There’s nothing worse when you’re cooking than realizing you’re missing something you need. Getting one of the best tomato mashers is a sneakily good solution; you don’t realize how useful it is until your hands are covered in tomato goo, and your kitchen counters are sprayed with red.
Yes, you could use a fork or even your hands, but the fear of the mess to come is enough to have you thinking, is there a better way? Fear not! Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best tomato mashers to give you perfectly mashed tomatoes without the hassle and mess.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Zyliss Stainless Steel Masher
Runner-Up:
Kitchenaid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher
Best for Sauces and Soups:
OXO Good Grips Food Mill
Best Tomato Masher
Zyliss Stainless Steel Masher
Topping the list as our best of the best tomato mashers is the Zyliss Stainless Steel Potato Masher. This product comes out on top because customers praise its mashing ability and high-quality look and feel.
Product Features
This masher is expertly crafted with a soft grip and a stainless steel head for fast mashing. The head has different-sized holes that eliminate clumping.
Customers are very happy with how easy this masher is to use, clean, and store. It has a hanging hook built into the handle for simple storage and a silicone bowl scraper on the side for quick cleaning. The grip is sturdy and comfortable.
It’s a little pricier than a plastic manual masher, but with all of the benefits it offers, I’d say it’s worth the cost! It’s also made to be durable, so it should last a long time in your kitchen.
Pros
- Stainless steel head designed for efficient mashing
- Integrated hanging hook and bowl scraper
- Sturdy and comfortable to use
- Durable
Cons
- More expensive than standard manual mashers
Runner-Up
Kitchenaid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher
Coming in as our second-best tomato masher is the Kitchenaid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher. This handheld crusher takes the second spot because of its classic tried and true style.
Product Features
This masher has a stainless steel wire head that is perfect for fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Consumers rave about the sturdy handle and perfect quality when they use it! The handle is specially designed for a comfortable grip when mashing.
This wire masher is much more durable and will last longer in your kitchen than a cheaper variety. It’s pretty much guaranteed to crush your tomatoes to your liking and then have an easy cleanup.
The only downside is that some customers have reported the wire head to be a bit too large, and the shape can cause the masher to get snagged on the dishwasher. However, a large masher is great for large tomatoes.
It comes in a few different colors so you can choose which suits your style!
Pros
- Durable make and sturdy handle
- Easy to clean – dishwasher safe
- The high approval rate for mashing
Cons
- Bigger head than some customers expected
- The shape can cause snagging
Best for Sauces and Soups
OXO Good Grips Food Mill
Another great option to consider is the OXO Good Grips Food Mill. This manual mill is great for separating the seeds and skin from tomatoes, making it the best tomato masher for sauces and purees.
Product Features
This stainless steel food mill has three different disks that offer different textured results. It also has three non-slip legs that can fold up for easy storage and prevent the mill from falling into the bowl.
Customers love how easy this tomato masher is to assemble, use, and clean. Many people recommend this tool for mashing tomatoes and for pizza sauce!
This food mill is more expensive than a manual masher, but the outstanding reviews and results may speak for themselves!
Pros
- Disks allow for different textures
- Non-slip, retractable legs for easy use and storage
- Easy to assemble and clean
Cons
- More expensive than handheld mashers
Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor
If manual mashing isn’t your style, then consider this food processor your best tomato masher. This monster masher can handle almost anything!
Product Features
This is a hefty product that can handle many varieties of food and a lot of it. It comes with different-sized slicing disks for different chopping, mixing, and mashing needs. Customers enjoy consistent results and a quiet sound.
The feeding tube built into the product is large enough to fit full-sized fruits and veggies, so consider big tomatoes a piece of cake.
The grain of salt is that it’s not this tomato masher easiest to clean. However, products like this are reliable tools in the kitchen and are guaranteed to last a long time and get the job done.
The Cuisinart food processor also comes with an instruction manual and recipe booklet!
Pros
- Consistent satisfactory results
- Large feeding tube
- Quiet
- Durable
Cons
- Difficult to clean
OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher
Another of our best mashers for tomatoes is the OXO Good Grips smooth potato masher. Styled a little differently than the previous two handheld versions, this masher is easy on the wrist and strong for mashing tomatoes.
Product Features
What sets this tomato masher apart from the rest is its horizontal non-slip handle. The handle allows for a powerful press while absorbing the pressure and strain on your wrist.
The head is stainless steel with a grid pattern that effectively mashes to a smooth finish.
Customers commend the shape of the handle and the relief on their shoulders and wrists. This is the best tomato masher for people with arthritis or wrist pain!
Be aware that some customers have reported that the masher tends to bend if too much pressure is applied. This shouldn’t be a problem with tomatoes, but it is important to note for harder foods.
Pros
- Horizontal non-slip handle
- Relieves pressure on the arm
- Powerful mash
Cons
- Could possibly bend with the use
ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set
This ChefSofi mortar and pestle set offers a unique culinary experience with ideal mashing results. This is the best tomato masher for combining tomatoes with other ingredients like herbs, spices, or other fruits and veggies.
Product Features
Made from unpolished granite, this set is known for finely crushing ingredients. It’s perfect for quick and effective mashing. It’s also known for bringing out the flavor in foods!
The mortar and pestle are durable and heavy, making mashing easy and keeping the bowl from slipping on the counter. It’s a unique and versatile addition to the kitchen and perfect for pasta sauce or salsa!
Some customers weren’t happy about the preparation required to use the set. However, it comes with instructions on preparing the granite and cleaning up when you’re done.
Pros
- Heavy and long-lasting
- Easy to use
- Non-slip
Cons
- Process of preparing the set for use
Big Wooden Potato Masher
If you like the old-school vibe or a more rustic aesthetic in your kitchen, then this wooden masher is the best tomato masher for you!
Product Features
The Big Wooden potato masher is small but mighty. It effectively mashes like a steel masher, and some customers prefer wooden material over steel.
It’s made in one piece, so it’s very sturdy! It’s also smooth, so don’t worry about splinters.
Unlike the other mashers on this list, this one should be washed by hand if you want it to last. Some customers have complained about its small size, but good things can come from small mashers. It’s the best masher for tomatoes that are smaller.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Aesthetic
Cons
- Small head for mashing
- Not dishwasher safe
Tomato Masher Buyer’s Guide
There are many different things to think about when buying a new tomato masher. Here are a few of the things we thought of while curating this list of the best tomato mashers.
Types of Tomato Mashers
When it comes to effectively crushing your tomatoes, there are a lot of ways to get the job done. To avoid the mess of using your hands or the tediousness of a fork and knife, it’s smart to invest in a masher for tomatoes to get the best results.
Handheld Mashers
Handheld mashers are the simplest and most cost-effective tools for crushing tomatoes. They’re easy to use and are designed specifically to mash. Using a tool made for pressing down onto your tomatoes will ensure a quick and painless job.
A mortar and pestle is another handheld masher made of a bowl and grinding tool that you use together to create a paste. Rather than pressing down, you can grind out the ingredients against the bowl.
Food Processors
Food processors can also be used as a type of “masher”. They grind up different foods to the consistency of your choice and require no manual mashing. They’re very easy to use as well but require more in-depth cleaning.
Mills
Food mills are a great tool to use for mashing. They work with a hand crank that moves the tomatoes over a perforated disc. This method works great to separate the skins and seeds from the tomato to create a puree.
Choosing the Best Tomato Masher
When choosing which of these is the best tomato masher for you, it’s important to think about these key factors:
Quality
What you want is a high-quality tool that mashes well and lives to see another day. Buying a cheap masher could be a good one-time option, but you’ll risk the outcome of your tomatoes and a lot of extra work for yourself.
The best tomato mashers are sturdy and made of long-lasting materials to mash better for longer.
Stainless steel mashers are great because they’re durable and dishwasher safe – they’re guaranteed to work for a long time and mash quickly!
Design and Size
Different types of mashers have different results. The design of the masher, the head, and the handle are all important to make sure you have the easiest experience and get what you’re hoping for. Choose a design that is comfortable for you and mashes to your liking.
It’s important to consider the size of what you’re mashing- in this case, small or large tomatoes – so you can get the best tomato masher for your cooking.
Cost Efficiency
Cost efficiency is an important factor for all purchases. You get what you pay for! When choosing a masher, make sure the price is reasonable for the item you’re buying.
More expensive tools, such as food processors and mills, are a great investment for long-term use if you plan on doing a lot of mashing. Simpler designs, such as handheld mashers, are usually less expensive and work better for smaller-scale jobs.
Maintenance
Having a durable tool’s only possible if you take care of it! Most mashers are easy to clean, just throw them in the dishwasher or wash them by hand.
More complex sets will need to be taken apart and reassembled in order to clean and store them properly. Choose what works best for you!
FAQ
What is the best way to crush tomatoes?
My best tip for crushing tomatoes is to keep them submerged in liquid when using the masher. This will keep the splatter from breaking the surface and will save your counter and clothes!
Crushing canned tomatoes is easier than uncooked because they’re softer and already submerged in liquid. I recommend cooking your tomatoes before mashing them to release the juices and soften the fruit.
Is a ricer the same as a masher?
There are a few key differences between a ricer and a masher. Ricers consist of a hopper and plunger. You place the food you want to rice on the hopper and then use the plunger to push the food down. There are small holes that will create small rice-sized bits. A masher crushes the food with a downward motion.
I don’t recommend a ricer for tomatoes as it’s not as effective at crushing them.
How do you use a tomato crusher?
To use a masher on tomatoes, you can cook them first, mash them raw, or use tomatoes from a can. Grip the handle and use a downward pressing motion to crush the fruit to your desire.
Don’t use your masher like a mallet! This will create splatter, and no one wants that mess. Focus on pressing down and turning your wrist to grind the tomatoes against the bowl or pan.
The Best Tomato Masher for You
Each of these mashers above will deliver perfectly crushed tomatoes and show you that mashing tomatoes aren’t so scary after all. After exploring these quality options, I have no doubt you’ll find the best tomato masher for you!
Be sure to check out our Tomato Plants page for more information on growing, cooking, and caring for tomatoes!