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- Verified Buyer
This is a very well made item, but I am still working to find an easy way to use it. I tried heating it on the BBQ to sear burgers: they cooked but didn't brown because the steam couldn't escape. Grilled cheese pressing has been tricky: if the sandwich is not perfectly level, the press slides off, schloop. If I balance it in place it works great. Maybe I am missing some instructions on how best to use it. I gave it some stars because it's well made and easy to clean. I did temper the plate, and it does act like nonstick.I didn’t take a picture of the item in use. The device is sturdy, easy to use, and very easy to clean up. Wash with dish soap, dry immediately, and use a soft cloth to re-coat with cooking/olive oil.Perfect patty for me: pre-season 80/20 fat ground beef with salt and pepper generously. Roll into 2-3” balls, press with device on flat surface, place patties on a plate and cover. Place plate into the frig for an hour…let that salt and pepper set into your beef. Pull. Grill or heat to preference in a skillet. Makes a great burger. Keep it simple. A little onion powder in the ground beef is tasty too. Your call. - The Burger DoctorI use this for cooking bacon. I preheat my griddle pan and this press, then fry the bacon to just the way I like it. I also use it for hamburger press, and other times, but mainly for daily bacon. When it arrived, I assembled using a wrench and flatblade screwdriver and the handle is nice and tight, not loose at all. The handle stays cool enough to pick up the press without needing a hotpad, towel, glove, etc. It only fits my 10" (#8) skillets, griddle, and square grill pan, not my smaller 8", etc., Lodge skillets. Easily cleaned, just usually wipe it with a towel and it's ready for next time.While the lip around the rim makes this press less flexible than other options, it also makes it easy to get smash burgers the perfect thickness every time. The surface is nonstick enough that it easily releases from 80/20 beef without any help and the construction is rock solid. The factory seasoning is nice and thick too so I was able to get cooking with it after just a short rinse. For its stated purpose, I don't know what more you could ask.I have used many Lodge cast iron products for decades, made in South Pittsburgh, TN. Cast iron is sacred in the South, providing cherished heirloom cookware for future generations. This grill press is great for making smash burgers, keeping bacon from curling, or pressing a panini- type sandwich. I would have preferred a little larger one but this one has the wire handle, which means I can preheat it on the griddle or burner to toast or grill from the top while the bottom cooks. The one-piece presses with the curved cast iron handle are fine but I wanted something I could leave on the griddle for and extended time without fear of grabbing a hot iron handle. This one is pretty close to perfect for me.Works perfect with qtr pound of meat. Has a small lip on the underside so you can't go all the way flat like some smash burgers but that minimum height I find let's you maintain some substance rather than smashing it to bitsEasy to use. Perfect size for my skillet. I bought this as a second press to use with the first one for multi pieces of meat.The weight was perfect for ham, bacon anything needing flattening.Handles did not get hot and was very stable.Built like the ones of old.Well doneThe grill press itself is of a good quality but… If used over meat it just sweats it and instead of frying/grilling you end up with boiled meat.This however will happen to any other sort of a press, so I am not sure if I can mark it as a product’s fault.As I said it’s great for cheese toasties on the hob and for smashing/tinning my meats before cooking. I also use it to roughly ground spices, so I guess I’ve found it’s purpose in my kitchen ?♀️Hell of a price to pay but on balance I'm glad I chose this over cheaper alternatives. Definitely useful for its intended use. Have to find a surface to place it whilst attending to cooking items, but this is a minor carp. Not a necessary piece of equipment but if you decide to go down this avenue, it's a useful accessory.This is bigger and heavier than I thought. very solid high quality product. Fantastic door stop and paperweight as well as a very efficient meat press. You could easily knock out a burglar with this and if you buy 2 you can use them for weight training.An unusual gift, but well received at Christmas!Excellent product.
