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If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you have surely tried or at least heard of tofu (bean curd). The amazing thing about tofu is that you will be capable of preparing it in a variety of ways – deep-fry, stir-fry, etc. But, no matter how you think about cooking it, you will need to entirely remove the moisture in order to bring out the best flavor and texture of your meal. While you can put 2 flat objects and constantly apply force to your tofu, this method can take countless hours, and you might even create a huge mess in your home. That’s where tofu presses come in. With this kitchen gadget, you will successfully press the excess water out of the tofu in just a couple of minutes. In our guide, we will be listing the best tofu presses in 2023 available. So, if you’re interested, be sure to bear with us until the end!
The Best Tofu Press You Can Buy
Tofuture Tofu Press
– Best Overall
If you’re seeking a compact model that won’t take up too much space in the fridge, then we strongly advise that you check out the Tofuture Green & White Tofu Press. It’s manufactured out of BPA-free plastic and consists of 3 parts: a bottom box, a stainer, and a green lid. The whole process is pretty simple; firstly, place the stainer above the bottom box (collects the excess moisture); next up, place the tofu in the stainer and put the green lid on top of it; finally, attach the bands to the available hooks to provide continuous pressure to it. The Tofuture Green & White Tofu Press is completely dishwasher-safe and is capable of withstanding high and low temperatures without any problem. Plus, it comes in a pretty lovely packaging box, making it the ideal gift for any friend or family member that loves cooking tofu.
Pros
- It’s ideal for anyone that hates washing by hand – dishwasher-safe
- This tofu press features a pretty compact and lightweight design
Cons
- The whole process takes significantly longer than all the other models on the market
YARKOR Tofu Press
– Runner Up
Next up, we have the YARKOR Transparent Food Tofu Press – an all-in-one solution to squeeze the entire moisture out of your tofu block. You don’t need to buy any additional plates or bowls; this tofu press includes everything you need. Just assemble the pieces together by following the easy-to-read instructions and start preparing your meal. Moreover, this tofu press highlights an incredibly durable spring that is resistant to any type of corrosion or wear. And, the transparent construction will let you clearly view the whole pressing process. To end it all, the YARKOR Transparent Food Tofu Press even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you are experiencing any kinds of problems, go ahead and call the manufacturer.
Pros
- Features multiple drainage holes and a water collecting tray
- It’s completely transparent
Cons
- This press isn’t recommended for silken tofu
EZ Tofu Press
– Honorable Mention
Are you on the look for a quality tofu press on a tight budget? Well, the EZ White Plastic Tofu Press is the most fitting option for you. It highlights a plate-style design with two large screws and tension knobs to manually increase the pressure level per your requirements. Therefore, this press is capable of removing all the excess moisture from your tofu in just a couple of minutes. Whenever you’re done, just loosen the tension knobs and remove the tofu block. This tofu press is manufactured in the USA – using only long-lasting BPA-free plastic materials. Plus, the EZ White Plastic Tofu Press features a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer, so if something wrong happens, they will send you a free replacement straight away.
Pros
- The EZ White Plastic Tofu Press comes at a low price tag
- It’s capable of pressing tofu in like 5-15 minutes
Cons
- It doesn’t include any type of drainage plate or area
Mangocore Tofu Press
– Also Consider
Not only will this press remove all the excess moisture from your tofu, but it can also help in creating tofu from soy milk. The Mangocore Homemade Tofu Maker Pressing is made from eco-friendly materials and promises to last for many years. This specific model is particularly big, so you can easily put 2 batches of soy milk at the same time. On top of everything else, it even features a cotton cheesecloth, so you can efficiently make your own cheese as well.
Pros
- This press will also allow you to make tofu from soy milk
- It even features a cotton cheesecloth
Cons
- It doesn’t come with directions on how you can make tofu
Buying Guide for the Best Tofu Presses
As you can see, there are literally various options available on the internet, but not all of them are suitable for your needs and preferences. So, to assist you in finding the right one, we will be going through the most important things you need to consider, the amount you should pay, and answer the most asked questions related to tofu presses. Let’s start!
What Essential Things Do You Need To Consider When Buying Tofu Presses?
Type
There are two types of tofu presses available on the market: plate-style and box-style tofu presses. Let’s see what’s more fitting for you.
Plate-style tofu presses –The tofu is positioned between two plastic slabs, and with the help of tension springs, you manually apply pressure. The complete process can take around 20 minutes at max. Usually, these types of tofu presses are straightforward to clean and are pretty affordable.
Box-style tofu presses –If you plan on pressing a lot of tofu throughout the week, then we strongly advise you to stick with this model. They are more practical because you aren’t required to constantly adjust the plates. Just set the tofu in the metal container and place the top plate on top of it – the plate will apply continuous pressure.
Material
The second thing to consider when buying your very own tofu press is the overall quality of the material. While going through all the options available, you will see that the tofu presses are made out of different materials. However, you should look for BPA-free plastic or stainless steel metal – both of them are pretty durable and can be easily cleaned.
Instruction
When buying a tofu press, be sure to stick with one that has brief and easy-to-read instructions for the entire process. Most of the manufacturers will have this info written in the description, while some of them will send an entire guidebook in your packaging box.
What Is the Price Range of Tofu Presses?
If you’re in the market for a brand-new tofu press, then you should expect to pay from $10 and up to $80 for some models. The price range can hugely vary depending on a couple of essential factors, including the construction material, manufacturer, and the type of tofu press.
How Did We Select the Best Tofu Presses?
We briefly reviewed hundreds of options before making the final list. Here are the key factors that helped us throughout the entire process:
- Ratings(20%)
- Value(25%)
- Reliability(25%)
- Manufacturer(30%)
Conclusion
With the help of our top picks and best picks, we’re a hundred percent sure that you will be able to find the right tofu press for you. Good Luck!
Tofu Press FAQ
Q: How can you use the tofu press?
A: The process can really vary from one model to another. So, in order to receive the desired results, remember to carefully read the instructions.
Q: How long should you press tofu?
A: If you plan to use a plate-style press, then 20 minutes should be more than enough. However, if you use a box-style press, you can expect the whole process to last for several hours.
Q: Why should you press tofu?
A: Pressing tofu will help you get rid of all the excess moisture and allow you to replace it with flavor. If the tofu is extremely wet, then it can easily break up while you’re cooking it.
