Best Tofu Presses for Firmer, Chewier Tofu

Culinary professionals and home cooks alike use tofu as a meat substitute.

“The ability to store tofu products for a longer period of time…

…and a lesser level of perishability are key factors”…

…driving the surge of its popularity…

…according to a recent report by Market Research Future.

While many struggle with making this alternative protein source palatable…

…others do an excellent job of it.

Pre-packaged tofu blocks often contain excess water…

…that must be removed before they are marinated, baked…

…or grilled, causing them to lose their shape, fall apart, and not absorb flavor.

If you’re planning to include tofu regularly in your meal planning…

…it’s a good idea to invest in a tofu press to achieve optimal taste and texture.

Before we jump into next section, let’s hear Kim’s story…

Born and raised in South Korea, I moved to Los Angeles when I was a teenager.

South Korea gave me some beautiful moments that I won’t forget.

In South Korea, my grandmother used to cook me spicy soft tofu stew called Sundubu Jjigae.

She always made the tofu by herself from scratch, and it took a long time.

She visited me yesterday in LA and told me that she uses a tofu press for making tofu.

She said that it saved her some time and she could prepare the meal quickly.

Afterwards, she showed me how to use the tofu press

and gave me the secret recipe of her delicious Sundubu Jjigae.

Wow! With the tofu press being a quite important item, let’s jump into this list to see which tofu press is best for you…

Our Top Picks for Tofu Presses

Below are our picks for the best tofu press:

Let’s go through them one by one…

Yarkor Tofu Press

This BPA-free tofu press offers simple functionality, compact size…

…and a drainage feature.

You may be wondering what BPA means…

BPA or Bisphenol A is a chemical that’s sometimes in the hard, clear plastic of food containers and water bottles. BPA is also used in a material called epoxy resin, which lines the inside of some metal food and drink cans. You may also find it in some medical devices, dental sealants, and compact discs.

Dan Brennan, MD – Pedriatic Expert

Now, back to Yarkor Tofu Press…

Standard blocks of 8- to 12-ounce tofu will gradually lose moisture…

…due to a built-in spring mechanism.

Most users recommend letting the tofu rest overnight…

…or at least for two to four hours before cooking…

…as once the block is fully enclosed, no other hand-on action is needed.

Another favorite feature is the bottom tray…

…which collects excess water as it drips out…

…preventing spills on counters or in the refrigerator.

However, some users experienced warping after running a cycle on the top rack…

…so hand washing may be best…

…and, like all tofu presses, it shouldn’t be used…

…with silken tofu since it’s too soft and will crumble.

It works best with firm, extra firm, and super firm tofu.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• BPA-free plastic

Cons:

• Full press takes at least 2 hours

 EZ Tofu Press

A major selling point of this budget-friendly model is its ability to save time.

Due to the press’ ability to increase pressure…

…every two to three minutes via hand-controlled knobs…

…the EZ Tofu Press can press small or large blocks of tofu in under 15 minutes.

Components are made of USDA-approved BPA-free plastic and stainless steel…

…(users say the material feels like a cutting board).

Easy cleanup, centering marks to ensure proper placement…

…and the ability to use it as a paneer press are also major pluses.

Hand washing is recommended, but this press can be washed in the dishwasher.

Pros:

• Dishwasher-safe
• Larger surface area
• Tofu fully pressed in 15 minutes

Cons:

• No drainage plate or area

Keep reading…

Lzttyee Homemade Wood Tofu Maker/Press Set

Foodies who like to make tofu from scratch…

…will appreciate the sycamore wood of this tofu maker.

With the interior box, you can make up to 3 pounds of homemade tofu per batch.

The next step is to adjust the pressure of the top screw…

…in the lid in order to compress homemade…

…(or store-bought) tofu until the desired level of firmness is reached.

Also, consumers have used this to prepare other vegetarian foods, such as dried bean curd and bean skin.  

Pros:

• Doubles as a homemade tofu maker
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Assembly instructions not in English

Grow Your Pantry Bamboo Tofu Press

This pick includes useful accessories, such as a storage bag and a recipe e-book.

As well as easy-to-follow instructions…

…the product comes with all necessary tools…

…making assembly and disassembly easy.

Even better, the earthy aesthetic makes it unobtrusive for those…

…who prefer to leave the press on the countertop ready for use.

Although it comes with a drip tray, this press is not dishwasher safe…

…and although the stainless steel hardware is anti-rust…

…you will need to disassemble it…

…before hand washing the bamboo components only.

Pros:

• Drip tray included
• Tofu fully pressed in 15 minutes

Cons:

• Hand wash only

Go on…

TofuXpress Gourmet Tofu Press

  Drain and marinate in the same container with this dual-purpose spring press.

Users rave about the convenience of being able to drain the water…

…from the tofu and then simply flip the bottom tray to the top…

…creating a space for sauces and seasonings to be added to the freshly pressed tofu.

In addition to yogurt, spinach, eggplant, and cabbage…

…the model can also remove liquid from them.

Pros:

• One-year warranty
• Can be refrigerated

Cons:

• Extra tension springs sold separately

Raw Rutes Ninja Tofu Press

  In addition to its minimalist design…

…this tofu press also streamlines its pressing process…

…by eliminating springs, screws, and rubber bands.

The weighted top is what does the heavy lifting…

…by pushing out up to 35 percent of the tofu’s total water weight.

Additionally, it can be used to make homemade tofu and paneer cheese. 

What about another perk?

Stainless steel used in food-grade products is in fact partially recyclable.

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• More expensive than other models

Sum Up!

The Yarkor Tofu Press is the easiest way to make tofu…

…because of its simplicity, affordability, compact size, and drainage feature.

In addition, we like the dual functionality of the TofuXpress Gourmet Tofu Press…

…which removes moisture and marinates tofu at the same time.

Conclusion 

There you have it, our top picks for tofu presses.

Have you decided which one you are going to purchase?

Please share this article with your friends if you found it helpful! 

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