Cast iron griddled pub burgers

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Got a new lodge cast iron griddle from Santa today and we wanted to cook some burgers tonight. We had some prime ground chuck so we figured we would give it a rip. I much prefer griddled burgers over grilled but I do like a like a little smoke if I can get it. This griddle fits my AR oval setup like a glove. The burgers are very loosely put together (no pressing) and seasoned with salt, pepper, Heinz 57 and butter (don't be shy on the butter). The egg was 400 when I put them on and that seemed to be perfect. Good crust on the burgers but was able to control temps on thier way up to temp. I went the the jimmy buffet "cheeseburger in paradise" method (lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes). It was a huge score. Best of both worlds- griddled crust and a little oak from the egg. And the house didn't smell like a diner afterword.

SGH

I will take a dozen sir

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Didn't take any pics at the table but they were money. If you are a cooks illustrated person, this is where the technique came from. I think we added the H57 somewhere along the way.

cazzy

Good stuff man!  Love diner/pub burgers!

SGH

Have you ever used Worcestershire in place of H57?

Hotch

That is my favorite way to cook burgers. They look great.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

SGH said:

Have you ever used Worcestershire in place of H57?

yes. The original recipe calls for it. We like both but did the h57 tonight. I think I prefer the rooster (I can never spell it right) but they are both really good.

SGH

I have done it with the Worcestershire with excellent results. Going to give it a try with the H57 next time.

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SGH said:

I have done it with the Worcestershire with excellent results. Going to give it a try with the H57 next time.

me too. They are both good but I think I prefer Worcestershire before the cook and adding a little h57 after instead of mustard.

theyolksonyou

We don't do burgers enough. Those look really good.

Mickey

First what is wrong with the house smelling like a diner? Second, outstanding cook man.

Phatchris

Yup, I definitely need a CI griddle now

SmokeyPitt

Oh hayel yes.  With prime chuck those had to be outstanding.  No shame in your game...H57 on prime beef! 

Meathead has a good write up on diner burgers as well:

http://amazingribs.com/recipes/hamburgers/diner_burgers.html

The Cen-Tex Smoker

SmokeyPitt said:

Oh hayel yes.  With prime chuck those had to be outstanding.  No shame in your game...H57 on prime beef! 

Meathead has a good write up on diner burgers as well:

http://amazingribs.com/recipes/hamburgers/diner_burgers.html

no shame at all. The h57 and butter make the patties super airy and fluffy. You couldn't do them on a grid. They would fall apart. Once the sear is on them from the griddle , they hold together better.

Brisket_Fanatic

Looks money but ..........no bacon?

revolver1

Brisket_Fanatic said:

Looks money but ..........no bacon?

As I was looking at this post - What's missing?  Bacon

Greeno55

Beauts!!! What size is that griddle?

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I do have 36 lbs of homemade bacon too. Fail.

I'll measure the griddle in a few and update you. It was $30 at Wally World.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

The Cen-Tex Smoker

Fits my AR oval combo perfectly. Would also sit on a grid and possibly rest on the fire ring. I'll check in a minute.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

It fits on a grid and sits perfectly on the ring as well. It's like it was made for it.

H12mike

Never thought of using my CI griddle on the XL. Just tried it and it fits perfectly. Thank You for the idea!!!!!

The Cen-Tex Smoker

I have just atoned for my earlier sin and added bacon. The forum was once again correct.

Terrebandit

So I take it that you melt the butter and mix it in the meat with the H57?

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Terrebandit said:

So I take it that you melt the butter and mix it in the meat with the H57?

correct.

jaydub58

Only problem is the pics make me drool enough to almost short out my keyboard!

Beautifdul!

EggObsessed

Great job, Cen-Tex!  Those look and sound amazing!!  Bruce and I were just saying we don't cook enough burgers.  Those even look like homemade pickles on there!!  We want to work on a smoked burger, based on inspiration from the forum and to use our rub on it.  (I need to send you a PM about the rub!!)

Hi54putty

I have been traveling past a Lodge Outlet a fair amount in recent weeks. I can't stop buying stuff. They are also an Egg dealer. They have everything Lodge makes in firsts and seconds. I think Lodge makes great stuff. Will look for this next.

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EggObsessed said:

Great job, Cen-Tex!  Those look and sound amazing!!  Bruce and I were just saying we don't cook enough burgers.  Those even look like homemade pickles on there!!  We want to work on a smoked burger, based on inspiration from the forum and to use our rub on it.  (I need to send you a PM about the rub!!)

Send it. Can't wait to hear.

bluebird66

Looking good!

Dredger

That looks fantastic. Is that on a large? We have the AR and I wonder if you could do two levels using two griddles? We often do burgers for a crowd.