Alexandra Ramirez
Stainless Steel Mincer and Crusher scored high marks in all categories and is our overall top pick. This sturdy garlic press is made from high quality stainless steel that features an ergonomic design and heavy duty construction ensuring that it is going to last. The large ergonomic handles make squeezing the handles easy and comfortable. Even those with weaker grips can use this garlic press with ease. The company offers a lifetime guarantee on this garlic press that states if at any time you are not happy with the product they will refund your money.
1. Alpha Grillers
Best Overall Garlic Press
5/5 Product Rating
Alpha Grillers features a garlic press that has large, ergonomic handles that are easy for anyone to use even if you have small hands or a weaker grip.
The solid, stainless steel construction makes this garlic press durable and long lasting that allows users to mince peeled root ginger, unpeeled garlic cloves and more. There’s no worry about waste when using this press as the peel stays inside and only the garlic comes out.
Cleaning this garlic press is very easy; just rinse it under water or it can even be put in the dishwasher. A popular feature of the Alpha Grillers garlic press is that it is the only garlic press on Amazon that has a garlic peeler as well.
The affordable price is another customer favorite. The garlic press and peeler ensures that your hands don’t have to touch the garlic at all avoiding getting the strong smell on your hands.
Alpha Grillers also offers an incredible lifetime guarantee that states if at any time during your life you become unhappy with the garlic press or it fails to work properly they will refund your money 100%. This garlic press is not complicated to use and will allow you to quickly add fresh garlic to sauces, roasted veggies and meats and anything else you want to add it to.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Kuhn Rikon
Best Overall Garlic Press – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
Another great garlic press is the Kuhn Rikon Garlic Press. It is designed to fit in your hand comfortably and requires a lot less effort than other presses to squeeze.
It is made from 100% solid stainless steel that is durable and long lasting. Cleanup is easy and just requires being rinsed off with water or washed in the dishwasher.
The Kuhn garlic press features a removable sieve that makes cleaning even easier and ensures you don’t leave any leftover garlic or peels inside that can get bacteria. Although it is more expensive than other garlic presses, with proper usage and care, it is the ONLY garlic press you will ever have to purchase thanks to the long lasting construction and design.
The beveled holes on the pressing part finely cut the garlic cloves instead of simply bruising and crushing them so you get the best flavor from your fresh garlic. The Kuhn garlic press comes with a 2 year warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
3. OXO
4.5/5 Product Rating
OXO is a popular, well-respected company that is known for its quality kitchen appliances and tools. The OXO Good Grips garlic press fits right in with their other great products.
The press is made from durable die-cast zinc and features a large chamber for the garlic so you can press several cloves at once. You will get uniform pieces of garlic with the skins removed and kept out of the way.
The soft-grip handles are ergonomic and easy to squeeze even for those with weaker grips or smaller hands. Once you are done using the garlic press all you have to do is flip the handles over which pushes out the skins and leftover garlic pulp and rinse off the press until it is clean. You can also choose to put it in the dishwasher if you prefer.
Using the OXO Good Grips garlic press will eliminate garlic smelling fingers for good. It is the perfect gift for a friend or loved one that loves to cook a lot of Italian food. They will love the easy to use, sturdy press and will appreciate how easy it is to clean up.
– Sarah Lytle
Garlic Press Buying Guide
There are several things you will want to take into consideration before making a garlic press purchase. We have listed these things below so you know what to look out for and what to focus on in terms of features and importance. Before you start looking around at the different models on the market it is a good idea to ask yourself the following questions.
How often will you be using a garlic press? – If you will be using your garlic press on a daily basis or several times per week you will want to look for sturdy construction made of stainless steel. If you only use a garlic press once in a great while you can choose a less expensive model.
How much garlic will you be pressing at once? – Many recipes call for multiple cloves of garlic at once so you want to look for a press that features a large chamber that will hold several cloves at one time.
What is the size of your hands and strength of grip? – If you have small hands, arthritis, or just a weaker grip you want to find a garlic press that is super easy and efficient to use so you get the most results without having to exert a ton of energy. Most of the high end garlic presses are designed with ergonomic handles that are easy to squeeze so anyone can use them.
Choosing the Right Garlic Press
Once you have decided to purchase a garlic press whether it is the first one you have ever had or you are replacing one you don’t like, there are some things that you will want to focus on finding with the garlic press model you choose. We have listed all these factors below so you are prepared when sorting through all of the selections you have available.
Budget – Budget is one of the first things you need to decide on. Garlic presses come in a variety of price points from the very inexpensive to the high end professional-grade models that can cost quite a bit. If you have a budget for your garlic press make sure you decide on what it is before you start browsing so you can eliminate the ones that are over your decided budget. This will automatically lower the amount of presses you will be choosing from. When setting your budget keep in mind whether you are looking for a garlic press you can use a LOT or one that you will only use once in a while. If you are a heavy garlic user you should set a budget that will allow you to get a high quality garlic press.
Types of Garlic Presses – There are a few different types of garlic presses on the market to choose from. Some are designed to ONLY be used for garlic and others can be used for multiple foods that you would need to mince or press. If you work with ginger and other similar things in addition to garlic you should look for a presser that states it can be used for other types of food pressing as well.
Construction Materials – Garlic presses can be made from a variety of materials including stainless steel, plastic, alloys, and aluminum. Each type has its pros and cons. Overall most people tend to favor the stainless steel garlic presses because they help to lower the pungency of the garlic while you are messing with it. We’ve listed the common garlic press materials below along with some information about each material.
1. Plastic – A plastic garlic press might be a good choice for you if you don’t need to use it heavily. They are available in a wide range of colors and are very lightweight. They are usually cheaper than other garlic presses and do not have a very good durability capacity. If you are going to use garlic often. It is not a good idea to get a plastic garlic press no matter how cool it may look.
2. Aluminum – Although aluminum garlic presses are not shiny and pretty like some other materials they are more durable than plastic garlic presses. They can usually handle several cloves of garlic at once without too much problem. They are not as expensive as some of the stainless steel models but will probably not last as long either. Aluminum garlic presses should be washed by hand and not in the dishwasher since the coating can be worn off leaving the garlic press susceptible to corrosion.
3. Stainless Steel – This is the most popular material for garlic presses and for good reason. This high end material is long lasting, durable, resists corrosion and rust, and looks great too. This is the perfect garlic press to get when you are a heavy garlic user because the strength of the stainless steel can hold up under a lot of use. They are also easy to rinse off when you are done using them.
Maximum Capacity – If you hardly ever use garlic capacity is not going to matter much to you. If you are a heavy user that likes to add garlic to everything, then you will want to choose a garlic press that has a large capacity so you can do more than one clove at a time. A good quality garlic press may also have a garlic peeler in addition to the press so you can take the skins off. Just remember that the big garlic presses that can do a whole slew or cloves at once may be a lot bulkier and heavier than smaller ones and may require a lot more hand strength.
Easy to Clean – One of the concerns you should consider is how easy it is to clean the garlic press you are considering. Many garlic presses are dishwasher safe which can take care of the problem of tiny pieces of garlic getting stuck in the holes. Most manufacturers suggest that you wash the press by hand which is not a problem either, especially since many models come with a little cleaning tool to make cleaning much easier. With some models you may only have to flip the handles over and the skins and pieces will be pushed out. Then you can just rinse it off and you’re done. Whatever the case, ensure that you clean your garlic press after every use to ensure it stays bacteria and corrosion free and continues to work at peak performance.
Easy to Use – It is better for you to avoid complicated garlic presses that have huge handles and that weigh a ton. These will be hard for many people to use and may just end up sitting in the drawer. Look for soft grip designs that are durable and that allow for people with smaller or weaker hands to use them just as easily.
Durability – It is important for your garlic press to be well-made and durable since it exerts a lot of pressure, often, doing its job of mincing garlic. A durable garlic press will be able to withstand daily, heavy use without coming apart or bending. Stainless steel will be the most durable model and can withstand even professional use.
Garlic Press Handle – The handle is very important to the ease of use and comfort of the garlic press you choose. When looking at the different models available pay attention to the side and design of the handles. Ideally, soft grip handles that are easy to squeeze are the best choices. Also make sure there is some kind of secure grip feature that will prevent the garlic press from slipping out of your hands during the pressing process.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the right garlic press you can’t go wrong if you apply the things you have learned in this guide. Things like capacity, how often you’ll use it, and WHO will be using it are all important things to consider before parting with your hard earned money.
The three top-rated garlic presses we have featured above are great examples of high quality garlic presses that you can choose from. If you’re looking for a quick solution to your garlic press needs and don’t want to browse, any one of these is perfect for your needs.
By taking the information we have provided in the guide on garlic press features to consider, you will be able to easily sort through all the different types of garlic presses and narrow down your selections so you don’t have so many to choose from.
High quality garlic presses can range in price from inexpensive to very expensive but we caution you to stay in the middle or toward the higher end of the price points if you want to end up with a garlic press that will stand up to heavy usage and last more than a few months.
Garlic presses are great tools that will prevent you from getting garlic smell on your hands which can take days to get rid of and makes it much easier to mince up the garlic you need for your dishes. Once you have applied the tips in this guide you’ll be able to confidently choose the right garlic press for your needs that you’ll enjoy using for years to come.
