Big Green Egg Cast Iron Grill Press

Enamelled cast iron grill press for Big Green Egg. Creates perfect smash burgers with crispy edges and prevents food curling. Cool-grip spiral handle stays safe to handle during use. Heavy-duty construction distributes heat evenly for crisp sear marks. Available at our Wetherill Park showroom from a Big Green Egg Platinum Dealer.

The Big Green Egg Cast Iron Grill Press improves cooking performance by applying weight directly onto food as it cooks. This pressure increases contact between the food surface and the hot cooking grid, eliminating air gaps that slow heat transfer. The result is faster cooking, more pronounced grill marks, and better browning.

Cast iron construction provides the mass needed to apply meaningful pressure without crushing delicate foods. The weight compresses foods gently but firmly, creating full-surface contact with the grid. This consistent pressure produces even cooking and uniform colour development.

The press excels at preventing curling in foods that naturally contract during cooking. Bacon strips, thin steaks, and burgers all tend to curl at the edges as proteins contract from heat. The grill press holds these foods flat, maintaining their shape and ensuring edge-to-edge contact for complete cooking.

We stock Big Green Egg Cast Iron Grill Presses at our Wetherill Park showroom. As a Big Green Egg Platinum Dealer, we maintain comprehensive inventory of genuine EGG accessories and provide expert guidance on grilling techniques backed by seven years of hands-on experience.

Key Features

Enamelled Cast Iron Construction

The grill press features heavy-duty enamelled cast iron construction that combines durability with easy maintenance. The enamel coating provides a smooth, non-reactive surface that resists sticking and simplifies cleaning compared to bare cast iron that requires seasoning maintenance.

Cast iron retains heat exceptionally well. When you place the press on hot food, the iron mass absorbs heat from the food surface while simultaneously radiating stored heat back into the food. This thermal interaction accelerates cooking on the pressed side.

The enamel coating eliminates seasoning requirements. You do not need to oil the press after each use or worry about rust formation during storage. The enamel surface maintains its properties indefinitely with basic washing.

Cool-Grip Spiral Handle

The cool-grip spiral handle provides a safe gripping surface during use. The spiral design creates air gaps between the metal coils that slow heat transfer from the hot press body to the outer surface where your hand makes contact. This allows the handle to remain cooler than a solid metal handle under identical conditions.

The coiled design conforms naturally to hand contours and provides secure purchase when positioning the press on food or lifting it to check cooking progress.

While the handle stays cooler than the press body, it will heat up during extended use. Monitor handle temperature and use heat-resistant gloves if the press remains on hot food for prolonged periods.

Perfect for Smash Burgers

The Cast Iron Grill Press excels at creating smash burgers, a cooking technique that produces crispy, caramelized edges and juicy centres. Place a ball of ground beef on the hot cooking grid and immediately press down firmly with the grill press. The weight flattens the meat into a thin patty while forcing maximum surface contact with the hot grid.

This aggressive contact creates intense browning through the Maillard reaction. The edges of the smashed patty become especially crispy as they make direct contact with grid wires at high temperature. The thin profile cooks quickly, developing crust before interior moisture escapes.

The press weight provides consistent pressure across the entire patty surface. Manual pressing with a spatula creates uneven pressure that produces thick centres and thin edges. The grill press distributes force uniformly, creating even thickness.

Prevents Food Curling

Proteins contract when heated, causing thin or unevenly shaped foods to curl at the edges. Bacon is the classic example: strips curl into waves as fat renders and proteins tighten. Thin-cut steaks, chicken cutlets, and burgers all exhibit curling to varying degrees.

The grill press counteracts this tendency by physically restraining the food in a flat position. The weight holds edges down against the cooking grid even as proteins attempt to contract. This produces flat, evenly cooked results instead of curled pieces.

Flat foods cook more predictably than curled foods. Temperature and timing guidelines assume consistent food thickness. The press maintains uniform thickness that allows you to follow standard cooking times with confidence.

Dishwasher Safe

The enamelled finish makes the Cast Iron Grill Press dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning. Unlike bare cast iron that requires hand washing and seasoning maintenance, the enamelled surface tolerates dishwasher detergents and high-temperature wash cycles without damage.

Place the press in the dishwasher after use and run a normal cycle. The enamel coating protects the underlying cast iron from rust even when exposed to prolonged water contact during washing and drying cycles.

Specifications

• Material - Heavy-duty enamelled cast iron
• Handle design - Cool-grip spiral handle
• Finish - Enamelled
• Cleaning - Dishwasher safe
  

What's Included

• 1 x Big Green Egg Cast Iron Grill Press

How to Use

Creating Smash Burgers

Preheat your Big Green Egg to high direct heat, approximately 230 to 260 degrees Celsius. Form ground beef into loose balls approximately 100 to 150 grams each. Do not pre-flatten the meat.

Place a beef ball on the hot cooking grid. Immediately position the grill press on top and press down firmly for 10 to 15 seconds. Apply steady downward pressure to flatten the meat into a thin patty.

Leave the press in place for 30 to 60 seconds after the initial smash to allow crust development. Remove the press and let the burger continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the bottom develops deep browning. Flip and cook the second side for 1 to 2 minutes.

Cooking Bacon Flat

Preheat the Big Green Egg to moderate direct heat, approximately 175 to 200 degrees Celsius. Arrange bacon strips on the cooking grid without overlapping. Leave small gaps between strips to allow rendered fat to drip through.

Place the grill press on top of the bacon immediately after arranging. The press holds bacon flat as it renders and cooks. Leave the press in place for the majority of the cooking time, removing it only to check doneness.

Most bacon cooks in four to eight minutes under pressure depending on thickness and temperature. Remove strips when they reach your preferred level of crispness.
Pressing Steaks and Chops

Place steaks or chops on the preheated cooking grid over direct heat. Position the grill press on top of the meat immediately to increase grid contact and accelerate sear development.

The press forces the meat surface into full contact with grid wires, creating pronounced sear marks. The weight prevents meat from contracting and curling at the edges.
Leave the press in place for 1 to 2 minutes to develop initial crust, then remove it and flip the meat. For thick steaks, use the press only during the high-heat sear phase, then move to indirect heat for finishing.

Creating Pressed Sandwiches

Build your sandwich with desired fillings and place it on the preheated cooking grid at moderate temperatures around 175 to 200 degrees Celsius.

Place the grill press on top of the assembled sandwich immediately. The weight compresses the sandwich layers and increases contact between the bottom bread surface and the cooking grid. This creates the crispy, browned exterior characteristic of pressed sandwiches like paninis.

Leave the press in place for two to four minutes, then remove it, flip the sandwich, and replace the press on the new top surface. Cook the second side for an additional two to four minutes until both surfaces achieve desired browning and cheese melts completely.

Care and Maintenance

The Cast Iron Grill Press is dishwasher safe. Place it in the dishwasher after use and run a normal cycle. For hand washing, use warm soapy water and a sponge or brush. The enamel surface releases grease and food residue easily.

Rinse thoroughly after washing. Dry with a towel or allow to air dry. The enamel coating prevents rust, so immediate drying is not critical.

Store the press in a dry location. The enamel finish protects against rust and corrosion. You can store the press in kitchen drawers, cabinets, or hanging from hooks.

Inspect the enamel coating periodically for chips or cracks. Small chips do not significantly affect function. Avoid thermal shock by not placing the hot press directly into cold water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the handle get hot during use?

The cool-grip spiral handle design slows heat transfer and stays cooler than the press body. However, during extended use or when exposed to ambient heat from the EGG, the handle can become warm. Monitor handle temperature and use heat-resistant gloves if needed.

Does the enamelled finish require seasoning like bare cast iron?

No. The enamel coating eliminates seasoning requirements. You do not need to oil the press after each use or build up seasoning layers. Simply wash, dry, and store the press.

Can I use the press for foods other than burgers and bacon?

Yes. The grill press works with any food that benefits from increased cooking surface contact and shape retention. Use it for steaks, chops, chicken breasts, fish fillets, vegetables, quesadillas, paninis, and flatbreads.

Why should I buy from a Platinum Dealer?

Platinum Dealer status is the highest tier in Big Green Egg's dealer network, awarded exclusively to retailers who maintain comprehensive inventory, demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, and provide superior customer support. Purchasing from a Platinum Dealer guarantees you receive genuine products, manufacturer warranty support, and expert guidance backed by years of hands-on experience. BBQ Republic has seven years of Big Green Egg experience and stocks the complete range of genuine accessories.

What happens if the enamel chips?

Small enamel chips do not significantly affect the press's function. The exposed iron underneath may rust if not protected, but surface rust does not compromise cooking performance. Continue using the press as-is while monitoring for rust development.

Can I see the Cast Iron Grill Press in person before buying?

Yes. They're available to view and purchase at our BBQ showroom in Wetherill Park, where you can also see the full range of Big Green Eggs and accessories.