This Genius Tool Is My Secret to Always Delicious Burgers

As a born-and-raised Midwesterner (with a two-year break in New York City after college), I grew up with a steady supply of butter burgers, Juicy Lucys, and Dad’s backyard patties. And we can’t forget Iowa’s very own loose meat sandwiches; the deconstructed burger that’s also known as a “Maid-Rite.”

Both in Iowa and in the Food & Wine test kitchen, we spend a lot of time focusing on what’s in the center of these sandwiches. Of course, there’s the meat, and then, we can’t forget the toppings and the condiments. But my toast-devoted Dad taught me nice and young that there’s one very important, often-overlooked detail that can derail even the most juicy, thoughtful burger experience: soggy buns.

Cuisinart Butter Wheel

Failing to invest in a quality burger bun and skipping over a few minutes of prep time can mean that your burger can quickly result in a very unintentional loose meat sandwich. So when I’m building my best burger, I reach for a Martin’s Potato Rolls. Then I follow Dad’s advice, which I recently learned that Guy Fieri echoes, and I treat the bun with the respect it deserves.

For me, that means buttering them, and this $24 tool makes it easier than ever. I place two sticks of butter in the base of my trusty Cuisinart Butter Wheel Stainless Steel, allow it to melt over the grill or griddle, then secure the perforated wheel back in place. Then I place the inside of one bun half on the wheel, pressing it to rotate the wheel and apply a nice layer of melted butter. The butter slides on in seconds, and most importantly, in a nice even layer every single time. 

After I apply the butter, I situate the buttered buns on the grill or griddle and allow them to toast until they’re golden brown (or Dad’s preference, dark brown). Of course, this tool has proved itself useful for more than just burgers. It makes it easy to schmear anything I’m grilling with butter, whether it’s corn, hot dogs — you name it. And because it’s relatively small, I can bring it with me if my friend is hosting the barbecue.  

My only critique of this brilliant butter wheel is that it takes a fair amount of fat to reach the wheel for distribution, since the wheel itself sits a distance away from the bottom of the base. If you’re toasting buns for a smaller crowd and would like to melt a single stick, I learned that you can line the base with a few layers of foil to elevate the butter a bit so it can make contact with the wheel. Bonus: This makes clean-up easier, too!

This butter wheel makes applying an even layer of melted butter a breeze, so I can now make quick work out of preparing buns for burgers, hot dogs, brats, lobster rolls, grilled cheese…and, of course, Maid-Rites. Grab one today for $24 and thank me later. 

Shop More Burger Tools at Amazon: 

Cuisinart Burger Press

Hulisen Smash Burger Kit

Oaklyn Clear Condiment Server

OXO Turner

Weetie Grill Brush & Scraper

At the time of publishing, the price was $24.