The Secrets to Making the Perfect Burger

Today's blog post is a follow up to a blog post from last week and is based on a podcast from The Art of Manliness:

When Chris Kronner took his first head chef position at an upscale restaurant, he inherited a menu which featured a popular burger. At first he resented having to hold onto it. But then he began to wonder, and be captured by, how he might experiment with and elevate this sandwich standby. Thus began a decade-long obsession with creating the perfect, mouth-wateringly tasty burger.

In his new book, A Burger to Believe In: Recipes and Fundamentals, Chris shares how he turned what he learned in his quixotic quest into the Bay Area’s famous Kronnerburger, as well as accessible tips that can be used by the average backyard chef to level up their burger game. Chris shares some of those tips today on the show, beginning with the best kind of beef chuck to use in your burgers and why the method you use to cook your burgers should vary depending on their fat content. We then get into why Chris likes to use dry aged beef in his burgers, and how you can make your own in the kind of mini fridge you’d keep in a dorm room. From there we delve into the optimal size and shape of the patty, Chris’ surprising pick for buns, the ideal proportionality of toppings, and Chris’ take on the desirability of putting ketchup on your burger. We also get into our mutually conflicted feelings about pairing one’s burger with French fries, and, if you need to get your burger fix on the run, what fast food chain Chris thinks has the best burgers.

Here are the highlights of the program:

• Why are Americans so attached to the hamburger?
• Chris’s go-to meat from the meat counter 
• How should you grill your burger?
• Why does Chris use dry-aged beef in his burgers?
• Where do people go wrong with patty shape and size?
• The only seasoning you need when grilling 
• Chris’s cheese of choice + other toppings 
• The condiment that shouldn’t go on a burger 
• What about side dishes? 
• What’s the best fast food burger?

Interesting days

Today - International Kissing Day, Fried Chicken Day, Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day, Umbrella Cover Day and Take Your Webmaster To Lunch Day

Tomorrow - Chocolate Day, Macaroni Day, Strawberry Sundae Day, Global Forgiveness Day and Tell The Truth Day

Week long celebrations:

Jul 5- Jul 11: Great British Pea Week

Next Tuesday - French Fries Day, Cow Appreciation Day, Beef Tallow Day, International Rock Day and Embrace Your Geekness Day

August 6 - Fresh Breath Day, International Beer Day, Cycle to Work Day, Farmworker Appreciation Day, International Sailor Moon Day, Root Beer Float Day, Wiggle Your Toes Day and Balloons to Heaven Day