Tofuture Tofu Press Review

I’ve been vegan for almost a decade, and I've been writing about kitchen products for nearly as long. Tofu is something I prepare quite often at home, but I’ve found over the years that I enjoy cooking it in a variety of recipes more after it’s been pressed. So, after years of making a mess on my kitchen counters with a stack of cookbooks on top of paper towels or dish towels, it came time to exit my DIY days and begin researching the best tofu presses on the market.

Tofu blocks are typically submerged in water, and to achieve a crispy exterior, removing the excess water via pressing is the best (and my preferred) method of preparation. As a first-time user of a tofu press, I knew I wasn’t looking to make a huge investment — just in case I wasn’t in love with whichever I ended up purchasing — but luckily, I made the right choice.

Made up of three pieces, the Tofuture Tofu Press is very straightforward to use. Plus, it doesn’t take up much room in your cabinets when not in use, or even when it is actively being used. Whether you’re preparing tofu multiple times a week or less frequently, this hands-off kitchen tool will make tofu prep easier than ever.

How I Use the Tofuture Tofu Press

I have been using the Tofuture Tofu Press regularly for about three years, at least once a week (if not more), to prepare my favorite tofu dishes. It is very simple to use and made up of three pieces: a top with silicone bands on each side, a middle section with a colander-like bottom, and a base with four silicone feet.

To use it, you just remove your favorite tofu from the container and place it within the middle compartment, which allows water to drip through the bottom into the base piece that collects the liquid. The base has three available hooks on each side to suit any tofu thickness, with silicone bands that provide consistent pressure across the entire tofu block to press it for however long you’d like.

What I Love About the Tofuture Tofu Press

The Tofuture Tofu Press has far exceeded my expectations, and it genuinely feels like a near-perfect product. It is made of high-quality, durable plastic, and mine has not been damaged despite me regularly using and cleaning it in my kitchen. The silicone bands still provide excellent tension, and there has been no wear and tear to prevent it from achieving well-pressed results. 

While I would not call this a versatile product, since it only serves one purpose, it makes up for it by being very compact. And overall, I have found it worthy of the limited cabinet space I have in my apartment for storing kitchen tools. This tofu press is well-designed, with no extra bells and whistles aside from what is necessary to reach a solid end result, and I can see myself continuing to use it for many years to come.

The Caveats

The Tofuture Tofu Press does not require any prior knowledge about how to work with a tofu press and is easy to use as a beginner, but there are still a few minor things I’ve noticed after years of use. While this is mostly a hands-off kitchen tool, it may take some getting used to, depending on the type of tofu you’re using. It takes a bit of experimentation to see just how pressed you’d like your tofu to be and how long you should press it for.

On the base piece, there is a small silicone circle on each corner, which allows the press to stay in place when placed in the fridge or on your kitchen counter. However, I have experienced the press sticking in place a little too well, sometimes needing two hands to remove it without sloshing water out of the press. And if you have arthritis or any mobility concerns, pulling the tight silicone bands from the top down onto the sides of the base may also be difficult.

Tips and Tricks

• This tofu press is technically dishwasher-safe on the top rack, but it is also very easy to wash by hand.
• I have never had any issues with the press bands breaking, but replacement silicone bands are available in case that happens.
• Depending on what type of tofu you are pressing, you may want to empty the expelled water from the press or tighten the bands at least once.
• Tofuture says it will take just 20 minutes to drain your tofu, but I typically leave mine to press for at least a few hours before cooking.

How It Compares

I have not personally used another designated tofu press besides this one, and I haven't felt the desire to try any other options either. This is a box-style tofu press, and after researching the difference between box-style presses and plate-style presses, I knew a box-style was the one for me.

In comparison, not all plate-style presses come with an integrated container for the liquid to drain into, like the Tofuture press does. Plus, unlike balancing books, cans, pots, or pans on top of your tofu, this press provides even pressure throughout the entire block, so there won’t be any spots that remain more or less waterlogged, allowing for even cooking.

The Verdict

I love Tofuture’s Tofu Press and would recommend it to anyone, vegan or not, who enjoys cooking tofu at home. This press is incredibly easy to use, without the mess of pressing tofu between paper towels or dish towels, and it provides delicious results every time. Best of all, it's not accompanied by a high price tag, making it an accessible and worthwhile purchase.