Make Family Meals More Fun With The Best Tortilla Presses
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Uno Casa Cast Iron Tortilla Press -
Victoria 8 Inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press -
Imusa 8-in. Aluminum Tortilla Press -
Alpha Living Tortilla Press -
Norpro 6" Tortilla Press -
Buyer's Guide
Making tortillas at home using a rolling pin is now a thing of the past. With the widespread availability of tortilla presses, it just became a hundred times easier to churn out quality tortillas in your own kitchen. No one can deny the importance of freshly made tortillas in leveling up your dishes so whether you’re in the mood for a spicy burrito or some cheesy quesadillas, the tortilla press has your back.
Learning how to make tortillas from scratch will not only reduce the grocery bills significantly but also provide a healthier, more nutritious alternative to regular store-bought tortillas. The flexibility in the dough-making process lets you adjust and control the ingredients of your tortillas depending on your preference and food sensitivities.
However, with so many different versions out there, it can be hard to know which one to buy. We reviewed some of the best tortilla presses in 2022 to help you make a decision you won’t regret.
Uno Casa Cast Iron Tortilla Press
- Rust-free design
- Ready-made parchment sheets
- Sturdy construction makes it extremely durable
- Not dishwasher safe
Victoria 8 Inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press
- Short press-time
- Extremely easy to use
- Versatile - can work with different flours
- Cast iron is difficult to clean
Imusa 8-in. Aluminum Tortilla Press
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Optimal for large quantities
- Demands extensive pressure
Alpha Living Tortilla Press
- User-friendly
- Ideal size
- Heavy-duty frame
- Less mobility
- Not pre-seasoned
Norpro 6" Tortilla Press
- Can produce large batches in a short time-frame
- Efficient storage
- Limited capacity
- Not feasible for flour tortillas without using a liner
Best Tortilla Press of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Uno Casa Cast Iron Tortilla Press - Best Overall
The leading pick with the most positive reviews and ratings is the Uno Casa cast iron tortilla press. Not only is the 8-inch Uno casa tortilla maker pre-seasoned for instant use, but it also comes with an additional screw set and around a hundred sheets of pre-cut parchment paper to make the tortilla-making process much more user-friendly and immaculate. With over two thousand five-star ratings, this tortilla press is known for its incredible durability along with its impressive rust-free nature. The tortilla maker prioritizes the uniformity of each round whilst maintaining its size, delivering perfectly round flatbreads every time. Meanwhile, the heavy-duty frame not only adds years to its lifetime but also ensures perfectly round tortillas that are both Instagram-worthy and mouth-watering at the same time.
- Rust-free design
- Ready-made parchment sheets
- Sturdy construction makes it extremely durable
- Not dishwasher safe
Victoria 8 Inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press - Runner Up
The manufacturing company of the Victoria press has been mass-producing cast iron since 1936, making them a reputable and well-established corporation, known and loved by many. With over two thousand positive reviews on Amazon, this 8-inch tortilla maker is not only extremely budget-friendly but also does a marvelous job at creating perfectly flat tortillas with a range of different types of doughs including gluten-free. The sturdy handle allows for better grip and effortless pressing, making it ideal for novice chefs. Users admire the prompt and quick pressing that takes only ten seconds per tortilla and makes it extremely time-efficient for less patient folk. However, cast iron is usually a tricky material to clean and might be more time-consuming to scrub and dry, as compared to its counterparts.
- Short press-time
- Extremely easy to use
- Versatile - can work with different flours
- Cast iron is difficult to clean
Imusa 8-in. Aluminum Tortilla Press - Honorable Mention
Imusa's 8-inch tortilla maker is by far the lightest in weight out of the lot. This is because aluminum is one of the key materials used to manufacture this product. The fact that aluminum is so incredibly lightweight and airy makes it the perfect material for a portable tortilla press. Besides being distinctly compact and manageable, the Imusa follows a traditional approach of making tortillas, preserving the optimal thickness and size for all your Mexican favorites. This tortilla maker not only takes care of productive storage but also provides a substantial amount of space that can carry both full and taco-sized tortillas depending on the amount of dough you are using.
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Optimal for large quantities
- Demands extensive pressure
Alpha Living Tortilla Press - Contender
This Alpha Living offering is a premium-quality cast iron tortilla press that offers durability as well as better stability for flatter and more even tortillas. In addition to scrumptious tortillas, this Alpha Living press is also suitable for making empanadas, dumplings, and even mini pie crusts. Along with versatility, this tortilla press has a 7.5-inch wide diameter which is optimal for making decent-sized portions. The cast iron construction provides additional weight for easier handling and better manipulation while pressing, though the weight makes it less than ideal for moving around. The new and improved design promotes better resistance by eliminating pinches and therefore eliminating the chances of torn tortilla dough. However, the tortilla press is not pre-seasoned, so you might need extra sheets of wax paper to line the machine.
- User-friendly
- Ideal size
- Heavy-duty frame
- Less mobility
- Not pre-seasoned
Norpro 6" Tortilla Press - Consider
This 6-inch tortilla press provides excellent leverage for large-scale cooking. Unlike traditional wood or iron tortilla presses, the norpro is made out of aluminum, making it significantly more lightweight and transportable. The dainty size of the press not only makes it the perfect appliance for making taco shells at home but also saves a ton of countertop space, which is essential for crowded and less-roomy kitchens. Although the Norpro works stunningly with cornflour doughs, it’s not ideal for making white flour tortillas due to their sticky nature. If you do happen to be using a white flour dough, make sure to line the tortilla maker with parchment rounds before pressing. This will save the dough from sticking to the machine as much, minimizing the degree of mess produced as a consequence.
- Can produce large batches in a short time-frame
- Efficient storage
- Limited capacity
- Not feasible for flour tortillas without using a liner
Buyer's Guide
Why Should you Own a Tortilla Press?
Besides being able to make your own tortillas at home, purchasing a tortilla press comes with multiple other perks that can spice up your cooking journey.
- One of the major reasons why people invest in tortilla presses is the freshness factor. Sure, buying ready-made tortillas from the local grocery store is fast and easy, but it doesn’t even come close to the quality that freshly-made tortillas provide. Whenever you’re in the mood for a quick wrap or quesadilla, just pull out your tortilla press and enjoy a fresh and warm tortilla within 10 minutes.
- Besides the quality aspect of buying a tortilla maker, purchasing one will earn you the incredible benefit of getting to choose your own ingredients. Whether it’s oat, corn, or paleo, you can make tortillas with any mix of your liking. You can even experiment by adding different kinds of herbs and spices to make your tortillas more flavorful.
- Anyone can make a solid tortilla dough, but it’s the rolling process where many get stuck. Manually rolling out your tortilla dough can often lead to uneven tortillas and accidental tears. Tortilla presses help you avoid this hassle by creating perfectly round and uniform tortillas every single time.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Tortilla Press
Material
Aluminum: Cast Aluminum made tortilla presses offer strength and support on top of being appreciably lightweight in nature. This allows the user to store the machine with ease and efficiency and also be able to travel with the appliance for barbeques and picnics. Along with possessing infrangible properties, what makes aluminum a unique construction material is its ability to resist rust formation and increase longevity. It’s important to note that due to its lightweight nature, you may have to apply more pressure while pressing tortillas to achieve optimal results.
Wood: Wooden tortilla makers have the advantage of being a lot larger in size as compared to aluminum or cast iron-made presses. These machines are usually lighter than iron presses while offering the same, if not better results. However, wooden tortilla presses do require more care and maintenance to protect the joints from rusting or becoming warped. You may also need to shield these appliances from harsh and extreme temperatures to avoid damaging the wood.
Cast Iron: One of the most popular materials used to make tortilla presses is cast iron and rightfully so. Cast iron tortilla makers handle the heat like none other and are impervious to pressure, unlike other materials. For this reason, cast iron is a great option for beginners and newbies who are looking for an effortless operation with maximum results. Regardless, cast iron presses may be susceptible to rust over time if not looked after properly, otherwise they are worth the dollars.
Size
A typical tortilla press generally consists of a lever system and a circular base area that ranges from anywhere between six to ten inches depending on the version and type of tortilla maker you buy. It’s useful to know beforehand what you’ll usually be making in the tortilla press. For example, if you’re a fan of corn tortillas and prefer them over flour ones, then you’d be better off purchasing a slightly smaller model like a six-inch press as corn dough doesn’t spread as much. Whereas, the opposite is true for making flour tortillas where you’ll want to go slightly bigger to equip the dough with ample space to spread. The same rule applies for making multiple other types of bread such as rotis and empanadas.
Weight
Multiple factors come into play when considering the weight of your tortilla press. Heavier machines tend to require less force to press the dough due to the hefty lid, whereas lighter materials may be more labor-intensive. However, unlike heavy-duty tortilla presses, lightweight machines have the advantage of being remarkably portable in nature while simultaneously encouraging efficient transportation and storage, contrary to heavier machines. Among the staple materials used to manufacture tortilla presses, cast iron remains to be the heaviest, while wood and aluminum tortilla presses tend to be on the lighter side.
Durability
The right investment can last for generations to come without needing to replace or mend it. A high-grade tortilla maker should enable you to make countless tortillas before breaking down. Even when force is applied to press the tortillas, a sturdy and high-quality machine should not buckle down under the pressure. Cast iron tortilla presses are normally known to be more durable due to their heavy-duty frame which requires less force to press down the dough, causing less pressure damage over time.
How to Use a Tortilla Press
Start by lining the tortilla maker with parchment or wax paper to prevent the dough from sticking to the press. Continue by placing the recommended amount of dough(according to your machine size) in the center of the lined tortilla press, you may flatten the dough ball with your hands slightly to give it a circular shape. Next, use the lever to press down the lid into your dough until it comes in complete contact with the base of the press. Detach the lid back up using the handle and check the thickness and size of your tortilla, you may repeat this process until you achieve your desired results. Finally, cook the tortillas on either a griddle on a medium flame or bake them in the oven until they’re slightly golden brown.
How to Maintain a Tortilla Press
Before using a tortilla press, make sure to properly line the inside with wax paper as this will not only prevent any sticking but also make the cleaning process much easier. It’s important to keep in mind that cast iron tortilla presses are generally more tricky to clean and may require rigorous wiping to get them properly clean, so chose one that is high-quality yet simple to maintain. Similarly, make sure to never pour water directly on top of your tortilla press to avoid damaging the machinery. Always use some lukewarm water and a soft, clean cloth to gently wipe the surface clean and remove any oily and stubborn spots.
Tortilla Press FAQ
Q: How do I keep my tortillas fresh for longer?
A: You can preserve the freshness of your newly-made tortillas by simply wrapping them in either a clean cloth or towel to trap in the moisture and prevent them from drying out. Likewise, you may also utilize a tortilla warmer for faster results.
Q: Apart from tortillas, what else can I make in my tortilla press?
A: Tortilla makers are remarkably versatile machines that allow you to not only make scrumptious tortillas but also produce items like dumpling wrappers, empanadas, and even pancakes if you’re in the mood for something sweet.
Q: What does the term “pre-seasoned” mean?
A: The process of pre-seasoning a cast-iron press involves applying a layer of either shortening or vegetable oil on the cast iron and baking it for around an hour. This creates a protective seal on top of the iron that hinders rust formation.
