If you happen to prepare dinner tofu typically, a tofu press is a must have gadget. We examined and reviewed the very best tofu presses that will help you decide one on your kitchen!
I lately purchased a brand new tofu press, and I LOVE it. I’d been utilizing my cast-iron skillet as a DIY tofu press for years, however I typically hear from readers about how a lot they love their tofu presses, and I believed it could be enjoyable to strive one out. I made a decision to experiment with among the greatest tofu presses in the marketplace to see how I favored them.
…and I’m a tofu press convert! Tofu presses are easy devices that take away the surplus moisture from tofu. They evenly apply stress to the tofu, squeezing out the water that may make it comfortable or crumbly with out squishing it. After urgent, the tofu has a firmer, chewier texture. It holds its form whenever you make grilled tofu, and it crisps up completely whenever you make air fryer tofu or baked tofu. Now that I’ve a tofu press in my kitchen, I’m by no means going again!
You’ll discover my picks for the very best tofu presses under. If you happen to prepare dinner tofu typically, I positively advocate investing in a single. They arrive in a wide range of sizes and kinds, so test them out to seek out the very best tofu press for you!
Our Prime Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: Tofuture Tofu Press – $25.95 at Amazon
- My Different Favourite: TofuBud Tofu Press – $24.25 at Amazon
- Greatest Fundamental Tofu Press: EZ Tofu Press – $21.99 at Amazon
- Greatest Bamboo Tofu Press: ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press – $22.49 at Amazon
Opinions of The Greatest Tofu Presses
I attempted a number of tofu presses in my seek for the very best tofu press. The Tofuture Tofu Press was my favourite for just a few causes. I like that it’s small and compact, with simply 3 items(!), so it’s straightforward to retailer. It’s additionally actually easy to make use of. It consists of an internal container the place you place the tofu, an outer container that catches the liquid, and a lid that presses down on the tofu block. You safe the lid to the containers with silicone bands, and you may select from three ranges of drive. Every one yields good, evenly pressed tofu each time. This press is my new go-to device for urgent tofu!
I additionally like how the surplus water incorporates itself throughout the press, so there’s no mess to scrub up afterwards. I simply dump the liquid into the sink!
The Specs:
- Measurement: 6 by 5 by 2.8 inches
- Weight: 0.1 kilogram
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Professionals:
- Straightforward to make use of
- Constructed-in drainage plate
- Straightforward to scrub
- Made with BPA-free supplies
The Cons:
- Solely is available in one coloration possibility
- Bands might pop off
What Others are Saying:
Greatest Merchandise discovered the Tofuture Tofu press to be the very best total, and it was reviewed by The Kitchn and Insider as an important decide for tofu presses. It additionally has greater than 10,000 Amazon evaluations and a 4.7 ranking.
Purchase the Tofuture Tofu Press:
In second place behind the Tofuture press is the TofuBud Tofu Press. It presses tofu evenly and shortly, and it incorporates the liquid from the tofu–an enormous plus! It options two stress ranges, that are managed by a sturdy spring. Although this press is straightforward to make use of total, I initially had slightly hassle twisting the spring into place, which is why I ranked it under the Tofuture press. All in all, although, it’s nonetheless an important decide!
The Specs:
- Measurement: 4.7 by 5.5 by 4.7 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Professionals:
- Presses in as little as 20 minutes
- Straightforward to scrub
- Constructed-in drainage plate
The Cons:
- Bigger to retailer than Tofuture press
- Spring mechanism might be onerous to twist
What Others are Saying:
Reviewed named it among the finest tofu presses, and it has a 4.7-star ranking from greater than 2,500 Amazon evaluations.
Purchase the TofuBud Tofu Press:
Most tofu presses are made out of plastic, however this bamboo press is a superb eco-friendly possibility. The wood materials additionally makes the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press slightly extra aesthetically pleasing than plastic presses. It options three foremost items—a high plate, a drainage tray, and a drip tray—that are related with screw knobs you flip to press the tofu.
Downsides of this press are that it’s a must to modify the knobs once in a while to totally drain the tofu and that the tofu can crack in case you press it an excessive amount of too shortly. As well as, it leaves some indents on the tofu after urgent. However total, I like that it catches the surplus liquid, and I feel it’s an important decide for somebody who needs to keep away from plastic.
The Specs:
- Measurement: 8.6 by 3.9 by 0.5 inches
- Weight: 1.92 kilos
- Materials: Bamboo
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Professionals:
- Problem-free setup and use
- Can be utilized on various sizes of tofu blocks
- Constructed-in drainage plate
The Cons:
- Leaves indents on tofu
- Higher at hand wash it to not harm wooden
- No set stress ranges
What Others are Saying:
Spruce Eats named it the very best bamboo tofu press and Delish made it the runner-up of their checklist of the very best tofu presses.
Purchase the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press:
The EZ Tofu Press is a superb primary possibility. The straightforward plastic press is supplied with tightening knobs to press tofu blocks simply and effectively. As soon as the tofu is safe within the press, I like to recommend setting it on its facet over a bowl to seize the liquid. You’ll additionally have to tighten the knobs each jiffy to press out each final drop. (If you happen to tighten it an excessive amount of too shortly, the tofu can crack.) Although this press requires a bit extra work, it’s nonetheless efficient!
The Specs:
- Measurement: 9 by 5.25 by 4 inches
- Weight: 1.1 kilos
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Professionals:
- Made within the U.S.
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Straightforward to scrub
The Cons:
- Have to proceed to tighten screws whereas it presses
- No set stress ranges
- Requires a separate bowl to seize liquid
What Others are Saying:
The Spruce Eats named the EZ Tofu Press the very best total tofu press. Moreover, it has greater than 6,000 Amazon evaluations and a 4.7-star ranking.
Purchase the EZ Tofu Press:
Different Tofu Presses to Take into account
The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is slightly bit completely different from different tofu presses in that it’s manufactured from chrome steel. That implies that it’s heavier and dearer than others, which is why it wasn’t one in every of my high picks. However in case you’re keen to splurge, this can be an important non-plastic alternative. You may also use it to make your personal tofu! The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is offered at Amazon for $105.
Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press
Very like the EZ Tofu Press, the Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press encompasses a high and backside plate assisted by spring-clad screws to simply get all that liquid out of your blocks. It has a barely curved design that may press the blocks slightly higher, although you’ll need to position it over a container on its facet for the water to empty out. The Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press is offered at Amazon for $19.95.
Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring
This is likely to be the prettiest tofu press on this checklist! It is available in lime and grapefruit hues so as to add a pop of coloration to your kitchen. Appears apart, I like that this plastic tofu press routinely drains the liquid right into a separate container. The Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring is offered at Amazon for $25.95.
The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is widespread amongst media websites and has been named the very best total tofu press by Reviewed and Delish. It’s not amongst my favorites as a result of it’s clunkier to retailer, however it might probably double as a tofu marinating dish, giving it multiple perform. The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is offered at Amazon for $22.99.
How I Examined The Greatest Tofu Presses
I chosen eight tofu presses which have obtained nice evaluations on-line and which were personally beneficial to me. I pressed a number of blocks of tofu with every of my picks. Then, I grilled, baked, and tasted the tofu that had been pressed in every press. I discovered some clear favorites by way of ease of use and texture. My #1 alternative, the Tofuture Tofu Press, has change into a game-changer for making vegan and plant-based recipes in my kitchen!
Every thing to Know Earlier than Shopping for a Tofu Press
What to Take into account Earlier than Shopping for a Tofu Press
Not all tofu presses are created equal! Some have built-in drainage plates and drip trays, whereas others solely include two items of plastic held along with screws and bolts. Earlier than choosing one, contemplate the scale of the tofu press–do you might have room to retailer it? You also needs to contemplate the fabric (plastic, bamboo, or chrome steel), whether or not or not the press comes with its personal drainage container, and the way straightforward it’s to clean. With these options in thoughts, you may selected the tofu press that may work greatest for you.
Why Do You Have to Press Tofu?
Once you purchase tofu, you’ll discover that it’s often sitting in a LOT of water. Some recipes solely require you to wipe off this liquid with paper towels, however in case you’re grilling, or if you wish to make actually crispy tofu within the air fryer or oven, you must squeeze most of it out. It’d seem to be a tedious additional step, however it would give your tofu a way more satisfying texture. Plus, urgent helps tofu take in a marinade for the very best taste!
How Lengthy Ought to You Press Tofu?
The period of time you want to press tofu is determined by the scale of the block. For reference, I often press a 12- to 14-ounce block for about half-hour. If you happen to plan forward, you too can place it in a press and pop it within the fridge in a single day. That manner, you received’t be scrambling to press it proper earlier than you begin cooking.
Can You Press Tofu With no Tofu Press?
A tofu press makes urgent tofu tremendous straightforward and handy, but it surely’s nonetheless attainable to press with out one. To do that, I exploit a forged iron skillet. Pat the tofu dry and wrap it in a kitchen towel. Set it on a reducing board or baking sheet and place a heavy forged iron pan on high. Set it apart for about half-hour, checking midway via and altering the towel if it’s too moist. That’s it! If you happen to take pleasure in tofu pressed with a cast-iron skillet, I positively advocate getting a tofu press. It makes urgent tofu even less complicated!
The Greatest Tofu Recipes
After getting a tofu press, I hope you begin including tofu to your common rotation! Try my information on the best way to prepare dinner tofu first. Then, strive one in every of these scrumptious tofu dishes:
Costs have been correct at time of publication. This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks.
