Lodge Grill Pan Presses: Square, Round or Burger?
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Lodge has been making cast iron cookware in the United States since 1896, and it is still owned by the founding family. Most people know it for skillets, but Lodge also makes heavy cast iron presses: flat weights with a handle that you lay on top of food while it cooks. A grill press pushes a sandwich, burger or strip of bacon down against a hot pan so more of the food touches the heat. The result is better browning, crisper edges and bacon that stays flat instead of curling. Because a press is small, sturdy and nearly impossible to break, it also makes a thoughtful, practical gift for someone who has just bought their first grill pan or skillet.
The three Lodge presses in this guide differ mainly in shape and size: a square 8-inch panini press for sandwiches, an 8-inch round griddle press with a spiral handle for burgers and bacon, and a smaller 6.25-inch round burger press for single patties.
Lodge Grill Presses Compared
| Model | Shape | Listed Size | Handle Style | Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Panini | Square | 8.32 in (8.25 in in components) | Looped | LPP3 |
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Round Griddle | Round | 8 in | Spiral | L8RFIP |
| Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press | Round | 6.25 in | Looped | L6BP |
None of the three listings gives a weight, so if you need a specific heft, check the product details before buying. All three share the same basic promise: heavy cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, and made in the USA.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Panini for Pressed Sandwiches
Lodge
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press, 6.25 Inches
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press
Best for: Single burgers in smaller pans
Pros
- Compact 6.25-inch size
- Looped handle
- Pre-seasoned and ready to use
- Made without PFOA or PTFE
Cons
- Too small for full sandwiches
- Weight not listed
Best for: Smash burgers, bacon and steaks
Pros
- Spiral handle for safe grip
- Oven, grill and campfire safe
- Hammered finish holds heat
- Made without PFOA or PTFE
Cons
- Round shape leaves square corners
- Weight not listed
Best for: Panini and grilled sandwich lovers
Pros
- Square shape covers sandwiches
- Looped handle for easy lifting
- Pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Weight not listed
- Size given as 8.32 and 8.25 inches
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Panini press is the one to reach for if sandwiches are your main goal. A panini is simply an Italian-style pressed sandwich, and the square shape of this press matches the shape of sliced bread, so the whole sandwich gets pressed evenly instead of just the middle. Lodge describes heavyweight cast iron that applies steady, consistent pressure to support browning and crisp edges, and a looped handle for easier maneuvering.
Like all Lodge cast iron, it comes pre-seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil. “Pre-seasoned” means the oil has already been baked onto the iron at the factory, which creates a natural easy-release surface and helps prevent rust, so you can use it right away. The listing says it is made in the USA and describes it as useful for burgers, sandwiches and bacon too. One small inconsistency: the title gives the size as 8.32 inches, while the included components line calls it an 8.25-inch press, and the weight is not specified.
In practice, a square press works nicely for grilled cheese, Cuban-style sandwiches and quesadillas folded into a rectangle. You can also lay it across two or three strips of bacon at once. This press suits sandwich lovers and anyone gifting a new cook their first grill pan. If you want a matching pan to press against, our look at the Lodge cast iron grill lineup covers ridged pans that leave classic grill marks. For burgers and bacon, the round griddle press below is a better shape.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Round Griddle for Smash Burgers and Bacon
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Round Griddle press is an 8-inch round press aimed at smash burgers, steaks and chicken. A smash burger is a ball of ground beef pressed very thin on a hot surface, which gives it a crispy, browned crust. Lodge also says this press keeps bacon from curling and pushes unwanted grease out of burgers, and when preheated, it significantly speeds up cooking time because it cooks the food from the top as well.
It has a rustic hammered finish on its heavy-duty base for heat retention, and a spiral handle designed for a safe, comfortable grip. The listing states it can be used in the oven, on the stove or grill, and over a campfire, and that it is made without PFOA or PTFE, two chemicals associated with some synthetic nonstick coatings. Lodge also explains a common beginner worry: a spot that looks like rust when the press arrives is usually oil that has not fully carbonized, and it disappears with use. If real rust appears, scrub it with steel wool, wash, dry and re-oil.
This is the most versatile shape for everyday cooking and a great gift for someone who loves burgers or cooks outdoors, since the campfire rating makes it a good camping companion. It gives way to the square panini press for sandwiches, since the round edge will not reach the corners of a slice of bread.
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press for Single Patties
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Burger Press is the smallest in the group at 6.25 inches across. It shares the looped handle and heavyweight design of the square panini press, and the listing describes steady cooking pressure that supports browning and crisp edges on burgers and sandwiches.
It is pre-seasoned with vegetable oil in Lodge’s foundry, made in the USA, and made without PFOA or PTFE. Its compact size means it fits smaller skillets and grill pans, and it is handy when you are pressing one patty at a time or want a press that tucks easily into a drawer. The listing does not specify its weight, so expect it to feel lighter than the two 8-inch presses simply because it is smaller, but do not assume a figure.
Choose this press for small kitchens, single cooks or anyone who mainly makes one or two burgers at once. It gives way to the 8-inch round griddle press for bacon strips and larger cuts, and to the square press for full sandwiches.
How to Choose the Right Lodge Grill Press
Match the shape to the food. Square is best for sandwiches and paninis. Round works well for burgers, chicken and bacon. The 6.25-inch burger press is sized for a single patty.
Match the press to the pan. A press should sit inside the pan with room to spare. An 8-inch press suits a 10-inch or larger grill pan, while the 6.25-inch press fits smaller pans. If you usually cook on a contact-style appliance instead, our guide to a compact electric contact grill explains how those press food from both sides automatically.
Consider the handle. The square and burger presses have a looped handle, while the round griddle press uses a spiral handle. Cast iron gets very hot, so use an oven mitt with any of them.
Know how to use a grill press. Preheat the press in the pan or on the grill while the pan heats, then set it on the food. A hot press cooks from above, speeding things up. Clean it like any cast iron: rinse, dry fully and wipe with a thin layer of oil. Avoid leaving it to soak in water, which is the fastest way to invite rust on any cast iron piece.
Buying as a gift. If you are not sure what the recipient cooks most, the 8-inch round griddle press is the safest all-rounder. If they already own a panini-style sandwich habit, the square press is the more personal choice.
FAQ
Which Lodge press should I buy for paninis?
The Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Panini press, because its square shape covers a full sandwich.
Can I use a Lodge press on an outdoor grill?
The round griddle press listing explicitly says it is safe on the grill, in the oven and over a campfire. The other two listings mention grills and griddles too, as cast iron is generally heat-proof.
Do these presses need seasoning before use?
No. All three come pre-seasoned with vegetable oil and are ready to use. The seasoning improves as you cook with them.
Is a spot of rust on arrival a defect?
Lodge says a rust-like spot is often oil that has not fully carbonized and will fade with use. Real rust can be scrubbed off with steel wool, then dried and oiled.
Are Lodge presses made in the USA?
Yes, all three listings say they are made in the USA.
Can a grill press make bacon flat?
Yes. The round griddle press listing specifically says it keeps bacon from curling, and the square press also mentions bacon.
