Preparing tofu the right way can be a little tricky because its inherent flavor is bland even though it features remarkable flavor-grasping abilities. If you want to mold this creamy, solid substance into something yummy, with the right shape and texture, try the best tofu presses to make sure that happens. Tofu is incredible for cooking both sweet and savory dishes, particularly in Asian cuisine. The white and creamy food item enhances the flavor of your meal and is also a great source of protein, calcium, and iron. However, tofu needs to be adequately pressed to ensure it becomes most flavorful. If it has too much moisture, it will end up being watery and unpleasant. Thus, to enjoy the perfect tofu each time, bring home one of the best tofu presses listed in this post.
The 11 Best Tofu Presses In 2022
1. Best USDA-Certified:EZ Tofu Press
Are you a workaholic and homemaker? Want to cook some delicious tofu quickly? This tofu press by EZ may be the right choice for your hectic schedule! It helps you press tofu and also homemade paneer within 15 minutes by removing excess water. There is an extra feature of centering marks to ensure proper placement before pressing. Despite being made of plastic, its top plate is equipped with stainless steel grommet to block plastic from entering into tofu/paneer. Unlike spring and elastic presses, this doesn’t contain any springs or bands and does not wear out or break easily. This review video helps you know more about the product. Pros
Fastest press Better flavor absorption Better texture and taste Ideal for most tofu block sizes BPA-free and USDA certified plastic Easy to clean with warm soapy water
Cons
Knobs may be slightly loose
2. Best Portable:Tofuture Tofu Press
Looking for a stylish, compact, and portable tofu press? Then, this one by Tofuture may be the right choice! This plastic white-green press is completely safe and can be cleaned using a dishwasher. It features multiple containers for varied usage — for tofu placement, exerting pressure, and excess water collection. There is a provision of silicone bands that can be adjusted in hooks as per the thickness of a tofu block. This intricately designed tofu press facilitates a comfortable and clean pressing and can be easily kept inside a refrigerator. Take a look at this video to learn more about this product. Pros
Compact BPA-free plastic Portable tofu maker Stylish design with an appealing outlook Enhanced taste, texture, and flavor absorption
Cons
The plastic clips may be slightly fragile.
3. Best Environment-Friendly:Mangocore Tofu Press With Tofu Cloth
Who doesn’t love an add-on along with a product! Here is a pack that includes a tofu press and a tofu cloth by Mangocore. Made of food-grade plastic, this tofu maker is an environment-friendly and durable product. Being a comfortable-to-use and odor-free tofu press, pressing tofu using this mold results in better texture and taste, and gives it flavor grasping properties. In particular, it is a steamed tofu box slab much like a flat chassis. This press comes with a cotton tofu cloth that absorbs excess moisture from the tofu. Pros
Durable Compact Lightweight Easy process
Cons
The lid may be slightly fragile.
4. Best For Marinating:TofuXpress Gourmet Tofu Press
This uniquely designed tofu press, which is stylish and elegant, turns out to be one of the best tofu presses in the market. It easily fits in a refrigerator and is portable too. By applying pressure over the spring-loaded plastic slabs, the excess water gets collected at the top lid, making cleaning much easier. This tofu maker can also be used for marinating purposes and as a storage container. There are separate, specialized tofu presses available for varied types of tofus as per their properties. This homemade tofu press can be used to press delicate ingredients like cheese, rice, and yogurt. Check out this informative video to learn more about the tofu press. Pros
Better taste Easy to clean Extra-firm tofu Compact size Spring-loaded slabs Suitable for delicate foods
Cons
Slightly expensive
5. Best 6-Sided Lattice Panels:that tofu thing Tofu Press
Want to enjoy some restaurant-style tofu? Here is your one-stop solution — tofu press by that tofu thing! Molding the tofu using this perfectly designed tofu press gives it better texture, taste, and flavor absorbing tendency. What we love the most are its speed and 6-sided lattice panels! It promises you extra firm tofu in just 15 minutes by eliminating excess water through panels. This tofu maker is equipped with a unique feature of the single-screw design. This makes it easier for you to hold tofu in one hand and press by exerting pressure with another, enabling you to feel the tofu block when it turns right! Pros
Long-Lasting Speedy pressing Food grade material Unique and stylish design Dual orientation structure
Cons
The press might be slightly tight.
6. Best BPA-Free:Glue Theory Tofu Press
Do you love tofu and presses but hate cleaning the water that’s released? Then, this tofu press by Glue Theory may be the right choice! This tofu maker assures better texture and taste, giving you extra firm and meatier tofu. Made of BPA-free food-grade stainless steel, it is completely safe to use and easy to maintain. What we love the most is the detachable bottom plate that collects excess water without having us run for kitchen towels! This efficiently structured, easy-to-use plate style press is considered to be one of the best tofu brands in the market for its compatibility and innovative features. Pros
Unique design Detachable drip tray Compatible with most tofu block sizes Precisely structured holes to drain water out.
Cons
Knobs may be slightly tight
7. Best Craftsmanship:Tofu Kit Tofu Maker
Want to prepare your tofu from scratch? Do you love Japanese cuisine? Your one-stop solution is this tofu press by Tofu Kit. This tofu maker is known for its fragrance and craftsmanship. The scent of the hinoki (Japanese cypress) will never fail to impress you. Being a wooden tofu press, it is safe and healthy to use. This homemade tofu press comes with a nigari packet (a form of Japanese sushi ingredient), press cloth, and cooking instructions. This press offers you an incredible experience from ‘produce’ to ‘plate’ – all done by yourself! Pros
Compact size Extra-firm tofu Improvised taste and flavor Compatible with most tofu block sizes
Cons
The top lid might be slightly small.
8. Best Corrosion-Free:Grow Your Pantry Tofu Press
Want to relish some mouth-watering tofu? Then, this bamboo wooden tofu press by Grow Your Pantry helps you prepare extra firm tofu with great texture and smacking taste in just 15 minutes of pressing time! With its precisely slotted holes that drain excess water out and a bespoke bottom plate that collects water without making a mess, this turns out to be one of the best tofu presses in the market. The whole construction of this plate style press is made by using bamboo wood, which ensures safety and longevity. It prevents rust, corrosion, and breakage. It comes along with an instruction manual, a tofu recipe book, and a surprise bonus gift. Pros
Eco-friendly Speedy pressing Sturdy and durable Includes a storage bag Easy to clean and maintain Anti-rust stainless steel finger tighteners
Cons
Springs may be slightly tight
9. Best With Spring Press:Wecation Tofu Press
Are you looking for a tofu press to remove excess moisture from tofu and make it delicious? Bring home the Wecation tofu press that is uniquely designed with a spring press and water collecting container. This 16 to 26oz press has a lockable lid and a screw to press the tofu, and the transparent container helps you see the thickness of tofu and accumulated water. Pros
Non-slip silicone handle Metal spring with waterproof design Dishwasher-safe Easy to clean Three-year warranty
Cons
May not be easy to assemble
10. Best Large-Sized:Country Trading Co. Gourmet Wooden Tofu Press
Looking for an all-in-one press for your soggy food items? Are you a Japanese food lover? Well, here it is! Gourmet Wooden Tofu Press by Country Trading Co. This tool allows you to press double-block tofu in 30-60 minutes to make it extra firm tofu with better texture and sharpness. Along with this tofu press, you get a cheesecloth, sushi and musubi squares, and sushi and tofu recipe ebooks. Rolling sushi, preparing vegan cheese, and pressing them will no longer be a problem when you have this tofu maker! Pros
Eco-friendly Larger holding space Can press multiple blocks at the same time Presses paneer, cheese, feta, and halloumi
Cons
Might be heavy The base might be slightly flimsy.
11. Best Quick-Pressing:Raw Rutes Tofu Press
This stainless steel tofu press is eco-friendly and safe to use. With its ultra-heavy pressing weight, this tofu maker gives you an extra firm and tastier tofu by eliminating all the water out of it. This tofu press does not have any springs, plastic parts, or bands, leaving no room for breakage, corrosion, and rust. This simple yet classy homemade tofu press comes in 2 styles — The Sumo with a laser-cut design and red-colored knob on top, and The Ninja with a black colored knob and glossy sides. Pros
Affordable Easy to clean Quicker pressing Suitable for making paneer and cheese too
Cons
Expensive Might not be suitable for few tofu block sizes
Choosing the right tofu press may be a little confusing. You need to consider a few key factors before arriving at a decision.
How To Choose The Best Tofu Press
1. Choose your style
There are 2 types of tofu presses — plate style press and box style press.
Plate style press: These presses function with 2 plastic or metal plates. You need to tighten the plates, place the tofu block between them, and exert pressure over it using 2-4 knobs to eliminate water. Timely adjustment of knobs is required as the tofu block tends to shrink. This process takes up to 10-30 minutes in total, depending on the block sizes. Box style press: These presses function with a metal, plastic box, or container and a top plate equipped with a spring mechanism. All you need to do is place the tofu block in the box and fit the top plate as per the instructions given. After this, the plates exert pressure over the block inside the box to eliminate moisture and water. This type of press is easy to use but may not suit all tofu block sizes.
2. Ease of use
One of the key points to consider before purchasing a tofu press is its ease of use. Generally, box style presses are convenient to use than plate style ones as they ensure quicker pressing. However, if you don’t mind adjusting knobs, you can opt for plate style presses.
3. Safety and maintenance
Generally, wooden and food-grade stainless steel tofu presses are considered to be good and can be safely maintained. When it comes to plastic, opt for a BPA-free one. The knobs in plate style presses can be metal or plastic while the screws and springs are mostly made of steel. While purchasing a tofu press, look into the durability and longevity of the product too. A compact and portable tofu maker can be quite efficient.
4. Ensures better texture and taste
Bland tofu turns into something tasty and exciting only when it becomes extra firm with a good texture! Tofus have amazing flavor grasping qualities when it is totally out of excess moisture. Thus to attain all these, an efficient tofu press is all that you need!
5. Unique features
Once you are done analyzing the above criteria, start looking out for some unique features in your tofu press that can motivate you to purchase it. This may include appealing design, lattice panels to drain out water, innovative structure, warranty, guarantee, and add-ons such as recipe books and cheesecloth.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Sakshi John is experienced in reviewing kitchenware and furniture. She is passionate about finding the best kitchenware and helps her readers have a hassle-free shopping experience. Using her interest in kitchen products, she has evaluated and compared various tofu presses available in the market. To narrow down the best options, Sakshi has carefully considered user reviews and features of each product. The products on this list are well-designed to make it easy and convenient for you to press tofu the right way. Recommended Articles:
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