A garlic press is a kitchen gadget that every real food cook should own!
By Christy, Contributing Writer
It’s just a little gadget, but at The Simple Home it’s indispensable. It has traveled the country with us. It helps keeps us healthy during flu season and adds a bit of zip to the dullest meal. Others have seen our devotion to the little gadget, and bought the same model themselves. What is this little wonder gadget?
The humble garlic press.
I am willing to take a bold stand and say that the garlic press is an essential tool in the modern kitchen, particularly if you strive to cook from scratch. People, you’ve gotta have one! And you’ve gotta have a good one.
But that’s just my opinion. Here are some real questions from real readers that will help you decide whether a garlic press will benefit you:
What’s so great about garlic?
Garlic is a super food. It should really have a cape and red undies, because it is that powerful. It is an immune-building, cancer-preventing, inflammation-reducing, heart-helping, cholesterol-leveling, bacteria-fighting wonder, and that’s just the beginning. You don’t want to hear me go all sciencey on you, so check out this† or this†or any other medical journal for more information.
What do you do with pressed garlic in your kitchen?
Perhaps you should be asking what I don’t do. With my press, I quickly throw garlic into stir fries, eggs, soups, meat dishes, casseroles, beans, pasta sauces, crockpot concoctions, veggies, pretty much everything cooked. I add it to homemade salad dressing, salsa, and natural cough and cold remedies. It finds its way onto homemade pizza, cheesy biscuits, and my humble garlic butter. Sometimes I’ll saute onions and mushrooms, and toss in garlic for a simple lunch that makes my immune system happy. The only place I have yet to use garlic is dessert, but I’m open to the possibilities.
Why do I need a garlic press to do all those things? Can’t I just mince the garlic with a knife.
Of course you can. But why would you do that when a garlic press could do the same job using a fraction of the time and effort, with no sticky, garlicky fingers? Cooking from scratch is time-consuming, so why not use a tool to simplify and expedite the process!
Can’t I just use jarred minced garlic?
Of course you can. Be aware, however, that most manufacturers include additives with the jarred minced garlic to prevent botulism. Also, the flavor of the freshly pressed garlic is stronger, as are some of the health benefits. Some even say the consistency differs between the two. Plus you have to measure pre-minced garlic.†Whole garlic is pre-measured in nifty little cloves straight from the Maker! Jarred garlic still retains some of the health and flavor benefits, so do what works best for you.
Well, then, can’t I just use garlic powder?
You’re not really paying attention, are you? Do whatever you want and whatever is easiest, but if you want the flavor and health benefits of fresh garlic, and you want to know for sure there are no additives in your garlic, then you should use fresh garlic. Powdered still has health benefits, though, so go for it if it makes your life easier.
So…what do you use?
I use a garlic press and fresh garlic most of the time for adding to stews, stir-fried, soups, crockpot dishes, veggies, and other mixed dishes. I use garlic powder when I want the powdered consistency, like when I make my own spice blends, such as my favorite all-purpose chicken (and fish) seasoning and Erin’s garlic salt. I have never, ever purchased pre-minced or pre-peeled garlic, because I don’t need to, because I have a garlic press…in case you weren’t wearing your listening ears.
Doesn’t fresh garlic give you garlic breath?
Yes, yes, it does. It’s a great way to find out who your real friends are.
Aren’t garlic presses a pain to clean?
Not really if you do it right away. I simple swipe out the remnants immediately after each use and rinse it off if necessary. Sometimes I wash it with everything else, and in my old life I would toss it in the dishwasher once in a while. But you know what? Diapers are a pain to change, and that hasn’t kept me from having seven babies, so maybe I’m not the person to ask.
How do I know which press to buy?
Great question! Here are a few tips about purchasing a garlic press:
1–Don’t skimp. The first press we had snapped in half. Seriously? Seriously. In half, people! Of course, that could have been because of my hubby’s super strength. Do not skimp! You’ve been warned.
2–Buy a press that does not require that the garlic is first peeled. You can pop the unpeeled clove in the press, apply a little oomph, and there you have it, freshly pressed garlic. Peeling garlic is tedious. Let’s face it, if it’s a pain in the ol’ sitter, you’re not going to be using your press much.
3–Look for a large reservoir with a well-fitting plunger†to press more garlic at once and leave little behind.
4–Don’t worry much about whether the press you like has a little cleaning doojab†when making your purchase decision. I used mine the first couple of months, but after that I just swiped a finger in the press to dig out the skins. Nothing to it. Some people swear by the cleaners, so…your call, really.
5–Read reviews to find a press that does not require more hand strength than you have.
What brand of garlic press do you use, and do you recommend it?
I have been using a Pampered Chef garlic press for 15 years. It has never done me wrong. My kids are fighting over who gets it willed to them. Fortunately, Pampered Chef made more than one. My old friend has handled the cooking needs of this family with panache and shows no sign of stopping. It’s totally and completely worth its drawer space! People that visit me and use my press go home and buy their own. True story.
I do not work for Pampered Chef.†I simply love my garlic press and use it almost daily. It is one of the few kitchen tools that is indispensable enough to escape our recent household purge and to travel the country with us. Garlic press, I love you!
Amazon has masses of garlic presses. It’s like a garlic press convention. Read the reviews to find out which require more hand strength, which will snap in half, which leave behind too much garlic, which require peeling, and similar issues. If you’re interested in the Pampered Chef garlic press, contact your consultant.
So, what do you think? Do you have a press? If not, are you thinking of running out right now and buying one? And the most burning question of all: do you have any dessert recipes that call for garlic?
Christy Bagasao writes with understanding and humor about simplifying life at The Simple Homemaker. Once weighed down by unrealistic expectations, life’s overwhelming demands, and the burden of clutter, Christy has learned to make life less complicated and find joy in the simple things. She and her contemporary Christian musician husband, Stephen Bautista, “roadschool” their 7 children, ages 1 to 16, on the open road as they tour the country full-time in a travel trailer for the music mission.
Have you read our other Kitchen Tools posts?
stephanie
Love my garlic press! I’m unsure of the brand but I’ve had it for years. I’ve never thought to NOT peel my garlic. I’ll have to try that and see how it works. I absolutely love garlic and have been known to eat WAYYYY too much. Which basically means that I have smelled pretty darn garlicky for a couple of days. 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Oh I’ve definitely been in that garlic-smelling place myself! It’s a great place to be! 🙂
Not all presses can handle unpeeled garlic. My old press would have snapped.
Mindy @ Creating Naturally
I have wanted a garlic press FOREVER! I don’t know why I haven’t just bought one, but I think that your post has convinced me to order one today. I LOVE garlic 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
You go girl! 🙂
Kristy
I love my garlic press as well one of my favorite things. Mine is pampered chef too, I love their products so much that I started selling them!
Mrs. Taylor
I just got Mr. Taylor a new garlic press for his birthday! It was a Khun Rikon Epicurean. The price tag was a bit high at $35. But it was recommended by America’s Test Kitchen. They also like it’s $20 cousin saying it had the same performance, lower cost. But it has plastic parts and the one I ordered was all metal. I think we finally have a press that will last! It’s super easy to clean and press. The first thing he did after opening it was press a clove just because he could. 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Mr. Taylor is one lucky fella!
Kristen @ Smithspirations
I just bought a garlic press on Sunday! I haven’t decided if I like it or not, but it might have been a lower quality one. Putting in an unpeeled clove made quite a mess, but I’ll give it another try now after your praises for yours!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
I hope it works out for you. Was it advertised as pressing without peeling? My first couldn’t handle that.
Wendy
I too love my Pampered Chef garlic press. It has it’s own special, easy to reach spot, away from the jumble of the kitchen tools drawer. I used to have a press with the cleaner on the other side of the handle, so you basically flipped the press the other way to press out the holes, but it was too hard to press the garlic, so it got donated. And as far as dessert goes, I did once happen upon some roasted garlic ice cream. It was at a local ice cream shop called Sebastian Joe’s. I tried some, but don’t remember if I liked it. (It was probably 5 years ago, and let’s face it, my memory isn’t what it once was. =D) Anyway, I know I didn’t order it. I don’t have a recipe, but I just googled roasted garlic ice cream, and there are some recipes to try! I love, love, love me some garlic!!
Wendy
Oh, I almost forgot. An easy way to peel garlic, if you don’t want to get out a knife and smash it, is to give the clove a good twist, like you’re going to twist it in half. It loosens the skin from the clove, so it comes right off. Be careful, though, because the hard little base on the clove can be stabby. =)
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Thanks for the tips on the garlic ice cream and the twisty-peel method. I have several garlic-peeling methods, but I never tried that one. 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
We totally have to try garlic ice cream! A little scary, but it sounds like a must-try! 😉
Elsie
We love our garlic press! Owning one makes you think of more ways to use garlic!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
You’re right. It really does! I never thought of that, but now that you mention it, I think at most meals, “Might as well throw some garlic in there!” Good point! 🙂
Tammie
I don’t have a garlic press but bought a cute little plate with ridges at a fair that works great for mincing fresh garlic and it came with a rubber tube that I drop the garlic in and roll…the peel comes right off. Once peel I just rub the garlic on the plate and it is minced, then brush it into my pan. Doesn’t sound as easy as the press so may have to check one out. I do like the versatility of the little plate though 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
I have that little tube also, and it is one of my dearest friends. I like to use it when I’m not mincing garlic, but when I want whole or sliced garlic. Definitely a great little tube. I’ve seen the plates before and wanted one, but…well, I’ve wanted lots of things. Ha! If you have the plate and tube, you don’t need a press in my opinion. But I’m all about less is more.
Jelli
I <3 garlic and cook with it all the time. Don't have a press, and really don't want another gadget since my knife works just fine, but I can definitely see why others might want one now! I've never seen a dessert recipe with garlic. Hmmm 🙂 Have a good day, Erin!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
I’m with you on the “no more gadgets” thing, which is why I don’t have a food processor. But…I like the speed of the press over a knife, and I like that I don’t have to dirty anything but my little press or take up ANY counter space (9 people living in a travel trailer means there is no counter space) to press some garlic quickly. Plus I love not having to peel first. But I’m STILL with you on holding back the gadget onslaught. 😉
Jennifer Dunn
This is a great post! Thank you for sharing. I always just use one of those mini grater thingies, but a press would be fantastic! I shall definitely be considering a pampered chef one! Garlic is a must have staple!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Garlic is awesome! 🙂
Martha Artyomenko
I have had my garlic press for about 13 years and use almost every day, for sure very other day! It helps me to use way more fresh garlic! I too, have a Pampered Chef Garlic press!
Christy, The Simple Homemaker
Sounds like my love affair with my Pampered Chef garlic press! Aren’t they terrific?!
Rene P
I always have loved garlic flavored anything. But I hated using fresh garlic because of the sticky mess it created. I have used the store bought minced garlic before but it just does not taste as wonderful as fresh garlic. So I was at a Pampered Chef party about 4 years ago and decided to buy one. I only had the host’s word that I would love it. And guess what? I DID!! I use it at least twice a week (would be more if my family loved garlic as much as I do). I absolutely love it and would recommend it to everyone! No more peeling. No more sticky mess. And all the deliciousness of wonderful garlic! And for the record, I just rinse mine under warm water and put it in the drainer. No fuss.
Tammy
Life without GARLIC,please not on my watch. I even looked into growing my own, just so I have a greater appreciation.
Sheila
A little late responding to this one! I was wondering what the tube thing is? I watched a YouTube video on peeling garlic and now I do that. The Chef used two large metal bowls. Threw the garlic head into it and “capped” one bowl with the other bowl and shook (hard). Peeled them all! I just use a quart jar with the lid.
Now, my garlic press is pretty heavy duty and I plan on trying to press it without peeling! I had no clue we could do that! I hope it works. Wait…I’m going to go try it. Wow! It works. This is awesome! You have just saved me lots of time…and smelly hands. Thanks!
Christine P
When you’re using a garlic press you don’t even have to peel the cloves. It presses the garlic thru, but not the skin. It cleans out easier, too.
Erin
nice!
Sherry
I have to say that I love love my garlic press and use it for more than garlic! I use it to press fresh ginger too! And because it is a Pampered Chef Garlic Press that means that I don’t have to strip the skin off my garlic nor off my ginger before I press them. You can use it to crush anything that you may wish to desolve in liquid as well. And yes, just so happens I am a consultant with Pampered Chef and the price is reasonable for an amazing tool every kitchen should have. Thanks for such a great review!
Johnna
Well I have heard the Pampered Chef press is the best out there from a lot of people. I never owned a garlic press until I got one in my kit when I signed up to be a PC Consultant almost 5 years ago. I too love fresh garlic now and use it in everything! What a fun read. Thanks for writing that. I shared it on Facebook and I hope more people start buying fresh garlic! It’s good stuff 🙂
Amy D.
I, too, could not live without my garlic press (or garlic, for that matter). I have a lot of gadgets in my kitchen but this is the one I could never live without. I too have the pampered chef garlic press and have had it for about 17 years and it has held up well all these years. I would never give it up. I even had to buy my son his own when he moved out on his own.
Erin
It’s a handy little gadget!
Sandi
Love my Pampered Chef garlic press!!
Erin
I need one!