Which garlic press is best?
If you aren’t familiar with a garlic press, the idea of this kitchen tool might seem unnecessary. Once you’ve used it for the first time, you’ll see why a press beats the knife method. Not only will a garlic press save you time, it will also save you effort.
This simple tool requires a straightforward action rather than a collection of movements and techniques. A handheld garlic press allows you to mince garlic and add it directly to your meals or pan without needing to dirty any chopping boards or knives. Garlic presses are also easy to clean — most can just be popped into the dishwasher.
The Alpha Grillers Garlic Press is a good all-around garlic press.
What to know before you buy a garlic press
Grip
Since the purpose of a garlic press is to eliminate the effort required to form a garlic paste, the mechanism must work effectively. This means you’ll need to apply sufficient pressure to it using the handles. When the handles are too slippery, you won’t be able to get a good grip and will find it difficult to crush the cloves. Handles that have a silicone layer or are textured will provide you with plenty of grip and make the process a lot easier.
Type
There are three types of garlic presses.
- The nutcracker style press: This is a hinged two-handle device that lets you place a clove in a chamber and press down on it, forcing the garlic through tiny holes.
- The garlic chopper: It uses a container to hold the garlic and a handle you twist and chop the garlic with.
- The simple garlic press: You rock it back and forth over each clove. The rocking motion squeezes the garlic through tiny holes in the center of the press, utilizing movement to crush the garlic rather than force.
Plastic vs. metal
Some presses come in a nylon plastic free of bisphenol-A, or BPA, a chemical that may raise some health concerns. Others will be made from stainless steel. The stainless steel ones tend to be a lot weightier and will feel more heavy-duty, and the heavier the device, the more comfortable you may feel applying a lot of pressure. The plastic ones work just as well but may feel less secure.
What to look for in a quality garlic press
Capacity
If you are a lover of garlic or have a large family to prepare food for, a press that only handles one clove at a time will not be sufficient. Look for a press with a large chamber that can hold up to seven cloves at a time. This will let you prepare things faster. Also, make sure it is still easy to use once loaded up with that many cloves. You need to be able to apply enough pressure to crush the cloves without fighting with the press’s handles.
Add-ons
Some presses come with a cleaning tool, a brush or poker that will help you clean out any stuck pieces of garlic once you have finished pressing your cloves. Garlic presses that give you good value for your money also include a tool that will help you remove the skin from your garlic.
Slim handles
When using a garlic press, you want to be able to squeeze the handles until they are as close together as possible. This will indicate that no more garlic can come out. To get a good grip on the handles, you need to be able to wrap your hand around them and clench them together, so they need to be slim enough that they both fit into your hand. If you are looking at a rocking garlic press or slicer, you still want to make sure the handles are big enough to get a good grip, yet small enough to grip them fully.
How much you can expect to spend on a garlic press
A good midrange garlic press costs around $15. The simpler rocking press will cost you less, as there is little going on mechanically, but the slicers have a few more elements and could cost upward of $20.
Garlic press FAQ
When should you use a garlic press?
A. A garlic press will provide you with paste-like garlic that is easy to add to aiolis, meat rubs and stews. If you plan on sautéing the garlic first, you’d be better off chopping it, as pressed garlic tends to burn a lot easier than chopped garlic does.
Do you need to peel garlic before pressing it?
A. In theory, no. However, to prevent the flaky skin from mixing with the paste, remove the outermost layer from the clove before pressing it.
What’s the best garlic press to buy?
Top garlic press
Alpha Grillers Garlic Press Stainless Steel
What you need to know: This is an efficient garlic press that is dishwasher-safe and ergonomically sound.
What you’ll love: The press comes with a silicone roller designed to remove any garlic skin before you place the clove in the press. The press is made from stainless steel and is sleek and scratch-resistant. It will produce a smooth garlic paste and make the cleanup process quick and straightforward.
What you should consider: Cleaning the other parts of the press can be time-consuming, as it has a few notches where garlic tends to get stuck.
Top garlic press for the money
Joseph Joseph Helix Garlic Press Mincer
What you need to know: An affordable garlic press that is lightweight, it has a large garlic chamber.
What you’ll love: The press can hold up to seven cloves at once and uses a twisting action, rather than a clamp, to press the garlic. The press is made from BPA-free plastic. This press will produce well-minced garlic.
What you should consider: The press requires two hands to operate.
Worth checking out
Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press
What you need to know: This heavy-duty press is simple and easy to use.
What you’ll love: This press has a simple design with no unnecessary extras. It is easy to clean and can be placed in the dishwasher. When pressing garlic, you will be rewarded with a very fine garlic paste.
What you should consider: The press is quite heavy.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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