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Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
I've been using a griddle for a year — these are the best starter accessories everyone needs
When I first got my griddle, I thought I could get by with just a spatula, some basic culinary skills, and knowing how to season a flat-top grill. Thanks to social media, I'd seen enough examples of people making fajitas and smashburgers on their Blackstones, right? But after cooking almost exclusively on an outdoor griddle for the last year — the 5-star Weber Slate 36, to be specific— I've learned that having the right accessories is crucial to a positive experience. This was the result of testing dozens of tools, and while I found more than a few flops, I also discovered some add-ons that make owning a griddle totally worth it. So if you're a beginner to griddle cooking, and aren't sure what to get next, here's the gear I'd recommend to every griddle cooker. Many of my picks are from Weber to complement the Weber Slate, but Blackstone or Traeger Flatrock also offer in-brand accessories that are worth checking out. Otherwise, these are the best griddle accessories I use all the time, whether I'm cooking for two or feeding a crowd. Be sure to check out the rest of our Get Grillin' week for more tips on mastering the art of cooking in your backyard. If you buy one accessory for your griddle, it should be a proper spatula set. I'm talking about heavy-duty, stainless steel, diner-style spatulas that can actually stand up to the heat and surface of a flat top. The plastic or nylon flippers from your kitchen aren't going to cut it. Look for options with a beveled edge, a comfortable grip and sensible size relative to your griddle's cooking area. I started with a budget set from Amazon that worked fine, but once I upgraded to the versions in Weber's and Blackstone's respective accessory lines, it put the cheap versions to shame. Knowing what I do now, I would've invested in a quality set from the jump. This is my go-to griddle spatula. You can purchase is alone or go for the bundle that includes a scraper and one squeeze bottle, other useful griddling accessories. As a bonus, I use my spatula to clean down the surface while the griddle's still warm, so unless you're really into single-purpose tools, I think you can skip buying a dedicated scraper. Once you start keeping squeeze bottles near your griddle, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. Most griddle cookers will want to keep two on hand: one filled with high-heat oil (like avocado or vegetable), and one with water. The oil bottle lets you grease the surface quickly and evenly, while the water bottle is key for everything from steaming eggs under a dome to loosening up stuck-on bits during cleanup. This two-pack of squeeze bottles keeps oil and water on standby for griddle cooking. When it isn't griddle season, I use these indoors for sauces and dressings. Unlike investing in quality spatulas, you don't need anything fancy here. Just grab a two-pack of basic plastic bottles with caps. If you're planning on making anything melty, a dome is 100% worth it. But a melting dome is great for more than just cheeseburgers and cheesesteaks. It's also great for cooking eggs, reheating leftovers, or finishing thicker foods with steam and indirect heat. This large-size melting dome is a must-have for gooey cheeseburgers, fried eggs, and more. Did I mention it's dishwasher-safe? I started with a lightweight aluminum dome from Amazon that did the job a few times, but the handle wasn't very user-friendly in an environment that's hot and greasy. So eventually upgraded to Weber's basting dome because it can apply the steam-cooking effect to a larger quantity of food at once. It's a little pricey, but I use it all the time and greatly appreciate that it's dishwasher safe. I've yet to meet anyone with a griddle who didn't plan on making smashburgers. They are one of life's greatest joys, after all. In order to properly indulge, you're going to need a burger press. A burger press is a game-changer for making perfectly shaped patties that cook evenly every time. You can use a spatula to smash, but a press helps you get that ideal thin, flat patty without all the mess or uneven thickness. The Burger Iron is a handy tool for making perfect smashburgers on your griddle. It's a small business product that I'd buy again and again. As a smashburger aficionado, I tested out a couple of different presses, and found that the aptly-named Burger Iron is my favorite. Stick to stainless steel — even though they look cool, I would avoid the cast-iron versions of burger presses as they're prone to rust. Everyone will find their own tactics for cleaning and maintenance on their grill, but chances are, your method will involve paper towels. Paper towels help capture excess oil, wipe down leftover residues, and dry up any remaining water from the cleanup process. I went through quite a few regular paper towel rolls in my year manning a griddle before discovering Scott Shop Towels. These are basically heavy-duty paper towels that hold up a lot better than Bounty. In other words, it takes fewer Scott Shop Towels to get the job done. These are my favorite paper towels for cleaning up my griddle. At nearly 50% off, I'm picking up this pack of 12 for myself. With these accessories, you should be set up for success with your griddle cooking journey. If you're just getting started, you truly don't need a ton of gear, but the right basics go a long way.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Grab these sizzling grill and pizza oven deals just in time for summer at Lowe's, Gozney
Grab these sizzling grill and pizza oven deals just in time for summer at Lowe's, Gozney From steaks to slices, we've got a deal for you! Can you smell what your neighbor's cooking? Well, that's because they're out grilling in the beautiful summer air. As the season fully arrives, the urge to be outside, whether by the pool or in the backyard, really ramps up. And it's not summer without the classic taste of grilled burgers, hot dogs and even freshly made pizza. Fortunately, with Memorial Day sales wrapping up and summer deals in full swing, now is an excellent time to upgrade your outdoor cooking setup. You'll find plenty of promotions at retailers like Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Gozney and more, making it easier than ever to bring those delicious grilled flavors to your backyard. With significant savings available on grills and outdoor pizza ovens, you're sure to make your summer tastier than ever. Here are our top grill and pizza oven deals you can grab now: Char-Broil Commercial Series Grill and Griddle Combo Weber Slate 30" Outdoor Griddle More: Reader-approved: 10 most popular Memorial Day deals at HexClad, Lowe's, Hoka Gozney Arc XL Pizza Oven Royal Gourmet Gas Grill More: Under $100: Get this Omaha Steaks Father's Day deal with steaks, franks and free burgers Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Grill & Smoker Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven More: HeyDude brings back its best-selling Margaritaville collab just in time for summer ☀️ Weber Master-Touch Charcoal Grill
Tom's Guide
27-05-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
How to make the perfect smash burger on your flat top grill, according to a pro chef
It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, and while we're reviewing everything from the best grills to upright smokers, there's a method of grilling that's growing in popularity in 2025. That's flat top grilling, and it's thanks to the rise of brands like Blackstone, and new models such as the Weber Slate. While it might seem more accessible than grilling methods such as gas and charcoal, flat top grills also require a bit of trial and error. That's why I jumped at the chance to attend a smash burger masterclass with the founder of my favorite takeout joint, Nanny Bill's. Well, that and the promise of free burgers. Feasting aside, I picked up some incredible tips from founder Darren Simpson on how to recreate my go-to takeout burger from home, or even my yard. Here are three tips to achieving that perfect smash burger on your own griddle. The most important part in making a smash burger is that initial sear, Simpson told me. "Getting that contact with the grill to get a good sear is the number one most important thing when cooking a burger," he said. "If you don't get that initial sear, it's hard to get a good crust on your patty, which is what gives it that delicious caramelization." It took a bit more welly than I'd expected, but using a sturdy burger press I put my patty down on the piping hot griddle and smooshed it with both arms. The sizzling noise was a sign that I was creating that ideal smashed crust. You want a burger with a flat pressing surface so you can get a perfectly even press on your burger patty. This options has a heat-resistant handle that will allow you to get a good grip burger after burger. And if you want to do the same on a traditional grill? Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "Smash them onto a super-hot cast iron skillet set over grill grates for four minutes," says Simpson. "That will trigger the Maillard chemical reaction, which gives burgers that deep, savoury crust and umami flavour, all without drying out the meat." Maybe I'm just impatient, but I tend to flip my burgers a few times throughout cooking to make sure I'm not burning my meat. According to Nanny Bill's, that's a big mistake. "You want to do about 70% of cooking on the first side of the burger," Simpson told me. We added some mustard to the top side of our patties before flipping, which creates a glaze and additional caramelization when you flip your patty. According to Simpson, "it elevates the beef to another level." We let our burgers cook for a few minutes, until the meat on the top side was nearly brown. By this point, the burgers had achieved a deep brown crust and released the perfect amount of fat to toast our buns. "This next step is quite unique to us," Simpson told me. I'd added some steam to my burger cooking before, but I'd never done it with a bun on top. First, we stacked our (cheese-topped) patties before adding our freshly-toasted top bun. Then, we use a drizzler bottle full of water and spread a little in a circle around our burger. We then topped it with a lid — "you can use a metal mixing bowl", says Simpson — and let it steam for around 30 seconds. This heats up the bun and gives it a soft, fluffy finish. It also melts the cheese, combining the two patties before you place them on top of your bottom bun. Nanny Bill's calls this a "cheese sauna," which is definitely a term I'll be adding to my grilling lexicon. It's worth noting, you should add your sauce to the bottom of your burger bun before you follow this step, and add any salad (admittedly, my burger was totally vegetable-free) to the base bun before you assemble. One homemade smash burger later, Nanny Bill's filled me in on some more tricks of the trade to take home for your summer barbecues. It turns out, a lot of the important steps for creating the ideal smash burger involve prepping the right ingredients, and making sure yout meat is flavorful and well-rested. So there you have it — all the tips you need to make the perfect smash burger in your own backyard. Just call me Nanny Mill's.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Fire up the grill: Shop the best Memorial Day grill deals at Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, REI
Fire up the grill: Shop the best Memorial Day grill deals at Ace Hardware, BBQ Guys, REI Memorial Day is this week, meaning you're probably realizing you need to start planning your food lineup. Along with that is the realization that the grill you're looking at outside is old, rusty and perhaps a fire hazard that you've put off replacing. Well, to ensure you're not calling the fire department while hosting friends and family in the backyard, we found some of the top grill deals going on right now to ensure you're Memorial Day-ready, while also not breaking the bank. From Ace Hardware, BBQ Guy and more, here's the top 10 Memorial Day grill deals we found that are on sale and worth shopping—no matter your backyard or budget. Shop the best Memorial Day grill deals 1. Weber Slate Rust-Resistant 3-Burner Propane Griddle More: Ace Hardware is giving away free American flags during Memorial Day weekend 🇺🇸 2. Napoleon Prestige 500 Built-in Propane Grill w/ Rotisserie 3. Royal Gourmet 6-Burner Gas Grill with Sear Burner, Side Burner 4. Pit Boss 850 DX Series 840-Sq. in Pellet Grill with Smart Compatibility More: Memorial Day appliance sales are heating up! Save up to 50% at Samsung, Lowe's, The Home Depot 5. Traeger Pro Series 34-Pellet Grill and Smoker 6. Sophia & William 4-burner Gas BBQ Grill More: Shop smart: Amazon's Memorial Day sale has more than 50% off summer essentials 7. Shinpt 4-Burner Gas Grill More: Top 10 Memorial Day patio furniture sales to shop for summer 2025 8. Kamado Joe 18 in. Classic Joe II Charcoal Kamado Grill 9. Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove REI's biggest sale of the year is live! Save up to 30% on Gerber, Coleman, Big Agnes 10. Charbroil Performance Series Black and Silver 5-burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill When is Memorial Day 2025? This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26. The federal holiday is recognized annually. What are the best Memorial Day sales? This year, dozens of major retailers are hosting Memorial Day sales and deals in the lead up to the long weekend. From furniture sales at Castlery to mattress sales at Awara, there's something for everyone to shop and save on. Be sure to follow along with USA TODAY Shopping for more Memorial Day coverage and insights on the best deals.
