Pulverize Garlic with the Oxo Garlic Press!!
Written: Jun 24 '03 (Updated Aug 03 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use, comfortable, convenient built-in cleaner, GUARANTEED
Cons: Cleaner prongs are plastic, have heard some bad things about this press!
The Bottom Line: This is a great garlic press. I have had good luck with this press, even though I've heard a lot of stories about these breaking.
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| Javelina's Full Review: Oxo 6.5" Garlic Press (black) |
For me, a garlic press is an essential item in the kitchen. I’m a vegetarian, I like fresh foods, and garlic is a wonderful way to liven up food as well as adding a health benefit. In the past, I have had crummy garlic presses that don’t last very long, or don’t do a good job, so I wanted to invest in a good press… hence, Oxo (I particularly like their products!).
Packaging & Appearance
Like other Oxo products, the Oxo Garlic Press has a characteristic black rubber grip. The handles are a nice distance from each other (not too far apart, which would mean bad leverage). My impression is that this is a heavy, sturdy kitchen tool.
The part of the press where the garlic is squeezed through is metal. The two handles are hinged so that you can flip the tool to clean out the holes of the press with a plastic cleaner, which is red.
Performance
The Oxo Garlic Press is simple to use. I get out one or two pieces of garlic, and place them in the press. You squeeze the handles together, and the garlic is pressed through the holes.
It doesn’t take too much effort to press the handles together. If I feel like I haven’t gotten enough garlic squeezed through, I take a knife and push the flattened “cud” of the garlic into a blob into the middle of the press, and try again. That way, I can kind of get every little last bit. A knife also comes in handy for once you have pressed the garlic, and you can simply clear the garlic off the end of the press (since it doesn’t always fall off).
The handles are rubbery and provide a cushioned, non-slip surface. I find them to be comfortable, especially when you need the security to be able to put all your strength into squeezing.
Dishwasher Safe?
I am always hesitant to put Oxo kitchen gadgets in the dishwasher, but they are indeed dishwasher safe. I personally like to clean many of my kitchen tools right away, including this one. That way, the garlic gets cleaned out right away, and doesn’t dry on. Although the cleaner prongs are usually good at removing the remainder of the garlic, I take the press and place the part with the holes right up on the kitchen faucet- the strength of the water will wash away those obstinate bits.
Problems?
The only potential problem that I have had with the Oxo Garlic Press are the rubber handles starting to slide down. I haven’t had them slide far, and I simply push them back up. It doesn’t seem like it will be an issue where the rubber completely falls off, so it’s not that big of an issue. But I have heard of other people having the same problem. I have also heard that people have had problems where the hinge just snaps. If this happens to me, I would try to get a free replacement through Oxo. (But I’ll worry about that if I get to that point).
(See other reviews on Epinions as well as Amazon.com, which commonly discuss experienced breakage).
I wish that the red plastic part were actually made of metal. I’m always wary of plastic parts, since they seem kind of cheap. Too many times, I see the prongs broken on other presses. Although I take good care of mine, I have to say that I wouldn’t be worried if the prongs were metal.
To be honest, some of the other brands of garlic presses look a little more durable- like Zyliss or Kitchen Aid.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Oxo does offer a satisfaction guarantee, so if you aren’t satisfied with one of their products, no worries. Their site says that you can get a replacement or a refund. That truly provides peace of mind. Sure, you’re investing a fair amount of money in their products, but you don’t have to worry that you’re throwing it away. You can’t lose!
Price & Where to Find
I bought the Oxo Garlic Press at Linen’s N Things, which has a nice selection of kitchen products. The press cost me around $12.00, which is pricey, but in my opinion, worth it.
Overall Thoughts, and Explanation of My Rating
I really like Oxo and Zyliss products. I have come to rely on quite a few Oxo products, and find them to be easy to use and dependable. The Garlic Press is no different. I see lots of garlic presses that get bent or are missing cleaning prongs, and I doubt that this press will join them anytime soon. Now what I need is a garlic keeper!
I would say that this Oxo Garlic Press is superior to many presses out there. However, I feel that the cleaner could be metal, and the rubber handles could be better secured. Even though this is guaranteed, my rating is 4 stars.
Oxo: http://www.oxo.com/
My other Oxo reviews: (yes, I own a disgusting number of Oxo products)
Oxo Garlic Peeler ▪ Oxo Good Grips Steel Whisk ▪ Oxo Stainless Steel Pie Server ▪ Oxo Lettuce Knife ▪ Oxo Rolling Mincer ▪ Oxo Container Grater ▪ Oxo Bottle Brush ▪ Oxo Skimmer ▪ Oxo Apple Wedger ▪ Oxo Ice Cream Spade ▪ Oxo Safety Can Opener ▪ Oxo Beak-Shaped Ice Cream Scoop ▪ Oxo Citrus Zester ▪ Oxo 14 Nylon Slotted Spoon ▪ Oxo 14” Nylon Spoon ▪ Oxo Garlic Press ▪ Oxo Pizza Cutter ▪ Oxo 4-pc Measuring Spoons ▪ Oxo Swivel Peeler ▪ Oxo Wire Cheese Slicer ▪ Oxo Corn Holders ▪ Oxo Nylon Turner ▪ Oxo Stainless Steel Spreader
Recommended:
Yes
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