Unleashing Culinary Magic: The Kitchen Gadget That Revolutionized My Cooking!

I don’t consider myself a person who dwells on remorse. Certainly, I should have acquired Netflix shares back in 2006, and I do regret not visiting Faviken prior to its closure in 2019 — but overall, I rarely wish I’d approached situations differently. Nevertheless, at times, I encounter aspects in my culinary endeavors that leave me pondering how different my life might have turned out if I’d discovered them sooner. 

This was the circumstance with a recent enhancement to my assortment of kitchen tools. As a person who primarily cooks plant-based meals at home and prepares substantial quantities of tofu weekly, I believed I’d perfected my tofu preparation process over the last ten years — or so I thought. Upon purchasing a tofu press, my tofu preparation was revolutionized. How I wish I’d acquired one a decade ago.

Tofuture Tofu Press

I had always given minimal consideration to tofu preparation — no extra tools or methods needed, just the essentials. Like many, I would precariously position a cutting board or plate on the edge of the sink, stacking bowls, pots, or pans atop a tofu block to extract some moisture and prepare it for baking, roasting, stir-frying, or even transforming into a sauce. It was quite a space-consuming task and, honestly, not particularly effective in eliminating moisture from the tofu. Yet, this was the method suggested in various cookbooks, so I never thought to explore alternatives. 

One day, while exploring our website, I came across an article discussing the best tofu presses, which piqued my interest. I began to consider whether this kitchen gadget could enhance not just my preparation but also the cooking, flavor, and texture of my tofu. Our testing editors certainly believed so, prompting me to order the Tofuture tofu press.

On my initial use, I was astounded by how distinct the experience was. The press measures 6 x 5 x 3 inches, which means it occupies slightly more space than a standard package of tofu. The thrill of avoiding the cutting board and balancing pots was refreshing. The press consists of three components: a base that acts as a water reservoir, a colander for the tofu, and a top that uses stretchy bands (with three pressure settings) to secure everything together. The top also boasts two handles that you push closed, applying sufficient pressure on the tofu to extract water without crumbling it. I was particularly concerned about this aspect, worrying I would ruin my tofu.

After 20 minutes of compressing, I can usually retrieve a well-drained block of spongy tofu ready for roasting, stir-frying, or air-frying. The guidelines indicate that pressing for an hour yields a relatively firm texture, and after four hours, it should be exceedingly firm, reducing to nearly half its size. I appreciate the versatility of this straightforward tool and the significant impact it provides.

The tofu I’ve been producing lately cooks and tastes significantly better. It roasts to a firm, flavorful end product and retains some genuine sponginess when I prepare a scramble. As a professional kitchen gear tester, such moments are what I strive for. I revel in discovering something novel that truly transforms the way I cook and dine. Let this serve as a reminder to everyone that even after years of doing something effectively, it can be incredibly beneficial to remain receptive to new possibilities.

Explore More Tofu Presses

OXO Good Grips Tofu Press

TofuBud Tofu Press

Noya Tofu Press

Yarkor Tofu Press

At the time of publication, the price was $21 with a discount.