What could be so hard about choosing the right potato masher? It’s, after all, one of the simplest kitchen tools.
But you’d be surprised at the number of options available in online stores and supermarkets. Should you get one with holes or blades? What about all the different kinds of handles?
Does it even matter which potato masher you get?
It definitely matters. A well-designed potato masher will make your work in the kitchen so much easier. It’ll also produce better results – smooth uniformly mashed potatoes rather than uneven lumps.
In this buying guide, we review the best potato mashers that are available to buy online in the UK, and give you tips on how to choose the right one for your cooking needs.
What to Consider When Choosing a Potato Masher
a) Materials and Quality
Get a high quality potato masher that will last you several years.
Stainless steel potato mashers are the best. They are strong, durable and almost impervious to corrosion.
Considering the amount of force a potato masher has to withstand, you don’t want one that bends or breaks easily.
Don’t get a plastic masher unless you are on a very tight budget or only need it for temporary use.
Aluminium mashers are good but are prone to bending.
Note that the handle is typically not the same material as the rest of the masher. It’s usually plastic.
Some mashers also have a different material on the mashing end, usually a heavy-duty plastic material. The stem or shaft should still be stainless steel to ensure the masher does not bend or break.
b) Design
The traditional potato masher design consists of a flat plate with small holes. This is the best design for most people’s cooking needs.
A perforated plate mashes potatoes evenly and produces a smooth texture. It also mashes faster and more effectively than other designs. However, the holes can easily get clogged, requiring you to stop and clear the mashing plate.
Some mashers use blades while others have a wave like design. The main advantage of these designs is that they don’t clog with mashed potatoes.
c) Handle
The potato masher you choose should have a plastic handle. This is important for heat insulation (helpful when mashing hot foods).
A good non-slip handle also provides a comfortable grip that makes it easier to mash potatoes and other foods.
Check that the handle is securely attached to the shaft. It should not get loose over time.
d) Versatility
Even if you mostly mash potatoes, it’s a good idea to get a versatile masher that can handle other foods as well such as peas, carrots and other veggies. This ensures you are ready for any recipe.
e) Ease of Storage and Cleaning
Check that the potato masher is dishwasher-safe. It should also be easy to wash by hand. That means, no hidden nooks for bits of food to hide in.
If you don’t have enough drawer space to store the masher, look for one with a hole in the handle or a horizontal handle that you can hang on the wall.
The Best Potato Masher Reviews
1. KitchenCraft Ergonomic Stainless Steel Potato Masher Review
This is the best potato masher if you want smooth mashed potatoes. The diamond-shaped blades (they look like rows of small dull knives) slice effortlessly through potatoes or any other veggies you are smashing.
The blades are on a curved frame that allows you to mash in a smooth rolling motion. The design allows you to mash potatoes with minimal effort.
If you have reduced strength and mobility in your hands, we highly recommend the KitchenCraft potato masher.
The large contoured handle also makes your work super easy. The grooves make for a secure non-slip grip.
We love the versatility of this masher. It makes easy work of any food, whether it’s potatoes, carrots or peas.
It also works great as a whisk when you move it in a circular motion. This bonus feature allows you to go from basic mashed potatoes to creamy whipped potatoes without changing tools.
The masher is made from stainless steel so you can be sure it’ll last for years. It’s easy to clean either in the dishwasher or by hand.
What we like about it:
- Mashes potatoes and other veggies.
- Versatile.
- Easy to use, even for those with reduced arm strength.
- High quality and durable stainless steel construction.
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2. Lurch 1-Piece Stainless Steel Potato Masher Review
If you do a lot of mashing – daily or several times a week – we recommend the Lurch potato masher.
It’s a single continuous piece made from heavy-duty stainless steel. You’ll be mashing with it for years to come.
Unlike the KitchenCraft masher, this one has a horizontal handle that some people find much easier to use.
Note that the entire masher is stainless steel, including the handle. While this helps with durability (no loose handle), it can be a problem when mashing hot food. A towel wrapped around the handle should help with that.
The mashing end consists of a heavy plate with holes. It cuts through potatoes easily, ensuring you get smooth mashed potatoes.
The plate is wide, which helps you mash potatoes quicker.
The only downside of the Lurch potato masher is that it’s pricier than most. But you’ll probably use it for much longer than any potato masher.
What we like about it:
- Durable.
- Ideal for heavy use.
- Easy-to-use horizontal handle.
- Dishwasher-safe.
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3. OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher Review
This is another good choice if you prefer a potato masher with a horizontal handle. This one has an insulated handle so it’s safe to use on hot food.
The handle is wide and easy to grip in your hand. Users with weak hands or arthritis found the handle easy to hold.
The mashing grid consists of closely spaced holes that ensure you get smooth results without lumps. It works great for potatoes, root vegetables like carrots and even fruits.
The way the OXO masher is designed, you only need to apply a little bit of pressure to crush potatoes. No need to work up a sweat forcing the masher through the potatoes. It’s also very helpful for the elderly and people with arthritis.
The masher is made from stainless steel, so you can expect to have it in your kitchen for a long time. It’s also corrosion-resistant.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- Ergonomic and insulated handle.
- Versatile – can mash potatoes and other vegetables as well as fruits.
- Dishwasher-safe.
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4. Leifheit Potato Masher Review
Potato mashers with holes can sometimes get clogged, requiring you to constantly scrap potatoes off the masher. They can also be hard to clean.
The Leifheit Potato Masher’s mashing end consists of a continuous wavy line made from stainless steel.
The series of waves mash potatoes just as well as other mashers but without clogging. This makes your work easier and quicker since you don’t have to keep pausing to clear the masher.
The shaft is also stainless steel, which keeps the masher from bending. The shaft connects to a large ergonomic handle made partly with stainless steel and partly with plastic.
At the end of the handle is an eyelet you can use to hang the masher on a hook.
What we like about it:
- Clog-free design.
- Heavy-duty stainless steel construction.
- Large ergonomic handle.
- Hanging eyelet on handle.
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5. Joseph Joseph Delta Folding Masher Review
If you are on a budget, the Joseph Joseph Delta Folding Masher is the cheapest of our picks.
The reason for its lower price is that it’s not all-steel. The most important part for durability – the shaft – is stainless steel. So you can be sure it won’t get bendy.
But the mashing plate is made from heavy nylon with holes.
It may seem like a cheaper alternative to an all-metal masher, but having a plastic mashing plate has one big advantage. It’s safe for pans that scratch easily.
You can beat and mash the potatoes all you want without worrying that you’ll damage the pot.
The Joseph masher has a couple of unique design features that you’ll love.
The first is the triangular shape of the plate. Compared to traditional round mashers, the Joseph masher can mash right up to the edge of the pan, which makes for easier and quicker mashing.
The edges of the plate are not straight like a proper triangle. Rather, they are curved so the masher still fits perfectly against the edge of the pan.
The second feature is the foldable plate.
Once you are done mashing and you’ve washed the masher, fold the plate flat against the shaft for easier storage. It’s a brilliant idea that’s helpful in space-scarce kitchens.
Our only complaint is that the holes of the masher tend to get clogged with bits of mashed potatoes.
What we like about it:
- Large non-slip handle.
- Durable stainless steel shaft.
- Easy to store.
- Dishwasher-safe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best material for a potato masher?
Stainless steel mashers are the best. They work great and can withstand daily use without bending. You can get an all-steel masher or one with a steel plate and stem and a plastic handle.
2. Potato masher vs. potato ricer: Which one is better?
It depends on how you like your mashed potatoes. A potato ricer results in smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes with no lumps.
If you don’t mind your mashed potatoes a bit chunky, a potato masher will do a good enough job.
Note that both tools require quite a bit of elbow grease, so don’t choose one over the other thinking that it’s easier to use.
3. Can I use a food processor to mash potatoes?
No, absolutely not. Do not use a food processor to make mashed potatoes unless you want a pasty gluey mess on your plate.
A food processor’s blades tears starch molecules in the potatoes, causing the mixture to become a paste. A potato masher is much gentler.
If you want extra-fluffy mashed potatoes, use a potato ricer and add some milk and butter to the potatoes.
