Family Table Testing 123: Garlic Press

Don’t Hold Your Breath

We make fun of garlic breath…but do you really think your cooking could survive without this allium?! I know I use a boatload almost weekly when I make Rivky Kleiman’s Friday Night Garlic Chicken. Mincing and crushing it can be tedious, so the right tool makes all the difference here. I tried out six of the top-rated garlic presses so you’ll know which one to press on. Spoiler: I was underwhelmed with the results.

Side note: All but the OXO press came with additional accessories like a brush to remove the excess and a roller to remove the flaky skin. I’d never used a roller before, and it’s definitely worth having around if you’re a big garlic person.

Testing, Testing

1. I put 1–2 cloves of garlic in each press and pressed. I was checking for comfort in my hand and the level of exertion needed.

2. I removed the excess garlic, noting how easy/hard it was to scrape. I also looked for how much garlic was left behind and ultimately wasted.

3. I cleaned the press, noting for difficulty in cleaning the small holes and moving parts.

4. I put it in my drawer to see its footprint.

Orblue

Price: $11.99
Notes: It’s a classic garlic press, and what can I say? The classic has too many moving parts and it felt a little flimsy. It did come with a garlic roller and brush, so points for that?
Stars: 3.5

Zulay

Price: $11.99
Notes: Has a solid feel to it, does everything it has to do, but like almost all garlic presses tested, it wastes a lot. Comes with a roller, so yay!
Stars: 4

Kitenssensu

Price: $9.99
Notes: This is a cheaper version of the Zulay press. It’s not just $2 cheaper, it’s a flimsy, lighter, “cheap” type.
Stars: 3.7

Chef’n Garlic

Price: $13.40
Notes: This was the only one without excessive waste, but honestly, the blade scared me when loading the garlic and especially when cleaning it.
Stars: 4.2

OXO

Price: $17.95
Notes: It’s OXO, it’s solid, good grip handle and all that. I just think the classic garlic press design is severely flawed.
Stars: 4

Kebley

Price: $7.97
Notes: I suppose they think a lot of accessories and a cheap price make up for a poor product. It comes with brushers, and a scraper, and a roller — but missed the boat in execution.
Stars: 3.5

Overall Winner: NONE!

I’m going to be controversial here and nominate a product I didn’t test, but rather the garlic press I’ve used my entire married life — the NexTrend Garlic Twist. It’s a little pricier than the others here, around $20, but so worth it! It takes up little space, requires the same level of exertion the others require, and best of all, it doesn’t waste any garlic! It cleans like a breeze and lasts a long time (at least 14 years at last count).

Tip: Hands smell like garlic? Just rub them on a stainless-steel surface (like your faucet) and the scent will just disappear.

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Esther Kurtz

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