NexTrend Garlic Twist - Clear
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Our Price: $13.45 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $9.50 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of NexTrend Garlic Twist - Clear
Customer Review: The best garling utensil ever!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I tried numerous garlic presses and I tried cutting/mincing it manually. I ended up with things with a millions nooks and crannies to wash afterward and/or with a half clove not having gone thru the press and/or fingers that stank for days later. I was in the process of researching my next garlic press, hoping to find some revolutionary new design when I happened upon this device.
It looks like flimsy plastic schlock in the pictures but I bought it anyway. When I got it, I was instantly surprised by how solid and sturdy it actually was. I was then a bit apprehensive about the "teeth" inside the two parts; I figured sooner or later they'd break off. Well, so far, so good!
I progressively used two, three and even four cloves at a time and minced them to perfection. Those who complain about the twisting action being strenuous on the wrists, I found it not to be. The trick is to not press the two parts tightly together and twist but give them a bit of leeway: Cusp them just enough for one part to get into the other and start twisting as you press the two sections closer together.
I found what works best for getting the minced garlic out is the back (i.e. the handle) of a fork or spoon; at any rate, nothing pointy or sharp because that would just not work as well.
Cleaning is a cinch: A rinse will get rid of any leftover pieces, so no need to poke around the thing trying to get the stubborn cling-ons out! I don't have a dishwasher so I dip both sides into a bowl of washing up liquid and they come out smelling of lemon.
I don't write product reviews very often but this item REALLY impressed me. I'm not anything approaching a chef and use this twice, maybe three times a week. But what used to be a dreaded chore - mincing garlic - is now actually a pleasure.
I highly recommend this product.
Customer Review: Love it or hate it? I'm stuck in the middle!
Summary: 3 Stars
I've noticed everybody here either loves this thing or hates it. Honestly, I am "stuck in the middle." Does it work? Yes! Will I reach for it every time I'm dealing with garlic? Maybe not.
A couple of drawbacks you don't hear about:
~ It doesn't handle large garlic cloves very well
~ Low-waste, but not zero waste
~ Hard to begin the "twisting" process
~ Awkward for small hands
One of the big pros of this device is that supposedly it doesn't waste garlic like presses do - they always leave behind that compressed "mat" of garlic that you can't use (depending what I'm cooking, I sometimes do).
However, the Garlic Twist does leave behind waste in the form of garlic left between the teeth that you really can't get out except for rinsing. I suppose you could poke out each morsel with a sharp knife, but honestly, that's as fiddly as cleaning out a garlic press, so I don't - just rinse the bits out when I'm done using the twist.
Cleanup is indeed a heck of a lot faster than with a classic garlic press. However, one of my big garlic "secrets" is that I usually don't press it - I grate it with a small flat grater I use just for garlic and ginger (oh: don't try ginger in your Garlic Twist - it gums it up). And the grater just rinses & wipes clean, so easier to clean than the press OR the twist. :-)
This might make a nice gift for a foodie person who wants perfectly mushed-up garlic quickly. Especially a man, who would be more likely to have the larger hands it takes to do the first couple of twists. It may allow you to throw away your garlic press, but seriously, try a grater first - mine was a buck or two at a dollar store.
Customer Review: Great tool, if only it wasn't so hard to get all the garlic out
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had one of these for 4 yrs now and use it at least weekly. It's been in the dishwasher, dropped on the floor, etc. and it's still going strong. It's one of my top 3 kitchen gadgets. Below are the good and the bad of this handy little tool.
Pros:
- So easy to crush garlic, after just 2 twist you've already got chopped garlic. How much you twist depends on how fine you want the bits to be.
- More of a 'chopped' consistency than the puree consistency you get form a garlic press. Which I prefer for dishes like stir-fry
- Very durable
- No sharp edges. This is a big plus for me as it means I don't have to be too delicate with it or worry about nicking my fingers
- Possibly the easiest thing to clean since Teflan. You could get away with a quick rinse, but I always give it a quick swirl with a dish brush just to make sure those few pesky pieces are gone. Which brings me nicely to the cons...
Cons:
- My only real problem with this, and why I gave it a 4 instead of 5, is that about 1/3 of the garlic gets stuck in the teeth and I need to use a knife or chop stick to get it out. Even then there are still a few morsels that I can't get out and I just hate the idea of wasting food, even if it's just a few bits of garlic.
- As most people have mentioned, the first twist is sometimes quite difficult, depending on the size of the clove
Overall, a great addition to any garlic lovers kitchen!
Customer Review: Handy little gadget that actually works!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've tried all kinds of kitchen gadgets geared towards garlic (and spent who knows how much money on them!).
Besides the classic garlic press, this little beauty is the only one I've ever used that actually works and works well!
It can be a little hard to get going if you load it up with several whole garlic cloves, but after a couple slightly awkward twists it becomes very easy. I have had issues at times with the "no frills" garlic press I have with whole cloves, too. To the point that I have to brace one handle on the counter and press down with BOTH hands on the other to get the garlic pressed. This Garlic Twist is easier than that, in my opinion. And I love getting the uniform consistency without having large remaining skins/bits like a normal garlic press. You definitely use the entire clove with the Garlic Twist - no leftovers! It's also very easy to clean, which is always a plus.
I would probably not recommend it for someone who has moderate to severe arthritis in their hands/fingers. I'm almost certain my mother would not be able to use it comfortably, if at all, because of her arthritis. But for your average home cook this is a great little tool and I highly recommend it.
I was skeptical when I opened the package... Now I'm a believer! This little gadget will now be at the top of my "Go To" list of small gifts or stocking stuffers for anyone who enjoys puttering around in the kitchen.
Customer Review: You can't beat the garlic press!
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought one of these a few months ago but unfortunately it spends a lot more time in my kitchen drawer than my regular garlic press. Here is what I do like about it:
1. The idea of whacking an unpeeled clove of garlic in order to take the skin off more easily is great, but this can be done with any hard, flat object or even the side of a chef's knife blade.
2. Unlike a garlic press, the Garlic Twist gives you uniform pieces of chopped garlic. A garlic press leaves you with a flattened skin that you have to either discard or chop up by hand.
UNFORTUNATELY, and this is where the garlic press wins out by my standards, it is difficult for my lady-like hands to "get the Garlic Twist going." After the garlic has gone through a few destructive twists, it is simple enough to continue until you reach the desired size of chunks. However, the first few twists are quite difficult to execute, as you have to press the two parts together quite hard, while simultaneously turning them, to keep them from popping apart and jumping over the garlic rather than punching through it. This problem occurs even with just one clove.
Interesting idea, but the classic garlic press is still my favorite. Sometimes I grate garlic on a ginger grater or a Microplane grater. For larger quantities, the Zyliss chopper might do the job but I've never tried. For the Garlic Twist, however, the drawbacks out-weigh the advantages.