Sometimes described as a nifty blade, a paring knife is a convenient tool to have around the kitchen. Using a large blade to peel a piece of fruit can be awkward but these knives allow you to cut with accuracy and are a common inclusion in many a kitchen drawer of cooking enthusiasts and chefs.

Whether you are removing seeds or peeling vegetables, a paring knife should be sharp and made from quality materials. You might realize that this is a bigger task than it should be, with too many products falling short of what you would expect. This is why we created our list of the top paring knives, so anyone looking to de-shell shrimp or peel an apple doesn’t have to struggle.

List of the Best Paring Knives

Paring Knife Guide

It doesn’t matter if you are a budding chef or someone who takes their cooking seriously at home, a paring knife can be one of the most important blades in your kitchen drawer. Whether you are de-shelling shrimp or deseeding peppers, you’ll want a product that performs well on some of the more laborious tasks.

The best paring knives differ greatly from the cheaply made imitators. Because of this, we have created the following guide. It details everything you need to know before you purchase so you can enjoy the benefits for a long time.

What To Look For In A Paring Knife

Comfortable Handle

Because it is used for close up tasks such as de-shelling and peeling, you want to know the handle is reliable. Not only should the grip give you the confidence to work your way around an apple without it slipping but the materials need to be comfortable to hold. Depending on what your preference is, some people like the feel of a wooden handle whilst others prefer the grip of a rubber or plastic handle.

Weight

Sometimes you can find yourself using a paring knife for long periods which is why you will want it to be a sensible weight. A product that weighs too much is usually one with an oversized handle. When it looks on the thick side, be sure to check the weight before buying.

Easy To Clean

The better the quality of the blade, the less susceptible it is to staining. Some products are dishwasher safe which can make them easy to clean although this can impact how long the blade stays sharp.

If you do wash the paring knife in a dishwasher, be sure to remove it when the cycle has finished and dry it so it is not left in the steam for a long time which can corrode the knife over time.

Sharp Blade

Some paring knives are known for having razor-sharp blades from the first use and to stop yourself from having to get the sharpening kit out before you even use the knife, make sure the company is known for producing sharp blades that stay that way for a long time.

Warranty

Anything in the way of a warranty or money-back guarantee is important when you are spending money on a paring knife. The more expensive knives certainly feel like an investment and when they come with a lifetime warranty or money-back guarantee, it can make it a risk-free purchase.

Rust Resistant

More important with this type of product since you are working with food but also because you want it to last as long as possible. A lot of products on our best paring knives list are made from stainless steel and are resistant to rust. This will also make them easy to clean without worrying about compromising the quality.

Safety

Although this isn’t as common as some might like, you can pick up a paring knife with a sheath to ensure it is safe when you put it away. This might save you from a nick when rummaging in your kitchen drawers, these blades can be very sharp remember.

Design

Let’s face it if you love the idea of a quality paring knife, a large part of what will sway you is in the design. Some come in elegant shapes whilst others are simple in their design. Whether you want something a little more understated or one that is just a little different, there are plenty of options.

Common Paring Knife Materials

Although high carbon stainless steel is by far the most common (so we’ll start with that first), take a moment to consider some of the other materials you will find when looking for a quality paring knife.

High Carbon Stainless Steel – They retain their sharpness for a long time and are known for being hard wearing and resistant to corrosion which makes them a popular material for paring knives.

Stainless Steel – Although they can be quick to dull, they are one of the more affordable materials but expect to have to sharpen it from time to time.

Carbon – Expect a carbon paring knife to stay sharp for a long time and never rust or corrode. The best will be resistant to staining but they can break if you try using them on hard material or food.

What Can I Use a Paring Knife For?

Because they have so many uses, a paring knife is a popular inclusion in any kitchen. Just some of the common uses including peeling fruits and vegetables, de-seeding, de-shelling, slicing, prepping, and just about any intricate kitchen task.

The convenience is in the small blade, perfect for small jobs.

What Makes A Paring Knife Safe?

First of all, to ensure your safety, do not buy a cheap product or one that seems too good to be true. There are more than enough imitators on the market so its best to not give them your money.

When you buy a quality paring knife, the handle will be held in place securely with strong rivets to make sure it is capable of being used with enough force without it breaking. This is important because they are designed to be sharp  – this is why you need a handle with a reliable grip to make sure you don’t drop it at any point.

Conclusion

With so many great products on the market, a paring knife should be high on the list of priorities for any cooking enthusiast. When you want to hone your skills, it makes peeling a lot easier. Not to mention, they can look great when you buy one from a reputable brand.

Without having to break the bank, you can pick up a reliable paring knife that lasts for many meals.

If you’re also looking for kitchen knives then, before you go, check out my kitchen knife buying guide.

One of the most overlooked tools in the kitchen has to be the oven thermometer. It’s extremely important for keeping track of oven temperature so food isn’t undercooked or overcooked, but there are still people who don’t use them in their stoves. And we feel that’s a terrible mistake, especially considering that ovens can be off by anywhere from 25 to 50-degrees. And whether you’re baking a cake or baking a casserole, that can be a significant price difference. That’s why we decided to write this guide on the subject, so everyone can realize how important this tool is and so they can buy the best oven thermometer available.

List of the Best Oven Thermometers

Best Overall: ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Oven Thermometer

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The best way to keep track of your oven’s temperature is by using a quality oven thermometer. That’s what we found when we discovered this ThermoPro thermometer. It’s a digital model so that it has a 1-degree resolution and is accurate within 1.8-degrees Fahrenheit north or south of the temperature set. This is a whole lot better than ovens internal temperature monitoring systems that can be off by 25-degrees or more.

Accurate temperature readings aren’t the only thing worth noting about this thermometer, however. It also has a host of other features that make it easy to use. One of the first features is timer mode. Timer mode that can count down or up to 99-hours and 59-minutes, although we doubt that anyone would need to cook anything for that length of time. Another key feature of this model is that it comes with a durable probe. This allows you to accurately gauge the temperature of the food, so you can know when it’s ready.

Another thing worth mentioning about this thermometer is that it comes with preset USDA approved temperatures. This saves your time looking at what temperature chicken, pork or beef should be cooked at to ensure that it’s safe to eat. This thermometer’s meat probe and wire are also extremely durable and are designed to withstand temperatures up to 716-degrees Fahrenheit. All of these reasons, and a few more that we haven’t mentioned, make this one of the easiest and best oven thermometers currently available.

What we liked about it

• Is accurate within 1.8-degrees Fahrenheit.
• Probe can withstand temperatures up to 716-degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Also Recommended: KT Thermo 3-Inch Analog Dial Thermometer

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Even though the oven thermometer we rated as our number one choice is the best oven thermometer available, we understand that not everyone may want to use it. However, for anyone who would rather have a reading of the oven’s interior temperature, we would like to recommend this model. It doesn’t cost a whole lot, is extremely accurate, and it can provide many years of use to just about any kitchen.

While many oven thermometers have small dials that are hard to read, you can easily see this one when you open the oven. Unfortunately, its size also means that it’s a bit bulkier than comparable models.

This thermometer is capable of measuring oven temperatures from 100 to 600-degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a hook that swivels, so you can read it from several different angles, if necessary. What we liked best of all about this oven thermometer, however, was that it was extremely well-made. The stainless steel construction and oven resistant glass lens means that it never clouds over. Overall, we think that this oven thermometer is a great one, especially for consumers who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a thermometer.

What we liked about it

• It’s extremely accurate.
• It has an easy-to-read dial.

 

Also Consider: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Instant-Read Thermometer

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Rubbermaid Commercial Products is a company that makes some extremely well-made devices for the kitchen. And since it had a reasonable price, we knew that we could try it out without risking too much.

In our review of this product, we’re going to start with a discussion of its construction. Even though this thermometer has a very inexpensive price tag, it’s construction isn’t a reflection of that fact. We found that this stainless steel thermometer was extremely well-made and has a shatter-proof glass lens to protect the dial. And speaking of the dial, we found that it was large enough to be easy to read no matter where we mounted it in the oven. It had nice large numbers and a contrasting red dial that worked very well with one another.

If there’s any complaint we had of this oven thermometer, it was the fact that we found its mounting swivel a little too small. This made it difficult to mount at times and we spent more than one occasion trying to get it properly onto the oven rack. Once set up, however, the thermometer worked well. And finally, this thermometer has a size of 3.75×2.5×1.5 inches, so it can fit virtually anywhere in the oven. All of this makes this a great budget thermometer for any oven.

What we liked about it

• Displays true oven temperature.
• Is a great budget oven thermometer.

A Guide To Oven Thermometers

Now that we’ve covered some of the best oven thermometers available, you might be wondering how we managed to select the models that we selected. To make our selection method more transparent and to allow consumers to apply the same standard to any thermometers they might choose to buy in the future, we wrote this handy guide on the subject. We sincerely hope that in the contents of this guide, our readers will learn everything they need to know to select a great thermometer for their oven. Below are some things to consider when purchasing a new thermometer for an oven.

Why Buy an Oven Thermometer in the First Place?

Before we get on with the tips on buying an oven thermometer, we thought it would be a good idea if we talked about the reason for buying one in the first place. One of the most frequently asked questions is: “Do I really need a thermometer for my oven?” Believe us when we say that we understand why people ask this question. People look at the temperature dial and just assume that their oven is holding the right temperature. Nine times out of 10, however, that’s not the case.

Most of the time, the oven is off—sometimes by a few degrees and sometimes by a lot more. We’ve seen some ovens that were only off by 5 to 10-degrees and we’ve seen others that were off by 50-degrees. Ovens just don’t do a good job of keeping the correct temperature, making the oven thermometer a useful tool. It a very inexpensive investment that will result in better-cooked meals.

Buying The Best Oven Thermometer

Now that we’ve talked about the necessity of buying an oven thermometer, it’s time to turn our attention to finding the right one available. Although there are dozens, if not hundreds, of different oven thermometers available, it really isn’t all that difficult to find a quality one. All the consumer has to do is take a few moments and look at a few key details.

Oven Probe or Thermometer?

The first thing to consider is whether you prefer an oven probe or an oven thermometer. After reviewing both of these devices, we tend to like the oven probe the most because it gave us the most accurate indicator of whether the food was ready or not. It does this because the probes are placed right into the food, so the user can easily see the internal temperature of the food. This is good for making sure that food has a high enough internal temperature, but it might not be suitable for determining if the temperature of the oven is suitable for browning. For those purposes, you’re probably going to want to consider an analog oven thermometer.

The Thermometer’s Display

Another important thing for consumers to consider is how the thermometer displays the temperature and whether or not it’s easy to read. Digital thermometers are extremely easy to read, and since their display rests on the outside of the oven, the consumer doesn’t have to open the oven to read it. If you choose an analog thermometer, however, you should make sure that it has a big display face that’s easy to read in a darkened oven. It’s also a good idea to choose a thermometer that has the temperature marked at 25-degree or 50-degree points on the dial. This makes identifying the temperature of the oven a lot easier.

Choose One with an NSF Rating

It’s also a good idea to make sure that the thermometer has been tested and certified by the NSF. What’s the NSF? The NSF rating lets the consumer know that the thermometer has been tested and rated to be accurate by an independent rating agency. In other words, thermometers rated by the NSF are usually more accurate than ones that haven’t been rated and certified.

How The Thermometer Attaches to the Oven

There are several different ways that oven thermometers attach to the oven. Digital model displays usually use a magnet to attach it to the outside of the oven, while the probe that’s attached to it by a wire sits inside the oven. But analog models either stand up in the oven or attach to the oven rack. If the model sits upright, the consumer should make sure its base is wide enough to sit up without falling over. This means the base should be at least 2-inches wide, if not wider. For models that attach to the rack, make sure the clamp is large enough to easily mount to the rack and that it swivels. That will ensure that the thermometer is easy to set up and can be viewed from any angle.

Regardless of whether you’re grilling some burgers, steaks or pork steaks, you’re going to need a few barbecuing tools. These tools include a grill, some charcoal or propane, and the best grill brush for keeping the grill in good working condition. Actually, now that we think about it, the brush is probably the most important consideration of all. A lot of people spend a ton of time agonizing over the type of grill or charcoal they buy, but then put in absolutely no thought in choosing a brush for cleaning their grill. We’re going to solve that problem by taking a few minutes to talk about this very subject. So, if you’re a fan of BBQ, you are probably going to want to join us.

List of the Best Grill Brushes

Best Overall: Grill Art 18-Inch Stainless-Steel Safe-Wire Brush

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The problem with the grill brushes of the past was that the steel bristles would end up coming out of the brush, which allowed the stray bristle to stick to the grill and perhaps end up in the consumer’s food. And this was a disastrous situation because if a person ingests the steel bristles of a brush, it could end up puncturing their stomach or intestinal walls. Fortunately, this grill brush helps solve that problem by having a more thoughtful design. These brushes are designed with the steel wire that’s tightly woven and embedded into a twisted steel pipe to prevent it from losing the bristles as the brush is being used.

Of course, designing this brush in this way not only makes it safer to use, but it also makes it more durable and we’ve found these brushes tend to outlast just about any other brush for the grill out there. These brushes are 18-inches long, so they help to keep the user’s hands away from the heat as they’re cleaning their grill. And because these brushes are made from quality components, they won’t bend or rust. This brush even includes a stainless steel scraper at the end of it that you can use to plow down burnt-on grill messes. And because the handle has a quality hanging hook on it, it’s easy to put away and store between uses.

What we liked about it

• Bristles are less likely to come out of it.
• Does a great job of cleaning a grill.

 

Best Bristle-Free: Grillaholics Bristle-Free Grill Brush

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Grill masters who are concerned about using a grill brush equipped with nylon or steel bristles may want to check out this tool. This brush does not have bristles at all, and instead uses stainless steel coils to remove messes on the grill. Since it has no bristles at all, there’s no chance that any will end up on the grill and ultimately, in the food. At the end of its tip, this model has a scraper that you can use to quite effectively remove burnt-on messes. This design allows the brush to clean three times faster than comparable lesser quality brushes.

This brush has an 18-inch handle that helps keep you away from the heat of the grill. It also gives you the leverage you need to clean the grill effectively. This grill brush includes heavy-duty components that allow you to use it for years on end without it falling apart. Of course, all of this means that because they use higher quality components to build the brush, it’s a little bit more expensive than other models. In our opinion, it’s worth the added costs, however, because you won’t have to continually buy new brushes.

What we liked about it

• Has a bristle-free design.
• Should last a lifetime.

 

Best Durable: Kona Safe Bristle-Free BBQ Brush

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As most of our readers know by now, we try to avoid grill brushes that use bristles. That’s because we think that bristle-free brushes are inherently safer than brushes with grills. And it’s why we’ve chosen this Kona grill brush for this position on our list. This is a model that’s made without wire bristles and is instead made with a rigid construction that cleans grill effectively. And because it’s stainless steel, these brushes won’t melt like nylon brushes. This brush is made to such exacting standards that it’s even backed by a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer.

This brush has a 3-in-1 design that allows it to be used in several ways so you can clean a variety of different grills. You can use this brush on porcelain or stainless steel grills, and it comes with a weather-resistant handle. Because the handle is 18-inches long, the consumer can also use this brush without having to be close to the heat. Keeping all of this in mind, it’s easy to see how this brush can be an effective tool for keeping a grill clean during the BBQ season. And since it has a convenient loop on the end of it, you can easily hang it up between uses.

What we liked about it

• Does a great job of cleaning a grill.
• Designed to last longer than other brushes.

 

Best Affordable: Weber 12-Inch Wire Grill Brush

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Anyone reading this list can see that this brush is a little bit different than other brushes we have reviewed. That’s because this is a budget model for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a grill brush. This grill brush is made with steel bristles that we’re not typically fond of, but are at least well-made so they’re less likely to fall off than other steel bristle models. It also has a wide head that covers a larger grill surface area and seems to do very well at resisting wear. And because it has shorter sides, you can easily use this brush to clean around a grill’s edges or remove debris that may have accumulated between the grill’s grates.

This brush also has a quality weather-resistant handle, although we really didn’t like the fact that it was only 12-inches long and not 18-inches. The smaller handle size means that the consumer is not only closer to the grill’s heat, but they have less leverage when they’re scrubbing the grill down. However, we can say that the handle did have an ergonomic design that is easy to hold. All of this simply means that while this might not be our preferred grill brush for cleaning a BBQ grill, it is a good budget one that some people may like to use.

What we liked about it

• Is an inexpensive grill brush.
• Has a wide head for cleaning large grills quickly.

The Griller’s Guide To Grill Brushes

Since we understand that people need to find the best grill brushes, they can find and need to find a model that’s not only easy to use, but also safe and effective, we decided to write this little guide on the subject. In the depths of our guide, our readers will find the tips and tricks to not only buy the best brush for cleaning grills but also learn how to use that tool effectively.

How To Choose a Grill Brush

Most people don’t give a lot of thought to the grill brushes they choose. They just pick one up that they think will do a good job and don’t give a second thought to what the brush is made from or how it’s designed. To help our readers put a little bit more thought into their brush purchases, we decided to write this section that outlines some of the design specifics every consumer should consider before they buy their next grill brush.

Bristle Or Bristle-Free Designs?

The first thing that we implore our readers to consider is what the end of the brush is made from. This is the part of the brush that comes in contact with the grill, so it’s probably the most important part to consider. Ideally, the consumer is going to want to make sure that they buy a brush that has a stiff surface that can really scrub away burnt-on messes and cooked on BBQ messes. However, it’s also important to consider whether the brush uses steel or nylon bristles or has a bristle free design.

In our opinion, choose a brush with a bristle-free design is probably the best. That’s because traditional grill brushes would “shed” their bristles, which would then get stuck on the grill. These bristles would then sometimes get stuck in food, resulting in some harm to the person consuming them. Once these bristles are inside of a person, the bristles can puncture the intestinal tract, or the stomach, and often people who ingest them require surgery. Not a good situation at all.

There are plenty of grill brushes that have a bristle-free design and we’ve listed some of the ones we like. These are safer to use and less likely to cause problems than traditional brushes. However, we do understand that some people prefer brushes with bristles, so if the consumer has to buy one of these, they should make sure that they clean their grill off with a paper towel after each use just to be safe.

Consider A Model With A Scraper

It’s also a good idea for the consumer to choose a brush that has scraper on the end of it. A scraper will allow the consumer to get off carbon build-up and burnt on meat particles that the wire part of the brush can’t remove. It’s also a great way to remove particles between the BBQ grates or around the corners of the grill, so consumers should think about making sure their new grill brush has one of them equipped.

Consider The Scraper’s Handle

The next thing to seriously think about is grill brushes’ handle. Ideally, the consumer is going to want to choose a grill brush with at least an 18-inch handle. That size is perfect for not only giving the user the leverage they need to scrub away tough burnt-on particles off of the grill’s surface but is also long enough to keep the consumer away from the heat of the grill.

Additional Grill Brush Tips

To end our guide on grill brushes, we decided that it would be a good idea to list some additional tips/tricks that you can follow to keep your grill as clean as possible. After all, a cleaner grill not only cooks food better, but it also prevents nasty carbon particles from ending up in the food. So, let’s learn a few things that you can do to keep your brush and grill in good condition.

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

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Quality materials
• Dishwasher proof
• No need to peel the garlic

Best Design: ZYLISS Susi 3 Garlic Press

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Easy to clean
• Ergonomic handle
• 5-year warranty

Best Soft Handle: OXO Good Grips Soft-Handled Garlic Press

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Quality materials
• Soft grip handles
• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to clean

Best Value: Zulay Stainless Steel Garlic Press

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Good value
• Removable basket is easy to clean
• Dishwasher safe
• Lifetime guarantee

Best For Less Effort Required: Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Powerful lever
• Quality feel

Best Luxury: Rösle Stainless Steel Mincing Garlic Press

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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.

What we liked about it:

• Accommodates multiple cloves
• Easy to clean
• Sturdy materials

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.