Do you enjoy eating soft and fluffy mashed potatoes? Curious what the best tool is to help you perfect this savory side dish?
A potato ricer will be a trusty tool for you!
Basic ricers have similar design features and functions, intended to make the mashing process nearly effortless.
A convenient utensil that minimizes your prep work in the kitchen, this tool is designed to easily process cooked spuds into fluffy, light-as-air pieces that can then be mashed and mixed for different recipes.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Small portions of cooked, softened potatoes are placed in a basket. Squeezing or twisting the handles presses a tamper down on the potatoes, extruding them through a perforated disc consisting of small holes, creating soft and tender granules.
The final result will essentially look like grains of rice – appropriately the name of the tool!
This lighter, even consistency that’s completed in mere seconds is the ricer’s unique and most appealing quality – a gummy outcome is avoided with this utensil, since you aren’t excessively overmixing or overworking the starch in the potatoes.
Listed below are nine stellar potato ricers, any of which will be a helpful tool to have on hand in your kitchen to make everyone’s favorite side dish and more!
The Best Potato Ricers
- Chef’n FreshForce 102-157-001
- Joseph Joseph Helix 20100
- LHS 210701-1
- Norpro Deluxe Jumbo 469
- OXO Good Grips 26981
- OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 1129780
- Priority Chef PR-01
- RSVP International SPUD
- Vita Saggia VSPR001
Chef’n FreshForce 102-157-001
The Chef’n FreshForce 102-157-001 model features a dual gear mechanism to increase your pressing power to process your potatoes with little effort.
Take a quick look at its specs:
- Weighs 1.42 pounds
- Measures 12.75 by 3.62 by 4.35 inches (LxWxH)
The two handles are made of plastic, and are tapered towards the ends for easy gripping and pressing.
The perforated stainless steel basket is removable from the body. The two separated parts are safe to wash in the dishwasher, as long as you place them on the top rack.
Chef’n warrants all their products for life – if your product breaks with normal use, you can contact the Chef’n customer service department for a full refund or exchange.
Interested in learning more? Read further information about this tool, which is available to purchase on Amazon.
Joseph Joseph Helix 20100
The Joseph Joseph Helix Potato Ricer 20100 offers an innovative design feature that is unique from other models.
Before we move on, first review the basic specifications now:
- Weighs 1.1 pounds
- Measures 10.5 by 3.75 by 3.5 inches (LxWxH)
Rather than squeezing two handles vertically together that are attached together via a hinge at one end – which is how most ricers are constructed – this model employs a unique twisting action achieved by two completely separate pieces.
This is a simple two-piece design – the top piece includes one handle and the tamper, and the bottom piece includes the second handle and perforated basket. Both the tamper and basket are permanently attached to the handles and cannot be disassembled.
The top piece with the tamper fits inside the bottom piece with the basket.
The helix-style design applies force horizontally as you twist the handles to push the tamper down, resulting in a less awkward and more ergonomically comfortable action that gets the job done with swift efficiency and ease.
The handles, frame, and tamper of this model are constructed out of nylon, and the perforated basket is made from stainless steel.
The two pieces are easy to clean, either by hand or on the top rack of your dishwasher.
The Joseph Joseph potato ricer is guaranteed for 2 years to be free of faulty workmanship and/or materials from the original date of purchase.
Review prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
LHS 210701-1
With three interchangeable discs, the LHS Potato Ricer 210701-1 gives you the opportunity to choose the size that best suits your recipe’s needs.
Here are some quick specs:
- Weighs 1.11 pounds
- Measures 11.52 by 3.62 by 5.24 inches (LxWxH)
The body is made from an ABS thermoplastic polymer, and the perforated discs are made from 430 stainless steel.
You get to have full control of the size – choose between fine, medium, or coarse discs.
After you have chosen what disc to use, place the disc in the ring attachment and twist the ring around the bottom of the basket to fully assemble your ricer.
It’s dishwasher safe on the top rack. There is currently no warranty plan for this model.
Review further information on Amazon.
Norpro Deluxe Jumbo 469
The Norpro Deluxe Jumbo 469 is a larger model for those who want to prep more vegetables at one time.
Read about its specifications here:
- Weighs 2 pounds
- Measures 15 by 4.5 by 6 inches (LxWxH)
The durable, heavy-duty cast aluminum body features a grooved rubber inset on the bottom handle for a sturdy and comfortable grip.
The stainless steel triangular basket is perforated on all sides, and can hold up to a total of 3 cups (24 ounces) of food.
The small notch located at the end of the basket is designed to allow your ricer to rest over pots or bowls.
Norpro recommends washing this model by hand. You can disassemble it into two separate pieces for a more thorough cleaning of both parts.
Check reviews and pricing now on Amazon.
OXO Good Grips 26981
Simple to use with no extraneous attachments, the OXO Good Grips Potato Ricer 26981 has exactly what you need for simple and straightforward veggie prep in a classic design.
Here are the basic specs to know:
- Weighs 1.13 pounds
- Measures 11.5 by 4 by 5 inches (LxWxH)
The ergonomic handles are comfortable in your hands, with soft, non-slip gripping pads on both the top and bottom handles to help you maintain a superior grip without a loss of comfort.
The OXO Good Grips line of tools is especially useful to those who may have arthritis or who experience hand weakness.
This is a single-piece model – nothing needs to be assembled or disassembled for functioning or cleaning.
The stainless steel body is strong enough to withstand repeat uses and washings. Yes, this is another dishwasher-safe option!
The nonstick knob on the end of the perforated drum helps to hold the ricer in the place when resting on the rim of a bowl or pot.
The limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, starting from the date of your purchase.
Check out reviews and price information directly on OXO or on Amazon.
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 1129780
Are you a loyal customer of the OXO Good Grips line? Looking for a model with updated features and more versatility than the brand’s basic potato ricer reviewed above?
Get excited for the OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Adjustable Potato Ricer 1129780!
Here’s a quick review of its specifications:
- Weighs 1.35 pounds
- Measures 11.75 by 5 by 5.75 inches (LxWxH)
As with all OXO Good Grips utensils, this also has ergonomic handles featuring soft, non-slip gripping pads on both the top and bottom handles.
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Adjustable 1129780
Don’t assume you’ll have to store a bunch of small pieces – you’ll be relieved to know that you can adjust the settings with a simple twist of just one extra attachment!
It’s easy to switch between the three different sizes – fine, medium, and coarse – by twisting a dial that is assembled on the bottom of the drum to adjust the grid opening size.
You are able to twist the dial even when there is food in the drum’s chamber, perfect if you decide to change your mind on the final texture midway through pressing.
There is a small notch located on the end of the ricer, designed to allow your tool to rest on the rim of a pot or bowl.
The ricer and the dial are both safe to clean on the top rack of your dishwasher.
The limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, starting from the date of your purchase.
Get all the info you need before you buy – review everything directly on the OXO website, or via Amazon.
Priority Chef PR-01
This kitchen tool from Priority Chef PR-01 is not only sleek in appearance, but it is easy to use!
Here are its basic specs to review:
- Weighs 1.3 pounds
- Measures 12.5 by 4 by 4.5 inches (LxWxH)
This tool is constructed from 18/10 stainless steel that will be resistant to stains, corrosion, rust, and deformation.
The basket has a 15-ounce maximum capacity.
The nonstick silicone notch on the end is handy for resting on the side of the bowl without the risk of it sliding and moving, making the process even more convenient.
Both handles feature a soft silicone layer, ensuring a comfortable and steady grip when in use.
It is dishwasher safe on the top rack. Because this is a single-piece tool, there is no disassembling required for cleaning.
For no additional charge, you can register your model online for a lifetime warranty that covers mechanical failures with normal use and operation.
Priority Chef offers this model in a variety of finishes and colors to suit your unique kitchen style. For some fun examples, all available from Amazon, you might like the gold finish with black silicone grips, the silver finish with blue silicone grips, or the rose gold finish with pink silicone grips!
Check out reviews and all the available colors now on Amazon.
RSVP International SPUD
Cool, colorful, and modern, the RSVP International Potato Ricer SPUD has a nifty look matched by practical features.
Here are the specifications:
- Weighs 1.46 pounds
- Measures 13.5 by 3.75 by 4.5 inches (LxWxH)
The body is made of heavy-duty plastic, with white handles and a bright green stripe lining the bottom handle.
The handles are slightly countered, providing comfort while pressing.
A plastic notch with three grooves that extends beyond one end holds the ricer steady over pots and bowls of different sizes.
There are two interchangeable stainless steel perforated blades, one to yield larger, coarser pieces and the other to yield smaller pieces.
There are four separate pieces to this model: the main body, the sleeve insert that holds the blade, and the two blades.
For the most thorough cleaning, you should disassemble the ricer first. You can clean everything by hand, or place the parts on the top rack of your dishwasher.
RSVP International offers a limited warranty that covers factory defects only. The company will authorize the return of factory-defective products for full credit.
Review all the information on Amazon or Wayfair now.
Vita Saggia VSPR001
The Vita Saggia VSPR001 offers a durable and reliable utensil with simple, no-frills features.
Quickly review its basic specs here:
Weighs 1.39 pounds
Measures 12.5 by 4 by 4.5 inches (LxWxH)
This model is made with heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel – its mirror polishing finish is non-stick and easy to clean on the top rack of the dishwasher.
With non-slip silicone on both handles, you won’t have any issues gripping them while you’re working.
There is a non-slip silicone notch on the basket end of the ricer to rest the tool on the rim of a bowl or pot.
There are no interchangeable parts with this selection – the Vita Saggia VSPR001 features a basket with perforations on the bottom.
Currently, there is no warranty information for this model.
Check reviews and pricings on Wayfair and on Amazon.
Main Features to Consider
The best utensils available will produce riced – not mashed – potato pieces that are evenly textured, light, and smooth.
Once in your mixing bowl after ricing, the potatoes can then be gently stirred by hand with the addition of some milk and butter for extra thickness and creaminess.
The quality of materials used and the basic design of this gadget will contribute to the ease of use.
If you don’t want too much strain on your hands, opt for a helix-style design, where you twist two handles horizontally to apply pressure, rather than pressing two handles vertically together. A helix design relies on more strength from your shoulders, rather than your hands.
The number of perforations on the hopper is another factor to consider when it comes to the tool’s efficiency. To optimize the yield with each pressing, seek designs that have perforations on all sides of the main basket.
You should also consider the size of the holes. Having larger openings at the bottom of the hopper helps to make the job easier, since more of the food can travel through once it is mashed.
You may also want the versatility of being able to choose different sizes – so pay attention if the model you are considering buying only has one size of perforations, or if it comes included with multiple options.
Interchangeable discs to customize the finished mash texture are a nice touch offered by some ricers.
The finest holes are ideal for pureed baby food and the smoothest, creamiest mashed potatoes. Medium-sized holes are great for spaetzle or for pressing water out of cooked greens. And the coarsest holes are best for recipes that recommend a heartier, chunkier texture.
A nonstick pot hook to hold the tool steady is another important feature, and ergonomic handles bring added comfort to this task.
Not Just for Spuds!
True to its name, a potato ricer is an essential tool for making fluffy riced potato pieces that are ideal for light-as-air mashed potatoes.
But don’t limit this tool for only making just one side dish – it can be used for many other culinary applications!
You can use riced potatoes to make other comforting, homemade dishes like gnocchi and potthucke.
In addition to transforming your spuds into delectable dishes, a high-quality potato ricer can help you further prep other cooked fruits, vegetables, as well as produce with softer textures.
You can just as easily puree strawberries, blueberries, and ripe mangoes as you can mash cooked carrots, squash, yams, pumpkins, parsnips, and turnips.
You can also make creamy guacamole by pressing avocado halves, perfect for anyone who prefers a smoother dip with no chunks. On that same note, a potato ricer can also be used to make your own baby food.
How will you use your ricer for more than just mashed potatoes? Is there a model here you prefer among the other? Leave your thoughts and comments below!
Let’s update more of your cooking and prepping equipment! Take a look at all of our kitchen gear reviews, or start with these three right now:
- The Complete Countertop Grain Mill Buying Guide
- Our Selection of the Top Kitchen Torches
- The Smoothest Slice: Hot to Choose the Best Mandoline
© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Wayfair and Amazon. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Originally published on February 9, 2020 by Jennifer Swartvagher. Last updated on November 16, 2023.
About Nikki Cervone
Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she's not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.
I have never heard of a potato ricer but now I really want one! It looks like it would save me so much time in the kitchen and I am definitely going to look into the Oxo Good Grips since I just had a baby and I really want to make my own baby food at home, that tool looks like it would be perfect!
It’s well worth buying one. They remove all lumps from your mashed potatoes and make the process really quick and easy. They are fabuous for making carrot and swede mash too so I imagine a ricer would be very helpful when it comes to making baby food.
I’ve seen them but never used one, but can see they would save a lot of time. I never even knew there were different types with different hole sizes. I do love my mashed potatoes so I will consider investing in one. I might need to try a few in store first though.
I haven’t used a potato ricer in years, but I like the idea of not having to peel the potatoes ahead of time, particularly since I have hand and wrist limitations. Because of that, I would probably select the OXO ricer, due to the good grips aspect. I have several of their products, and they are quite helpful. Other than that, I love the idea of the interchangeable plates available with the Acutos ricer, and would love to see OXO incorporate that into their design in the future.
I have a potato ricer nad have to say that nothing beats it for making perfect mash. My only gripe it that it’s a nightmare to wash up! It does take up a fair mount of cupboard space but it is frequently used so I can live with that.
Mashed potatoes are wonderful, but I rarely get to eat them because I don’t have the proper tools to prepare them. I’d never heard of a potato ricer before this post either. Obviously, haha. I really like the idea of the Pucelli Brothers model, since it’s a multi-tasker.
It’s a long time since I last owned a potato ricer and they haven’t changed much other than gaining even longer handles and the site of the container no longer also having holes in them. It is good to hear that the best ones don’t need you to peel the potato first but I guess that means you have to clean the skin of each time you put a potato through? The OXO Good Grips Potato Ricer looks really good from my point of view with a bad wrist. It will get added to the list of useful gadgets that reside on my Amazon wish list for birthday present ideas!
My grandmother in Romania used to do it old school, by hand. With a knife. Piece by piece. I got to ship her one of these because I’m fairly sure she doesn’t know, haha. However, I don’t really mind the bigger pieces that get in when you make some potato salad or something so at the moment, don’t really feel the need of a ricer!
I don’t think I would ever use a ricer for potato salad. The chunks are what make the potato salad! I would, however, use it on mashed potatoes. I don’t mind mashing them manually but I like how smooth a ricer makes the mash. I also love the changeable heads for one of those ricers.
The oxo ricer just went on my wish list. I prefer lumps in my mashed potatoes, but when I’m cooking for the in laws, and one of them doesn’t have teeth, lumps aren’t an option. Same with when I cook for a small kid. Ive never used one before so I can’t wait to see how much easier this makes my life. 🙂
This is just perfect. I really love fluffy mashed potatoes. They need to be nice and smooth with no lumps or grainy bits. I hate using a mix though. I have tried everything else. I have an excuse to buy a new kitchen toy now at least.
After I was introduced to a ricer, I could never go back to making mashed potatoes any other way. I would love one with a larger hopper so that I could get the job done faster. Thanks for the suggestions!
First time I’ve ever heard of this device. It looks kind of cool. You can never have enough gadgets in the kitchen, Gold potatoes, purple, sweet or whatever these are such a great add on to any meal. The little purple ones would be interesting to make into mashed with this.
Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve been using the good old wooden spoon for mashing potatoes. It’s a bit hard on the arms and wrists though, so I might pick up a ricer for Christmas. Thanks for sharing!
I have to get one of these!!! I have been just dicing my potatoes up in very small pieces. This would save a lot of time. I am a mashed potato fanatic, so I would definitely invest in a potato ricer! By the way, here is an awesome easy mashed potato idea: add some garlic, turmeric, butter and salt!! Talk about good!!!
WHAT! Potatoes are my favorite food, and I had no idea potato ricers existed until today. Putting the Pucelli Brothers one on my wishlist right now — I like making big batches of mashed potatoes and heating them up later, since mashing them is such hard work. I guess I won’t have to worry about that anymore 🙂
A tip for anyone reading, unsweetened plain almond milk is much better than soy milk in mashed potatoes. I’ve tried both, and almond milk makes it creamier without giving it a sweet taste. All of the soy milk I’ve used has made my potatoes sort of sweet.
Riced vegetables popping up all over in the freezer at the grocery store, Green Giant to mention one, way too expensive, I just had cauliflower peas and carrots all riced together, no sauce, healthier and very good! I’ll be purchasing a ricer very soon with so many uses for it it definitely won’t just sit there, I’ll be using one every day!!
Don’t buy a cheap one. The metal is inferior and bends!
For those who say the handle is too long for their gadget drawer, store the ricer with your pots.
Gnocchi. Essential for making them. Easy and delicious. With pesto or tomato sauce. Look like a superstar at your next dinner party! Ikea ricer is v good too.
Great article, but three of your four choices are now unavailable on Amazon.
Thanks for letting us know, Chuck! Unfortunately, many items are currently unavailable from many vendors. But we have an update to this review in the works.
The Acutos with multi disks, all-stainless steel, and over-the pot/bowl-anchor, is very useful for pressing noodles over a Pot of boiling water. The Vietnamese use different disk sizes to make various kinds of noodles. Most own more than one ricers.