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Editor's pick

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press with Cool-Grip Spiral Handle, 4.5 x 6.75 Inch

Press a steak flat against the pan and you get edge-to-edge crust — not a seared center ringed by pale, untouched meat.

Price today

$25

Verified ratings

4.7/ 10,300

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press with Cool-Grip Spiral Handle, 4.5 x 6.75 Inch

Why we picked it

01

Full-contact sear

Steaks and chops cup as they hit the heat, so only the middle touches the pan. A few pounds of iron on top flattens the meat into the surface for crust corner to corner.

02

Earns its keep beyond steak

Crisps bacon flat instead of curled, weighs down a smash burger, and presses a panini. It's a one-job tool that quietly has five jobs.

03

Stores its own heat

Pre-seasoned cast iron with a cool-grip spiral handle. Preheat it alongside the pan and it adds searing heat from above instead of cooling the meat down.

From the manufacturer

Product details

  • Pre-seasoned cast iron, ready to use — improves with every cook
  • Flattens steaks, chops, bacon, and smash burgers for even, edge-to-edge browning
  • Cool-grip spiral handle is easier to hold than a solid iron grip
  • Works on cast iron, carbon steel, flat-tops, and grill grates
  • Holds heat, so a preheated press adds sear instead of cooling the meat

Description

A pre-seasoned cast-iron grill press from Lodge that flattens buckling cuts into full contact with the heat. The cool-grip spiral handle stays more manageable than solid iron, and the rectangular plate covers a steak, a row of bacon, or a smash burger. Preheat it for a sear that comes from both sides at once.

How it stacks up

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press with Cool-Grip Spiral Handle, 4.5 x 6.75 Inch

★ Our pick

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press with Cool-Grip Spiral Handle, 4.5 x 6.75 Inch

Lodge

$25

4.7(10,300)

Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press

Heavier

Cuisinart Cast Iron Grill Press

Cuisinart

$42

4.7(20,800)

Victoria Cast Iron Grill Press

Budget

Victoria Cast Iron Grill Press

Victoria

$14

4.7(6,000)

MaterialCast ironCast iron (nonstick)Cast iron
Footprint6.75 x 4.5 in8.9 x 4.5 in6.6 x 4.6 in
Weight~1.8 lbs~2.5 lbs~1.7 lbs
HandleCool-grip spiralWoodAll iron
SeasoningPre-seasonedNonstick coatFlaxseed oil
In shortOur pick — The right size and weight for home steaks without the price or bulk of the bigger presses — and the cool-grip handle makes it the easiest of the three to actually live with.Bigger rectangle with a wooden handle and a non-stick finish — more weight, more money.Flaxseed-seasoned and cheap, with an all-iron handle that gets hot — fine if you keep a mitt nearby.
Check it outView on AmazonView on AmazonView on Amazon

Common questions

Do I need to preheat the press?
For the best sear, yes. A cold press pulls heat out of the surface it touches. Set it on the skillet or grill for a couple of minutes first so it's adding heat, not stealing it.
Will it work on a grill grate, not just a pan?
Yes. It's at home on cast iron, carbon steel, a flat-top, or directly over grill grates. Anywhere you want even contact, it helps.
Is the handle actually cool to the touch?
The spiral handle stays cooler than solid iron and is usually grabbable bare-handed for short presses, but if it's been preheating on the grill, use a towel or mitt to be safe.
Who shouldn't buy it?
If you only cook flat, well-behaved cuts that already sear evenly, you may not need it. It shines on cuts that buckle — steaks, chops, bacon, burgers.

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Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill Press with Cool-Grip Spiral Handle, 4.5 x 6.75 Inch
Check price on Amazon