "strong silent types" is their nature. It's the quiet ones we should be careful around...

 

[forktender]

Okie dokie!!!

 

[chef k-dude]

Weber 6483 Original Burger Press​

 

[912smoker]

In the FYI department , I've done business with Acme tools more than once . I've bought some floor model shop tools from them , and some basic hand tools / router bits and such .
Great company . They sell all kinds of stuff including grills .
I looked at that burger press and saw that my local Ace hardware has it in stock .

I'd stay clear of any ACME products.
They never work properly.
Just ask Wile E Coyote .
But didn't call and verify

Keith

 

[yankee2bbq]

I have a Lodge burger press. Crafted in America. Bought it from Ace Hardware. May work for you. Check it out.

Lodge Cast Iron Burger Press 6.25 in. W Mfr# L6BP - Ace Hardware

The Lodge 6.25 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press is made for decades of cooking and comes seasoned for an easy-release finish that improves with use. This circular burger press is sure to make perfect patties every time. Crafted in America with iron and oil, Lodge's naturally seasoned cooking...

www.acehardware.com

 

[forktender]

I have a Lodge burger press. Crafted in America. Bought it from Ace Hardware. May work for you. Check it out.

Lodge Cast Iron Burger Press 6.25 in. W Mfr# L6BP - Ace Hardware

The Lodge 6.25 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press is made for decades of cooking and comes seasoned for an easy-release finish that improves with use. This circular burger press is sure to make perfect patties every time. Crafted in America with iron and oil, Lodge's naturally seasoned cooking...

www.acehardware.com

Is that more like a bacon press to add pressure while cooking for more uniform browning?
Or too form burgers?

 

[yankee2bbq]

Is that more like a bacon press to add pressure while cooking for more uniform browning?
Or too form burgers?

Its to form burgers. Its not a flat press. It has a lip on it around the perimeter.