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Best uses for a "Charcoal Companion" cast iron press

RRP
RRP Posts: 26,455
in EggHead Forum
Santa brought me a cast iron press that weighs about 3 pounds and it is 3.5" x 8.5". The bottom has diagonal raised ribs. I assume it is a sandwich press or even a bacon press or hamburger press but I guess my real question is why? What is the advantage of using one? TIA
Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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Comments

  • evie1370
    evie1370 Posts: 506
    Typically these are used for sandwiches...like paninis, also for bacon to keep the strips flat and not curl. Some people use them on burgers and chicken etc to speed up the cook time but I do not use them for that.

    Medium BGE in Cincinnati OH.

    "

    "I don't know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they frighten me. " Duke of Wellington, Battle of Waterloo.
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    i just use two skillets one on top of the other, but paninis might work with yours and you get the lines
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Eggaroo
    Eggaroo Posts: 417
    I have this one:
    https://www.lodgemfg.com/specialty/rectangular-cast-iron-grill-press-6-75-by-4-5.asp
    Is what you have similar? I think if you heat it up with your pan or griddle, it would not only keep your bacon flat, it would also cook it on both sides at once.

    PS: I didn't pay anything near the price that Lodge is asking!
    Greenwood, IN | XL BGE | Weber Genesis | Blackstone 28 | bunch of accessories  =)
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    just googled it, looks like its used to squeeze the juice out of burgers =) if you were to heat it up searing hot on one grill you could crisp the skin on chicken breasts like they do with bricks
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    edited January 2016
    Eggaroo said:
    I have this one:
    https://www.lodgemfg.com/specialty/rectangular-cast-iron-grill-press-6-75-by-4-5.asp
    Is what you have similar? I think if you heat it up with your pan or griddle, it would not only keep your bacon flat, it would also cook it on both sides at once.

    PS: I didn't pay anything near the price that Lodge is asking!
    Mine is slightly different but I'm sure they do the same thing.


    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    Hi Ron.  Sounds like you have half a panini press.

    I have a square reversible piece that is flat on one side and ridges on the other.  Paired with the ribbed top plate it is a pretty good sandwich maker.  The ribs are a little bit of a pain to clean if you do anything messy with it.

    I don't think it is a bacon press, which is pictured in the bottom picture.




    Phoenix 
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    their web site actually says its to squeeze out the fat in burgers (juices)  =)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    fishlessman said:
    their web site actually says its to squeeze out the fat in burgers (juices)  =)

    Anybody who squeezes the juices out of meat should have to cook everything in a microwave as punishment.

    Phoenix 
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    blasting said:
    fishlessman said:
    their web site actually says its to squeeze out the fat in burgers (juices)  =)

    Anybody who squeezes the juices out of meat should have to cook everything in a microwave as punishment.

    the site even says to squeeze the fat out of steak =)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Alton Brown used to suggest just wrapping a common brick in aluminium foil whenever you needed to help something flatten rather than buying one of those cast iron "plates".
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • Angela
    Angela Posts: 545
    I use mine for Panini, I preheat it and basically cook from both sides at once. 
    Egging on two larges + 36" Blackstone griddle
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    HeavyG said:
    Alton Brown used to suggest just wrapping a common brick in aluminium foil whenever you needed to help something flatten rather than buying one of those cast iron "plates".

    I'd concur, I do a lot of griddle work, and I can't remember the last time I used my bacon press.  A few seconds pushing down with a big turner does the job and saves one item of cleaning.

    The idea that they market Ron's press as a way to squeeze juice out of steaks should be embarrassing to them.  I'd consider it to be a sandwich press - btw Ron, one of my favorite sandwiches to make with that is a Cuban - delish.

    Phoenix 
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    fishlessman said:
    their web site actually says its to squeeze out the fat in burgers (juices)  =)
    Umm, that's not entirely accurate. It says it's to squeeze out the UNWANTED fat. :rofl: 

    It surprises me that it's Lodge saying that. Another reason to stick with Griswold/Wagner. =)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    blasting said:
    - btw Ron, one of my favorite sandwiches to make with that is a Cuban - delish.

    Mind sharing your Cuban recipe? A high flying restaurant here used to make the greatest Cubans but it went out of business before I figured out how to de-engineer what made theirs so good.
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    edited January 2016
    Sure.  Basic ingredients are pork roast, ham, pickles, cheese, mustard, cuban bread or hoagie roll.  Most recipes are pretty much the same - one posted below.

    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/grilled-cuban-sandwich-em-sandwich-cubano-em-364812



    EDIT - this is not my sandwich, it is off the header of the recipe - don't want to take credit.
    Phoenix 
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,589
    RRP said:
    blasting said:
    - btw Ron, one of my favorite sandwiches to make with that is a Cuban - delish.

    Mind sharing your Cuban recipe? A high flying restaurant here used to make the greatest Cubans but it went out of business before I figured out how to de-engineer what made theirs so good.
    some places are subbing out plain pork roast for porcheta, really picks up the flavor, had one a few weeks back, now need to learn how to make that
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    RRP said:
    Eggaroo said:
    I have this one:
    https://www.lodgemfg.com/specialty/rectangular-cast-iron-grill-press-6-75-by-4-5.asp
    Is what you have similar? I think if you heat it up with your pan or griddle, it would not only keep your bacon flat, it would also cook it on both sides at once.

    PS: I didn't pay anything near the price that Lodge is asking!
    Mine is slightly different but I'm sure they do the same thing.


    RRP, that looks like a tool I use when laying tile.
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • badinfluence
    badinfluence Posts: 1,774
    I use them on the food truck as a bacon press only to make sure they stay flat and don't curl up. If we are slow I use the spatula to make sure they stay flat but if I am doing a bunch of stuff at once then I use them.
    1 XXL BGE,  1 LG BGE, 2 MED. BGE, 1 MINI BGE, 1 Peoria custom cooker Meat Monster.


    Clinton, Iowa
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  • slovelad
    slovelad Posts: 1,742
    They are awesome if you have a BLackatone or griddle attachment. Great for making really greasy breakfast foods like bacon or patty sausage
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527
    Brinkmann press for $2 at Home Depot a few days ago
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • slovelad
    slovelad Posts: 1,742
    @WeberWho why so many tongs lol
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527
    slovelad said:
    @WeberWho why so many tongs lol
    @slovelad They always go missing. They're on clearance right now for $1.33 at Home Depot since Brinkmann is going Bankrupt. I should be set for a short while. =)
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,455
    WeberWho said:
    slovelad said:
    @WeberWho why so many tongs lol
    @slovelad They always go missing. They're on clearance right now for $1.33 at Home Depot since Brinkmann is going Bankrupt. I should be set for a short while. =)
    Brinkman is going Chapter 11 route meaning they feel they can work it out and be around. Just the same I'm surprised that HD discounted their merchandise so drastically. I wonder what other Brinkman product can be bought for a song!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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