CONOR POPElooks over potato mashers

Rosle €54.77

We bought this classy looking chrome implement in Brown Thomas and were assured it was a very big seller. What we want to know is not how well it sells but who’s buying it? Who thinks spending 55 quid on a potato masher makes sense in the state we’re in? Yes, it has a pleasing heft to it and has a nice rounded base to allow you to mash evenly around the edges of a pot, and it has a rim where you can rest a hand weary from all the mashing but no, you can’t hang it up, no you can’t clean it easily and no you can’t justify spending this much.

Verdict: A ridiculous price

**

Koncis Potato Masher €4.99

Initially we thought Ikea had come up trumps again with this cheap as chips potato masher but we were almost completely wrong. The gaps between the mashing prongs are far too wide so lumpy potatoes are all but inevitable. It is also too lightweight and weirdly tall which means it won’t fit comfortably into many dishwashers. It is simple to clean as there are very few nooks and crannies for bits of potato to get wedged in.

Verdict: A complete lightweight

***

Potato Ricer €21.95

There is no question about it but this makes the best mashed potato. It is wonderfully old-school and churns out beautifully smooth mash every single time and, if treated with respect, will last a lifetime. It does take up a ridiculous amount of kitchen space and is ridiculously difficult to clean – which is a right pain because it is not remotely dishwasher friendly. It also requires two separate receptacles – one for the unmashed potatoes and another for the riced ones. Despite all these problems we do love it.

Verdict: Top notch

*****

Joseph Joseph €16.95

We have a soft spot for this company which makes all manner of natty kitchen implements but we’re not sure it is necessary to bring this level of engineering to the humble masher. It has a pump action mechanism and high sides which allows you to mash the bejaysus out of your potatoes without them spreading all over the pot. This is grand is you’re mashing a few spuds but we’re not sure it would meet the needs of the typical Irish family as we fear it might struggle with a huge pot. It is quite tricky to clean although it is dishwasher friendly.

Verdict: Good but fussy

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