Choosing the Best Garlic Press for Your Kitchen

Though some top chefs detest the garlic press, most cooks find them a convenience that it impossible to do without. True to the name, these appliances are a quick and easy way to get maximum crushed garlic flavor. Cloves don’t even have to be peeled before popping them in to the device. One or two garlic cloves go into the small holding compartment, and then the back of the compartment is sealed with the presser foot. Squeeze the handles together, and voila! Your garlic comes out of the holes in skinny spirals, leaving behind all of the skins, wrappings, and other debris. 

In order to push the garlic through the press’s holes, you will have to give the handle a tight squeeze. Therefore, you will want to look for a press that is comfortable to hold and feels good in your hand. Many styles of garlic press come with a convenient tool that pokes any remaining bits of garlic out of the holes for easier cleaning. Choose a press that comes with the tool attached, rather than loose, to be sure you can find it when you need it.

A helpful hint for using your garlic press: clean it right away. Once the remaining debris in the press dries, it can be quite difficult to remove. If you end up in a sticky spot, soak your garlic press in water for a few hours, to soften the waste so you can clean it away. These presses are a nice way to keep your hands clean and odor free, because you won’t handle the garlic. However, if you do notice a residual garlic scent on your skin, hand washing stainless steel presses can do double duty – the stainless steel is known for its ability to remove the smell.

Finally, ignore critics who say garlic presses are only good for one thing – plenty of amateur and professional cooking experts find multiple uses for the little appliances. Any small, reasonably soft garnish can be juiced or mashed as long as it fits into the compartment, such as capers, chipotles, ginger, and olives. Heavy duty presses can sometimes handle shelled nuts – convenient for a quick sprinkle.