ANR Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Grill Press, Steak and Bacon Press with Wood Handle, 8.75-Inch Round

I took the plunge and ordered this bacon press even with the negative reviews pointing out that it rusts and the handle loosens up. Little known fact about cast iron, it rusts if you use it wrong. So, I removed the handle, oiled the cast iron with flaxseed oil, heated it up to 350 for 2 hours in the oven, let it cool naturally, and repeated for 3 more times. It's so slick now it feels like a nonstick skillet. The handle I sanded, re-stained, glazed with gloss, filled the holes with glue and toothpicks and you know what...the handle now does not loosen up and it doesn't rust. Imagine that. Great little bacon press for the price.

In knew the handle was going to be an issue going into this transaction due to other buyer reviews, but I figured this would be something I could "handle". It's kind of loose due to oversized screw holes drilled into it. An easy fix with wood glue and toothpicks. But it does look clumsy, as if a nervous Cub Scout whittled it with a buck knife. Maybe I'll replace it down the road. Who knows?The main focus of my purchase was the actual cast iron part of this item. I wish it was of a larger diameter but they don't appear to make them any bigger than this. One reason I chose this particular bacon press was it was NOT shaped like a pig. The appearance is more classic and simple. Pigs just look tacky and embarrassing. I do like the ridges on the underside and the weight is just right. After seasoning the cast iron, I tried it on some thick sliced bacon and the result were good. It really does minimize splattering too which is a big plus. Cook time was reduced as well. Now remember, as with any cast iron cookware, properly season it before using. If you're not sure how to season and maintain cast iron, there are plenty of good how-to videos on You Tube. Just remember to remove the wooden handle before placing it in the oven and you'll be good to go.

When I pulled it out of the box the handle was wobbly. The two screws holding the handle on were loose. Apparently the holes in the wooden handle were too large and the screws fell out when I turned the press sideways. I actually like the cast iron portion, so I redrilled the holes in the wooden handle and screwed in longer, larger screws to hole the handle on firmly.Someone in this company needs to look at their quality control. This press should never have been boxed and sold.

This works very well to flatten bacon or burgers when frying but there is, in my opinion, one major flaw... I think the handle should have been put on sideways from the way it is so it would be parallel with the grooves on the bottom. That would make it much easier to hold it up to let grease run off. With the handle the way it is, it's difficult to tip it so the grooves are vertical because this is quite heavy.

Excellent press, great for burger, especially home made burgers. Have not tried it on bacon yet. Use mine in a 9 inch electric skillet. I grill up 3 patties at a time for the family. Very sturdy and heavy weight. Should be able to pass down to younger generations. Very easy to clean, i just use a scrub brush and mildly hot water to clean it. Spray just a little canola oil on it every 2 or 3 uses and it stays well seasoned.

Fits the frying pan we use, keeps the burger patties nice and flat, they don't bulge up. Couldn't be easier. Because it is cast iron, you need to just wash it with hot water, and wipe it off, much like a cast iron frying pan.

I thought it was FLAT....on the bottom. There was not a photo of the bottom in the item description. This item has Grill-like Ridges on the bottom face, so it doesn't actually work very well for the task I wanted it to do.

Saturdays and Sundays I cook bacon and eggs. It has a large surface area. I keeps my bacon flat. It comes out crispy.I have a crappy electric stove. Actually the bacon comes out mostly crispy.