For any cooking enthusiast, a garlic press is a must-have kitchen aid. Without it, you end up spending way too long cutting it into fine pieces to add to your bolognese or other sauces and recipes. The problem is, some are more durable than others and if you get a sub-par product, they end up being messier than chopping it yourself.
The best garlic presses will be made from durable materials, should be easy to clean and dispose of the waste easily. However, some products are cheaply made despite pricing themselves alongside the quality products. We have selected the best in the business and each one is sure to make your life a lot easier and cooking at home more enjoyable.
List of the Best Garlic Presses
- Editor’s Choice: Alpha Grillers Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
- Best Design: ZYLISS Susi 3 Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
- Best Soft Handle: OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
- Best Value: Oye Stainless Steel Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
- Best For Less Effort Required: Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
- Best Luxury: Rösle Stainless Steel Mincing Garlic Press (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Alpha Grillers Garlic Press
With just about every feature and function you could hope for, Alpha Grillers has created the best garlic press on the market. The 304 stainless steel materials are rust-proof and the inner tube is made from quality, FDA-approved silicone to ensure the user’s safety. What is great about this model is that there is no need to peel the garlic, it squeezes the garlic through the mincer into a paste and only the peel is left behind.
It comes with a cleaning brush to make removing the award bits easy but is also dishwasher safe so you don’t have to do anything to prepare it for next time. The garlic roller also makes life easy and to top it all off, this garlic press comes with a lifetime guarantee – talk about trusting their products.
Best Design: ZYLISS Susi 3 Garlic Press
Made from cast aluminum, it is easy to like the smooth design that looks a bit different from the competition. In terms of functionality, it allows you to press the garlic without having to peel the cloves and comes with a sturdy brush to remove the contents from the top, fitting into the holes and can be stored inside the device so you never lose it.
Anyone who wants to clean it easily will appreciate the fact that it is dishwasher safe and also comes with a 5-year guarantee. The materials are BPA-free so it is safe to use and has an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to hold and squeeze. With a large basket that fits large cloves with ease, it is an impressive garlic press.
Best Soft Handle: OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press
Whenever you see the OXO brand name attached to a product you know it is going to be made to a high standard. This garlic press is easy to hold thanks to the soft yet grippy handle and makes light work of pressing multiple cloves at a time.
The cleaner is built-in and pushes through the holes to make removing stubborn bits easy. The handles flip over to make it easy to tip the remaining peel away which adds to the convenience and as you would expect from such a product, it is dishwasher safe. It looks good and is made from heavy-duty Zinc so you know it is built to last. Weighing in at 12.8 oz it certainly feels sturdy.
Best Value: Oye Stainless Steel Garlic Press
This device might look simple but the great value isn’t just down to the attractive price. It is also very functional and one of the best features is the removable basket that makes it easy to clean. It feels sturdy enough although the design is more slimline than others but when you use unpeeled garlic, it presses with ease and isn’t hard to clean.
The stainless steel is complemented by nickel-plated zinc and neither material will rust or corrode so expect this to last a long time despite being over half the price of many reputable garlic presses. It comes with a lifetime guarantee so even if anything happened to it at some point, you can always get a replacement. Because the basket can be removed, the main parts do not get sticky garlic on them which makes clean up easy.
Best For Less Effort Required: Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press
This unique design has become somewhat of a favorite for those who like something a little different and the wide easy to grip handles do feel a bit more comfortable than a lot of the competition. It also does a lot of the work for the user, taking the strain out of the squeezing when things get a little tight.
The sieve hinges are stainless and easy to clean after the press goes through peeled or unpeeled cloves. The holes cut the garlic into fine pieces and unlock that flavor and aroma that makes the difference to your recipes. It also comes with a reputable brand name and Swiss quality.
Best Luxury: Rösle Stainless Steel Mincing Garlic Press
If you’re looking for a quality garlic press then look no further. This could stretch the budget for a lot of people but if you want something that just feels like quality in your palms then this is the sort of garlic press that will impress. The stainless steel design means it will not rust and the head flips open to make it easy to clean. This also makes it easy for you to place multiple cloves inside and they don’t have to be peeled.
Of course, something in this price bracket is dishwasher safe and in the German design and satin finish handles and hanging ring it comes with a lifetime warranty so you’ll never be without a quality garlic press.
Garlic Press Guide
When it comes to simple things, a little bit of convenience can go a long way. This is where a garlic press can come in handy and when using one, you get less of the strong scent on your hands. This is great since it can be hard to get the smell off but a garlic press should be able to offer more than that.
They have come a long way and some of the best garlic presses make life easier in more ways than you might expect. This is only when you buy a quality product which isn’t always easy, that’s why we’ve created the following buyer’s guide so you get this purchase right.
What To Look For In A Garlic Press
Large Basket Capacity
If you want to make your life even easier then you need to find a garlic press that has a large basket. This means you can fit a big clove or multiple small to medium cloves without an issue. No one wants to spend too long cleaning and refilling so try to find a product that will get everything done in one go.
Dishwasher Safe
Most garlic presses are relatively easy to clean. This is despite the fact that small pieces of garlic can get into some tough to reach areas. A lot of the time, they will be dishwasher safe which takes the strain out. Beware though as some products that claim to be dishwasher safe can corrode over time.
A lot of companies recommend hand washing and this is made a lot easier when the garlic press comes with a brush for cleaning.
Ergonomic Handle
The easier the garlic press is to hold the more often you will use it and a lot of this is down to the handle. Some come with wider handles that take the strain out of pressing and if you can find one with a soft, grippy handle then even better.
The handle should be smooth to make it easy to hold so it doesn’t pinch as you squeeze it.
Unpeeled Cloves
The best garlic presses are the ones where you don’t have to do half the work by peeling each clove before using the press. This is a common feature as the pressure tends to squeeze the garlic out of the peel and as long as it is easy to clean after, it will save you a lot of time.
Hanging Ring
If you like to hang your kitchen tools up then a garlic press with a hanging ring at the bottom of the handle is a sensible option. It also makes it easier to dry after washing. This isn’t a deal breaker of course, just a nice addition.
Swivel Motion
This makes the garlic press easy to clean as it opens up wide for you to remove the larger bits of garlic. If the device has a design where the peel sticks to the sides you will be thankful for the ability to tap it on the side of the bin to empty everything inside.
Warranty
If you are spending money on a quality garlic press, then a warranty is going to be more important. The reputable brands tend to give you a decent amount of time with some even offering a lifetime warranty. The more you think you will use the press, the more important this will be.
Different Materials
Stainless Steel
One of the most common materials used in a garlic press because it is durable, rust-resistant and easy to clean. Also, they are affordable although they are often the material of choice for some of the pricier brands.
One of the other benefits of using a stainless steel garlic press is that you can run your fingertips over it and it can remove the smell of garlic.
Plastic Press/Peeler
There are plastic garlic presses available but these tend to be less durable and more susceptible to breaking.
Also, not all products come with a plastic peeler but it can make life easier. The simple device is little more than a plastic tube but when made from food-grade materials they can make light work of peeling garlic.
Simply insert the clove into the tube and press over it as you roll.
Die-Cast Zinc
Another common material that is rust-resistant and dishwasher safe but not as durable as stainless steel. It looks good and will often be cheaper so you can pick up a good value product when it is made from die-cast steel.
Aluminum
Less common but still sturdy the price might also be a little lower with most models. Aluminum products might not last as long and show signs of wear and tear over time when compared to stainless steel so handwashing and drying it properly is best advised.
How Much Does A Quality Garlic Press Cost?
You can pick up a very good garlic press for under $15 although you’ll want to make sure these come with a warranty. The better products do tend to cost a little more and when spending over $40 you should expect it to last for a long time.
The superior materials and quality build will make it a good purchase but if you don’t think you will use the garlic press as often this won’t be as important.
Other Uses For A Garlic Press
One of the most common alternative foods to go in a garlic press is ginger. This tends to be less messy but it is more difficult to press so you will want a heavy-duty product with a strong hinge mechanism.
Other uses for a garlic press include pressing olives, small pieces of onion, and horseradish among others.
Conclusion
With a variety of quality products out there, no one should go without a garlic press. Anyone who thinks they are difficult to clean should make sure they go for a product that is dishwasher safe and make sure it can take unpeeled cloves so you can avoid getting it on your hands unless necessary.
Anything that can stop you from having to spend an age chopping fine pieces of garlic is a good idea as far as we are concerned.