In case you prepare dinner tofu typically, a tofu press is a must have gadget. We examined and reviewed the most effective 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 assumed it could be enjoyable to strive one out. I made a decision to experiment with a number of the finest tofu presses available on the market 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 strain to the tofu, squeezing out the water that may make it smooth or crumbly with out squishing it. After urgent, the tofu has a firmer, chewier texture. It holds its form once you make grilled tofu, and it crisps up completely once 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 most effective tofu presses beneath. In case you prepare dinner tofu typically, I undoubtedly advocate investing in a single. They arrive in quite a lot of sizes and kinds, so examine them out to search out the most effective tofu press for you!
Our High 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 most effective tofu press. The Tofuture Tofu Press was my favourite for a number of causes. I really 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 set 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’ll select from three ranges of power. Every one yields excellent, evenly pressed tofu each time. This press is my new go-to instrument for urgent tofu!
I additionally like how the surplus water accommodates itself inside the press, so there’s no mess to wash up afterwards. I simply dump the liquid into the sink!
The Specs:
- Dimension: 6 by 5 by 2.8 inches
- Weight: 0.1 kilogram
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Execs:
- Simple to make use of
- Constructed-in drainage plate
- Simple to wash
- Made with BPA-free supplies
The Cons:
- Solely is available in one shade possibility
- Bands might pop off
What Others are Saying:
Greatest Merchandise discovered the Tofuture Tofu press to be the most effective general, and it was reviewed by The Kitchn and Insider as an awesome decide for tofu presses. It additionally has greater than 10,000 Amazon critiques 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 rapidly, and it accommodates the liquid from the tofu–an enormous plus! It options two strain ranges, that are managed by a sturdy spring. Although this press is straightforward to make use of general, I initially had slightly bother twisting the spring into place, which is why I ranked it beneath the Tofuture press. All in all, although, it’s nonetheless an awesome decide!
The Specs:
- Dimension: 4.7 by 5.5 by 4.7 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Execs:
- Presses in as little as 20 minutes
- Simple to wash
- 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 top-of-the-line tofu presses, and it has a 4.7-star ranking from greater than 2,500 Amazon critiques.
Purchase the TofuBud Tofu Press:
Most tofu presses are made out of plastic, however this bamboo press is a good eco-friendly possibility. The picket materials additionally makes the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press slightly extra aesthetically pleasing than plastic presses. It options three major items—a high plate, a drainage tray, and a drip tray—that are linked with screw knobs you flip to press the tofu.
Downsides of this press are that it’s a must to regulate the knobs now and again to completely drain the tofu and that the tofu can crack in case you press it an excessive amount of too rapidly. As well as, it leaves some indents on the tofu after urgent. However general, I like that it catches the surplus liquid, and I believe it’s an awesome decide for somebody who needs to keep away from plastic.
The Specs:
- Dimension: 8.6 by 3.9 by 0.5 inches
- Weight: 1.92 kilos
- Materials: Bamboo
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Execs:
- Trouble-free setup and use
- Can be utilized on various sizes of tofu blocks
- Constructed-in drainage plate
The Cons:
- Leaves indents on tofu
- Higher handy wash it to not injury wooden
- No set strain ranges
What Others are Saying:
Spruce Eats named it the most effective bamboo tofu press and Delish made it the runner-up of their listing of the most effective tofu presses.
Purchase the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press:
The EZ Tofu Press is a good primary possibility. The easy 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 must tighten the knobs each jiffy to press out each final drop. (In case you tighten it an excessive amount of too rapidly, the tofu can crack.) Although this press requires a bit extra work, it’s nonetheless efficient!
The Specs:
- Dimension: 9 by 5.25 by 4 inches
- Weight: 1.1 kilos
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Execs:
- Made within the U.S.
- Manufactured from BPA-free plastic
- Simple to wash
The Cons:
- Have to proceed to tighten screws whereas it presses
- No set strain ranges
- Requires a separate bowl to seize liquid
What Others are Saying:
The Spruce Eats named the EZ Tofu Press the most effective general tofu press. Moreover, it has greater than 6,000 Amazon critiques and a 4.7-star ranking.
Purchase the EZ Tofu Press:
Different Tofu Presses to Contemplate
The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is slightly bit totally different from different tofu presses in that it’s product of stainless-steel. That implies that it’s heavier and dearer than others, which is why it wasn’t one among my high picks. However in case you’re prepared to splurge, this can be an awesome non-plastic alternative. You may also use it to make your individual tofu! The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is on the market at Amazon for $105.
Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press
Very similar to the EZ Tofu Press, the Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press incorporates 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 have to to position it over a container on its facet for the water to empty out. The Wholesome Specific Additional Agency Tofu Press is on the market at Amazon for $19.95.
Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring
This may be the prettiest tofu press on this listing! It is available in lime and grapefruit hues so as to add a pop of shade to your kitchen. Seems apart, I like that this plastic tofu press robotically drains the liquid right into a separate container. The Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring is on the market at Amazon for $25.95.
The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is fashionable amongst media websites and has been named the most effective general tofu press by Reviewed and Delish. It’s not amongst my favorites as a result of it’s clunkier to retailer, however it could actually double as a tofu marinating dish, giving it multiple perform. The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is on the market at Amazon for $22.99.
How I Examined The Greatest Tofu Presses
I chosen eight tofu presses which have acquired nice critiques on-line and which have been personally advisable 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 when it comes to ease of use and texture. My #1 alternative, the Tofuture Tofu Press, has develop 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 Contemplate 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 encompass two items of plastic held along with screws and bolts. Earlier than selecting one, contemplate the dimensions of the tofu press–do you’ve room to retailer it? You also needs to contemplate the fabric (plastic, bamboo, or stainless-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 possibly can selected the tofu press that can work finest for you.
Why Do You Have to Press Tofu?
While 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 need to squeeze most of it out. It’d appear to be a tedious additional step, however it’ll give your tofu a way more satisfying texture. Plus, urgent helps tofu absorb a marinade for the most effective taste!
How Lengthy Ought to You Press Tofu?
The period of time you might want to press tofu depends upon the dimensions of the block. For reference, I often press a 12- to 14-ounce block for about half-hour. In case you plan forward, you may also place it in a press and pop it within the fridge in a single day. That method, you gained’t be scrambling to press it proper earlier than you begin cooking.
Can You Press Tofu With out a Tofu Press?
A tofu press makes urgent tofu tremendous straightforward and handy, however it’s nonetheless potential 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 chopping board or baking sheet and place a heavy forged iron pan on high. Set it apart for about half-hour, checking midway by and altering the towel if it’s too moist. That’s it! In case you get pleasure from tofu pressed with a cast-iron skillet, I undoubtedly advocate getting a tofu press. It makes urgent tofu even easier!
The Greatest Tofu Recipes
After you have a tofu press, I hope you begin including tofu to your common rotation! Take a look at my information on easy methods to prepare dinner tofu first. Then, strive one among these scrumptious tofu dishes:
Costs have been correct at time of publication. This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks.
