Norpro1401 8.75-Inch Round Cast Iron Grill Press, Black

I bought this to use for burgers and paninis. Mainly we have made cheese toasties using normal sliced bread, and it works a treat. I just put the press in a frying pan, with a little oil, over a low heat, make up the sandwich, place in the frying pan with the heated press on top and within minutes it's done. No more melted toaster bags, burnt bread and still cold hard cheese.The press showed up 2 weeks or so after I had made the order.

Revolutionised the way I cook bacon and steaks. Heat the press in the pan before adding the meat and hay presto! Flat bacon and perfect steaks cooked to perfection. (So long as you know how to cook!) Wash rinse and lightly oil after each use to keep the iron seasoned.

Mine was pre-seasoned and I just rinsed it and used it on my round le creuset grillit panB00006I4ZCwhich it fits perfectly with about half an inch to spare all round. It is very nice quality throughout and the wooden handle can be removed if you need to re-season the press. Bacon cooks much faster and is crispier!Update:Knocked off 2 stars due to handle failure. Threads stripped out. I fixed it by boring right through the wood handle and inserting a stainless steel threaded bar and stainless nuts. End result is better than original. (Photos)UPDATE: 27/07/2024.Still working and still looking new. Added a star due to longevity. Added photo of it in a lodge 10.25” cast iron pan. It does touch the bottom of this pan though so good for steak, burgers etc, but only just touches bacon.

I've used this when cooking steaks and it's been great. I heat it up in the frying pan, and when the press reaches over 100'C and the pan over 200'C (I have a laser thermometer to check the temperature) it's ready to pop the steak in the pan and this press on top. It helps sear the top of the steak so any marinade stays put, and helps protect you from any fat spitting. Turn the steak over after a couple of minutes.Like any iron product, you have to treat it with respect. Prompt washing in very hot soapy water after use, thorough rinsing and drying, then a light oiling of all the iron, will help keep it like new for a long time. I use a silicone brush and rice bran oil (very high smoke point) to treat this.

went rusty after a couple of uses can not use now for cooking

Went for this one as it's wider than most of the others - good choice! Bacon cooks in half the time, quicker and more tasty than grilling. Very sturdy and looks good popped on our kitchen wall with a couple of clips.

The press is fine, the handle and screws, however, are not. You constantly have to tighten the screw to stop the handle spinning and after 2 months of tightening it every 2nd use, the point where the screw attaches to the handle has worn away, so now the screw won't stay in and the handle is useless. I'd rather have had an iron handle and used a towel than have it break within 2 months.

No more curly bacon and also a great steak press. I've also used it to toast pitta in a dry pan - it doesn't puff up, but it does toast nice and evenly.