Perfecting the Griddle: Best Burger Skills

I make smashburgers on steel frequently. They are bad ass and when you try it by doing this, you'll never return. I created the Baking Steel back in 2012 for pizza however honestly, smashburgers may be the thing I prepare on steel more than anything else nowadays. The work is getting your hamburger bar together: chopped pickles, onions, cheese, unique sauce.

Get your griddle or steel ripping hot. You need to work quickly. We're cooking these for 30-60 seconds per side, and you desire it shrieking hot for that Maillard response, the sear that makes smashburgers famous. I like to smash for good friends. The majority of the time, they've already had our Baking Steel pizza, and I like to blend the menu.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

I have actually made smash burgers on this thing that individuals still talk about. Smashing the beef thin makes the most of contact with the hot steel, triggering the Maillard response, the chemical procedure that creates that deep, savory, browned flavor we all long for.

Your first hamburger and your 4th get the same extraordinary edge-to-edge crust without the temperature level dropping. I 'd understand my household has actually been in the steel service for over 50 years at our store in Hanover, MA. I understand this material, and I developed these frying pans particularly to fix the heat retention problem that cast iron can't.

Creating Gourmet Recipes with Signature Burgers

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

Instantly smash them very thin (about 1/4 inch) with a stiff spatula or press. To prevent sticking, you can place a small piece of parchment paper in between the meat and the spatula. Season the smashed patties generously with kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Prepare 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, guaranteeing you scrape up all the crispy, browned bits. Turn it over. Immediately place a piece of cheese on the flipped patty. Prepare for another 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese. Quickly toast your buns on a cooler part of the griddle for 15-20 seconds.

Comparing Flat-Top versus Traditional Grilling Methods

Cheese melting completely on the Mini Frying pan Cast iron is the standard choice for smashburgers, and it works. I used cast iron for several years. After testing both side-by-side for over a years, I changed to steel. And look, I'm not simply a guy with a viewpoint. My household has actually run because the 1960s.

I comprehend how it stores and transfers heat in a way many individuals never ever think about. Here's the difference: That indicates it recovers temperature faster in between hamburgers.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

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

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

Delicious Dinner Inspiration for Grilling in 2026

Friends lose their minds when they see it. They walk up expecting regular grilled hamburgers and instead they see me smashing patties on a slab of American-made steel on the grill. It's an entire thing. Perfect smash hamburgers made on the Baking Steel Original on an outside grill I designed each of these for a specific usage case.

It fits on a single burner and is perfect for households or burger night with buddies. is compact and ideal for 1-2 hamburgers. It's fantastic for small kitchens, homes, or solo cooking. 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 place it on your grill for smashburgers, steaks, and more.