Perfecting the Griddle: Best Burger Techniques

I make smashburgers on steel often. They are bad ass and as soon as you attempt it this method, you'll never ever return. I invented the Baking Steel back in 2012 for pizza but truthfully, smashburgers might be the thing I cook on steel more than anything else nowadays. The work is getting your hamburger bar together: sliced pickles, onions, cheese, special sauce.

Get your griddle or steel ripping hot. You need to work fast. We're cooking these for 30-60 seconds per side, and you want it shouting hot for that Maillard response, the sear that makes smashburgers famous. I love to smash for buddies. The majority of the time, they have actually currently had our Baking Steel pizza, and I like to mix up the menu.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

I've made smash hamburgers on this thing that people still speak about. Smashburgers in the house are off the charts. Here's how I do it. More surface location equals more taste. Smashing the beef thin optimizes contact with the hot steel, setting off the Maillard reaction, the chemical procedure that creates that deep, savory, browned taste we all yearn for.

Your first burger and your fourth get the same unbelievable edge-to-edge crust without the temperature dropping. I 'd know my family has actually remained in the steel company for over 50 years at our shop in Hanover, MA. I comprehend this product, and I developed these griddles particularly to fix the heat retention issue that cast iron can't.

Creating Elevated Menus with Top-Rated Burgers

Let it pre-heat for 10-15 minutes up until it's ripping hot (around 500-550F). This is the same principle behind our pizza steels fill the steel with heat, and it does the work for you.

Instantly smash them really thin (about 1/4 inch) with a stiff spatula or press. To prevent sticking, you can put a little piece of parchment paper in between the meat and the spatula. Season the smashed patties kindly with kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Cook for 60-90 seconds. You'll see the edges turn a deep, crispy brown.

Utilize a bench scraper or stiff spatula to get under the patty, ensuring you scrape up all the crispy, browned bits. Flip it over. Immediately place a piece of cheese on the turned patty. Cook for another 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese. Quickly toast your buns on a cooler part of the griddle for 15-20 seconds.

Building Elevated Recipes with Top-Rated Burgers

Cheese melting perfectly on the Mini Griddle Cast iron is the traditional option for smashburgers, and it works. After checking both side-by-side for over a decade, I switched to steel.

I understand how it stores and transfers heat in a way most people never believe about. Here's the difference: That suggests it recovers temperature faster between burgers.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Steel does not drop. You get the very same screaming-hot crust on your very first burger and your 4th. It warms up quicker and distributes heat more evenly. No hot spots, no cold areas. Just consistent, edge-to-edge browning. No flavoring, no babying. Simply cook, scrape, wipe tidy. I have actually checked cast iron, stainless-steel, and every frying pan on the market.

Preheat the grill and steel for 15-20 minutes on high heat, then smash your hamburgers right on the steel. You get the very same extraordinary crust with the included advantage of outside cooking and that subtle smoky flavor from the grill.

Understanding Flat-Top vs Traditional Grill Techniques

Pals lose their minds when they see it. They stroll up expecting regular grilled burgers and instead they see me smashing patties on a piece of American-made steel on the grill. It's an entire thing. Perfect smash burgers made on the Baking Steel Original on an outside grill I developed each of these for a particular usage case.

It fits on a single burner and is ideal for households or hamburger night with friends. is compact and perfect for 1-2 burgers. It's fantastic for small kitchen areas, apartment or condos, or solo cooking. Very same heat retention, smaller sized footprint. is the one that started all of it. Use it in the oven for pizza, or take it outdoors and location it on your grill for smashburgers, steaks, and more.