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Say Hola to our Favorite Tortilla Press

We’d be hard-pressed to find a better tool.

tortilla-press

Gadget name: La Mexicana Tortilladora de Madera Barnizada/Mesquite Tortilla Press

Price: $64.95

It looks like: A wooden behemoth that resembles a more streamlined version of Gutenberg’s printing press.

How it’s supposed to work: The device is meant to produce a flattened, even 8-inch tortilla.

How we tested it: We placed a ball of masa (dough) in the press, lowered the handle, and presto! There was a perfect corn tortilla, waiting to be browned in a skillet and devoured.

How it actually works: Very well; this wooden model practically flattened the tortilla for us.

Drawbacks: The price. If you’re not ready to spend $65 on the Rolls Royce of tortilla presses, there’s an economy version that’ll get you there: The Imusa Cast Iron Tortilla Press, for just $23.99.

Good to know: The 14-inch arm on this press gives great leverage and was weighty enough to do the hard work for us.

My favorite part: This gadget has a sliver of wood attached to the pressing plates, which kept the tortillas from getting too thin. We also liked the press’s rustic appearance.

Best for: Corn tortillas (flour tortillas require a rolling pin).

Overall: It’s a well-crafted, wooden winner.

MAKE IT NOW: Try out our recipe for DIY tortillas.

About the Author: Lisa McManus

Lisa McManus is senior editor in charge of all equipment testing and ingredient tasting stories at Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, and writes testing and tasting features for Cook’s Illustrated. She joined America’s Test Kitchen in 2006, after working as a newspaper food editor, and magazine and newspaper journalist for many years in Boston, New York, and California. She is a graduate of Brown University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her husband, Hugh, is a rocket scientist, and they have two sons.

2 Comments

  • sandyaz

    Where can I buy this tortilla press? Do you sell kitchen equipment?

  • Christine Liu
    Christine Liu

    Hi sandyaz, we do not sell equipment, but you can purchase it online. Here’s one vendor: http://www.mexgrocer.com/50409-87289.html

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