Utensils & kitchen tools · Press
Garlic press
A hinged tool that crushes peeled or unpeeled garlic cloves through small holes into a fine pulp.
Specialist · Manual
Photo: Lee Kindness, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-2.5)
What it is
Two levered arms: one holds a perforated chamber, the other a plunger that pushes the clove through the holes. Rocker-style presses are rolled over the clove instead. Pressed garlic is more pungent than chopped garlic because more cells are broken.
What it’s for: Crushing garlic, and small pieces of ginger, quickly without a knife or board.
How to use it
- Place a clove in the chamber (peeling first gives cleaner results).
- Squeeze the handles firmly over the pan or bowl.
- Scrape the pulp off the outside with a knife.
- Open and remove the skin, then rinse straight away.
Good to know
- Tasks
- crushing garlic, crushing small pieces of ginger, making garlic butter and dressings
- Cooking methods
- Raw
- Materials
- stainless steel, aluminium
- Care and cleaning
- Rinse immediately and use the cleaning tool or a brush to clear the holes before garlic dries.
- Limitations
- Only one or two cloves at a time; strong flavour can overpower delicate dishes.
If you don’t have one
- Chef's knife — Crush with the flat of the blade, sprinkle with salt and mash.
- Microplane / fine rasp grater — Grates to a fine paste.
Equipment guide
How it works: A plunger forces garlic through small holes, rupturing its cells. This mixes the enzyme alliinase with alliin to make allicin, so pressed garlic tastes stronger and sharper than sliced.
| Material | Good | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Durable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells. | Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot. |
| Cast aluminium | Light and cheap. | Can pit or discolour. |
| Food-grade plastic (polypropylene, nylon) | Light, cheap, gentle on non-stick surfaces. | Melts or warps on contact with hot pans; scratches harbour residue; can stain and hold smells. |
- Lever press
- Classic.
- Rocker press
- Rolled over the clove.
Buying guidance
Starting out: A sturdy stainless press with a large hopper.
- Stainless steel
- Holds unpeeled cloves
- Easy to clean
No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.
Techniques:Mise en place
Related tools
Recipes that use it
No recipe in the catalogue lists it yet.