A bacon press is a flat weight that sits on strips while they cook. Pressing keeps the strips from curling, so more of each strip meets the pan. Most presses double as smash burger tools and sandwich weights, so shape, weight and handle matter more than the name on the box.
The six presses below range from a small rectangle for a skillet to a wide steel plate that the seller says covers four strips. Materials, sizes and weights come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these presses ourselves. Maker claims are described as the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron needs seasoning; steel needs little upkeep |
| Weight | A heavier press flattens strips without hand pressure |
| Shape and size | Rectangles cover more strips; rounds suit burgers |
| Bottom | Flat gives even contact; grooves leave marks |
| Handle | Wood or steel handles stay easier to hold |
Specs at a Glance
| Press | Size and weight | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellemain | 8.5 x 8.5 x 3.25 in; 3 lb | Cast iron | Maker says it can be seasoned like a skillet |
| HIC Kitchen | 6.75 x 4 x 3.25 in | Cast iron, wood handle | Rectangular; weight not listed |
| Pisol | 8.1 x 4.1 x 2.6 in; 1.98 lb | Cast iron, wood handle | Flat bottom; maker says dishwasher use is fine |
| Amazon Basics | 6.8 in round and 8.1 in rectangle; 4.24 lb set | Cast iron, wood handle | Two presses; grooved bottom for grill marks |
| Manucode steel | 9.25 x 5.7 x 3.7 in; 3.2 lb | Stainless steel | Maker says it fits 4 bacon strips |
| Nordic Ware | 8 in across | Aluminized steel, steel handle | Maker says no coatings; handle may get hot |
The 6 Best Bacon Presses
1. Bellemain Smash Burger Press and Bacon Press
A 7 inch cast iron press that weighs 3 pounds and measures 8.5 by 8.5 by 3.25 inches. The maker says the weight is spread evenly and that the iron can be seasoned like a skillet.
Suits: a general kitchen press. Strengths: 3 pounds and a round shape. Weaknesses: round, so strips overhang. Skip it if you want a long rectangle.
View Bellemain Smash Burger Press, Grill Press, Bacon Press, Meat Press, 7 Inch on Amazon
2. HIC Kitchen Bacon Press, Rectangular
A rectangular cast iron press with a wood handle, 6.75 by 4 by 3.25 inches. The listing says it is meant for stovetop, grill and griddle and can flatten bacon or press paninis and quesadillas.
Suits: a small skillet. Strengths: a compact rectangle. Weaknesses: no weight on the page. Skip it if you cook many strips at once.
3. Pisol Cast Iron Smash Burger Press
A 1.98 pound cast iron press, 8.1 by 4.1 by 2.6 inches, with a natural wood handle and a completely flat bottom. The maker says it is pre-seasoned.
Suits: a lighter rectangle. Strengths: a flat bottom and a lower weight. Weaknesses: the lightest iron here. Skip it if you want heavy pressure.
View Cast Iron Smash Burger Press, Steak Weight Bacon Meat Press Tool on Amazon
4. Amazon Basics Cast Iron Press, 2-Pack
A set of one 6.8 inch round and one 8.1 inch rectangular cast iron press with wood handles and a grooved bottom for grill marks. The set weighs 4.24 pounds and the listing asks for hand washing.
Suits: two shapes in one buy. Strengths: a round and a rectangle. Weaknesses: grooves are not flat. Skip it if you want a flat bottom.
5. Stainless Steel Bacon Press, 9.25 x 5.7 in
A flat stainless steel press, 9.25 by 5.7 inches and 3.2 pounds. The seller says the surface fits 2 burgers, 4 bacon strips or one large steak and that it needs no seasoning.
Suits: a griddle with several strips. Strengths: the widest surface. Weaknesses: an unfamiliar brand. Skip it if you cook in a small pan.
View Bacon Press, Stainless Steel Flat Bottom, 9.25 x 5.7 in, 3.2 lb on Amazon
6. Nordic Ware Weighted Grill Press
An 8 inch press made of aluminized steel with a stainless steel handle. The maker says it has no coatings and is made without PFAS, and warns that the handle may get hot, so use a pad.
Suits: a no-coating press. Strengths: a steel handle and a known maker. Weaknesses: the handle heats up. Skip it if you want a wood handle.
View Nordic Ware Weighted Grill Press for Smash Burgers and Bacon on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Preheat the press in the pan before it touches the strips.
- Season cast iron with a thin coat of oil.
- Hand wash and dry iron right away, as the listings advise.
- Use a pad on any handle that may get hot.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting a heavy iron press on a delicate pan surface.
- Leaving cast iron wet after washing.
- Picking a round press for a long rectangular griddle.
- Ignoring the handle material when the pan is hot.
Bacon Press FAQ
Cast iron or steel?
Cast iron holds heat and needs seasoning. The steel models here ask for less upkeep, according to their makers.
Can I use it for burgers?
Yes. The listings mention smash burgers, sandwiches, steaks or quesadillas as well as bacon.
The Short Version
For a general press, the Bellemain. For a small skillet, the HIC. For a lighter flat press, the Pisol. For a round and a rectangle, the Amazon Basics set. For a wide surface, the steel press. For a no-coating steel press, the Nordic Ware.
