If you’re a fan of tomatoes, a tomato press (also known as a tomato strainer or tomato mill) is a must-have device. Spaghetti sauce, purée, and salsa can be made by hand, but it takes time! To get the job done right, you need a tomato press that is both useful and durable. The whole procedure will be simplified and, who knows, even a little fun with this machine churning through those extra tomatoes.
Beside having a tomato knife, tomato dicer, tomato press could be a affordable additon to your kitchen, especially if you love tomato sauce. You might also prefer tomato juicer if you love to have tomato juice as well.
What is a tomato press?
A tomato press is a kitchen tool used to press the juice from a variety of foods, including tomatoes, apples, cheese, and bread. Most commonly, the press can produce very fine to coarse textures depending on the user’s input and the press’ settings.
The 12 Best Tomato Presses
- Best High End: Aroma Tomato Electric Milling Machine
- Best Multi-purpose: KitchenAid Fruit & Vegetable Strainer
- Best Professional Tomato Press: OXO Good Grips Food Mill
- Best Budget: Weston Food Strainer and Sauce Maker
- Best Manual Tomato Crusher: Paderno World Manual Tomato Crusher
- Best Electric Tomato Press: VBENLEM 110V Electric Tomato Strainer
- Best Lightweight and mess-free: Norpro 1952 Jumbo Tomato Press
- Best Customizable and detachable: Farm To Table Tomato Press
- Ease of use and compact design: Velox Tomato Press and Strainer
- Budget-friendly and lightweight: CucinaPro Tomato Food Strainer
- Roots & Branches VKP250 Johnny Apple Sauce Maker
- Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill
The Most Important Features of a High-Quality Tomato Press
In the beginning, you’ll notice that most of these gadgets are really similar. Don’t be fooled by their similarity in appearance, however; their features differ greatly.
1. Speed and Strength
A crucial concern, like with many appliances, is whether or not it has the power to complete the task quickly. To get an indication of how many tomatoes can be processed in a given amount of time, choose a machine with a higher wattage (or horsepower).
2. Construction
Aluminum or stainless steel are great quality materials. In addition to having a longer useful life, these are also cleaner and safer to use.
Pressure will be exerted on the auger and its housing. Look for models with a strong, durable appearance, and read customer reviews to see if there are any issues. Leaks and loose parts are regular issues with this gadget. These problems should not occur in a high-quality tomato grinder throughout the course of several years of use.
3. The drive shaft
While a hexagonal drive shaft is appropriate for occasional use and small batch processing, it is not recommended for long-term use or heavy use. However, if you plan on using it for anything more substantial, it won’t last long. When subjected to heavy loads, the hexagonal shaft’s corners wear away.
4. The Base
The base is a “make or break” component of the press that is sometimes disregarded. Its primary function is to maintain order and security, making your job easier. It’s typical to use a clamp or suction cup. Clamp systems are more secure, so if you have the option, use them. To avoid slipping, it is best to keep your cup upright.
5. Tomato Press Tray
Trays are not always included with tomato presses. When the spouts are long enough, the tray can catch the sauce as it exits the device, making cleanup a breeze.
The sauce is collected in bowls or trays in other units during production.
6. Size
Be sure to double-check the dimensions before making an online purchase of a large equipment. The size of tomato presses varies widely. If you live in a tiny space, opt for a food mill like the OXO Good Grips Food Mill instead. As a general rule, larger units perform better, so if you have sufficient of cupboard space, I would recommend a larger type.
7. Screens
A multi-purpose tomato press should come with a range of screens that best fit your needs.
If you plan to use the machine for anything other than making spaghetti sauce, you’ll need a variety of screens.
Most screens include fine, medium, or coarse plates and are 1 to 3 mm thick, serving as a tiny food strainer. As the screen gets smaller, it becomes easier and faster to create extremely fine products like baby food.
8. Electricity vs. Manuality
When compared to a manual tomato strainer, an electric tomato strainer will be more expensive. There are several advantages to adopting electric, such as speeding up your work and making it more efficient. In the long run, you’ll save money by going with a manual system because there are less moving parts to wear out.
9. Hopper Capacity
The number of tomatoes or other fruits and vegetables that can be processed at one time is determined by the capacity of the tomato press hopper.
The typical residential tomato press hopper is between 2 and 3 quarts in capacity, although they can be as large as a few gallons.
If you’re just harvesting tomatoes from your garden, you may not need a large hopper.
10. Crank or Power
The choice between an electric and a crank-operated machine is a significant one.
Instead of deciding on a predetermined path, it is essential to choose the one that best meets your individual needs.
For those who don’t mind putting in a little extra effort, a manual crank will do. Otherwise, a powerful device may be your best bet..
This also depends on how many batches you plan on processing.
11. System of Mounting
A majority of the top tomato presses (save for those that are hand-held) come with a mounting device. It is a fundamental component.
Suction cups and c-clamps are the most popular mounting options for tomato presses.
It’s possible that some people prefer a suction cup base because it’s easier to attach to the counter that way. Legs with non-slip grips are a must-have.
Small batches may not necessitate fancy or multifunctional features.
Using a bracket or plate and screws, the third way of attachment can be just as effective but is more permanent.
12. Tomato Press Maintenance
Using a tomato press can quickly become a sloppy mess, what with the tomato sauce and paste, as well as the leftover skin and seeds.
After every usage, your tomato press’s performance will suffer if you can’t clean it properly and easily. This will cause you inconvenience and inconvenience others as well.
To ensure a complete cleanup, the tomato press should be disassembled and each component cleaned separately.
Fortunately, all the top tomato presses include this capability, which not only simplifies maintenance but also saves time and effort in accessing the machine’s interior components.
A dishwasher-safe tomato press is an option as well. Handwashing rather than machine-washing is preferable because regular cleaning can cause problems.
13. Cost and Warranty
The best tomato press for you will cost you as much as you are willing to spend. A manual tomato press will cost you between $30 and $75, whereas an electric tomato press might cost up to $150.
The ideal one for you should, however, come with a warranty or guarantee.
There’s no assurance that products that don’t come with warranties will last as long as those that come with warranties.
Okay Now lets talks about the benefits of having a tomato press. Why it is an essentail tools for your kitchen?
Benefits of a Tomato Press Machine
lets find out the benefits of a tomato press machine. Are you still with me, right?
- Home made tomato suaces are healthy and hygine
- A great time-saver when it comes to cooking tomato sauce
- Kids will have a blast squeezing tomatoes through a strainer.
- Other fruits and vegetables can also be used.
- Reducing the cost of food by preparing it yourself
- The consistency of the tomato sauce can be adjusted to suit your tastes.
- Lessen your impact on the environment by shopping at stores that use less packaging.
Best Electric Tomato Press: VBENLEM 110V Electric Tomato Strainer
110V VBENLEM Electric Tomato Strainer with robust parts and high-quality materials. It is a machine for straining tomato juices. It’s electric, but it also features a funnel and trough that are extremely wide, measuring 9 inches across.
The 22-pound appliance is the heaviest on our list, but it produces more sauce from tomatoes than any of the other options. Only one on our list of units is completely electric. The only thing on our list that can be compared to a KitchenAid electric tomato press on the KitchenAid stand mixer models is on our list. ”
With a powerful pure copper motor housed inside of a stainless steel protective shell, the machine is waterproofed to level II. It’s just as effective in a commercial kitchen as it is in a home one.
Pros
- Strong, long-lasting elements and materials
- Cleaning and storing are a easy
- 9-inch wide funnel and trough
- The motor is made of pure copper and has a stainless steel outer shell.
- Sauce, salsa, and more can all be made with this product.
Cons
- A wall plug is required to power the electric motor.
- 5 to 10 times heavier than smaller units
Best suited:
Small enterprises and households alike want a sauce-making equipment that can quickly and efficiently generate big quantities of sauce.
The Best Overall Tomato Press: Johnny Apple Sauce Maker 250 Food Strainer
Weight: 4.3 pounds. Motor: N/A
For more than 80 years, Victorio has earned a solid reputation for producing kitchen devices that are both efficient and stylish. VKP250 is no exception to this rule. Although it may appear to be a simple device, its simplicity is what makes it so appealing. It will continue to strain tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables for a long time to come because it has only a few working parts.
A VKP250-M electric motor can be added to the Victorio food strainer, which is a manual, hand-cranked device.
A strong, no-wobble platform is provided by an aluminum base and a large clamp (10 square inches). Because the clamp is cushioned, there will be no damage to the kitchen counter.
Sauce makers can be plagued by clogs. A narrow auger on the Victorio, on the other hand, guarantees that the skins are efficiently collected in the correct location.
Apple and tomato sauce can be made with this model’s regular screen. There are other screens for salsa, pumpkin puree, or jams and jellies that may be added to the machine.
Pros
- Very good price-to-quality ratio
- A 12-month guarantee
- High-quality performance
- A body made entirely of aluminum
- A solid foundation that doesn’t sway.
- Stainless-steel partitions
Cons
- It is possible that cleaning will be tiresome.
- Larger batches are more likely to experience some leakage.
Best High End Tomato Press : O.M.R.A. Home Tomato Electric Milling Machine
Weight: 19 pounds. Motor: 0.33Hp/246W
Aroma, a San Diego-based firm formed in 1977, is the manufacturer of the O.M.R.A. Home Tomato Electric Milling Machine.. If money isn’t an issue, this tomato grinder is a wonderful choice.
It’s not clear who would benefit from this device. The person in charge of processing a huge quantity of tomatoes, or any other type of produce for that matter. As well as anyone who has to strain a lot of fruits and vegetables. The remarkable 0.33HP/60Hz motor can strain 600lb of tomatoes in one hour with its impressive power. You can process 30-40 bushels of apples in half a day if you have a lot of them.
Commercial-grade materials are used in mills because they are resistant to rust and are long-lasting. Steel is used to construct the splash guard and all of the other components.
Pros
- Using only the best materials
- Massive processing capacity
- Large hopper with a diameter of 10″
- Attachment for grinding meat is available as an option
Cons
- Cleanup is a challenge
- A little bit heavy
Best Multi-purpose: KitchenAid- FVSFGA Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Set
Weight: 3 pounds. Motor: N/A
Kitchtree Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Attachment Set is different from the other products on this list since it is an attachment rather than a complete unit for straining fruits and vegetables. In spite of this, the KitchenAid is a worthwhile inclusion in this list. With this strainer set, you’ll be able to use any stand mixer, including older models. When it comes to this mixer, that’s one of the positives.
The strainer and puree attachment makes it simple to prepare fruits and vegetables. The grinder attachment can also be used on its own to grind meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetables, as well as nuts and seeds. A fine or coarse plate is available for your preference. Use the fine plate to magically change stale bread into breadcrumbs if you have any leftovers.
Pros
- High-quality kitchen appliances
- There are minimal moving parts in this simple design.
- Easy to use and clean
- Easy grind of meat, cheese, vegetables, and bread
Cons
- A KitchenAid stand mixer is required.
- Construction of plastics
Best Professional Tomato Press: OXO Good Grips Food Mill
Weight: 3.35 pounds. Motor: N/A
We opted for the OXO Good Grips Food Mill since it was the most user-friendly. A manual, hand-operated equipment like this is ideal for processing small batches of tomatoes while you’re cooking dinner. When trying to strain a significant amount of fruit or vegetables using this device, you will become exhausted and frustrated.
The three non-slip legs of this gizmo allow it to rest comfortably on top of a bowl. While cranking the handle, you won’t have to worry about clinging on for dear life.
Coarse, medium, and fine grinds are all included in the Oxo Good Grips package. It’s ideal to use the fine plate to catch seeds while straining tomatoes; but, the coarse plate will yield a chunkier result, perfect for salsa.
For creating gnocchi or mashed potatoes, this potato ricer is an ideal choice.
Pros
- Affordable
- It’s simple to set up and maintain.
- This is a stainless steel building.
- Sturdy non-slip legs
- Ideal when cupboard space is limited
- Safe for the dishwasher
Cons
- Large batches are not recommended.
- Juice typically contains fragments of skin.
- An exhausting task for even a small number of tomatoes
Best for:
Professional chefs, families, and individuals who prepare a variety of sauces, salsas, and purees from fresh fruits and vegetables.
Best Budget: Weston Food Strainer and Sauce Maker for Tomato
Weight: 5.55 pounds. Motor: N/A
As with other manual presses, the Weston Food Strainer and Sauce Maker is operated by twisting a handle. Like the Victorio VKP250, it can be used to strain fruit and vegetables for sauces, jellies, baby food and more.
The low price of the Roma food strainer makes it enticing. In fact, if you only need to handle a modest amount of food, this is a great choice. For the most part, I don’t think it’s worth the effort. There is a problem with the clamp, which lacks the quality of the Victorio. Juice began to seep under the suction cup after only a few minutes of use. The c-clamp option is also available, but it isn’t nearly as effective as the Victorio. ‘ On longer processing runs, you’ll see this.
Aside from the clamp, this is a great product. Straining 2 pounds of beefsteak tomatoes was a breeze with this contraption instead of the Oxo Good Grips.
Budget-conscious shoppers will like this selection. A few minor flaws are to be expected, but they won’t detract from your enjoyment of the product in the long run.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Multiple displays for various tasks
- A hopper with a big enough volume
- Very good at squeezing out the juices from fruits and vegetables.
- The construction is solid.
Cons
- It is tough to clean the screen.
- It’s not as durable as comparable models.
- The chute’s throat is prone to leaking
Best Customizable and detachable: Farm To Table Tomato Press
The 2.25-quart capacity of the Farm to Table tomato press hopper is made of sturdy plastic. The press has a suction cup that may be attached to any flat surface.
This apparatus is ideal for processing tomatoes and other vegetables into sauces. It weighs only 2.4 pounds, can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and is dishwasher safe.
With the press’s non-stick coating, peeling is unnecessary before milling fruits and vegetables.
Pros
- Capacity of 2.25 quarts is more than adequate.
- High-quality plastic hopper that won’t break
- Attaches to flat surfaces such as tabletops.
- Clean up quickly and easily in the dishwasher
- Inert coating
Cons
- Neither aluminum nor stainless steel were used in its construction.
Best for:
- Tomato sauce is a staple that many small households, couples, and single cooks strive to master.
Best Lightweight and Mess-free: Norpro 1952 Jumbo Tomato Press
There is a large Red Hopper, a crank handle, and heavy-duty plastic components in the Norpro 1952 Jumbo Tomato Press It’s about 3 pounds in weight.
Tomato sauce, apple sauce, and other fruit and vegetable purees turn out beautifully when made using a food press. It comes with a variety of stainless steel mesh strainers that may be used to make sauces of varying thicknesses.
It also has a sauce tray and a sturdy suction mount.
Pros
- With a sturdy plastic handle and grip, this tool is built to last.
- Mesh strainers made of stainless steel
- Perfect for both tomatoes and apples.
- Included: Tray
- Conveniently installed suction cup
Cons
- To dismantle and clean, it may be more convenient.
- Not as heavy-duty as comparable units
Best suited:
Individuals, families, and couples that need a tomato sauce maker that’s easy to use but yet produces a lot of sauce.
Best Manual Tomato Crusher: Paderno World Cuisine Manual Tomato Crusher
Among the greatest tomato presses on the market right now is the Paderno World Cuisine Manual Tomato Crusher. It is one of the top commercial-grade units on our list because of its heavy-duty construction and high-grade stainless steel hopper and collector.
With a clamp-style mounting base, the silver-and-red-colored item is sturdy and durable. The machine comes with a variety of attachments, including a berry-saucing attachment.
An elegant silver and crimson finish adorns the unit’s handle and the remainder of the construction.
Pros
- Designed to withstand heavy load
- Stainless steel hopper and collector
- Tin handle for long-lasting use
- Additional attachments available
- Commercial-grade unit
Cons
- More expensive than smaller units
- Three to four times as heavy as tomato mills of a similar design
Best suited:
Families who cook a lot and chefs who need a unit that can handle a variety of saucing, mashing, pressing, and straining tasks in the kitchen would benefit from this appliance.
Ease of Use and Compact Design: Velox Tomato Press and Strainer
Adding the Velox Tomato Press and Strainer to your kitchen is a great idea. It doesn’t take up a lot of counter space and is easier to store. You don’t have to worry about taking up room because of its small size. You don’t need an external power outlet to use it, and it’s simple to operate. Since it has a rubber grip on the lever, rotating it by hand is much more comfortable. One of the best easy tomato pressers on the market, it can hold up to 220 pounds and is dishwasher safe.
Best Budget and Lightweight: CucinaPro Tomato Food Strainer And Sauce Maker
Our runner-up pick for best tomato press is the CucinaPro Tomato Strainer. Both the plastic hopper and the suction mount are built to last.
The 3-pound gadget has a tray for collecting purees and sauces. Disassembling, washing, and stowing this is a breeze. The machine has many applications than just tomato purée.
Our top pick, the Farm to Table device, is very similar to the CucinaPro Tomato Strainer.
Pros
- Durable plastic construction
- Bottom suction mount
- It’s simple to disassemble and wash.
- Apply it to more than just tomatoes; it works!
- Including a dish for catching spills
Cons
- You might have to replace the unit’s default tray at some point.
- Neither aluminum nor stainless steel were used in its construction.
Best for:
- Tomatoes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables are popular candidates for the saucing technique, which is enjoyed by families, couples, and lone cooks/chefs.
Roots & Branches VKP250 Johnny Apple Sauce Maker
This Roots & Branches tomato press is an unusual addition to our ranking of the finest tomato presses. An excellent feature is its ability to transition from a manual tomato press to a motorized one. You can save time and effort by using a large-sized hopper that can contain a good volume of tomatoes. Its stainless steel screen is rust, corrosion and moisture resistant, and its waste disposal system is long enough to keep garbage far from the food products and produce less waste.
Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill
The Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill is another wonderful choice for the best tomato press. Heavy-duty 201 stainless steel is used in the construction of the device, which is built to last.
The mill is simple to use, dismantle, and stow away. It can also be used as a colander, a steamer for vegetables, and more.
Three high-quality grinding discs are included with the machine to make chopping and dicing vegetables and fruits a breeze. Furthermore, it has a small size, so it takes up very little room when it’s not in use.
Pros
- Crafted from the finest 201 stainless steel available
- A robust, long-lasting construction
- A breeze to use and maintain.
- Because of its small size, the body is easy to store.
- The hooks on the side are welded in two places.
- A milling machine with three grinding discs.
Cons
- Costly, but otherwise equivalent, products
Best suited:
Customers seeking a low-cost, convenient method for straining, slicing, and sautéing a variety of fruits and vegetables
How to Evaluate a Tomato Press
When choosing a tomato press, it’s important to consider the quality of its components. The components should be sturdy and not made of cheap materials, with no gaps large enough to cause a leak. The effectiveness of the filter is crucial as it separates the seeds and skin from the rest of the tomato. A low-quality filter will not fulfill the press’s main purpose. The mount holds the press on the work surface and is important for ease of use. A weak mount will cause the press to constantly fall, making it difficult to use. Consider if the press can be used for more than just tomatoes. A press that can handle other fruits or vegetables is more versatile and useful.
How To Use A Tomato Press?
With a tomato press, you can make a silky sauce at home that is rich in nutrients and free of chemical additions and preservatives. Adding to the value of these equipment is the convenience of making tomato puree without having to peel or remove the seeds, as the vegetable may be inserted directly into the machine.
As a result, it’s important to remember that only premium-quality raw materials will be employed in this process. In this section, we’ll focus on using your new tomato press in a practical manner.
The operation of the tomato press is very straightforward, but there are certain model-specific considerations to keep in mind. It used to be essential to blanch the tomatoes before inserting them, but modern technology means that this step is no longer necessary. It is now possible to use both fresh and already cooked ingredients, greatly reducing the preparation time required for each.
There is no need to remove the tomato stalk or any dirt or earth that may be present on the surface before inserting it in the machine, but this does not mean that the tomatoes must always be cleaned and washed well.
Choosing the Right Tomatillo Press for Your Needs
Choosing the best tomato press isn’t so difficult now that you’ve looked at some of the greatest reviews and know what to look for. When purchasing a kitchen appliance, make sure it is capable of handling all of your intended uses before deciding to buy one!
FAQs
How to assemble the tomato press?
The process of putting together a tomato press isn’t difficult, but you’ll need a lot of patience and follow the user manual’s directions to the letter. Electric models need that special fins are inserted into their respective housings until they are entirely locked in place before the motor is attached to the machine body. All that is left to do at the end of the process is to assemble the different parts in a certain order, which changes from model to model.
How does the tomato press work?
As soon as the vegetables are placed in the funnel-shaped container, the auger begins to rotate, which separates the seeds and skins from the pulp, which will be filtered by a special sieve and collected in the drip tray; while the waste products are transferred to another container. Finally, the squeezing process is complete.
What is the process of making a tomato press?
For the most part, tomato presses feature a funnel into which the tomatoes are placed, along with an auger, filter, and drip tray. For electric variants, there is also a motor that can vary in power from 300 to 1,200 watts as an additional accessory, as well as a splash guard and a container for processing waste.
How much does a tomato press cost?
An essential consideration is the price of the project, which is directly linked to the quality of the building materials and equipment used. In order to keep costs down, plastic is used to construct the more expensive items. They are certainly lighter and easier to handle than those built-in cast iron or stainless steel, which are more resistant, but also more expensive. They are.
What is the yield of an electric tomato press?
The engine’s output determines how fast the car can go. If the wattage of electric models spans from 200 W up to 1,200 W, the less powerful ones typically produce about 50 kg/h, while the more powerful ones can even reach 500 kg/h.
Conclusion
A tomato press is a versatile kitchen tool that can make the task of preparing fresh tomato sauce, puree, or juice quick and easy. When selecting the best tomato press for your needs, it is important to consider factors such as durability, ease of use, and efficiency. The best tomato press will help you get the most out of your tomatoes, allowing you to enjoy the rich, fresh flavor of home-made tomato products year-round. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or a beginner, a high-quality tomato press can be a valuable addition to your kitchen arsenal.
