Tortilla Press
A tortilla press is a mechanical contraption used to make corn tortillas. Known as a “tortilladora” in Mexico, a tortilla press is a simple appliance made of either metal or wood. To use a tortilla press, a small ball of corn dough, or masa (see corn tortilla recipe), is placed in the center of the tortilla press, pressure is applied via the handle of the press, and the dough is flattened into a round, flat tortilla which is then cooked.
A tortilla press is usually made of wood, aluminum, or cast iron. We have provided some pretty good videos including How To Use a Tortilla Press, and How To Make Your Own Tortilla Press, but first let’s take a brief look at each of the different types and list the advantages and disadvantages of all three (including our favorite):
Wooden Tortilla Press
Wooden Tortilla Press
The wooden tortilla press can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen counter but they usually have a bigger footprint than their metal counterparts. This could be a potential problem in storing them. While most wooden tortilla presses are made of pine (which is a soft wood), many of the higher end wooden presses use oak or maple or even mesquite – all of which are a much harder, heavier wood. Though the ones made of oak or maple will cost you more, over the long run they should hold up much better.
Aluminum Tortilla Press
Aluminum Tortilla Press
The newer, cast aluminum presses are light and easy to handle. And less expensive! But being lighter, you have to press harder. And too much pressure has been known to break these aluminum presses. That said, they should work fine for the small scale, infrequent user. They do have a smaller footprint than their wooden cousins so storage should not be a problem.
Cast Iron Tortilla Press
Cast Iron Tortilla Press
The cast iron tortilla press is about the same size as their aluminum counterpart but much heavier. (They are also less likely to break.) Though their weight does make them harder to move, it actually provides more leverage when pressing tortillas. If you have ever made lots of tortillas, you know what an advantage that can be. Their cost is comparable to the aluminum press, perhaps a bit more. The standard size for both the aluminum and cast iron presses are 6″ to 7″ though you can find them up to 8 inches. The working surface of most wooden presses is usually around 8″ but their overall size is usually 11″ or 12″ in length.
So Which Tortilla Press Is Better?
If cost is the only factor you have to go with the cast aluminum press. They are the cheapest though the cast iron does not cost much more. A cast iron press also weighs more which is both good and bad. Its weight makes the pressing job a bit easier and if you are frequently making a large number of tortillas, you will appreciate that. But their weight – typically 4 to 8 pounds – also makes them harder to move around. What about the wooden ones? The wooden tortilla press is pretty and will look good sitting on your counter. And, if you stick with ones made of hard wood (instead of the more typical soft wood, pine), they should be durable and last a very long time. They can be hard to find and when you do find one, you will pay more for it than either the cast iron or aluminum. Since they are usually bigger, storage may also be a problem.
So which one is better? They will all get the job done. You’ll just have to weigh the pros and cons of each type for your particular situation.
However, this author much prefers the cast iron tortilla press. Specifically, the Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla Press. It is very sturdy and durable. Our 1st one was bought over five years ago and is still operating like the day we bought it. And we use it a lot!
TO SAVE up to 30% (subject to change) and be eligible for free shipping, please use this link: Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla Press
They also offer an 8″ model: 8″ Victoria Cast Iron Tortilla Press
