[FTC Standard Disclosure] I received no compensation for this post.
Have you had odd food cravings during the pandemic restrictions?
The other day, I had a strange desire for a Quarter Pounder® with Cheese. That's not something I think about often. Usually, if I have a fast food craving, it will be for Cookout because they make my favorite type of burger - Carolina ATW style with slaw, chili, onions, and mustard.
But I was specifically craving a simple QP with Cheese, so I made us some burgers on the griddle. I have several options for cooking flat-top burgers using my arsenal of grills and grill accessories.
I picked the small Blackstone because I was only making 3 burgers. TBH, I probably use the small one 9 times for every 1 time I use my big 36" flat top. It's more convenient, is just the right size for our needs, and it fits right on my Egg table.
This thing is a beast, too. It survived the whole week at Bonnaroo music festival with my son and his college buddies last year!
I preheated my flat top, wiped it down with peanut oil, and then smashed out three 8-ounce ground chuck patties. Yeah, I know 8 ounces is not a quarter pound. I'm having it my way and I'm lovin' it. Yes, I am also aware that I'm mixing fast food slogans.
The tool that I'm using in the picture is the Ballistic Stainless Steel Burger Press from our friends at Craycort Grills. This heavy-duty tool is built to last.
The bottom is recessed so you can smash your burger out evenly. It fits 8-ounce burgers perfectly but also does smaller ones too, the smaller ones just won't be perfectly round.
I cooked these with the flat top running at 450°f until they burgers got crusty on the first side, about 4 minutes.
Then I seasoned the burgers with finely ground NMT Beef Rub v.2 and flipped them.
After flipping, I seasoned the other side and cooked the burgers for another 4 minutes. I topped each patty with slices of American and mild cheddar cheeses with about 2 minutes to go.
I love being outside on a beautiful Spring evening, hearing the sizzling flat top, and smelling the aroma of the burgers. In case you're wondering, I don't do the ice/inverted bowl trick for melting the cheese unless I forgot to put the cheese on until the last minute.
I served them up QP style with onions, pickles (I used Mt Olive Sweet and Spicy), ketchup, and mustard. I did NOT toast my buns on purpose since they don't. Sure, I didn't have a sesame seed bun, but they don't serve beer with theirs, so I win 😁😃.
My simple half-pounder with cheese - craving satisfied.
Yukon Glory Griddle Hood
I know that a lot of you have a Blackstone flat top. Have you seen the hood attachment that Yukon Glory makes for them? They offered me to be an Affiliate seller, but I have declined, so I'm only promoting this because I think it's a cool idea for my fellow flat top owners.
The grill hood easily attaches to the backstop of your Blackstone 36" griddle. It includes a built-in warming rack and a lid thermometer. It has a butterfly-style vent for additional heat control. This accessory would be useful for those cool, windy days, and I would also think it will help the food cook a bit faster in general.
If I used my 36" griddle more often, I would probably get one of these. Then again, maybe if I had one of these, perhaps I'd use the big Blackstone more often? Hmmm, that is a grill-a-sophical dilemma there :)
Everyone have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend! Keep in mind the real reason for the holiday - hint, it isn't BBQ.
