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Learn & WatchSubmitWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.Find the Best Basting Covers for a Delicious Grilling Experience
Published: 2 Nov 2023Have you ever wondered why so many restaurants and burger places use lids on when cooking burgers? These lids are called basting covers, or basting domes, and are commonly used grilling equipment that should be in your kitchen.
Basting covers are used for many different reasons, but there is always one common objective, evenly heating food. A basting dome traps heat and disperses it equally among food items on the grill, ensuring they cook properly. This makes covers an essential part of any grilling process, whether grilling chops for a barbeque or burger patties for a good cheeseburger.
Look no further if you’re searching for a good basting cover for your grilling needs. We’ve curated a carefully reviewed list of the premiere basting covers on the market that will completely transform your grilling experience. So, let’s jump right into the top basting covers of 2023.
Show contentsThe Best Basting Covers 2023 Models in Detail- House Again Cheese Melting Dome - Durable Construction
- Homenote Griddle Accessories Kit - Professional Grade
- HaSteeL Cheese Melting Dome Set - High Capacity
- ZBXFCSH Griddle Accessories - Easy Cleaning
- Blackstone Griddle Accessories - Also Consider
A Complete Buying Guide to the Top Basting Covers for GrillingA Complete Buying Guide to the Top Basting Covers for Grilling
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the top basting covers out there, let’s examine our buying guide for the ideal basting domes for your kitchen. With so many options out there, it may be confusing how to choose a single product that will meet all your requirements.
Therefore, we carefully researched the market to offer you a detailed guide that will equip you with all necessary information about basting covers, their uses and needs, and how to pick the right one for yourself.
What Is Basting?
Before jumping into any discussions about basting domes, let’s clarify what basting is. Basting is a cooking method that allows food, mostly meats, to cook in its own moisture content and juices; this also includes the fat content pressed out of meat during smashing. Covering the meat with a conductive surface traps heat and evenly distributes it throughout the meat, or patty, and enables cooking without drying out.
Why Do You Need a Basting Cover?
A basting cover, or steam cover, is required to cook meat, prepare patties, and melt cheese. You can also use a basting dome to steam or saute vegetables on a grill or stovetop. You can also use basting covers to infuse the flavor of different seasonings and toppings on a burger, using a process called fluid fusion. You can also mix and melt different cheeses into your burger or sandwich with a basting cover.
How To Use a Basting Cover
Basting covers are used differently depending on the kind of cooking involved. This means that a basting cover will be used differently for a burger than for cooking a larger cut of meat. If you’re grilling patties on a stovetop or grill, you should use a basting dome after flipping one side. After flipping once, you can cover the grill or stovetop with the basting dome and let it stay in place for about 3 minutes.
If you want to add cheese to your patties, you should add your slice of cheese after flipping a patty. You can then cover it with the basting cover and let the patty cook. You can also garnish your sides, or vegetables, with a little vegetable oil and seasoning, letting them sit under the basting cover until they are deliciously sauteed.
How To Pick the Right Basting Cover
There are several features you must consider before making the final decision on a basting cover for your kitchen. Here are all the factors you need to take into consideration:
Shape
The most important feature of a basting cover is its shape. The shape should always be round, allowing for even heat distribution within the food. This is also why basting covers are also called basting domes, they are most commonly shaped like a dome for optimal performance.
Size
The size of your basting cover should be enough for your food to be centered under the cover. This means, on average, for a 6-inch patty or burger, a basting dome with a diameter of 12-inches is perfect. This is the usual size of most basting covers and is good enough to heat a decent amount of food simultaneously and evenly.
The size should also be supported by your cooking appliance, whether it’s a grill or stove. If it can support a basting cover bigger than 12-inches, you can opt for that. If not, you need to ensure that the basting cover will fit on your particular appliance.
Material
The material of the basting cover determines how well heat is trapped and retained as your food cooks. Normally, basting domes are made of stainless steel or aluminum. These materials are non-reactive to heat other than conducting it, ensuring no added metallic taste to your food. They can also endure intense heat without breaking or cracking. Other metal materials might become hazardous, breaking and mixing with your food.
Handle
While this isn’t a strict requirement, having a nonconductive handle can make your basting cover experience safer and more comfortable. A wooden, or heat-resistant plastic handle, allows you to remove the basting cover even when hot. Conversely, if the handle is also made of metal, you may require additional gear like gloves to grip the handle.
The Best Basting Covers 2023 Models in Detail
1House Again Cheese Melting Dome
– Durable ConstructionThis heavy-duty cheese melting basting dome is made of 2.5mm thick stainless steel, giving it a robust exterior that is durable and long-lasting. The material is strong enough to retain its qualities even after extended use. The dome is 12-inches in diameter, making it the perfect size for cooking and grilling food, ensuring even cooking and searing. It also creates an oven-like environment, heating your food properly and expertly melting cheese on burgers. The cover’s heat resistant handle is coated with silicone and tightly bound to the dome, keeping you safe from burnt hands when using the dome on a hot grill.
Pros- Heat resistant handle ensuring safety
- Stainless steel exterior is easy to clean
- 12-inch diameter allows you to cook more food at once
Cons- Cannot be use it in an oven
2Homenote Griddle Accessories Kit
– Professional GradeThis professional griddle accessory kit includes a basting dome and a round cast-iron press. The dome is durable and good for repeated use, so you can make as many burgers with it as you like. The 2.5mm thick dome is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 12.5-inches, meaning it can easily cover multiple patties and vegetables without the hassle of grilling each one separately.
The cast iron grill press is made of heavy-duty iron and has an easily gripped wooden handle. It has a diameter of 7-inches, allowing you to make 7-inch patties efficiently. The grill press has equalized weight distribution, ensuring your patties always have perfect grill marks. And it can also be used for chops and steak.
Pros- Professional griddle equipment for making perfect burgers
- You can use the dome for melting cheese and cooking up patties evenly
- The heavy-duty material makes the equipment durable and long-lasting
Cons- The press is not especially heavy, requiring greater manual pressure.
3HaSteeL Cheese Melting Dome Set
– High CapacityThis set of two high-quality cheese melting metal domes is designed for grilling burgers and other food items. The domes are made of stainless steel, are relatively lightweight, and are sturdy and durable. They can easily trap heat to cook meat, vegetables and melt the cheese evenly. The domes have a diameter of 12-inches, allowing you to cook multiple patties and veggies simultaneously. The domes come with a heatproof plastic handle that will remain intact throughout the cooking process.
The capacity of the basting domes can easily fit over different grills and appliances, including cooking pots and pans. This kit also comes with a free screwdriver for fixing the domes and other applications.
Pros- Large melting domes for even heating and cooking
- The stainless steel exterior makes the domes durable
- You can use it for a variety of applications, including grills as well as pots and pans
Cons- Cannot be used inside an oven
4ZBXFCSH Griddle Accessories
– Easy CleaningThis product consists of a stainless steel melting dome and steaming cover. You can use the dome for professional, commercial, or personal use. The manufacturing of the steam cover promotes even heating of vegetables, cheese and patties. By trapping in heat the cover creates an oven-like environment, cooking your food perfectly.
The diameter of this dome is around 12-inches, allowing it to cover multiple patties, cheese slices, and vegetables without a mess. You can now retain the taste and moisture of your burger patties without hassle. The handle is made of durable heat-resistant plastic, which is safe to touch even while your food is cooking. A great feature of this dome is that it is dishwasher-friendly and does not retain smell/odor.
Pros- Stainless steel is durable and allows for even heating
- The material is resistant to stains and odors
- The dome is dishwasher-safe
Cons- Cannot be used in an oven due to the plastic handle.
5Blackstone Griddle Accessories
– Also ConsiderAnother great product on our list is the Blackstone Steam Cover and Melting Dome, the perfect tool for evenly heating food. All you need to do is place your burger patties, veggies, and cheese slices under this 12-inch melting dome. It perfectly steams the vegetables to crispy, and effortlessly mixes cheese with your patties. With this dome, you’ll be making juicy burgers with minimal effort.
The dome’s large diameter (12-inches) allows you to simultaneously cook multiple patties and food items. The durable, heat-resistant handle ensures your safety even when the dome is on a hot grill.
Pros- Resistant to stains and odors
- Comes with a heat-resistant handle for safety
- Is dishwasher-safe
- Large diameter of 12-inches
Cons- You need to remount the basting dome’s handle
People Also Asked
Q: Do I need a basting dome with a griddle?A: A griddle without a lid is not good for cooking or grilling. This is because different environmental conditions, like wind and humidity, may cause fluctuations in temperature. It is advisable to have a basting cover on a griddle without a lid, ensuring even cooking at a constant temperature.
Q: Are basting covers good for a stove?A: A basting cover does not only help in cooking food properly and infusing taste, but it also keeps juices and grease from cooking away from the rest of the grill or stove. This makes a basting cover a really good tool for keeping your stovetop or grill clean from excess grease.
Q: How can I melt cheese with a basting cover?A: It is extremely easy to melt cheese with a basting cover. Add your cheese slices to the patty, add two tablespoons of water to the grill or stovetop, and cover it tightly with the basting dome. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove the cover. Your cheese will be perfectly melted and infused into the patty.
Q: How should I clean my basting cover?A: If your basting cover is aluminum or stainless steel, you should wait for it to cool down before washing it with warm water and a mild soap. If there is any grease or food residue on the lid, boil in a vinegar and water mixture before washing with water.
The Cuisine Review Team’s in-depth guides and product reviews are designed to help you pick the best products for a beautiful and professional-grade kitchen and dining room. The Cuisine Review Team curates this content, and Cuisine’s editorial staff is not involved. Cuisine at Home is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Please contact aimperiapt@gmail.com for all inquiries regarding articles or product testing.