Garlic Press Recomendations

[Schein4]

My beloved garlic press broke last night and I'm in need of a replacement. I've had it for so long that I can't even begin to guess the make. Anyone have any suggestions as to the best one out there? Thanks!

[Becca Porter]

http://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Easy...

[Chemicalkinetics]

I cannot say which is the best garlic press. Mine is the Oxo SteeL garlic press and it works fine and solidly constructed. It also seem to have very nice review on Amazon.com as well, but that does not mean it is the best.

http://www.amazon.com/Oxo-SteeL-Garli...

[ferret]

This has one compartment for pressing garlic and another that produces thin slices:

http://www.amazon.com/Amco-Garlic-Pre...

[scott123]

Out of 7 reviews, 2 reviewers had it break on them. Cast zinc is structurally very weak. A sturdy garlic press should be made from either steel or heavy cast aluminum, not zinc (and not plastic either).

[Becca Porter]

That makes sense and yet the Kuhn Rikon above beat out several stainless steel models in the CI test. I assume the easy-squeeze mechanism must be very well designed to allow for the handle to be plastic.

[scott123]

If you read the first review, the reviewer felt like it was just a matter of time before the plastic failed, and, for this reason, they recommended the all metal epicurean model.

Looking at the photo, it does seem like a pretty novel design, but it still looks like the plastic handles are stressed a bit when you squeeze it. Another reviewer complained that the handles give a bit when you squeeze them. Over time, this 'give' will weaken the plastic.

Depending on how often one uses a press, this might last for years. Imo, though, a garlic press should last for decades. This won't last that long. Not with a plastic handle that gives when you use it.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Scott,

I think this depends on the cost too. The Kuhn Rikon easy squeeze costs $20, while the Kuhn RIkon Epicurean (stainless steel) costs ~$40.

http://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Epic...

So it just really depends if a person use the garlic press often and if they think the stainless steel one will last two times longer.

[ferret]

I've owned one for a couple of years. No problems yet.

[scott123]

How often do you use it?

Have you put any really large cloves of garlic in it?

Zinc is cheap and easy to cast because of it's low melting point. It's brittleness, though, prevents it from being used in any setting where substantial torque is involved.

[ferret]

Thanks for the unsolicited metallurgy tutorial. I use it pretty much weekly, I also make sure the clove and plunger are well-seated before squeezing. I don't discount the possibility that these have a higher failure rate due to the choice of materials, but that doesn't mean it's a bad product. I purchased it from a small local specialty shop that sells a good amount of these and uses them in cooking demos. It's a good item.

As an aside, I also have a number of citrus squeezers (2 larger ones and 1 lime-sized). I purchased the 2 larger ones at the same store on the same day. One has worked perfectly for years, the other's hinge snapped in two on the first squeeze. I replaced it with a similarly-sized cotter pin from Home Depot and it's worked fine since.

[scott123]

"Thanks for the unsolicited metallurgy tutorial."

You're welcome. It seemed like you were a little unaware of the structural qualities of zinc. I'm glad we cleared that up :)

"I don't discount the possibility that these have a higher failure rate due to the choice of materials, but that doesn't mean it's a bad product."

People with positive experiences tend not to post online reviews. That being said, 2 out of 7 reviews mentioning broken handles denotes much more than the 'possibility' that these have a higher failure rate. These do have a higher failure rate.

You got lucky and your press didn't break. That's good for you. That doesn't change the fact that this is not a structurally sound press.

[tanuki soup]

After many disappointments (and a large pile of unsatisfactory garlic presses), I have given up. I now use a Microplane grater.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Hi Soup,

I have a microplane grater and it is great. I only use it to zest my lemon and lime. It is sharp (very) and high performance. The weakness is that it is a slow tool compared to a garlic press. Typically, I just mince my garlic using a knife, but that only work well if I have to mince 1-2 clovers. As I have recently taken up on Indian cooking which requires a lot of garlic at time, I realize it is very labor intensive to mince/chop large amount of garlic. I presume it will be the same problem with a microplane grater. I can go through 10-15 garlic clovers with a garlic press very fast.

That being said, I find the garlic press a very specific and niche tool. Since I bought it for ~4-6 months, I have used only a few times, and only truly needed to use it once. Afterall, I don't usually use more than 2-3 clovers in one cooking session.

[MikeG]

I've been very happy with my Zyliss. They seem to have changed the design, but it still looks good. Most importantly to me, garlic doesn't pop out around the edges of the plunger, most of it goes through the press the first time around.

[Becca Porter]

Does your Zyliss have a coating? My coating eventually peeled off... not good. That is why CI changed it's rec from Zyliss to the Kuhn Rikon I linked above...

[MikeG]

No, it's bare aluminum, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-Susi-DeL...

[Becca Porter]

That is exactly what mine looked like...until the coating peeled off.

[Becca Porter]

Here is a picture. Now the garlic changes color. I assume it is a reaction with the bare metal.

[scott123]

That's oxidized aluminum. It happens when you put aluminum utensils in the dishwasher. Once the coating came off, the press was/is no longer dishwasher safe. I would probably use a little fine grit sandpaper to clean it up, but there are other methods here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4500082_clean...

Once it's clean, your garlic shouldn't change color.

[Becca Porter]

Yeah, I am just gonna buy the Kuhn Rikon...

[Becca Porter]

Btw, I have had the Kuhn Rikon I mentioned above for a few weeks now, and it works/cleans perfectly. I highly recommend it.

[MikeG]

Hmm, mine must be older still than that model - it's bare, shiny metal. I've been assuming it's aluminum but after looking through the other posts, I guess it might be zinc? I don't know how to distinguish the two...

[scott123]

Zinc is a little lighter than steel and aluminum will be 2/3rds lighter. If it has very little heft, it's probably aluminum.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Guys,

While we are at it, have any of you have any experience with garlic gadgets like this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Chefn-GarlicZoo...

I have seen it in many departmental stores. I don't use tons of garlic, so I ususally just use a kitchen knife and if I do, I don't think if I really NEED this tool. That being said, I am curious if anyone has used one and what do they think? It looks like a fun toy.

[steve4284]

I have one. Never use it. Waste of money.

My old (uncoated) Zyliss is great. I won't buy the new (coated) version - too many complaints of coating peeling.

[visciole]

I have a great Chantal garlic press. It was a gift and it has lasted already 10+ years. The model they're selling now might be a bit different but it looks very similar.

http://www.amazon.com/Chantal-KG-GP9-...

[Chemicalkinetics]

It looks nice.

[grnidkjun]

I have the zyliss.
CI didn't give it top reviews citing that it starts to peel.
Maybe it's luck of the draw.. I've had mine for years and use it a couple times a week and it's still going strong.
It has a 4.5 avg rating among amazon reviewers:

http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-Susi-DeL...

[Indirect Heat]

http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-8-inch...

[Chemicalkinetics]

Very funny

[hobbess]

With all this talk about the Kuhn Easy Squeeze and speculation that it won't last very long, has somebody's actually broken down? Some of the Amazon say they fear that the plastic will eventually break, but others are saying that the way the plastic squeezes might be part of the design.

[Becca Porter]

Mine is still going strong...

[Beckyleach]

This was, hands down, the biggest "over kill" on a small kitchen tool ever, and I DON'T REGRET A PENNY OF IT! It can crush unpeeled cloves, it cleans in a snap, and it goes in and out of the dishwasher like a charm. It's beautiful, too. I'm going to give them as Christmas presents to everyone I know, this year, because I'm assuming they're all thinking what I thought: that's a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a garlic press.

However, do keep an eye out. I got mine for $26, on Amazon, when it lists for around $40:

http://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Epic...

[Antilope]

Cook's Illustrated review of Garlic Presses
Published July 1, 2007:

Recommended

Kuhn Rikon Easy-Squeeze Garlic Press, Model Number 592527
Kuhn Rikon 2315 Epicurean Garlic Press, Model Number 2315

Recommended with Reservations

Rösle Garlic Press, Model Number 12782
Trudeau Garlic Press, Model Number 099-685
Messermeister Pro-Touch Jumbo Garlic Press with Santoprene Handles, Model Number ME-800-81
Zyliss Susi 2 Garlic Press, Model Number 12080
Zyliss Jumbo Garlic Press, Model Number 12040

Not Recommended

OXO Steel 58181 Garlic Press, Model Number 58181
OXO Good Grips 28181 Garlic Press, Model Number 28181
Giant Garlic Press, Model Number LGPR
Cuisinart Red Garlic Press, Model Number 89438
Amco Houseworks Garlic Press (Also sold as the Crate and Barrel Garlic Slicer and Press.), Model Number 8662
Eva Solo Stainless Steel Garlic Press with Glass Container, Model Number 567625

[floydj]

Without a doubt, the best garlic press ever made is the Henckel Twin Select. Make sure it's the Twin Select not the Twin Pure. I bought mine in Italy. Don't know if they sell it in the states. You'll have to search the internet. It's stainless steel, one piece construction. Pricey but I don't think I'll have to buy another one ever again. I've had this over four years and use it almost daily. I paid about $75 and wondered if it was a mistake paying this much but I had broken at least 3 less expensive ones in a two year period from extensive use. See the link below for a picture of the press. Hope this helps.

http://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-...

[moonbeamer]

The Henkels-Zwilling "Twin Pure" garlic press is currently (November 2011) on sale for $29.95 at various places, including Chef's Catalog and amazon. The made-in-China "Twin Pure" press is is a bit different from their top-of-the line "Twin Select" model, but seems to be the same basic design, with an easy-to-clean swing-out basket, or chamber, and in any event seems to be a very well-designed and sturdy press (I just got mine--having just broken another highly rated "cheapie" press--so haven't been able to give it a real workout yet). Also something of a bargain, compared to 40 Euro = $55 USD price for the "Twin Select," or the current $40 U.S. price of comparable stainless steel presses such as the Kuhn-Rikon "Epicurean."

[ZeroSignal]

Wusthof makes a nice garlic press with two different plates. Kinda pricey though

[tanuki soup]

I have that Wusthof garlic press. Sadly, I can't recommend it. It's as ineffective, messy, and hard to clean as all the others, IMO. I'll stick with using my Microplane.