In the event you cook 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 to 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 attempt one out. I made a decision to experiment with a few of the greatest tofu presses in the marketplace to see how I appreciated 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 gentle or crumbly with out squishing it. After urgent, the tofu has a firmer, chewier texture. It holds its form if you make grilled tofu, and it crisps up completely if 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 under. In the event you cook dinner tofu typically, I positively advocate investing in a single. They arrive in a wide range of sizes and kinds, so verify them out to search out the most effective 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
- Finest Primary Tofu Press: EZ Tofu Press – $21.99 at Amazon
- Finest Bamboo Tofu Press: ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press – $22.49 at Amazon
Evaluations of The Finest 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 just a few 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 inside 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 may select from three ranges of pressure. Each 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 wash 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 wash
- Made with BPA-free supplies
The Cons:
- Solely is available in one coloration possibility
- Bands may pop off
What Others are Saying:
Finest Merchandise discovered the Tofuture Tofu press to be the most effective total, and it was reviewed by The Kitchn and Insider as an amazing 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 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 simple to make use of total, I initially had a little bit bother twisting the spring into place, which is why I ranked it under the Tofuture press. All in all, although, it’s nonetheless an amazing 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 wash
- Constructed-in drainage plate
The Cons:
- Bigger to retailer than Tofuture press
- Spring mechanism will be laborious 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 critiques.
Purchase the TofuBud Tofu Press:
Most tofu presses are made out of plastic, however this bamboo press is a superb eco-friendly possibility. The picket materials additionally makes the ToPress Bamboo Tofu Press a little bit extra aesthetically pleasing than plastic presses. It options three essential 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 you must alter the knobs every now and then to completely drain the tofu and that the tofu can crack if you happen to press it an excessive amount of too rapidly. 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 amazing 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:
- 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 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 superb fundamental 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 couple of minutes to press out each final drop. (In the event 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:
- Measurement: 9 by 5.25 by 4 inches
- Weight: 1.1 kilos
- Materials: Plastic
- Dishwasher Protected: Sure
The Professionals:
- Made within the U.S.
- Fabricated from BPA-free plastic
- Straightforward to wash
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 most effective total 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 Take into account
The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is a little bit bit completely different from different tofu presses in that it’s product of stainless-steel. That signifies that it’s heavier and dearer than others, which is why it wasn’t one in all my high picks. However if you happen to’re keen to splurge, this can be an amazing non-plastic alternative. It’s also possible to use it to make your personal tofu! The Uncooked Rutes Tofu Press is offered at Amazon for $105.
Wholesome Categorical Further Agency Tofu Press
Very like the EZ Tofu Press, the Wholesome Categorical Further 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 which may press the blocks a little bit higher, although you have to to put it over a container on its facet for the water to empty out. The Wholesome Categorical Further Agency Tofu Press is offered 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 coloration to your kitchen. Appears to be like 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 common amongst media websites and has been named the most effective total 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 multiple operate. The NOYA Adjustable Tofu Press is offered at Amazon for $22.99.
How I Examined The Finest Tofu Presses
I chosen eight tofu presses which have acquired nice critiques on-line and which were personally really useful 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 change into a game-changer for making vegan and plant-based recipes in my kitchen!
All the things 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 encompass two items of plastic held along with screws and bolts. Earlier than choosing one, contemplate the scale of the tofu press–do you will have 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 may selected the tofu press that can work greatest for you.
Why Do You Must 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 if you happen to’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’s going to give your tofu a way more satisfying texture. Plus, urgent helps tofu take in a marinade for the most effective taste!
How Lengthy Ought to You Press Tofu?
The period of time that you must press tofu will depend on the scale of the block. For reference, I often press a 12- to 14-ounce block for about half-hour. In the event you plan forward, you can even place it in a press and pop it within the fridge in a single day. That means, 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, however it’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! In the event you 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 Finest Tofu Recipes
After you have a tofu press, I hope you begin including tofu to your common rotation! Try my information on how one can cook dinner tofu first. Then, attempt one in all these scrumptious tofu dishes:
Costs have been correct at time of publication. This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks.