The potato masher, as the name suggests, is a utensil for mashing potatoes.

So, why do you need a device that’s main purpose is to mash?

Isn’t that something you can do with just your hands?

You could, but the final product wouldn’t be as light and fluffy.

The use of a masher lowers cell damage, resulting in less starch release from…

…the potatoes. Potatoes with more starch are denser and harder.

Our Top Pick of Potato Masher on Amazon!

There are many different types of potato mashers on the market (more on that later)…

…but the majority of them have a robust handle and a mashing head.

Stainless Steel Potato Masher

Pros:

• Various sized holes makes mashing faster
• Built-in silicone scraper

Cons:

• Large holes may leave some lumps

The perforated head of this potato masher has smaller holes in the middle and…

…wider holes around the borders, according to the maker, making mashing faster.

It boasts a wide handle with soft grips for a secure hold, as well as a scraper along…

…the side to clean the bowl as you go.

Before looking to the next list of the best potato masher…

…maybe it would be better if we heard a story from my friend about…

…the great benefits of this potato masher.

Here’s the Ariana’s story…

Living life as a housewife is fun…

…we are always in a situation where we can make food.

Lately my son often asks for potato to be made on dinner dish.

I had a feeling that some cooking utensil was missing, and yes I knew it!

I need potato masher to make the process easier.

but I do not know the details and advantages of each product.

Of course, the use of potato masher that is not suitable will interfere…

…with the cooking process. Finally I decided to read an article on the internet…

…about potato masher, after I understand the advantages…

…and disadvantages of each product, I ended up choosing one.

And now i had great potato masher to help my kitchen work!

Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism, are all very good words for the lips.”

Charles Dickens. English writer.

Stainless Steel Good Grips Potato Masher

Pros:

• Non-slip handle is easy on weak hands
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Leaves lumps behind

If you prefer a single-wire masher but need ergonomic design, OXO provides…

…another choice with the Good Grips plush non-slip grip, but with a stainless-steel…

…wire head that can get into corners more readily than a round perforated head.

GHI testers loved how quickly it prepped potatoes and how…

…easy it was to clean, but the same wide gaps in the head that…

…make it easy to clean also make a smooth mash take longer.

It could provide a lumpy, uneven result, according to the testers.

keep reading…

Stainless Steel Potato Masher

Pros:

• Lab expert favorite for ease of use
• Folds for neat storage
• Head doubles as a bowl scraper

Cons:

• Opening and closing can take elbow grease

Because the head folds flat for easy storage, this gadget solves the…

…classic dilemma of how to store a big masher in your kitchen drawers.

It generated lumpless, fluffy mashed potatoes in no time…

…according to our experts, and its spherical mashing tip doubled as a bowl scraper.

Good Grips Nylon Potato Masher

Pros:

• Nylon head won’t scratch nonstick pans
• Sturdy, heat-resistant, and dishwasher-safe

Cons:

• Tricky to use
• Mash is less fluffy and even

This strong, heat-resistant, and dishwasher-safe potato…

…masher with nylon head is great for nonstick pans.

It was a little difficult to use, according to testers, and it left lumps…

…and produced mash that wasn’t as fluffy as stainless steel models.

It has the same ergonomic qualities as the OXO Good Grips line…

…making it comfortable for arthritic hands.

Potato Masher Accessory Hand Blender

Pros:

• Add-on to existing appliance
• Good for cooks with hand and arm issues

Cons:

• Risk of overworking the mash
• More expensive than a manual masher

This Philips immersion blender attachment will create…

…mash in no time and with minimal effort.

Your stick blender becomes a motorized ricer thanks to the perforated head.

It creates mashed potatoes and performs all of the other functions of…

…a masher without exerting any effort, making it the perfect option for cooks…

…with limited mobility who don’t want to acquire another kitchen appliance.

here’s the thing…

What to Consider When Shopping For Potato Mashers

• Perforated plate: According to our research and our interviews with experts, the best mashers have a perforated plate rather than the classic zigzag wire loop. A perforated plate can cut through potatoes more quickly and can produce a smoother mash, while the zigzag design creates a chunkier mash.

• Head configuration: The masher’s head is a crucial component. Single wire heads offer a smoother, more even finish than perforated and tined heads; greater perforations require less force, but produce a coarser result.

• Material: Most of the best mashers feature stainless steel heads, which are sturdy and rust-resistant, but if you want to use your masher on a non-stick pan, a softer material like nylon or silicone could be preferable to minimize scratches.

• Size: A masher with a large head may make quick work of your mash, but it may be more difficult to use and store for smaller batches. Because most pots and bowls are round, most mashers have rounded heads. Wire ones can also reach into corners, but we recommend a potato masher with a curved edge for the easiest use.

• Handle: To keep your hands out of the mash, choose a potato masher with a long, strong handle. To avoid breakage, choose one that is composed of one continuous piece. Some are color-matched to your other appliances.

• Ease of cleaning: You don’t want to spend as much time cleaning your masher as you do using it, so think about whether it’s dishwasher safe or easily cleaned.

• Compact: Although some people may use their mashers frequently, others will break them out for potatoes only a few times a year, so they should be fairly small and easy to store in a drawer.

Potato Masher vs. Potato Ricer

You can mash potatoes and other foods in a variety of methods…

…but for this article, we’ll focus on mashers and ricers.

Some people prefer to make thin, smooth potato purees with food mills…

…but those gadgets are larger, have more parts to clean…

…and produce gluey results when working with boiling potatoes.

We preferred the fluffier, more substantial potatoes from…

…mashers and ricers in our experiments.

If you’re looking for the best food mills, we have a separate guide for you…

…although we think they’re better for intermediate cooks who…

…want to produce sauces, jams, and purees beyond basic mashes.

Mashers and ricers produce mashes with different consistencies.

Here’s how these tools differ:

• Masher: A masher is the most basic of the two instruments, consisting of a grid plate or bent wire attached to a handle. It’s the preferable option if you want a rustic, thick consistency. Higher-quality mashers can also achieve a creamier texture, albeit some pebble-sized chunks of potato will remain. A masher is easier to use (no assembly necessary, and it’s quick to clean), and you can use it to make guacamole, refried beans, or chunky applesauce.

• Potato ricer: Ricers are similar to giant garlic presses in that they push cooked potatoes through a perforated hopper basket to extrude airy particles that look like rice (hence the name). A ricer will be a revelation if you prefer a silky, lump-free mash. This instrument is most commonly used for spuds, but it can also be used to prepare fine-textured foods like applesauce or baby food. Ricers are more difficult to use and clean than mashers, and because you can only rice a tiny bit at a time, they aren’t ideal for huge volumes.

Experts have strong and diverse opinions about which instrument is best…

…for generating a flawless, pillowy mash, according to our research.

Blue Apron’s Tim Kemp likes the conventional potato masher for easy jobs…

…because “it’s dummy-proof, doesn’t produce a mess, and relieves tension.”

He has mashed almost 10,000 pounds of potatoes in his 15 years as a professional chef.

“Mashers are excellent if you prefer your potatoes lumpy and with skins,” …

…former Gourmet food editor Lillian Chou told us.

another important thing…

Types of Potato Mashers

Most potato mashers fall into one of two groups based on the form of their heads:

• Branding Iron or S-Shaped Masher: This is the type of masher you’re probably most familiar with. It’s a classic for a reason: the serpentine head keeps you from over-mashing. Simply push and twist to utilize a branding iron masher.

• Round Masher: Another common cooking utensil is this. The round masher’s head is a round disc with holes drilled throughout, rather than an s-shaped wire. While this is a simple approach to employ, you should avoid over-mashing.

Sum Up

While researching the best mashing and ricing tools, we ruled out those…

…with a history of complaints and poor Amazon reviews, as well as those…

…that cost more than $75, because these aren’t tools you’ll use every day.

Conclusion

The essential method for making outstanding mashed potatoes is the same…

…whether you use a potato masher or a ricer. A decent masher should easily…

…break up potatoes so you don’t have to pound the same cells again.

This is because when you cook a potato, the starch that lines…

…the cell walls absorbs the water and forms a gel that fills the cell.