A potato ricer pushes cooked potato through small holes, so you get light, lump-free mash without the gluey texture a blender gives. Most ricers do that job well. The differences are in how much effort they take, how much they hold and how easy they are to clean. Here are seven worth buying in the UK, then a short guide to choosing.
How we chose: we haven’t tested every ricer in this guide by hand. The picks are based on each product’s listed specifications, the design features that matter most for mash, and how widely each one is bought and rated on Amazon UK. We’ll add hands-on notes as we use them.
Our top picks
BEST OVERALL
Joseph Joseph Helix
A twist action that uses your arms rather than your grip. Compact, and it comes apart for the dishwasher.
LEAST EFFORT
Chef’n FreshForce
Gears at the hinge multiply your squeeze, which makes it a good choice if you find standard ricers hard going.
BEST VALUE
VonShef
A simple stainless steel ricer with soft silicone handles and a wide 10cm chamber, at an everyday price.
All seven at a glance
| Ricer | Best for | Action | Discs | Price guide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Joseph Helix | Most kitchens; weaker grip | Twist | Fixed | ££ | See on Amazon |
| OXO Good Grips | A dependable classic | Lever | Fixed | £££ | See on Amazon |
| Chef’n FreshForce | Least effort to squeeze | Geared lever | Fixed | £££ | See on Amazon |
| Sopito large ricer | Big family batches | Lever | Fixed | ££ | See on Amazon |
| MasterClass Deluxe | All-steel build, long guarantee | Lever | Fixed | ££ | See on Amazon |
| VonShef | Best value | Lever | Fixed | ££ | See on Amazon |
| Andrew James Professional | Budget, with texture choice | Lever | 3 | £ | See on Amazon |
The ricers in more detail
1. Joseph Joseph Helix: best overall
Action: twist · Basket: fixed · Build: stainless steel and nylon · Length: 26.5cm · Dishwasher safe: yes
Instead of squeezing two handles together, you turn them through a half twist. Joseph Joseph designed it so the force comes from your arms and shoulders rather than your grip, and the twisting mechanism multiplies the pressure you apply. That makes it one of the easiest ricers to use if you find standard ones a strain. It splits into two pieces for cleaning, goes in the dishwasher, and is one of the more compact ricers here.
Why it’s here
- Twist action is easier on the hands
- Two-piece design is quick to clean
- Compact enough for a normal drawer
Worth knowing
- Nylon body rather than all-metal
- One hole size, so no coarse option
2. OXO Good Grips: the dependable classic
Action: lever · Basket: fixed · Build: stainless steel with soft handles · Dishwasher safe: yes
The traditional ricer design, done well. The body is stainless steel, the handles have OXO’s soft non-slip grips, and a non-slip knob lets it rest securely on the rim of a pan or bowl while you press. There’s nothing to assemble and nothing to lose.
Why it’s here
- Comfortable, cushioned handles
- Rests steadily over a pan
- Simple, sturdy design
Worth knowing
- Costs more than plain steel ricers that do the same job
- Still needs a firm squeeze
3. Chef’n FreshForce: least effort
Action: geared lever · Basket: removable stainless steel · Build: plastic and stainless steel · Length: 32cm
Two gears sit at the hinge where most ricers have a simple pivot. They increase the leverage, so the same squeeze pushes harder on the potato. Chef’n says that makes it up to 65% more efficient than a conventional ricer. The stainless steel basket lifts out for cleaning.
Why it’s here
- Gears reduce the hand strength needed
- Removable basket for cleaning
Worth knowing
- One of the most expensive here
- Bulky at 32cm long
- Retailers disagree on dishwasher use, so check the listing
4. Sopito large ricer: for big batches
Action: lever · Basket: large, fixed · Build: all stainless steel · Handles: 30cm · Dishwasher safe: yes
A heavy-duty steel ricer with a deep basket, so you can press more potato at a time when you’re cooking for a crowd. The long 30cm handles give plenty of leverage. The hinge pin pulls out so the ricer comes apart for washing, and a small brush is included for clearing the holes.
Why it’s here
- Large basket means fewer refills
- Comes fully apart for cleaning
- Solid all-steel build
Worth knowing
- Big and fairly heavy, so check your drawer space
- Overfilling it pushes potato out of the sides
5. MasterClass Deluxe: built to last
Action: lever · Basket: fixed · Build: stainless steel · Length: 31cm · Guarantee: 5 years · Dishwasher safe: yes
KitchenCraft’s MasterClass ricer is a heavy-duty stainless steel design with a built-in saucepan rest to take some strain off your hands. At 31cm long it gives good leverage. It’s sold as a ricer and juice press, so it also handles sweet potato, fishcakes, rösti and fruit sauces. The five-year guarantee is the longest here.
Why it’s here
- Five-year guarantee
- Saucepan rest for steady pressing
- Doubles as a fruit press
Worth knowing
- No interchangeable discs
- Takes up a fair bit of drawer space
6. VonShef: best value
Action: lever · Basket: fixed, 10cm across · Build: stainless steel, silicone handles · Dishwasher safe: yes
A no-fuss stainless steel ricer with soft silicone handles and a wide 10cm chamber, which helps when you’re working through a pan of potatoes. It goes in the dishwasher and has a hook for hanging on a rail. If you want a solid everyday ricer without paying for a brand name, this is the one to look at.
Why it’s here
- Good price for a steel ricer
- Wide chamber takes plenty of potato
- Hanging hook saves drawer space
Worth knowing
- One hole size only
- Standard lever action, so it needs a firm grip
7. Andrew James Professional: budget pick with three discs
Action: lever · Discs: 3 (coarse, medium, fine) · Build: stainless steel
The cheapest ricer here, and the only one with interchangeable discs. Use the fine disc for silky mash and baby food, and the coarse one for a more rustic texture or for pressing other cooked vegetables. A good way to find out whether you’ll use a ricer before spending more.
Why it’s here
- Lowest price in this guide
- Three discs for different textures
Worth knowing
- Fewer reviews than the other picks so far
- Spare discs are extra bits to store
Also worth a look: the Anpro ricer, which has two interchangeable discs. Read our Anpro potato ricer review.
How to choose a potato ricer
- Effort: a standard lever ricer needs a firm squeeze. If you have weaker hands or arthritis, look at a twist action (Joseph Joseph Helix) or a geared hinge (Chef’n FreshForce).
- Basket size: a standard basket suits two to four people. For Sunday roasts and Christmas dinner, a large basket like the Sopito means fewer refills.
- Fixed basket or discs: a fixed basket with fine holes is all you need for classic mash. Interchangeable discs add a coarser setting for chunkier sides and other vegetables.
- Build: all-stainless steel ricers are the most durable. Nylon or plastic bodies are lighter but won’t feel as solid.
- Pan rest: a hook or knob that sits on the rim of your pan keeps the ricer steady, so you can press with both hands.
- Cleaning: look for a basket or hinge pin that comes out. Whatever you buy, rinse it straight after use. Dried-on potato is hard to shift from small holes.
Tips for the fluffiest mash
- Use a floury potato such as Maris Piper or King Edward.
- Rice the potatoes while they’re hot. They go through far more easily than cooled ones.
- Don’t overfill the basket. Half to two-thirds full gives the cleanest press.
- You can rice halved potatoes with the skin on. The skin stays behind in the basket.
- Fold in warm butter and milk gently. Beating riced potato makes it gluey.
Ricer vs masher vs mouli
A masher is quick but leaves lumps unless you work the potato hard, and overworking it makes mash gluey. A ricer gives smooth, fluffy mash with very little stirring. A mouli (food mill) does the same job with a hand crank and also handles soups, sauces and baby food, but it’s bigger and slower for mash alone. If you’re undecided, read our mouli vs potato ricer comparison or our guide to the best mouli food mills.
Common questions
Is a potato ricer worth it?
If you make mash more than occasionally, yes. It’s the simplest way to get consistently smooth, lump-free mash, and it’s also useful for gnocchi, fishcakes, root vegetable purées and baby food.
Can you put raw potatoes in a ricer?
No. Potatoes and vegetables need to be fully cooked and soft. Forcing anything firm through a ricer can bend the handles or the basket.
Do I need to peel potatoes before ricing them?
Not usually. Cut boiled potatoes in half and press them cut side down. The flesh goes through and the skin stays in the basket. Scrape it out before the next batch.
Can I use a potato ricer for baby food?
Yes. Use well-cooked vegetables or fruit. A ricer with a fine disc, like the Andrew James, gives the smoothest result.
Is a ricer the same as a mouli?
No. A ricer is squeezed like a giant garlic press, while a mouli is a food mill you turn with a crank. Both give smooth results. See what is a potato ricer for more.
As an Amazon Associate, Mouli World earns from qualifying purchases. Product details are taken from manufacturer and retailer listings in October 2026. Check the Amazon listing for the current price and specification.
