Garlic, if used right, can boost the taste of a lot of meals. Most people prefer fresh garlic to power, even though it can be stressful to process. Using a garlic press can help make the mincing process of garlic easier while giving you the perfect flavour with less effort.
The ideal garlic press should cut through garlic with ease without losing juice. This piece will look at how to get the best garlic press in the market.
What makes a garlic press important?
A garlic press, known as a garlic crusher, is a device used to crush or mince garlic by passing a clove through the grid. Because the clove is destroyed in the same movement as minced, many chefs believe the flavour is more pleasing and more robust than a knife.
Some argue against the garlic press. They say that if the press is not used right, the juice may get lost. Also, the process may be more stressful than chopping with a knife.
What to consider before buying a garlic press
Before choosing a garlic press, ensure you consider some essential features.
The size
The size of the garlic plays a vital role in determining the results. You need to consider the garlic volume that can fit into the chamber. Whoever loves garlic will desire to squeeze much garlic at the same time. If you do not use too much garlic in your food, you may want to get smaller-sized garlic presses.
Note that larger garlic presses are heavier, making them a bit complex to use.
Storage
Before you buy a garlic press, you need to factor in how and where you will store it. The perfect garlic press should be the type that fits into your kitchen drawer without taking up much space.
Several garlic presses are made with hoops on their handles which you can hang on your wall. Usually, this is quite convenient because it will not get lost in your drawer, and you can access it with ease. This makes sense if you use garlic regularly. Regardless of your budget, you should get a decent press that comes with the option of hanging it on the wall.
Durability
If you are looking for the perfect garlic press, make sure you go for one that can be repeatedly used. The garlic press's durability makes it possible to use it for a prolonged time. Always look for the ones made using cast zinc and stainless steel.
Stainless steel is not the only material used to make garlic presses, as others made using plastic. Because they are plastic made does not mean they aren't durable. But you must ensure not to use them in the wrong way, such as trying to crush too much garlic at the same time. The same thing applies to the more robust presses as well. Using them the wrong way could affect them.
Efficiency
The higher the garlic press’s efficiency, the more satisfaction you will get. You need a device that can crush your garlic without using added pressure that could affect the food preparation. Also, using a large chamber means you will be able to grind and mince many cloves at once. Also, since you will be looking to cut down waste, you should get one that squeezes out as much juice as possible from the garlic.
Ease of cleaning
One aspect of using a garlic press many people hate is the cleaning. Even for professional chefs who use garlic regularly, it can be tricky cleaning them, especially if left for a long time. This makes the garlic hardened.
The good news is that the best garlic presses are easy to clean. They come with cleaning tools like small silicon pads and brushes, which help push out the leftover garlic. Several such garlic presses are also dishwasher safe and can be easily rinsed under your faucet.
Grip
This is one factor many people hardly think about when choosing a garlic press. It can be the difference between a terrible experience and a pleasant one. The reason for this is that if you use the wrong handle, you may not get the required pressure to get the desired result.
Using the wrong handle could also cause your hand to strain while damaging the garlic press. The proper grip will give the user comfort. If you are preparing food that needs a lot of garlic, you need to be as comfortable as possible when processing it.
Price
While this shouldn’t be your main focus when scouting, you are researching for a garlic press; you should consider it. The perfect garlic press shouldn’t be too expensive, but it should have all the features needed to do a decent job.
How do I clean my garlic press?
Cleaning your garlic press after use shouldn’t be too difficult. All you need to do is mist the press using cooking spray whenever you are using it. After the press, use a toothbrush to extract your garlic goo. Next, rinse the garlic press using warm water and dry it.
The cooking spray will help keep the components slipper, and the toothpick and toothbrush will remove all residuals.
FAQ
Q. What is the function of a garlic press?
A garlic press helps to press garlic. If you have attempted chopping garlic before, especially if you are using old knives, it can be rather frustrating. With a garlic press, you can speed up the cooking process.
Q. What is the difference between mincing and using garlic press?
They share similarities and differences. Many chefs prefer using them interchangeably. With mincing, the garlic will be minced in the same manner as meat. Using garlic press makes it minced smooth.
Q. should I peel the garlic before using the garlic press?
You don’t have to peel the garlic before processing it, especially if you are in a hurry. The garlic press is strong enough to handle the resistance that comes with the skin.
Final thoughts
The demands of processing garlic should not be why you avoid using a garlic press. They help ease the stress of cooking, so you need to invest in the right one. Note that the material, build, and size vary depending on the producer and model. This is why you need to carry out due diligence before buying to be sure you are purchasing the right one. We hope the tips outlined in this article should help point you in the right direction!