Why Garlic Presses Are Actually One Of The Worst Ways To Mince Garlic

Other reasons to skip the garlic press (and alternatives to use instead)

There are several reasons to forgo garlic presses. First, they can be challenging to clean due to their small holes. Second, they are often criticized as "unitaskers," tools that serve only one purpose and take up valuable space in your kitchen drawers. However, some may argue against this notion, claiming that you can also use the press to mince other ingredients like ginger.

Many professionals suggest replacing the awkward garlic press with a microplane for achieving a minced texture. That said, garlic grated with a microplane can have a stronger flavor than pressed garlic, so you might want to avoid this method if you're concerned about an overpowering garlic taste. Instead, you could opt for the classic method of chopping with a knife, or simply slice the garlic (though this will result in larger pieces in your dish). A mortar and pestle is another alternative, but it does require a significant amount of kitchen space.

It's important to note that not all chefs view garlic presses negatively. Some contend that the stronger flavor produced by pressing can enhance certain recipes, and that the uniform size of pressed garlic pieces is preferable to the often inconsistent sizes from knife chopping. Regardless, using a garlic press ensures you're working with fresh garlic rather than the commonly disliked jarred variety.