Do You Close the Grill When Cooking Burgers? Here’s What You Need to Know

Grilling burgers sounds simple.

But many people still ask the same question: Do you close the grill when cooking burgers?

The answer depends on heat, burger size, and how fast you want them to cook.

In this guide, we break it down in a clear and easy way so you always get juicy, even burgers.

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Should You Close the Grill When Cooking Burgers?

Most of the time, yes, you should close the grill.

When the lid is down, heat surrounds the burger from all sides.

This works like an oven.

It helps the burger cook faster and stay moist.

If you keep the lid open, the heat rises and escapes.

This means the burger cooks only from the bottom.

It also takes longer.

That can dry out lean meat or leave the inside undercooked.

So the simple rule is:

• Thick burgers: close the lid.

• Thin burgers: open is fine.

This rule works for gas, charcoal, and pellet grills.

If you want to learn more about how to handle heat on gas grills in general, you can check out our guide on The Best Way to Cook on a Gas Grill for Great Results.

Why Closing the Lid Helps

Closing the grill keeps heat inside.

This makes the temperature steady.

Burgers cook better when heat stays even.

The outside stays crisp.

The inside stays juicy.

You also cut down flare-ups because the fire gets less oxygen.

When you open the lid, air rushes in.

This can cause flames to jump.

It can also cool the grate, and that slows cooking.

You may need to add more time, which can make the burger tough.

For most home grills, closing the lid gives you a cleaner, simpler cook.

When an Open Grill Works Better

There are times when open grilling is the right choice.

It depends on size and fat level.

You can grill with the lid open when:

• The patty is thin, like a smashburger.

• You want a strong crust fast.

• You like quick flips and high heat.

With thin patties, a closed lid can overcook the center before you get that crisp outside.

Open grilling also helps when you need to watch for flare-ups from high-fat blends.

Ground beef with 80/20 fat drips a lot.

With the lid open, you can move the burger fast.

How Long to Cook Burgers With the Lid Closed

Cook times vary with heat and thickness, but here is a simple way to follow:

• ¾-inch patties: 3–4 minutes per side

• 1-inch patties: 4–5 minutes per side

Close the lid between flips.

This traps heat and cooks the middle.

You can open it only to flip or check temps.

If you want a perfect finish, use a thermometer.

Burgers should reach 160°F for safe doneness with ground beef.

The Heat Zone Trick

You can also use a two-zone setup.

One side of the grill is hot.

The other side is cooler.

Start burgers on the hot side for a good sear.

Then move them to the cool side and close the lid.

This keeps the outside from burning.

It also lets the inside cook slow and even.

This method works best for thick patties and stuffed burgers.

It’s the same approach many pitmasters use for ribs; you can see a full breakdown in our guide on How to Cook Spare Ribs on a Gas Grill the Right Way for Flavor.

Clean Grates Make Better Burgers

Burgers stick to dirty grates.

Burned bits from past cooks make searing harder.

They also cause flare-ups.

A clean grate gives you clean grill marks and better flavor.

It also lets you flip burgers without tearing the meat.

Before grilling, let your grill heat up.

Then scrape the grate while it is hot.

A wooden scraper works well because it shapes to your grill and avoids metal bristles.

A good option for this is the Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper; it forms grooves over time and helps you clean without worry while keeping your grate smooth for burger searing.

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon USA

Buy Easy Function Wood Grill Scraper - Amazon Canada

Should You Flip Burgers With the Lid Open or Closed?

Always open the lid when flipping.

This keeps smoke out of your face and lets you see the grill surface.

After your flip, close the lid again for even cooking.

Do not press the burger.

Pressing pushes juices out.

You lose flavor and moisture.

Let the heat do the work.

What About Cheese?

If you add cheese, close the lid for the last minute of cooking.

The trapped heat melts it fast and smooth.

Cheese melts slower on an open grill, and it can slide or burn before it sticks.

Cheddar, Swiss, and American melt best.

Even thick slices melt well with the lid down.

Final Tips for Better Burgers

Let burgers rest for a few minutes after cooking.

This helps juices settle.

The meat stays moist when you bite in.

Toast buns on the grill for 20–30 seconds.

Do this on low heat or on the cool zone.

A toasted bun keeps its shape better and holds the juice.

If you use sauces, add them after cooking.

Sauce on raw meat can burn.

So, Should You Close the Grill?

For most burgers, closing the grill gives better results.

Thick patties cook faster and more evenly.

Thin patties do fine with an open lid.

Just choose based on your style and the burger size.

Grilling burgers is simple when you follow these small steps.

You get the same juicy results each time.

If you want to keep your grill clean the easy way, click the image and check out our products; this includes our wooden grill scraper and other helpful tools from Easy Function.