Garlic is an essential ingredient in a wide range of recipes, but mincing it can often be a cumbersome task. The challenge lies in mincing several cloves quickly, especially when bits of garlic adhere to the knife blade, requiring frequent removal. Additionally, dealing with garlic can leave your hands with a lingering odor. Although pre-minced garlic offers convenience, it can’t compare to the fresh flavor of garlic minced directly from the clove. This is where a good garlic press comes into play. These handy tools are designed to make mincing garlic—and sometimes other ingredients—much easier, often eliminating the need to peel the cloves beforehand. To determine which garlic press is the best fit for various needs, we rigorously tested several models, assessing each based on their design, performance, versatility, ease of use, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Our testing involved pressing garlic, ginger, mint, and other items to evaluate their effectiveness.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Dreamfarm Garject Lite
- Price: $25
- Available At: Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair
- Pros: Intuitive to use, lightweight design, effective with both peeled and unpeeled garlic.
- Cons: Not suitable for mincing ginger.
For those seeking a garlic press that combines excellent performance with great value, the Dreamfarm Garject Lite stands out. This model is made of durable plastic and is equipped with features that enhance its usability, such as a button for ejecting used garlic skins. It effectively handles multiple cloves of garlic and produces consistently fine results. The press’s lightweight design and comfortable grip make it easy to use, even for those who are new to cooking. Although it excels at mincing garlic, it does not work well with ginger, making it less versatile for those who frequently use this ingredient. The press is also dishwasher-safe, which simplifies cleaning, and the included scraper makes removing garlic residue easy.
Best Rocker: Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker
- Price: $19
- Available At: Amazon, Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel
- Pros: Stylish appearance, minimal hand strength required, effective with peeled and unpeeled garlic.
- Cons: Requires multiple presses for a finer mince.
The Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker offers a unique design compared to traditional garlic presses. Instead of squeezing handles, this tool relies on a rocking motion. To use it, place a garlic clove on a cutting surface, position the rocker over it, and rock it back and forth to press the garlic through the holes. This design minimizes the amount of hand strength needed and is compact, requiring less storage space. It is also effective with both peeled and unpeeled garlic, and the large square holes produce a mince that is similar to that achieved with a knife. However, for a finer mince, you may need to rock the tool over the garlic a few times. The stainless steel construction is durable and easy to clean, and it helps remove garlic odors from your hands.
Best High-End: Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press
- Price: $47
- Available At: Amazon, Wayfair
- Pros: Sleek and modern design, self-scraping feature, requires minimal pressure, can mince multiple cloves at once.
- Cons: Not suitable for slicing garlic or mincing ginger.
The Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press is a high-end option that combines innovative features with exceptional performance. Its sleek design is complemented by a built-in scraper that removes minced garlic from the press without needing a separate tool. This model can handle multiple cloves at once and provides a consistent, fine mince. The press minimizes direct contact with the garlic, which helps prevent lingering odors on your hands. Despite its impressive features, it is not designed for slicing garlic or mincing ginger. The higher price reflects the quality and durability of the product, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a top-performing garlic press.
Best Press and Peeler Kit: Alpha Grillers Garlic Press and Peeler Set
- Price: $13 (Sale)
- Available At: Amazon, Walmart
- Pros: Includes a peeler tube, heavy-duty construction, comfortable handles.
- Cons: Less effective with ginger and nuts.
The Alpha Grillers Garlic Press and Peeler Set offers a comprehensive solution for garlic preparation. The set includes a heavy-duty garlic press made from stainless steel and a peeler tube to simplify removing garlic skins. The press is designed to handle unpeeled garlic effectively and features comfortable handles that make it easy to squeeze. Although the press performs well with garlic, it struggles with other ingredients like ginger and nuts. The peeler tube works by rolling it over garlic cloves to remove the skins, which can become tiring if you are peeling a large number of cloves. The press is also dishwasher-safe, adding to its convenience.
Best Twisting Press: NexTrend 3rd Generation Clear Garlic Twist
- Price: $23
- Available At: Amazon, Walmart
- Pros: Versatile for garlic, ginger, and shallots, clear design for easy viewing, produces a very fine mince.
- Cons: Not ideal for herbs.
The NexTrend Clear Garlic Twist features a twisting mechanism enclosed in a clear polycarbonate casing. This design allows you to see the progress of your mincing without opening the press. To use it, place peeled garlic or other ingredients into the bowl, close the top, and twist to grind and mince. The clear design helps you monitor the consistency of the mince, though it may take some practice to achieve the desired results. This press is effective for garlic, ginger, and shallots but does not perform well with herbs, which tend to be torn apart rather than minced. The press is also dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean after use.
Best for Kids: Chef’n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper
- Price: $16
- Available At: Amazon, Walmart, Macy’s
- Pros: Can be used one-handed, child-friendly, ergonomic design.
- Cons: Ineffective with unpeeled garlic, produces uneven results.
The Chef’n GarlicZoom is designed with children in mind, featuring spinning blades that chop garlic and herbs. It operates by rolling the wheels back and forth on a surface, and the enclosed design makes it safe for kids to use. The chopper is comfortable to handle, thanks to its ergonomic design, and can be used with one hand. It effectively minces garlic and can also handle leafy herbs like mint. However, the results can be uneven, especially if the garlic is not peeled beforehand. The chopper is easy to clean, with a design that allows for quick removal of minced garlic.
Final Verdict
For those seeking a garlic press that offers both quality and value, the Dreamfarm Garject Lite is an excellent choice. It efficiently handles unpeeled garlic and features a self-ejecting mechanism for easy cleanup. For a child-friendly option, the Chef’n GarlicZoom is a fun and easy-to-use tool that encourages kids to help in the kitchen.
How We Tested
To determine the best garlic presses, we purchased and tested seven different models. Each press was evaluated with both peeled and unpeeled garlic cloves, as well as with other ingredients like ginger, mint, and nuts. We assessed each press on various factors including design, comfort, versatility, performance, ease of use, and cleaning. This thorough testing allowed us to provide detailed insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each garlic press.
Other Options We Tested
- Orblue Garlic Press: Although visually appealing and capable of mincing garlic, this press was bulky and prone to clogging. Its stainless steel construction, while easy to clean, lacked grip and comfort during use. It also did not perform well with ginger.
- OXO Good Grips Garlic Press: OXO’s model claims to maximize garlic extraction with minimal effort, but our tests revealed that it left some garlic behind. The self-cleaning feature was not as effective as expected, requiring manual scraping to remove excess garlic.
What to Look For in a Garlic Press
- Type: Garlic presses come in various designs, including squeezing, rocking, twisting, or chopping mechanisms. Choose one based on your comfort level and preference.
- Ease of Use: Look for features like padded grips or textured handles to enhance comfort and prevent slipping. If you have limited wrist mobility, consider a rocking garlic press.
- Size: The size of the garlic press affects its capacity and usability. A larger chamber can handle more cloves but may require more effort to operate. The hole size and shape determine the texture of the minced garlic.
- Ease of Cleanup: Choose a press that is easy to clean. Some models come with cleaning brushes or have self-cleaning mechanisms. Stainless steel presses are also effective at reducing garlic odor on your hands.
- Knife vs. Press: While a sharp knife can mince garlic effectively, it requires more time and effort. A garlic press offers a quicker and often more efficient way to prepare garlic, especially for large quantities.
FAQs
How do you use a garlic press?
Garlic presses operate by squeezing, rocking, or twisting to push garlic through holes or blades. After pressing, you remove the garlic and clean the press by removing any leftover skins and residues.
Do you need to peel garlic before using a garlic press?
Many garlic presses are designed to handle both peeled and unpeeled garlic cloves. However, peeling garlic before pressing can improve the press’s performance and make cleaning easier. If you prefer to avoid peeling, look for a press with a design that effectively deals with unpeeled cloves.
Can you use a garlic press for other ingredients?
Some garlic presses are versatile and can handle ingredients like ginger, shallots, and even certain nuts. However, not all presses are suited for these tasks. It’s important to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and test the press with different ingredients if versatility is a key factor for you.
How do you clean a garlic press?
Cleaning a garlic press can vary depending on the design and material. Most presses are dishwasher-safe, but some may require hand washing. Look for models with removable parts or built-in cleaning tools for easier maintenance. Stainless steel presses are generally easier to clean and less likely to retain odors.
What should you consider when buying a garlic press?
When selecting a garlic press, consider factors such as ease of use, material, design, and capacity. Look for a press that feels comfortable in your hand and can handle the quantity of garlic you typically use. Additionally, consider whether the press is easy to clean and whether it can handle other ingredients if needed.
How do garlic presses compare to other methods of mincing garlic?
Garlic presses are often preferred over knives for their efficiency and consistency. While a knife can achieve a fine mince, it requires more effort and time. A garlic press can quickly produce a uniform mince with less effort. However, some cooks prefer the control a knife provides and find it easier to adjust the texture of the garlic.
Conclusion
Choosing the right garlic press can make a significant difference in your kitchen routine. Whether you prioritize ease of use, versatility, or design, there’s a garlic press out there that fits your needs. From the highly rated Dreamfarm Garject Lite to the kid-friendly Chef’n GarlicZoom, each press has its own strengths and drawbacks. By considering your specific requirements and preferences, you can find a garlic press that enhances your cooking experience and makes garlic preparation effortless.
