With this hamburger press you shape loose mince into burgers that all have the same thickness and diameter. That sounds like a small detail, but it's exactly why burgers on the BBQ sometimes disappoint: a thicker burger needs longer than the thin one next to it, so you always end up pulling one off too dry or one off too raw. With a press that difference disappears.
Why a hamburger press improves the result
Shaping a burger by hand is fine, until you need to make eight of them for a table full of people. Then the thickness and diameter start to vary and the cooking time becomes a guess. The press gives you the same shape every time, so you can steer towards a single core temperature. Added bonus: you knead the mince less, and that light handling is exactly what keeps the burger loose and juicy instead of compact.
- Equal thickness and diameter, so one cooking time for the whole batch
- Fit precisely inside a standard bun
- Less kneading, so the structure of the mince stays intact
- Work fast: a whole stack of patties in a few minutes
- Handy for prepping ahead and keeping the patties chilled
How to make burgers with it
Work with cold mince, that sticks less. Place a sheet of paper under and over the mince, weigh out an equal amount per burger and press down gently until the shape is filled. Push a light dimple into the middle of the patty with your thumb: that closes up during cooking and stops the burger from puffing up.
Storing and cleaning
Stack the patties with a sheet of paper in between, so they don't stick together in the fridge or freezer. Clean the press straight after use with warm water and washing-up liquid, before fat and protein dry into the edges.
Bill's tipSeason only after the patty is shaped. Salt that goes through the mince too early draws out moisture and makes the burger firm instead of tender.
Want to press your burgers flat against the plate while they cook instead? Take a look at the cast iron meat and burger press. To flip them without breaking, grab the burger flipper, and the rest of the tools are at bbq tools.
