Burger Patty Press vs Meat Flattener: What’s the Difference?

They Process Meat, but They Do Different Jobs

A burger patty press and a meat flattener may both involve pressure, but the starting product and desired result are different. A patty press forms loose ground ingredients into a controlled shape. A meat flattener starts with an existing cut or portion and reduces its thickness.

Burger & Patty Press

The forming mold controls the finished diameter of the patty. Portion weight and thickness depend on how much ground product is loaded. This is useful for burger restaurants, butcher shops, delis and food-preparation operations that want standardized round portions.

Meat Flattener

A meat flattener is designed around the resistance and structure of whole meat or poultry portions. It spreads and thins products such as schnitzel, chicken breast, pork or veal rather than molding loose ground product.

How to Choose

If you are starting with ground product and want a repeatable formed patty, choose a patty-forming press. If you are starting with an intact meat portion and want it thinner and wider, evaluate a meat flattener. Appearance or price alone does not determine interchangeability.