Last updated: 16/10/2022

Welcome to our big potato masher test 2023. Here we present all the potato mashers we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.

We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best potato masher for you. You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should be aware of when buying a potato masher.




Summary

  • A potato masher is a kitchen utensil with which potatoes and other vegetables can be made into a puree by mashing them.
  • It can distinguish between platisk or metal potato mashers, alternatively there are also potato ricers.
  • Plastic potato mashers are easier to clean, potato ricers are the most thorough at work.

The Best Potato Masher: Our Choices

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a potato masher

What is a potato masher?

A potato masher is a kitchen utensil for mashing potatoes. The masher usually has a handle and holes in the plate to which the handle is attached.

What is a potato masher used for?

As the name suggests, the potato masher is used for mashing potatoes. This is very convenient for making fresh mashed potatoes, potato pancakes or even potato balls.

With the help of the potato masher, you can mash the tuber without much difficulty and process it into many dishes. (Image source: pixabay.com / Michael Gaida)

How do you use a potato masher?

The vegetables you want to process should be peeled and, if necessary, cooked. For some, this is not necessary, for example avocados.

  1. Put the vegetables in a bowl or on a shallow and deep plate.
  2. Take the masher in your hand and press it several times on the vegetables until the desired consistency is reached.

What is the difference between a potato masher and a potato ricer?

A potato masher is a plate with a handle that is pressed onto the cooked vegetables. This mashes the vegetables and produces a mass that is comparable to a mash or slurry. A potato ricer consists of two plates.

The lower plate resembles a cup, into which the cooked vegetables are placed. The upper flat plate is pressed onto the lower plate with the help of the handle. The “mashed” vegetables then come out through the holes.

Can I use a potato masher for other vegetables?

The potato masher is called what it is called. But it can be used for different kinds of vegetables. There are many different variations, vegetables and lentils that can be used to create a delicious dish.

You should pay attention to the consistency of the vegetable or food. When you cook it, it should not be too soft and not too hard. If it remains too hard, such as quinoa or rice, it will not become a puree but just be pressed together. If it is too soft, it is too watery.

Lentils and beans are very suitable for mashing. (Image source: pexels.com / rawpixel)

Typically, a potato masher always reminds you of mashed potatoes, but it can be used to process many different products. To give you an idea of what you can make with a potato masher, for example, you can use this table as a guide.

Food dish, end product
Cooked/grilled tomatoes Tomato soup, tomato sauce
Beans Bean dip
Sweet potatoes Sweet potato puree
Avocados Guacamole
Pumpkin Pumpkin puree

As you can see, you could theoretically make an entire menu or dish with a potato masher. Once you get the hang of it, you can let your creativity run wild and maybe even make desserts with it.

Did you know that Mexicans use a potato masher to make bean dip? Onions, garlic and cumin are sautéed briefly in a frying pan. The whole thing is then mixed in a blender with cooked pinto beans, lemon juice, salt and chilli. The dip can be served cold or warm.

How much does a potato masher cost?

A potato masher can have different prices depending on the material and size. The price range is 3-40€. You can get a simple and cheap potato masher for little money at Ikea or practically on the internet. The most expensive models are made of stainless steel and tend to be very heavy.

What are the alternatives to a potato masher?

As an alternative to a potato masher, you can use a fork to mash potatoes or other vegetables. However, the result is usually not as careful as with a potato masher and takes much longer.

A potato ricer produces a very careful result. The vegetables are pressed through and thus completely processed.

It is more difficult to make a mistake or miss something. However, pressing through the potatoes requires some strength.

Decision: What types of potato mashers are there and which is the right one for you?

What distinguishes a metal potato masher and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Metal potato mashers are very common. There are different shapes of metal potato mashers. The simplest form is a round plate with holes and a metal handle. There are also models where there is no handle but a grip attached to the plate.

Stainless steel is less susceptible to rust and heavier. This can make the work easier because you don’t have to apply so much pressure to get the result. Most are even suitable for dishwashers and can therefore be cleaned easily.

Metal potato mashers can easily get scratched if washed with alunminium sponges or other scratchy sponges. They can also break due to the fact that they are not very mobile and if they have not been worked well.

Advantages
  • High quality
  • Easy to work with
  • Widely used
Disadvantages
  • Depending on the material: harder to care for
  • Not as robust

What distinguishes a plastic potato masher and what are their advantages and disadvantages?

Plastic potato ricers are very light and are very common nowadays. They are very easy to clean without requiring much work. Plastic potato mashers are light, but this also affects how you work with them. A heavy press makes the work easier, as it itself exerts some pressure on the processed vegetables. With a plastic potato masher, the pressure comes only from the arms.

Because plastic is cheaper than many metals or stainless steels, plastic potato mashers tend to be cheaper. They are also more flexible and robust than metal mashers. This is because they do not break so easily because they are more adaptable.

Advantages
  • Easy to use
  • cheap
  • easy to clean
Disadvantages
  • Use lasts longer

Buying criteria: Use these factors to compare and rate potato mashers

In the following, we would like to show you which factors you can use to compare and evaluate potato mashers. This will make it easier for you to decide whether a particular potato masher is suitable for you or not. In summary, these are:

  • Handiness
  • Weight
  • Material
  • Versatility

Handiness

Potato mashers with a vertical handle in the middle are the most common. They are best when they have a profile and thus sit well in the hand. This can be very helpful to avoid slipping when you need to apply more pressure for larger quantities.

Handles fit better in the hand because they are attached to the perforated plate in two places. This allows pressure to be applied and the potatoes or any other vegetables can be worked well.

Potato ricers have a double handle, somewhat reminiscent of scissors. With some models, the handles have to be squeezed very hard to press the vegetables through. This can be tiring and painful in the long run if you work with it a lot.

Weight

Plastic potato mashers weigh very little, they are very light. Metal potato mashers can weigh up to two kilograms, depending on how big they are and how they have been worked. Stainless steel models, for example, can weigh more than other models. You should choose one that feels good to you. For more petite people, a lighter model is of course recommended.

Material

The two most popular materials potato mashers are made of are plastic and metal. Of course, the price also varies. More rarely, there are environmentally friendly potato mashers made of wood.

Versatility

When choosing a potato masher, you should make sure that it can be used for many things. You can either look at the manufacturer and what they recommend or read customer reviews.

It is always better to choose a model that can be used for other things.

Facts worth knowing about potato mashers

How do I make mashed potatoes with a potato masher?

First of all, you should choose the right potatoes. There are many different types, and you can either try them out or go straight for the recommended varieties.

  1. Wash the potatoes, peel them and quarter them to make them cook faster.
  2. Put the potatoes in a pot and fill the pot with enough water to cover the potatoes.
  3. When the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the pot. The best way to do this is to use a sieve. To test if the potatoes are cooked, you can use a fork to check if they are already soft.
  4. Put the potatoes in a shallow bowl and mash them with a potato masher. Then add the milk, butter and salt and stir gently.
  5. The mashed potatoes can be served when they have reached the desired consistency.

How do I clean a potato masher?

Most potato mashers can be washed in a dishwasher. However, you should be aware that some vegetables, for example, are very stubborn and may still not come off. When cleaning the potato masher by hand, wash it with hot water and a soft masher.

Especially with a metal potato masher, you should try not to damage it and therefore clean it with a soft sponge. This will prevent scratches and other damage.

Image source: 123rf.com / Olga Sapegina

Reviews