Choosing the best garlic press

The garlic press is a simple kitchen gadget that stirs strong passions among cooks. Some, like Chow.com's Louisa Chu, loves them. Others, like chef and author Anthony Bourdain, hate them. Our take? If you think you need one, then buy the best one you can. And there's plenty of expert and owner opinion out there to make choosing the right garlic press easy.

If money is no object

One garlic press that's also a critics' favorite is the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press (*Est. $40). In a comparison of eight garlic presses by a very reputable foodie magazine, the Epicurean and another Kuhn model, the Easy-Squeeze Garlic Press (*Est. $20), come out on top. Editors praise the Epicurean, saying it "pressed -- and cleaned -- like a dream." This garlic press is also recommended by Chow.com's Louisa Chu (who also uses it for mashing ginger), as well as Bestcovery.com. Owners commenting at Amazon.com like the Epicurean, too; more than 170 users give it an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Owners praise the ergonomic design and easy cleanup, though a couple complain that it's too big. It's worth noting that the Epicurean is also Amazon's best-selling garlic press.

Some cheaper alternatives

Three Zyliss garlic presses earn praise from pros and users alike. The Zyliss Susi Garlic Press (*Est. $20) is recommended by Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com's guide to home cooking (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation). Filippone loves the Zyliss Susi's sturdy construction and that fact that it's dishwasher-safe. Meanwhile, the larger Zyliss Jumbo Garlic Press (*Est. $17) gets a nod from Louisa Chu and the editors at Bestcovery.com. Both praise its larger capacity and say it's easy to clean with a built-in cleaning tool. Over at Chowhound.com, more than 45 users chime in, many of them recommending various Zyliss garlic presses. The Zyliss Susi 2 Garlic Press (*Est. $15) and the Jumbo model are both included in the eight-press roundup mentioned earlier; both are recommended "with reservations" by that magazine's editors.

At Amazon.com, users weigh in on all three models, and the Zyliss Susi earns the best average rating. More than 100 owners give it a score of 4.5 out of five, and most praise its ease of use and simple cleanup. A handful of user complain that they received the wrong press, and a couple say the aluminum finish flaked off after awhile, something that editors at the foodie magazine noted as well. The Zyliss Jumbo earns similarly high ratings from about 85 users.

A bargain-priced garlic press

Lastly, you might want to consider the Trudeau Garlic Press (*Est. $12), the cheapest garlic press we found that earned professional and user praise. More than 80 users comment on the Trudeau at Amazon.com, where it earns an rating of four stars out of five. It also gets a recommendation "with reservations" from our foodie magazine. Editors and uses alike like the low price, solid construction and large garlic hopper, although a few owners say the press broke soon after purchase.

Garlic presses to pass on

We also found multi-product reviews of the Oxo Good Grips Garlic Press (*Est. $16) and the Rosle Garlic Press (*Est. $40) at Chow.com, Bestcovery.com and another source, but expert opinion was split on these models, so we can't recommend any of these.

Our recommendations

If you cook frequently and use a lot of garlic, it's probably worth investing in the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press. If you cook only occasionally or are on a budget, the Trudeau Garlic Press or Zyliss Susi both are more affordable alternatives.