Tools of the Trade

The hamburger’s humble beginnings are rooted in frugality. The first burgers were made with scraps from higher-end steak trimmings and cooked in pans on street corners for people with very little money. Still today, to make great burgers you do not need fancy cooking tools or expensive kitchen toys, unless of course you are so inclined. The key to producing quality classic-American burgers is simplicity. Here are the basics you will need in your kitchen, or backyard, to make the burgers in this book.