What is a garlic mincer?
A garlic mincer, also known as a garlic press, is a kitchen tool used to mince garlic cloves quickly and easily. It consists of two handles with a chamber in the center to place garlic cloves. When the handles are squeezed together, a plunger inside the chamber crushes the garlic through small holes, mincing it into a paste. Garlic mincers make quick work of mincing garlic for recipes without the need for chopping and peeling each clove by hand.
Benefits of using a garlic mincer
Using a garlic press offers several advantages over mincing garlic cloves manually with a knife:
Saves time and effort
A garlic press allows you to mince multiple cloves at once with just a squeeze of the handles. This greatly reduces the time and labor required compared to peeling and finely chopping each clove with a knife. Just place the unpeeled cloves into the chamber and press down for freshly minced garlic in seconds.
Maximizes garlic flavor
When garlic is minced in a press, it releases more of the flavorful oils and enzymes versus being sliced or chopped. The resulting paste incorporates more of the potent garlic essence into recipes for stronger flavor.
Easy to use
A garlic press requires minimal prep work and is simple to operate. Just peel the papery skin off the cloves, pop them into the chamber, and squeeze the handles together. The handy tool is easy to use for cooks of all skill levels.
Minces garlic finely
The tiny holes in a garlic press produce a very finely minced paste, which incorporates into recipes easily. Knives often result in uneven, chunky pieces. The fine mince from a press is ideal for sauces, dressings, marinades, etc.
No garlic odor on hands
One of the downsides of mincing garlic by hand is it leaves a strong smell on your fingers afterward. A garlic press contains the garlic inside, keeping hands odor-free.
Downsides of a garlic press
While a garlic mincer makes the job easier, there are a few disadvantages:
Must be cleaned immediately
Garlic residue will stick and dry inside a press if it’s not cleaned promptly after each use. Letting it sit uncleaned causes stubborn buildup. Cleaning immediately avoids this extra effort.
Not ideal for roast garlic
Whole roasted garlic bulbs develop a soft, spreadable consistency. Attempting to press gentle roasted garlic will squish it out between the chamber and plunger without properly mincing it.
Small capacity
The chamber on a typical garlic press only holds a few cloves at a time. For recipes requiring large quantities of minced garlic, it can be tedious pressing multiple small batches.
Not designed for peeling
You must peel cloves prior to placing them in a garlic press. Attempting to press unpeeled garlic can damage the tool. Plan ahead to have peeled cloves ready when cooking.
Can’t produce uniform diced garlic
A garlic press only makes a fine paste, not evenly diced pieces. It works for mincing but not chopping needs. Knives are better for precise cuts.
Types of garlic presses
There are a few different styles of garlic presses to choose from:
Classic lever press
The classic style has a horizontal chamber with handles that squeeze together. This press looks like large pliers and operates similarly. It’s the most common design.
Vertical press
Some presses have a vertical design where garlic is placed in a chamber at the top and a lever pushes down to mince it through holes in the bottom. The vertical style takes up less space.
Rolling press
A rolling press has a rounded chamber with handles on either side. As you squeeze the handles together, it rolls over the garlic to mince it. This style is less common but some find it easier to squeeze.
Rotary press
In a rotary design, a crank handle drives a wooden auger through the garlic inside a cylindrical chamber to grind it into a paste. This style evenly processes larger volumes of garlic.
Key features to look for
When shopping for a garlic press, keep the following features in mind:
Construction material
Look for a press made from solid cast metals like zinc alloy or stainless steel. Plastic presses are more likely to break with repeated use. Metal stands up better.
Hole size
Smaller holes in the press will produce a finer mince. Larger holes create chunkier pieces. Consider which texture you prefer.
Non-stick coating
Presses with a non-stick coating prevent messy buildup of garlic and make cleaning easier. Coated metal works best.
Easy to grip
Choose a press with handles that fit your hand comfortably and offer good leverage when squeezed. Soft grip materials help.
Dishwasher safe
Look for a garlic press labeled as dishwasher safe. This convenient feature saves hand washing.
Top garlic press picks
Based on garlic press reviews and ratings, here are top recommendations:
Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press
Made by a Swiss company, this press boasts a sleek design in stainless steel with an ergonomic vertical grip. Its quality metal construction and sharp perforations evenly mince garlic. Easy squeeze handles make it a top choice.
OXO Good Grips Soft Handled Garlic Press
The soft, non-slip handles on this horizontal press absorb pressure and make squeezing comfortable. It’s sturdy and well-made to last through regular use. The large capacity holds multiple cloves.
Orblue Garlic Press Professional Stainless Steel Mincer
This bestselling garlic press has over 20,000 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars. Made of brushed stainless steel, it stands out for its smooth, effortless pressing and easy rinse clean-up. An excellent value pick.
Alpha Grillers Garlic Press
The heavy duty cast metal construction gives this press extra durability. It also comes with a helpful silicone peeler tube and cleaning brush. The ridged handles provide a secure non-slip grip.
Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press
Unique vertical design with a push lever maximizes garlic yield. This press also features a built-in cleaning tool to easily clear minced garlic. Durable stainless steel for lasting performance.
Considerations when purchasing
When selecting a garlic press, keep the following considerations in mind:
Your usage frequency
If you’ll only use it occasionally, a basic inexpensive press will suffice. For regular use, invest in a higher quality press that will hold up over time.
Number of cloves per use
Think about how much garlic you typically need minced at one time and choose a press size that accommodates this. Larger capacities minimize batches.
Ease of squeezing
Test presses in person if possible to assess the effort needed to squeeze the handles and achieve sufficient mincing pressure. Comfortable squeezing prevents hand strain.
Easy to clean
Garlic residue will stick if difficult to clean. Select a highly rated press that users report comes clean with little effort after use.
Quality and durability
A high quality press that feels sturdy and well-constructed will have better longevity. This is worth the extra investment for a tool you’ll use regularly.
Tips for using a garlic press
Follow these tips to get the most out of your garlic press:
Peel garlic first
Always peel cloves before placing in the press chamber to prevent damage or clogs.
Break up large cloves
If a clove is very large, break it into smaller pieces so it presses through easily.
Rinse under running water
Hold the press under running water to rinse minced garlic out of the chamber into your dish after pressing.
Use the cleaning tool
If your press includes a cleaning tool, use it promptly after each use to clear residue before it dries.
Avoid soaking
While rinsing is fine, avoid soaking the press in water to prevent damage.
Dry thoroughly
Dry all parts well after washing to prevent mold or rusting.
Use baking soda to eliminate odors
To remove garlic odor, sprinkle baking soda in the chamber and let sit before rinsing.
Lubricate with vegetable oil
Apply a light coat of vegetable oil inside the press occasionally to keep it operating smoothly.
Conclusion
For garlic lovers who use it frequently in cooking, a garlic press is extremely useful for effortlessly mincing cloves to boost flavor in recipes. Selecting a high quality press with comfortable squeeze handles, solid construction, and sharp perforations will yield the finest mince along with easy clean up. Well-designed options from trusted brands like Kuhn Rikon and OXO are great investments if garlic is a staple in your kitchen. With the time saved peeling and chopping, a good garlic press pays for itself quickly and makes it easy to maximize that zesty garlic taste. Even just occasional use can be handy for quickly mincing garlic for salads, marinades, pizza toppings, and more. For both garlic aficionados and casual cooks alike, a garlic press takes the work out of prepping this aromatic ingredient.