A BBQ grill press is a simple grilling tool that produces delicious results.
If you enjoy perfectly cooked burgers, arrow-straight bacon, crunchy salmon skin, or grilled panini sandwiches with bold sear lines, you’ll love a grill press.
Grill presses are versatile, inexpensive, easy to use, and will usually last a lifetime with proper care.
So if you’re looking to elevate your grilling game with a BBQ grill press, keep reading to find the best grill press for your budget and cooking style.
Table of Contents
The Best BBQ Grill Presses
Below, you’ll find the top five BBQ grill presses on the market in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K in 2024. Click on the links to read reviews or browse prices. To jump ahead to the full reviews, click here.
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Best Grill Press Reviews
Here are the complete reviews of the 10 best BBQ grill presses available in 2024. Keep reading after the reviews for a guide on what to look for when choosing a grill press.
1. Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press – Best Overall Choice #1
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press is an ultra-tough, one-pound cast iron press that works just as well on the grill as it does in the oven or on the stovetop.
This cast iron griddle press comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so it’s almost ready to go right out of the box. All you have to do is tighten down the two acorn nuts and screws, fire up the grill, and get to work.
The Lodge cast-iron grill press comes with a heavy-duty cast iron base and a stay-cool spiral handle with a rustic hammered finish.
This press measures 6.75” x 4.5”, which is an ideal size. Not so small that it doesn’t cover food items, not so big that it traps in heat and steam.
This unit is cast iron, so it gives a lot without asking for much in return – just don’t leave it in the rain or let it soak in the sink overnight.
To clean, wash with warm water, dry, and apply a little vegetable oil to the surface.
If you’re looking for an American-made grill press that is affordable and tough enough to last a lifetime, check out the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press.
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2. Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press – Best Overall Choice #2
The Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press lands in the top five of the best BBQ grill presses for its rugged cast iron construction, ample weight, affordable price tag, and handsome appearance.
I should also mention that I like this grill press for its sizable footprint. This unit is 9.3” x 4.7” x 3.7”, so it’s ideal for grilling meats.
I also like that this unit has some weight behind it since cast iron presses tend to be heavier. At 2.8” pounds, it’s still light in hand but heavy enough to press out unwanted grease and ensure even heat distribution.
It also allows you to achieve desirable sear marks and flat, crunchy bacon.
This grill press is also a beauty. The cherry wooden handle looks sharp, feels comfortable in hand, and wears well. In fact, the more you use this durable press, the better the handle looks.
If you’re looking for a handsome grill press with an ideal weight, size, and price tag, take a look at the Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press. It’s also worth mentioning that Cuisinart backs this unit with a one-year warranty.
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3. Victoria Castiron Grill Press
Want to cut your cooking time in half and achieve enviable sear marks at the same time? The Victoria Castiron Grill Press will help you do it.
This cast iron burger press measures 8.3” x 4.4” and weighs 2.15 pounds. That’s enough weight to effortlessly flatten stubborn pieces of bacon and press fat burgers while still feeling comfortable in hand.
The wooden handle is also a nice touch: It wears well, stays cool, provides sufficient grip, and is big enough for large hands.
This cast-iron press is also ideally sized. Bacon doesn’t peek out from the ends of this press. It’s also wide enough to accommodate several rows of meat.
Unlike other presses, this one features a textured base—no more slipping and sliding.
I also like that this unit is ready to use out of the box. It’s pre-seasoned with 100 percent non-GMO flaxseed oil. No harmful PTFE and FOSAs are to be found here.
The Victoria Castiron Grill Press is tough as nails, perfectly sized, and economically priced – which is exactly why it made the top five on my list.
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4. Lodge LGPR3 Cast Iron Round Grill Press
The Lodge LGPR3 Cast Iron Round Grill Press is a 7.5” cast iron press with a round shape.
This unit made my best-of list for a few reasons.
First, it comes pre-seasoned with oil, so it’s essentially ready to use out of the box. I also like the spiral handle, which stays cool and looks classic.
Lodge is an American company, and they’ve been making cooking gear for more than a hundred years. And their experience shows.
The handle of the LGPR3 is extended and connected to the base of the meat press with a wide bracket. Grillers with big hands will have no trouble getting their claws around the handle without getting burned.
If you’re looking for a durable, smartly-designed round grill press that’s American-made, check out the Lodge LGPR3 Cast Iron Round Grill Press.
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5. Winco SWS-74 Silicone Sleeve Grill Press
The Winco SWS-74 Silicone Sleeve Grill Press is a well-designed thick stainless steel grill press.
Like cast iron, stainless steel is a fantastic heat conductor. Unlike cast iron, stainless steel is dishwasher safe, won’t rust, and doesn’t require any maintenance.
Another standout feature is the stay-cool handle, which is covered in a red silicone sleeve. Because of this, you don’t need to tiptoe around the tool or search for a towel when you need to lift the press off the grill.
The handle stays cool, even when exposed to 450 degrees Fahrenheit of heat.
This press measures 4” X 7.5” and weighs two pounds. So it’s the ideal size and weight for cooking bacon, sausage, burgers, even hashbrowns or cuts of seafood.
If you like crispy, flat bacon and evenly-cooked burgers but don’t want to have to maintain your grill press or worry about it rusting, the Winco SWS-74 Silicone Sleeve Grill Press may be the tool you need.
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6. Avant Pro Grade Cast Iron Grill Weight
The Avant Pro Grade Cast Iron Grill Weight comes with two cast iron grill presses – and for that, it scores extra points.
A single grill press is enough for couples but limiting for those who pack the grilling space. If you want to double your square footage, this package makes it possible.
This is a commercial-grade grill weight, so it’s rugged and well-designed.
Each press is 9” X 5”, so it is ideal for cooking longer cuts of meat and bacon. At 5.5 pounds, this is one of the heavier grill presses on my list.
Delicate foods may get squashed under the heavy load. Because of this, this press works the most magic when you’re grilling bacon strips, full-sized steak, and chicken breasts.
I also like the feel and location of the blonde wooden handle. The handle sits far enough from the hot cast iron that it doesn’t overhead. Plus, there’s ample room for grillers with big hands.
If you want to produce bold sear lines, press out excessive grease, and plan on cooking for a family or large group, the Avant Pro Grade Cast Iron Grill Weight may be a good choice for you.
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7. HOMENOTE Flat Top Grill Press and Burger Cover
The HOMENOTE Flat Top Grill Press and Burger Cover is a restaurant-grade press and basting dome package that’s rugged, sleekly designed, and surprisingly affordable.
Why a basting dome?
Well, this handy tool traps in natural juices and promotes even heat distribution. It’s also helpful in infusing flavor from toppings like garlic, onion, jalapenos, and cheese.
The basting dome is 12.5”, so it is big enough to cover multiple hamburger patties at the same time.
Worth mentioning, too; the dome is made from 304 stainless steel, so you don’t have to baby it. It won’t rust or dent – and you can throw it in the dishwasher when you’re done.
The cast iron meat press is a perfect companion piece to the dome. It’s made from heavy-gauge cast iron and measures 8.2” X 4.2” X 2.75”.
That’s an ideal length for pressing bacon while your burgers cook under the dome.
If you’re looking to bring the taste of your favorite burger restaurant to your home patio, the HOMENOTE Flat Top Grill Press and Burger Cover may be the unit to help you do it!
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8. The Sasquash – Professional Grade Burger Press
If you’re looking for even cooking and increased burger smashing power, check out The Sasquash – Professional Grade Burger Press.
This is a 5.5” X 5.5” burger press, so it’s designed explicitly for burger patties. And for that, it works well.
The press is made from stainless steel, so it won’t bend or rust, even if you leave it to soak in the sink or run it through the dishwasher.
If you like 5 Guys and Smashburger and wonder how they get those signature sears, look no further. This is the same design used by those burger joints, a smashed burger press.
Extra features include a wide handle made to accommodate two hands. Why? For extra smashing power!
If you want to bring the taste of your favorite burger joint to the patio, The Sasquash – Professional Grade Burger Press may be your secret weapon.
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9. Norpro Round Cast Iron Bacon Press
The Norpro Round Cast Iron Bacon Press is an 8.7” circular press, so it pairs well with cast iron skillets.
Round presses are ideal for pan-frying bacon and hashbrowns because they work a lot like a weighted lid. Grease splatters are eliminated, bacon comes out arrow-straight, and hashbrowns are perfectly browned.
The downside of a round press is that it’s not really suited for cooking seafood. Why? Because it traps heat and steam, so the skin may not be crisp or brown the way you like it.
The upside is that this cast iron bacon press does work well for cooking many other foods: grilled cheese, paninis, quesadillas, and breakfast items.
This round grill press features a wooden handle, which stays cool and sits comfortably in hand.
If you enjoy cooking bacon and the taste of perfectly grilled sandwiches, the Norpro Round Cast Iron Bacon Press may be a good investment.
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10. The Burger Iron Stainless Steel Burger Smasher
The Burger Iron Stainless Steel Burger Smasher is a 6” round grill press, and it made my list for a few reasons.
To start, it is manufactured from polished stainless steel. Because of this, this round press is easy to maintain. It won’t rust, crack, dent, and you can run it through the dishwasher.
Polished stainless steel is also a nonstick surface, a convenience that I welcome.
This unit weighs in just shy of one pound, so it’s easy to wield, feels good in the hand, and is still heavy enough to create an evenly-cooked burger with bold sear lines.
If you like supporting American-owned businesses, you’ll be happy to know that this cooking press is manufactured in the good old U.S. of A.
If you’re looking to grill up signature Smashburger-style patties and enjoy the convenience and durability of stainless steel, check out The Burger Iron Stainless Steel Burger Smasher.
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What to look for in a good grill press
Choose the Right Dimension
A common misconception about grill presses is that bigger (more surface area) means better.
Large presses indeed cover more food, but in my experience, huge presses work against us.
Here’s why:
When presses are too large, they perform more like lids than steak weights, trapping in heat and steam above and between food. As a result, food cooks quickly, but it may not be crisp or brown the way we want it to be.
Because of that, we typically have more success with smaller (not necessarily lighter) presses.
Smaller presses don’t trap heat and steam and are easier to maneuver. Plus, they allow us to monitor the cooking process without constantly lifting the meat press.
Heavy, but Not too Heavy
Press weight is also essential. When a grill press is too light (less than one pound), it’s harder to produce a good steakhouse sear.
Heavier presses (more than four pounds) work well for crisping the outside of burgers. However, they aren’t ideal for cooking sandwiches or salmon fillets.
Heavier units compress thick Italian bread nicely, but they have a habit of pushing out melting cheese onto the grates.
Here’s a video that nicely demonstrates what you can do with a large grill press.
Here’s a link to this Blackstone XL Grill Press if you’re interested.
The same goes for salmon. When grill presses are too heavy, they smash and deform delicate fillets.
You may find that moderately-weighted grill presses give you the most bang for your buck. Models that weigh 1.5 to 2.5 pounds perform well with a variety of foods.
They’re heavy enough to flatten but not so heavy that they damage or overcompress.
Stainless Steel or Cast Iron: What’s Ideal?
Grill presses are made from stainless steel, but cast iron is the manufacturing material of choice.
Stainless steel: Like cast iron, stainless steel grill presses can be preheated directly on the grates or stovetop. Stainless steel is tough, resists rust, and requires less maintenance than cast iron.
However, stainless steel does not retain heat as well as cast iron.
Because of that, stainless steel presses don’t produce the deep, bold sear lines we get from a cast iron grill press.
Cast Iron: Presses made from cast iron retain heat well, are cost-effective, and produce bold grill marks, crisp edges, and crunchy skin.
The downside is that heavy-duty cast iron requires more maintenance.
Unlike dishwasher-safe stainless steel, presses made from cast iron must be hand-washed, dried, and reseasoned after every use.
Without basic maintenance, heavy cast iron will rust.
But a little maintenance goes a long way. Cast iron grill presses are rockstar performers and will last a lifetime.
Mind Your Hands – and the Handle!
Our hands are, arguably, an essential tool in the grill kit. No hands, no grilling, no food.
When choosing a grill press, consider your hands.
I prefer handles that rise at least two inches above the hot cooking surface.
Two inches is plenty of distance from the heat – plus, it gives you enough room to grab the handle with a towel or potholder.
The handle material is equally important. Cast iron handles get dangerously hot. Wood handles and those wrapped in protective silicone stay cooler and give a nice comfortable grip.
What is the best grill press for you?
What’s the best BBQ grill press on the market? That depends on how and what you like to cook.
However, if I had to select a single standout performer, it’d be the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press.
At one pound, the Lodge grill press gives just the right amount of heft. Not too light, not too heavy. So it can be used to press salmon fillets, burgers, steaks, and sandwiches.
This unit is also made of cast iron, so it retains heat well, produces bold sear marks, and, if properly maintained, will last a lifetime.
This press earns extra points for its size, too. 6.75” x 4.5” is a large enough footprint to cover food without trapping heat and steam. The result: crispy skin, dark sear lines, and evenly cooked food.
If you’re looking for an American-made grill press that is affordable and tough enough to last a lifetime, check out the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press.
I hope you found my best BBQ grill press guide helpful.
Happy grilling!
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