If you happen to cook dinner tofu typically, a tofu press is a must have gadget. We examined and reviewed the perfect tofu presses that can assist you choose one in your kitchen!
I not too long ago 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 will be enjoyable to attempt 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 delicate 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 perfect tofu presses beneath. If you happen to cook dinner tofu typically, I positively suggest investing in a single. They arrive in quite a lot of sizes and types, so examine them out to seek out the perfect 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 Primary 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 perfect 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 simple 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 software for urgent tofu!
I additionally like how the surplus water comprises itself throughout the press, so there’s no mess to scrub 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 Secure: Sure
The Execs:
- Simple to make use of
- Constructed-in drainage plate
- Simple 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 perfect general, and it was reviewed by The Kitchn and Insider as a terrific choose for tofu presses. It additionally has greater than 10,000 Amazon evaluations and a 4.7 score.
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 comprises the liquid from the tofu–an enormous plus! It options two stress ranges, that are managed by a sturdy spring. Although this press is simple to make use of general, I initially had a bit bother twisting the spring into place, which is why I ranked it beneath the Tofuture press. All in all, although, it’s nonetheless a terrific choose!
The Specs:
- Dimension: 4.7 by 5.5 by 4.7 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Secure: Sure
The Execs:
- Presses in as little as 20 minutes
- Simple to scrub
- Constructed-in drainage plate
The Cons:
- Bigger to retailer than Tofuture press
- Spring mechanism might be laborious to twist
What Others are Saying:
Reviewed named it the most effective tofu presses, and it has a 4.7-star score 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 good eco-friendly possibility. The wood materials additionally makes the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press a bit extra aesthetically pleasing than plastic presses. It options three primary items—a prime 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 important to modify the knobs every now and then to completely drain the tofu and that the tofu can crack in the event you press it an excessive amount of too shortly. As well as, it leaves some indents on the tofu after urgent. However general, I like that it catches the surplus liquid, and I feel it’s a terrific choose 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 Secure: 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 harm wooden
- No set stress ranges
What Others are Saying:
Spruce Eats named it the perfect bamboo tofu press and Delish made it the runner-up of their checklist of the perfect 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 couple of minutes 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:
- Dimension: 9 by 5.25 by 4 inches
- Weight: 1.1 kilos
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Secure: Sure
The Execs:
- Made within the U.S.
- Manufactured from BPA-free plastic
- Simple to scrub
The Cons:
- Must 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 perfect general tofu press. Moreover, it has greater than 6,000 Amazon evaluations and a 4.7-star score.
Purchase the EZ Tofu Press:
Different Tofu Presses to Contemplate
The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is a bit bit totally different from different tofu presses in that it’s made from chrome steel. That signifies that it’s heavier and dearer than others, which is why it wasn’t one in every of my prime picks. However in the event you’re prepared to splurge, this can be a terrific non-plastic alternative. You can too use it to make your personal tofu! The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is accessible at Amazon for $105.
Wholesome Categorical Additional Agency Tofu Press
Very like the EZ Tofu Press, the Wholesome Categorical Additional Agency Tofu Press includes a prime 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 a bit higher, although you have to to put it over a container on its facet for the water to empty out. The Wholesome Categorical Additional Agency Tofu Press is accessible at Amazon for $19.95.
Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring
This is perhaps 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 to be like apart, I like that this plastic tofu press mechanically drains the liquid right into a separate container. The Tofudee Tofu Press With Auto IntelliSpring is accessible at Amazon for $25.95.
The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is well-liked amongst media websites and has been named the perfect 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 possibly double as a tofu marinating dish, giving it a couple of perform. The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is accessible 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 have been 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 when it comes to ease of use and texture. My #1 alternative, the Tofuture Tofu Press, has turn into a game-changer for making vegan and plant-based recipes in my kitchen!
Every part 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 include two items of plastic held along with screws and bolts. Earlier than selecting one, think about the scale of the tofu press–do you could have room to retailer it? You must also think about the fabric (plastic, bamboo, or chrome steel), whether or not or not the press comes with its personal drainage container, and the way simple it’s to scrub. With these options in thoughts, you’ll be able to selected the tofu press that may work greatest for you.
Why Do You Must Press Tofu?
Whenever 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 the event you’re grilling, or if you wish to make actually crispy tofu within the air fryer or oven, it’s best to squeeze most of it out. It’d appear to be a tedious additional step, however it is going to give your tofu a way more satisfying texture. Plus, urgent helps tofu take in a marinade for the perfect taste!
How Lengthy Ought to You Press Tofu?
The period of time that you must press tofu depends upon 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 can even 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 And not using a Tofu Press?
A tofu press makes urgent tofu tremendous simple and handy, however it’s nonetheless doable to press with out one. To do that, I take advantage of 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 prime. Set it apart for about half-hour, checking midway by means of 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 suggest getting a tofu press. It makes urgent tofu even easier!
The Greatest Tofu Recipes
After getting a tofu press, I hope you begin including tofu to your common rotation! Take a look at my information on find out how to cook dinner tofu first. Then, attempt one in every of these scrumptious tofu dishes:
Costs have been correct at time of publication. This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks.