5 Best Potato Ricers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
After pressing almost 50 pounds of potatoes, we discovered the best ricers on the market.
Taylor Murray
Our Top Potato Ricer Picks
- Best Overall: OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Adjustable Potato Ricer
- Best Ergonomic: Joseph Joseph Helix Potato Ricer
- Best Value: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer
- Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Potato Ricer
- Best Large-Capacity: Norpro Deluxe Jumbo Potato Ricer
Tested by Taylor Murray for Food Network Kitchen
Most people have a trusty potato masher in their kitchen drawer. After all, this handy tool is essential for mashing bananas, avocados and, of course, potatoes. But anyone truly serious about their mashed potatoes knows that mashers can tend to leave behind a few lumps and bumps. Some may be fans of that texture, but for smooth mashed potato lovers, a regular masher simply isn't going to cut it.
Enter the ricer. A potato ricer is a kitchen utensil that is used to process potatoes or other soft foods by forcing them through a sheet of small holes. It resembles a large garlic press and consists of a hopper to hold the food and a plunger or lever mechanism to push the food through the holes. The resulting product has the texture of rice grains, which is why it's called a "potato ricer." One of the most common uses for a ricer is to make fluffy, lump-free mashed potatoes, gnocchi or dumplings. Beyond that, many people use ricers to make baby food, apple butter or even spaetzle.
Potato ricers can come in especially handy during the holidays or any occasion where you are making larger batches. Most come with some kind of mechanical advantage that lessens the amount of force required by you to push the potato through. Many ricers can even separate skins from unpeeled potatoes, saving you the trouble of peeling them yourself. Overall, a potato ricer can be a valuable addition to your kitchen if you frequently make dishes that require smooth, lump-free potatoes or other pureed ingredients, but which ones are worth buying? We chopped, peeled, boiled and riced to find out.
How We Tested
From all the potato ricers available on the market, we narrowed our testing pool down to eight that we felt were notable due to customer reviews or interesting designs. We opened up each package and evaluated the labels. We read the manual (if any existed) and assessed how easy it was to understand. We took measurements and weights as well as noted the material each ricer was made of.
With those key points out of the way, we boiled unpeeled potatoes and sent them through the ricers. If we had to dice them, we noted that, though most were able to process the potatoes without having to do much more than cut them in half. We added butter and milk (we're only human) and gave the potatoes a taste test. From there, we repeated the test with peeled potatoes to see if there was any difference in performance or ease of use. We noted things like hand comfort and how easy the ricers were to clean (or not). Ultimately, the best ricers had some kind of design that provided an efficient design (to alleviate the amount of force needed by you), was simple to clean and came at a great price.
The OXO Good Grips Adjustable Potato Ricer can give you three different textures with a genius built-in adjustable design. Without having to fiddle with extra plates or accessories, the adjustable design is built into the food chute. All you have to do is twist the bottom to reveal three different textures. We liked a few of the other features, too, like the grooved pot rest at the end that allows the ricer to sit securely over a bowl or container. We did find that a few particles of potato wanted to get caught between the rotating blades, but the mechanism comes apart completely to give you access. The rubber grip handles and rounded metal edges are comfortable to hold, even after pressing a few pounds of potatoes.
Featuring a unique twisting design, the Joseph Joseph Helix Potato Ricer may be more comfortable to use than the classic hinge and still comes at an attractive price. Anyone with a passing interest in physics and simple machines will know that a screw has just as much mechanical advantage as a lever. That's exactly the science that's behind this Joseph Joseph ricer. Instead of pressing two levers together with a fixed point at one end, the ricer has you bring the two handles together, almost like using a pair of large hedge shears. This design is efficient and may be easier to use for people who have mobility issues.
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer doesn't come with any extras, but it comes at a great price and gets the job done. This is the lightest ricer we tested, and the smallest, so it's great for smaller kitchens or those looking to save some room in their utensil drawer. Despite the small size, this ricer was able to shred through potatoes without issue and left us with a smooth puree that was largely lump-free. The only thing we didn't like about it was that the handle wasn't very comfortable, particularly on the underside where there wasn't a rubber coating.
For a ricer that offers a better mechanical advantage and top-notch design (for a price), this option from Williams Sonoma is the one to pick. The most notable aspect of the ricer is the dual-hinged lever. By adding an additional fulcrum, your energy is multiplied using the power of physics without any extra effort on your part. The plastic handles are extremely comfortable to grip and hold, and the stainless steel food chute has tiny holes that completely mashed the potatoes (with no bits or lumps left behind). Another feature of this ricer that we loved is that the food chute has holes on the sides as well as the bottom. By maximizing the places for potatoes to move through, there's even less resistance, even when ricing unpeeled potatoes.
Best for bigger projects, the Norpro Deluxe Jumbo Potato Ricer can shred through a whole unpeeled potato with no problem. Imagine not having to peel or chop potatoes when making a pot of mashers. The ricer has holes on all four surfaces of the food chute, so potatoes and other ingredients pass through with little resistance. There are grooved notches for added stability over a pot or bowl, and the cast aluminum construction feels durable and sturdy. This ricer is quite large and will definitely need a dedicated place to live in your kitchen (it's hard to imagine a drawer that could fit this). We also found the detachable handle too tricky to be considered a useful feature.
What's the Difference Between a Potato Ricer and a Potato Masher?
A potato ricer and a potato masher serve similar purposes in the kitchen but differ significantly in design, function and the texture of the end product. A potato ricer resembles a large garlic press and features a hopper to hold cooked potatoes, along with a lever or plunger to push the potatoes through small holes. This results in a fine, rice-like texture that is smooth and consistent, ideal for recipes requiring uniformity such as gnocchi or certain potato dumplings. Potato ricers are also versatile enough to process other soft foods like carrots, sweet potatoes and even fruit for purees.
A potato masher is a simpler tool, generally consisting of a handle attached to a flat or curved plate with holes, slats or a wavy pattern. The masher is manually pressed down onto the cooked potatoes to break them apart. This process produces a coarser, lumpier texture, suitable for more rustic dishes like country-style mashed potatoes. Potato mashers are generally easier and quicker to use, especially for larger quantities, but achieving a perfectly smooth texture can be more challenging. While both tools are used for processing potatoes, the choice between the two often boils down to personal preference and the specific texture required by a recipe.
Taylor Murray
What to Consider Before Buying a Potato Ricer
Material: The material of the potato ricer plays a significant role in its durability and performance. Stainless steel models are generally more durable, long-lasting and resistant to corrosion compared to their plastic counterparts. However, plastic models are lighter and usually less expensive. The best combine a bit of both with a stainless steel food chute and plastic handles.
Design: The design of the potato ricer is important for achieving the desired texture and consistency. Look for an ergonomic handle that is comfortable to grip, as this will make the process of ricing easier and less tiring. The size and pattern of the holes also matter; some models come with interchangeable discs that allow you to vary the texture of the riced potatoes. The capacity of the hopper is another consideration, especially if you often cook large quantities. Also, a sturdy lever mechanism is crucial for smooth operation. Double-hinged mechanisms can multiply the force added, so you ultimately have to exert less.
Ease of Use: Weight and balance are essential for easy handling. A too-light model may not be sturdy, while a too-heavy one could be cumbersome. Long handles provide better leverage, making it easier to rice the potatoes, but can be bulky. Some models also come with a non-slip grip, which can be particularly helpful if you're using the ricer with wet hands.
Maintenance/Care: Ease of cleaning is an important consideration for any kitchen tool. Check if the model is dishwasher-safe, although stainless steel ricers are generally easy to wash by hand as well. It's also useful if the ricer can be easily disassembled for thorough cleaning. Durability is another factor; a well-made, robust model will last longer and perform better over time. Lastly, consider storage options; some ricers are more compact or have removable parts for easier storage.
