When you bite into a burger, you want to taste all the layers in one mouthful and for the toppings not to slip out. But did you know that scientists have found the best way to avoid spillage? There's also a trick to avoid a soggy-bottomed bun. Read on to find out more and discover other great tips for eating burgers.

An oversized meat patty will hang out of a burger bun and make it harder to eat, but you also don’t want a patty that’s too small and dwarfed by bread. To prevent these culinary mishaps, measure the diameter of the inside of a cut bread bun and make the patties slightly larger, as meat (especially fattier meat) contracts during cooking.

Prevent a soggy bottom by putting couple of lettuce leaves beneath the burger rather than on top. The lettuce acts as a barrier between the juicy meat and the bread.

Spreading mayo or laying a slice of cheese on the bottom half of a bun creates an impenetrable layer that prevents meat juices from seeping into the bread.

Classic white seeded hamburger buns are not the only buns. Brioche buns and potato rolls are tastier and, though still soft, are sturdier so soak up meat juice without disintegrating in your hands. Pretzel rolls (pictured) also make an interesting substitute.

For sturdier, less absorbent buns that aren’t as vulnerable to meat juice mushiness, opt for toasted bread. Place halved buns on a grill for ten seconds or so to seal the bread and provide some crunch.

Japanese researchers have discovered the optimum way to eat a burger in a way that prevents toppings falling out. Hold it with your thumb and pinkie fingers on the bottom and the remaining three fingers pressing down on the top.

Burgers in fast food joints usually come wrapped in paper or foil, and for good reason. To avoid gherkin absconders or ketchup drips, keep half the burger wrapped when you bite into it so the paper holds everything in. At home, use a thick napkin to do the same job and to soak up leaking meat juices.

This hack is so simple, you’ll wish you’d thought of it. To prevent spillages, all you need to do is eat your burger upside down. The top part of a burger bun is thicker than the bottom part so, turned over, the meat juices soak the sturdier top rather than seeping out of the sides or making the bottom, thinner, part of the bun soggy.

Too much of a condiment – be it ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish or chilli sauce – can overwhelm other flavours, and make other toppings more slippery and the bread soggy. Use sparingly.

Eating a burger in big bites is more likely to send toppings tumbling and cause condiments to squirt. Take smaller bites and there’ll be less leakage and you’ll have more control over the burger.

Tall burgers may look impressive but they can be tricky to eat and you’re not committing a fast food sin if you cut the burger in half or quarters. Press down on the burger to contain all the layers and slice into sections.

Eating a burger – especially a tall one – with a knife and fork is perfectly acceptable, as is eating around the wooden spike or cocktail stick that holds a stacked burger in place.

Burgers can be overwhelmingly large at times and unwieldy to eat. The answer? Sliders. These mini burgers are much more manageable and just the right bite-size pieces.

Some may say an iceberg lettuce leaf and sliced tomato is obligatory, but others swear that removing salad items makes a better burger. Fresh produce tends to wilt when placed near a hot meat patty and the result can be unappetising mush.

If you like salad too much to lose it completely, add it to a burger just before eating so it doesn’t have time to go limp, or serve it on the side.

If you’re partial to crispy bacon but find that rashers have a tendency to break free from your burger, make a bacon lattice (around 6 thin slices will do) then bake or grill. This creates a slip-free bacon ‘mat’ to go underneath the meat patty.

If there’s a mouthful or two left, use the remaining burger and bun to mop up any delicious juices on the plate.

Gone are the days when the gluten-intolerant had to forgo bread-heavy fast food. Replace the bun with slices of cooked aubergine (eggplant), courgette (zucchini), portobello mushrooms, or a halved avocado.

A burger isn't a healthy dish but there are ways to make your meal a lot lighter. Use large lettuce leaves as an alternative to bread. Lettuce wraps will cut your carb and calorie intake.

Rice can be fashioned into a bun of sorts to replace bread. The idea isn’t new – it was introduced in 1987 by Japanese fast food chain, MOS Burger, and has become widespread.

Bored with a plain old bread bun? Use a doughnut instead for a sweet, savoury, salty creation.

Cheese, eggs, bacon – these all work beautifully in a burger, but if you hanker after something a little more creative, forgo more traditional toppings for one of these: spread peanut butter on the bun for a burger reminiscent of beef satay; add a couple of fried oysters for an unusual surf and turf; include a helping of mac ‘n’ cheese if it’s indulgence you’re after; or treat yourself to a dollop of spicy chorizo jam to intensify the meaty flavour.

What you drink with your burger is more important than you think. Opt for a refreshing drink such as a zesty lemonade, light beer, dry cider or an acidic white wine to cut through the fat.

Even the best built burger is messy to eat. So don’t even think about eating a burger without a big wad of napkins within easy reach.

According to Debrett’s, the ultimate etiquette guide, there’s a correct way to eat finger food – such as cutting up large items and taking smaller bites – and there are things we shouldn't do. The following constitutes bad manners: elbows on the table; licking your fingers; and using a hand or sleeve to wipe your mouth – use a napkin.

Using a phone during mealtimes is contentious: some people say it’s fine to take a call or post on social media, especially a relaxed meal in a burger joint. Others find it rude or distracting. Socially acceptable or not, what many of us don’t realise is that phones are dirty. Germs live on our devices and, per square inch, our phones can be dirtier than a public toilet seat or the soles of our shoes. Wash your hands before eating and put your phone away.