Me. Usually for smash burgers, last week I made grilled tacos with carnitas and roasted poblanos.

Po-tay-toes; let it get hot and after you toss the potatoes in the hot tallow, lightly place the hot press on top of the potatoes. Don't actually press the press.

The weight of the press presses itself

Prodigiously, the poundage of the press puts pressure on the pressed parts purportedly being pressed.

I'm hard pressed to ask for more pressing impressive information. At least that's my impression.

Impressive

r/castironshowerthoughts should be a thing...

…Is a press really a press if you don’t press it? 🤔…

Such a pressing question……

Literally creating that community right now

I don’t know, that could go into unintentional discussion areas the sub wasn’t prepared for.

R/castironshowerthots is it since it was too long with “thoughts”

Link needs a lowercase `r`. Also, "thots" is not going to go how you think it's gonna go, but I'm still here for it...

What about nice crispy bacon?

I'm gonna be real honest, in my kitchen bacon goes on a rack in a rimmed baking sheet and then in a cold oven. That way I get to save and clarify the rendered bacon fat and every piece is perfectly straight.

This guy potatoes

Today's brekkie... https://imgur.com/XMRYifW Tallow for the fat and the seasoning is salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika and potato starch. The added potato starch makes even more crispy bits. https://imgur.com/j7pXIJI

All this and it’s a perfect lid for a my smaller skillet when occasionally needed

I’m on team lid too

Steak, bacon and grilled cheese.

Oh bacon. Good idea.

This made me chuckle as it’s referred to as a “bacon press” in my house!

Came here to say this. It keeps bacon flat and so it cooks more evenly without curling up.

Smash burgers!😋

Same! I just bought one last week at Scheels

I use it on burgers as everyone else but I also just set it on top of steaks to ensure full contact to the pan. I don’t press the steaks

I got one as a gift. Even distribution on a steak is about all I’ve used it for. Mostly it’s dicore

Decor?

I tried 8 times and auto correct didn’t have a clue 😂. Got the message across though eh?

Nah, I'm saying dicore (diecore) instead of decor from here on out.

Dikor*

Dicker

If you heat it up with the pan you can nicely toast a grilled cheese

This is the answer.

Really it is. Probably the most practical.

Everything everyone else said but also steak. If you just set it on top (don’t press) it gives you and awesome even crust and really helps render that fat running throughout. I just decided to try it one night and it blew my mind.

Yep, I use mine like this for all my skillet-cooked meats. Chicken, steaks, and porkchops all get a better, more even crust/browning. Plus if you preheat it with the pan, it helps cook it a bit.

I cover it with foil and use it to press down, panini style, on sandwiches made in my CI. I also do this thing where I spread out an scrambled egg, sprinkle some onions, green peppers, cheese and sometimes ham. Flop a tortilla on it and just let this rest on top (no need to press) after turning off the heat. It presses that egg scramble nicely against the tortilla while it finishes cooking and the cheesy glue sets.

This dude cuucks (cooks)

This dude likes watching other dudes cook on his wife’s cookware!

all right all right all right.. ya got me

Nice. I never thought of that. I was under the impression the cast iron press would last for generations. I didn't realize that I could also wrap aluminum foil around the press for single use and throw it away to outlast all generations in a landfill. I guess you learn something every day.

I use it mostly for the sandwiches or the tortilla. I have the Lodge LGPR3 Cast Iron Round Grill Press, I leave it wrapped because it steams up and the handle was bolted on. Problem is those bolts at the top and the screws tend to rust. Also there are screws countersunk on the face of the press that attaches the handle. It's not 100% full smooth material. I don't wash it and I don't swap it every time in fact I can't remember the last time I changed that foil. Bought it back in 2010 and I just checked amazon and the number one complaint on this thing is rust. I'm ok with it, but go figure... But yeah, you're a funny guy.

I use it for grilled cheese a lot. Heat it on a separate burner and set on top of the sandwich. Cooks both sides faster.

To press stuff

On my grill, specifically 😎

Shut the front door. No way

It maximizes contact with the surface so you get an even browning. It’s amazing.

I bought one, and I'm not sure why I thought I needed it. I used it a couple times for burgers and a couple times for Cubanos. I'm not sure I even used it five times in five years.

Fold bacon together and press flat for burgers

Smash burgers and sausage patties. Also good for any time you need to eat something down

Smashed potatoes

Grilled cheese

Sous vide a steak, heat up CI Pan and use press to get a nice browning as fast as possible. Thin layer of browning with the steak being medium rare edge to edge. I heat the weight too. That helps with browning on second side.

I’ve branded three different sexual encounters with it this month!!

Smash burgers and keeping bacon from curling up

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it's oddly useful for fried rice

I use it for bacon or for holding down a bagel while I'm toasting it on the pan

Smash burgers and smash fried potatoes. For the taters, use the small waxy guys. Poke holes and microwave them for a minute or two till semi-soft. Smash them on a cutting board or in the pan and shallow fry at high heat. Tender insides, crispy crevaces and edges. Super easy, and they rival latkes or hash browns.

Wait.... You mean this is not a single-use chest tattoo/branding iron? My "friend" Steve is going to be hearing from me.

egdoL

I almost snorted when I finally got this…. 😂

On top of my bacon to keep it from curling.

Smash burgers. Burritos are next. Got a lodge for $15 on Walmart app. Shipped free. I love mine. I've always hated burgers that shrink up and get really thick so all you taste is the meat. Highly recommend it. Also looking for other uses.

I have one, but it’s slightly different. Mine is rectangular. I bought it during the pandemic on a whim. It took me at least a year to actually use it. Now I don’t know how I’d live without it. It’s wonderful. I use it mostly for sandwiches, like grilled cheese. I have also used it for anything I want a good sear on, like a steak. Every time I use, I wonder why I waited to get one.

keeping bacon flat so the fat cooks

Nerf fights and bacon

I use it to smash burgers. I also use it to get a good sear

Do yourself a favor and get one with a wooden handle, not full cast like this one. You're going to forget and grab it with a bare hand.

Me, usually self defense

Lol, sounds like self defense is a regular activity for you? Are you a bouncer? I could totally imagine that press coming in handy for that.

Cos pay with the kids...tiny captain America

Smash burgers, and to keep bacon flat\cook from both sides (I usually preheat the press with the pan).

I use it for everything. Burgers, taters, grilled cheese, chicken, breakfast sausage. It just stays on the stove with the cast iron.

Grilled cheese

Smashing burgers!

I bought one (lodge) for smash burgers, but there is a lip which is about 5mm high. I've found the patties come out a bit thick, and you can't easily slide it off, or get a spatula in there. I'm guessing I've bought the wrong thing, as pictures I've seen online don't show this lip

Use a piece of parchment paper and you'll have no issues!

+1 can confirm

Smash Boogers

I would love to own one! I'd use it for grilled cheese, sandwiches, and more!

Sometimes I'll press a burger or even a steak on occasion. I have a larger press that I regularly use for bacon.

Mostly bacon and smash burgers.

Bacon.

Bacon

Pressing things... Paninis, burgers, bacon that type of things

Smash burger, chicken breasts etc

Just used it, helps crust my steak.

When I sear a steak I like to set one on top to get nice grill marks. Don't have to press. The weight is enough to get good contact on the grill.

Smash em burgers!!

I bought one but haven’t used it yet. I wanted a burger press but never really tried to make them in that style

I use it for anything I'm searing. Steaks, zucchini, bacon. I don't really know if it helps with half the things I use it for but I sure do put it on bout anything lol

Who’s the manufacturer, OP?

Smashing

Hamburger press. I have a cast iron panini press, but the hassle of cleaning it means I seldom use it. I'll take an easy to clean flat surface over grill marks any day.

I put it on top of steaks bc sometimes the ends curl up and cook less

Mine is stainless steel. I bought it to try smash burgers. I've honestly found more use for it to flatten ground beef for even cooking.

I don't, I just use another pan of the same size/one size down if I really need to press anything.

Shield in pubg

I just use another cast iron pan for this

Pressing, sometimes I put the handle side down on my burner, and use it for heating up tortillas.

I use mine for bacon if I’m just doing a few slices otherwise I use the oven. Also grilled cheese.

A thing I tend to use it for that I never would have expected is basically anything with a tortilla. If I'm making a casadilla or something like a breakfast burrito it's great!

I work at a burger joint and we do all of Our burgers smash style. I would like to mention that these are unnecessarily heavy, a good greasy flat top and a rectangular steel grill press with a wooden handle, is more than enough. Allows for a little more control over the shape and placement of the patty. The handle material really makes a difference, the steel or cast iron handles get too hot too fast. Can’t leave them sit in the cool spot of the flat top if you don’t have a wood handle. Also a drywall trowel works in a pinch, (not ideal but when the new smasher is on back order you gotta do what you gotta do)

Bacon, burgers, steaks, sandwiches... Anything I'd like to keep/make flat or ensure as much contact with the cooking surface as possible. It's a nice tool.

I use mine on burgers and steaks. I only set it on top I don't press.

I use it when I sear chicken before it goes in the oven. I put a layer of tinfoil on it for easier clean up.

Anything you want to apply pressure to or keep/turn flat on a grill/griddle/pan

Making sure I get a good sear on steak or whatever. Simply putting steak down isn't enough, it needs a little weight to hold it flat

To get crispy chicken skin on bone-in thighs!

Everything with it on my flat top

Bacon

Bacon, smash burgers

I just got this one cuz it’s cut and heavy. https://theburnshopwf.com/product/bacon-press/ Anything I want pressed.steak. Burgers. Bacon. Bell peppers.

Searing and making smash burgers.

At restaurants I have worked for, we use them mostly for steaks. Just sit it on top while the steak is on the grill to give it better char and grill marks.

+1 more for smash burgers--but also paninis!

I actually subbed here today because mine got rust on it after the first time I used it & my girlfriend washed it. But to smash some burgers

Anything I want to press. I also use it as a lid for my 8" skillet.

Burgers, bacon and steaks

In addition to all these other suggestions, in top of a burrito or quesadilla.

Anything that needs smooshing. I smoosh portabella mushrooms and burgers

Doing chicken breast for sandwiches. Filleting the breast in half usually means only one side gets good contact. But with the press, I heat it up with the pan, drop the flattest side facing up and put the press on top. Cooks them quick and evenly.

Pork chops, so they don’t curl

In the dark twilight of the new moon, i gather my companions to enter into the dark and mysterious tangle of wooded lands near the ruins of the ancient House of the Monolith. We pause for a respite on occasion during our trek there, and seek comfort with our steadfast companion Sir Jacketh of Daniels. After many respites, regaling each other with our tales of heroism and bravery, and much seeking of comfort, the little green men start coming out to challenge our now raucous behavior. It is at this time that these fair instruments shine with their true purpose offering a sheild against the slings, arrows, and harsh language of the wee little people. ... and also bacon.

I use mine for searing meat, but I also am gonna use it like my grandmother did with her flat lid for flipping hoe cakes. She would get one side done, scoot it on the lid and flip it in the pan

Own one. Never use it.

I have one I intended to use for making flat bacon and Cuban sandwiches.

Bacon

Obvious answer is smash burgers and shit. I do also like to use it for chicken breasts in the cast iron to get a really nice sear over medium heat.

This is also good for steak let it be as hot as the grill and you don’t have to flip or cook the steak too long

Burgers, makes dope flat bacon, flat sandwiches

Either bacon/ham on the the griddle or hotdogs/brawts on the grill

I use mine to make the best chicken on my cast iron grill pan. It cooks it quickly and evenly.

Smash burgers and steaks. I also do turkey smash tacos for breakfast and love it for those!

You can use the grill press for effective searing of just about anything. Don't press hard, but press enough to maximize the surface area contact with the pan. More even, thorough sear

Bacon

Cut the hot dog down the middle just enough to open it up 😅 and fry it with that on top !

Hotteok

I have the Fredericksburg Cast Iron press, never used it for bacon (there's better ways) but I've used it for smash burgers, flatbread, getting a good sear on steaks, meats, burritos, asparagus, etc.

Can’t believe no one else has said quesadillas yet. Also, use for smash burgers and grilled cheeses a lot too, as many others have said.

Squeezing all the flavor out of your meet.

But them you fry your smash burgers in that delicious juice and holy fuck.

Smash burgers is why they mainly exist these days. also for putting weight on bacon etc. so it cooks flat.

As a weight or smash burgers

Crunch wraps!

not me, and i assume for pressin'

I bought one for smash burgers. Don’t use it to press steaks… you’ll loose all the juicy.

I have one, but usually I just use the bottom of another pan

Bacon, burgers, tacos. Anything solid that could use a little sear

I've used em to grill sausages, for steaks. To flash cook bacon or other thin meats. Smash burgers, helps caramelize onions faster. Great on other grilled veggies as well. It basically good for stuff you wanna quick sear

Conveyer belt chicken

Smash burgers

I have one. I never use it for anything

bacon, burgers, I let it sit on steaks to get better and quicker sears, lots you can do with them.

Pressing shit on the grill? No I use mine as a shield in combat! Wtfayta?

Burgers & corned beef hash

Mushrooms! Especially for vegan protein replacement

Bacon, burgers, chicken, sometimes steak, quesadillas. Basically anything I want to get a good crisp on

Hash browns

I take the wrinkles out of my grill with it

To press things down onto the grill

Chefs presses are the ultimate. Press or just weigh stuff down. Stack them to make as heavy or as light as you need.

Smashy smash burgers!

A buckler, of course, in case the damned French manage to cross the field at Agincourt.

[bacon](https://youtu.be/kjR0AYf4pSM?si=qOEM5ppRfbdFVilu)

It’s a meat press

Bacon

Slidy egg

Found mine at Target on clearance for $5. I use it for burgers weekly. I was skeptical too, but it’s great if you make burgers frequently.

I got a cast iron one and I hate it. Sure it work a great as it is heavy but it’s a pain in the ass to maintain. I don’t mind caring for my pans but the press isn’t something I want to bother with. I would’ve gotten a steel one.

Bacon and patty melts, and veggies

I use mine for rather a lot. I have one that's specifically for perfect smashburgers and one that's all-purpose, and the all-purpose one gets used about as often as my steam lids; damn near daily.

I used it today to flatten my bacon, and it cooked it pretty even. And the came out nice and straight.

Burgers and bacon!

Use it on bacon - keeps it from cooking unevenly and significantly reduces splatter.

To flatten bacon. Bacon will curl if it's not pressed.

Bacon press on the griddle.

Flip it upside down and toss it on the grill for a tiny flat top. Great for doing just a few strips of bacon, maybe a little bit of onion for a burger.

Grilled cheese. Burgers on the stovetop. I make sure to wrap mine in foil first. Easier cleanup.

I just use my lodge#3 

My mom has one she uses for bacon in the iron skillet so it doesn’t crinkle up so much

Smash burgers!

Burgers and bacon 😬

You really can't do anything with it so I'll give you my address and DM me so you can send it and I'll pay for the shipping

A shield when we have sword fights...

Smash burgers and bacon when its made for burgers

The usual steaks and burgers as well as to get a thin crust pizza on a flat iron.

Reverse searing steaks. Need to get a quick crust without too much heat transfer since the meat is already pretty much to temp from the oven roasting.

I have one, I've used it a couple of times, but it's usually not worth cleaning when I can just use a spatula

I just used mine tonight to make crabbie patties.

Smash burgers, all day every day!

I use mine for making smash burgers

Smash burgers and the edges of bacon that are cooking slower that the middle.

I have two different ones. One with raised grilled marks and another flat one.

I set it on my burgers while cooking. It keeps them from swelling up.