The 5 Best Tofu Presses [Ranked]
In this post, we took a look at five of the best-selling tofu presses on the market.
These devices remove excess water from tofu. Dry tofu is considered much more flavorful than wet (Source).
Contents
How Do They Work?
These presses are easy to operate. You place your block of tofu between to plates and then twist the handles until the desired water is pressed out (Source).
As mentioned, if you want your tofu at home to taste like what you get at a good Chinese or vegan restaurant it’s important that you remove the excess water before cooking.
Removing water helps with marinating and helps the tofu absorb flavors. Once the water is removed you can prepare it in a variety of ways including battered, baked, or pan-fried (Source).
Comparing The Options
| Tofu Presses | Our Rating | Price ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The EZ Tofu Press | 4.6 | $$ |
| The Super Tofu Maker | 4.7 | $$ | |
| The Tofuture Press | 4.0 | $$ | |
| The TofuXpress Gourmet Tofu Press | 4.6 | $$ | |
| The Mangocore Tofu Maker Press Mold Kit | 4.2 | $ |
How Do They Compare
In this article, we’re going to look at five tofu presses that are reasonably priced and should help you make the best of your tofu meal.
- Mangocore mold kit and press is a great product for tofu lovers. This serves as not only a press but also as a mold if you want to make your own tofu. It’s made of food-grade plastic so it won’t impart any aftertaste onto your food. In addition to pressing and molding tofu, this also acts as a steamer for making steamed tofu. Users loved the versatility of this and some were even able to use it for making cheese. For the price, you can’t go wrong with this.
- TofuXpress is a gourmet press that’s perfect for removing excess moisture from tofu and other foods. The water collects into a basin for easy disposal and no mess. What sets this apart is that it can also be used for marinating as it easily converts into a marinating dish. It’s made of FDA approved food grade plastic and is dishwasher safe. It comes with a recipe guide and a 1-year limited warranty.
- Tofuture’s stylish press is a compact device that easily removes water from tofu and other foods. It also doubles as a storage container that’s safe for your refrigerator. The gradual pressing motion gives you complete control over how much water you remove while keeping your block of food from being damaged. Like the Mangocore, this press is also useful as a mold for making your own tofu.
- Next, we looked at the Super Tofu press, which is a four spring machine that’s designed to gently and quickly remove the water from your tofu. Like the other products, this one is also made from FDA approved, safe, food-grade plastic. Users said the four spring design allows for a more uniform press and is better at removing excess water. This product is made in the USA and dishwasher safe.
- Last is the EZ press, which is similar in design to the previous model design, but instead of a spring design, this one opts for a screw mechanism that presses two plates together for a more uniform water removal. This means it’s designed to last longer than spring presses. This product accepts most sized tofu blocks.
The Five Best Tofu Presses For 2023
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This tofu maker offered by EZ is easy to use, convenient, and faster than spring or elastic brands. Users love that it’s suitable for most block sizes, but some do note that it’s overpriced.
The EZ product features plastic construction, a steel grommet on the top plate for smooth pressing, centering marks to help you position the blocks, and a weight of 1.1 pounds. Another great thing about this product is that you can have blocks ready in 15 minutes instead of waiting hours.
What’s more, you can wash it the dishwasher or simply clean it with hot soapy water. In addition to this, it’s made in the USA.
As a whole, users have a high opinion of the EZ unit, and they are satisfied with its performance, functionality, and design. A reviewer shares that she bought two presses and that she uses them three times a week with no issues. She adds that it works best with firm soya milk. Another buyer mentions that the unit is superior to the spring versions and that it removes water quicker than she anticipated. A user also observes that the product cleans easily and that you can store it anywhere.
However, a couple of customers have complained that the construction is not durable and that the plastic cracks quickly. Some also note that it’s hard to tighten the screws properly.
Video Overview
Pros
- Convenient
- Fast
- Centering marks
- A steel grommet
- Light
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Plastic cracks quickly
- Hard to tighten screws
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you are wondering how to remove water from curd so that you can cook it well, you might look at this press offered by Tofu Presser. Users love that there is no mess to clean after using the product, but some do note that they have issues with the screws.
The super press features plastic construction, which is BPA free and approved by FDA, stainless steel nuts, bolts, springs, and washers, and a weight of 1.2 pounds. Another great thing about this unit is that you’ll have your vegetarian meal ready in 15 minutes. What’s more, the springs have a 50,000 cycle guarantee.
A buyer mentions that he was impressed by the super tofu press and that you can have blocks ready in a couple of minutes. He adds that the mechanism is simple to use it and that it makes even blocks. Another reviewer shares that he has pressed more than 500 pounds of tofu and that the unit is working as good as new. He highly recommends it as one of the best presses available. A user observes that there is no mess afterward and that you can clean it in the dishwasher.
However, a few customers have complained that the press works unevenly and that it’s hard to apply pressure. Some also point out that it broke after a couple of uses.
Video Overview
Pros
- FDA approved
- Stainless steel parts
- Light
- Well-made
Cons
- Hard to tighten the screws
- Some quality complaints
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This curd press offered by Tofuture is compact, convenient, easy to store, and an excellent way to improve the texture and taste. Users love the design, but some do note it’s made of plastic and not likely to last long.
The Tofuture measures 6.3” x 4.9” x 3.5”, and it features a BPA free construction, so you don’t have to worry about toxic material. Another great thing about this unit is that you can use the container to marinate your dishes and it’s so compact that it will fit in the refrigerator. What’s more, you can clean it in the dishwasher, and it’s very light – 8.8 ounces.
A purchaser observes that the blocks have nice rectangular shapes and that they don’t crack during the pressing. He adds that the construction seems sturdy and that the Tofuture is an excellent choice for anyone looking for the best tofu presses. Another user shares that customer support is helpful and that the whole process takes around 10 minutes.
A buyer mentions that the Tofuture really fits in the fridge and that it’s hassle-free and easy to clean. He says that the bands are tight and work wonderfully. However, a few customers have noted that the product is not durable at all and that it breaks quickly. Some also complain that the handles are of poor quality.
Video Overview
Pros
- BPA free
- Dishwasher safe
- Light
- Well-designed
- A container for marinating
Cons
- Handles break quickly
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
If you’re searching for the best tofu press to help you prepare vegetarian dishes, you might take a look at this one offered by TofuXpress.
Users love the quality and efficiency, but some do note that it’s expensive. The TofuXpress product measures 5 x 5 x 5 inches, and it features a thermoplastic and stainless steel contraction made of FDA approved materials, a weight of 1.05 pounds, and a 1-year limited warranty. Another excellent thing about this unit is that you can convert it to a marinating dish, and it comes with an instruction booklet and a recipe guide.
As a whole, purchasers are very satisfied with the performance, durability, and efficiency of the TofuXpress. A reviewer comments that it’s the best tofu press that he has ever used and that it removes the excess water quickly. He adds that the shape is compact and that you can put in the fridge.
Another user shares that you can set it up before bed and that you’ll have ready blocks when you wake up in the morning.
A buyer also observes that you can clean the press in the dishwasher with no issues and that it’s far sturdier than he expected. However, a few customers have complained that the quality is not what they expected and that the plastic broke quickly. Some also note that the results were not so great and that they are disappointed.
Video Overview
Pros
- FDA approved
- Light
- A 1-year warranty
- Can convert into a marinating dish
- Instructions
- A recipe guide
Cons
- Some quality complaints
- Not the cheapest option
Effectiveness
Price
Ease Of Use
This tofu maker kit offered by Mangocore is affordable, easy to use, and environmental-friendly. Users love the price and the simple design, but some do note that the construction is plastic. The Mangocore mold kit measures 5.6” x 4.5” x 3.7”, and it’s made of food grade plastic, which is harmless, odor-free, and sturdy.
Another great thing about this unit is that it comes with a cotton cheesecloth (16″ x 16″) to make it easy for you to drain the tofu. You can also use it to make cheese.
As a whole, buyers are satisfied with the quality, durability, and design of the Mangocore press, and they highly recommend it as one of the best cheap curd presses available.
A reviewer comment that he was skeptical whether the kit was going to work for him, but it turned out to be far more efficient than he expected. He adds that the only problem is finding something that would fit to apply pressure on the top. Another user mentions that he uses it to make cheese and that he couldn’t be happier with the result.
A purchaser also states that the size is perfect and that you can fit two batches of soy milk inside. However, some customers have complained that the cheesecloth is of poor quality and that it’s thin.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Food grade plastic
- A cotton cheese cloth
Cons
- Have to use something to apply pressure
- Thin cheese cloth
How It's Made
Tofu is manufactured out of soybeans the seeds that grow in the pods of the soybean plant. They contain forty Percent protein- well over double the amount of protein in beef or fish.
They begin by soaking the soybeans in cold water for 18 to 24 hours, based on the season in winter.
Beans are kept in outdoor silos and take time to warm to room temperature. The show shows what the beans look like pre and post soaking as they absorb the water.
They double in proportions and soften up a bit. The bloated soybeans will continue to a conveyor belt, in which a rotating device transports them to a mashing device. The machine crushes them into a thick and grainy soup of soybean milk and pulp. It does this by pushing the beans through a filtering screen.
After that, they will transform the soup into a paste by heating it in a steam cooker for about three to four minutes.
Then it is traported into a centrifuge machine- as the chamber spins, the centrifugal force divides the milk and pulp.
The milk goes through a cone-shaped filter, while the pulp called soy meal sticks to the edges of the chamber.
The soy meal is ported off to be sold for cattle and commercial dog food. The milk stays behind to be changed into tofu- still steaming hot.
It goes into a coagulation tank to be thickened into curd, however they first add various spices and herbs, because this batch will be sold as flavoured tofu.
Then they add some coagulant magnesium chloride, together with water to activate it and then more stirring. It takes approximately fifteen minutes for the soybean milk to congeal into soybean curd, also known as tofu.
When it is ready, it is still steaming but fairly saturated, so they run it through a perforated cylinder to strain the maximum amount of fluid as is possible.
When the tofu comes out the other end of the cylinder it is relatively dry and approximately the consistency of scrambled eggs.
At this point it can be processed into those familiar blocks you by at the grocery store. They transfer the tofu into large rectangular molds padded with cheesecloth.
Then it is trasferred into a press that applies 59 kilograms of pressure. This pushes out most of the leftover liquid and molds the lumpy loose tofu right into a firm, rectangle-shaped block that measures 38 by 74 centimeters. They cut the block lengthwise and widthwise into 54 blocks of 300 grams.
Each tofu block itself is pretty tasteless, but like a sponge, it soaks up the flavour of whatever it touches- they drench this batch in a hot and spicy marinade to create jalapeno flavor tofu after validating the weight of each block.
They package the tofu with a sprinkle of spices for garnish, then to get rid of any microorganisms the blocks go into a pasteurizer at 110 degrees Celsius for an hour or so.
When they emerge they are dropped into a air conditioning basin just above freezing temperature. They stay submerged for approximately an hour or so.
Tofu comes either pre- flavored or plain. It also comes in different textures. Firm tofu maintains its shape in soups and stir fries, while soft tofu and silken tofu are fantastic for blended meals and sweets.
