The Stainless-Steel Grill Press That Guarantees Even Browning Every Time (It’s Great for More Than Meat, Too!) 

Even if you don’t live in a tiny apartment in New York City, you and I might have more in common than you think: Namely, you, like me, might not own a grill. That’s one of my biggest gripes with city living, and one of the main points of jealousy that I feel when I see Instagram stories of my buddies in the ‘burbs cheffing up elaborate grilling projects or smoking briskets in their backyards. However, I won’t be boxed in by my living space — especially not when there are plenty of great ways to achieve that same delicious flavor indoors, without breaking out the charcoal. One such way? Snagging Made In’s Grill Press.     

We’ve all been there: You lay a gorgeous pork chop or — if you’re from New Jersey — a slice of Taylor ham on a skillet, only to have it buckle and bow and cook unevenly. (And yes, it’s Taylor ham, not p*rk r*ll.) Sure, you can cut slits in the sides to make it stay flat, or you can simply weigh it down with a grill press. And, while I originally thought a grill press was a “nice to have,” I’ve recently been converted, and now I use it for plenty of other kitchen tasks, too. 

The Made In Grill Press is exactly what it sounds like: a grilling accessory that you use for pressing down meats to achieve better crispiness and even searing and browning. It’s made with stainless steel in Sweden, is oven-safe up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and comes with a leather handle cover for a polished, suave look. It’s excellent for everything from smashburgers and bacon to asparagus, paninis, and much more. You can also use it over an open flame, and the raised handle provides better leverage hand protection while cooking. Oh, and make sure to take the leather off if you’re using it on the grill or over a campfire. 

My favorite thing about this grill press is the weight. At 1.8 pounds, it’s neither too heavy nor too light — it won’t crush a burger, but it will hold down a buckling pork chop or chicken breast. It’s also great for pounding out pieces of meat into your preferred thickness, because of the vertical handle placement and its wide, flat base. And, it looks gorgeous, with a chic leather handle cover and a shiny, minimally branded body. The best part, though, is that weighing down your proteins and veggies gives the indoor cook a chef-quality char that usually only comes from a grill. I recently whipped up a few turkey burgers and got some awesome, even browning on both sides (as you can see) — and ground turkey is notoriously hard to brown. So, if you’re looking for the difference-maker when it comes to indoor “grilling,” you can’t go wrong with the Made In Grill Press.

Buy: Made In Grill Press, $49