Customer Reviews

NexTrend Garlic Twist - Clear

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've owned the Garlic Twist for years, so I've figured out how to get the best use out of it. I peel the garlic clove(s) using a chef's knife (as described below), then cut each clove into half. That makes it much easier to get the twist going. It is very difficult to get it started with large garlic cloves, but works well if you cut them in half. It's still better and faster than mincing them. My other pice of advice: Don't wash it in the dishwasher! I got lazy and washed mine on the top shelf of my dishwasher and the plastic cracked, allowing water in. I'm ordering another one (after three years of use) because of this. I'll be hand-washing from now on!

This was an impulse purchase, but I use it almost every day. Smash the cloves with the cover to remove the skins, then drop the cloves (I've used up to five) into the container and slowly lower and twist the cover. The garlic gets shredded and pushed into two little triangles for easy use.

The first time I used it, I had wet hands and had trouble doing the twisting, but after a couple of tries, I was loving it.

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.

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 looked 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.

UPDATE (11/18/2011):
So, I've been using Garlic Twist for several years, twice per week on average, and the thing is STILL going strong. None of the "teeth" have fallen off, gotten misshapen, and the whole thing works as well as it did on Day 1. I'm just as impressed--and grateful!--today as I was when I used it for the first time!

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.

I have to admit that I don't usually buy stuff based on only one review, but in this case I did, and I'm glad. First thing I noticed was the heft of the garlic twister...it's plastic, but not flimsy.

Reading the directions, I wondered how it would peel the garlic....well, it doesn't so much PEEL it as it does make it easier for the peel to come off - way easier.

Putting the clove inside, I had a bit of trouble twisting at first, like the other person did, but after the first twist it became much easier and I was twisting away.

I never did manage to get two cute little triangles, but that was probably due to the fact that I was having such a good time that I had smooshed the clove up to near paste (which actually works well for my purposes), though I could have stopped anytime before that, when the pieces were a bit larger and easier to deal with.

In any event, I was able to get most of the garlic paste out, and what little was left behind rinsed right out.

Yeah...it's relatively low-tech, but good exercise (hee hee) and inexpensive, won't rust, and doesn't take up a lot of storage space.

I bought this product locally and I'm so happy with it! Once the cloves are peeled, it's a matter of a few moments of twisting for perfectly minced fresh garlic.

Due to some health issues, I have very little strength in my arms, so I was dreading the amount of force I had to put into it. When it came down to it, it required minimal effort and did the job quickly and efficiently. Cleanup was also a snap - I didn't even get to actually wash it until the following day and it still wasn't THAT difficult to clean up. The directions say it can be cleaned even more easily by rinsing directly after using.

The only weakness I detected is it only holds a few cloves of garlic at a time, and while I know that's standard, I have at least one recipe that calls for 12 cloves, so it did take a while to do when I was only able to mince 3-4 cloves at a time. I did find that it was easier if I sliced the cloves in half before tossing them in but it wasn't a requirement.

All in all, I highly recommend this for a quick, easy way to mince garlic that minimizes waste, mess and cleanup.

I purchased this oddity elsewhere, and have been surprised how well it works! And quickly... Some have mentioned that it is difficult to get started with the twisting, but if you quarter the clove first it is quite easy.(I mean, you have the knife out already...so make it easier on yourself!) I got it on a whim and have been very happy with it so far...plus, the thing is built like a tank! You won't be disappointed...

It beats having garlic smell on your fingers. It's a bit difficult to turn - and metal blades might be better, as they could be sharper, but this does the job if you don't want finely minced garlic - but more of a crushed minced.
I bought several to give as gifts, but wouldn't buy more to give away. A bit pricey for what it does.

I have used this at least 7 or 8 times since I purchased it. It is great and does a good job of mincing the garlic. Just cut the cloves in half and twist back and forth until it is able to go completely around. A great addition to my kitchen gadgets.