Tofu Press

I chose to design and 3D print a tofu press because I frequently use tofu in my cooking. This will help remove extra moisture from tofu and make it firmer and dryer.

Unpressed tofu vs Pressed tofy

Problem

As a vegetarian, I am an avid tofu eater as it is an excellent source of protein. Before I had a tofu press, I would wrap the tofu in a paper towel and press it with a cast iron pan to remove the extra water. But as time has gone on, I've realized that texture is the secret to delicious tofu. This is when I realized I needed to build a nifty gadget that is easy to use, store, and presses tofu efficiently.

Solution Design

With the help of my partner who is a mechanical engineer, I came up with a list of features for our MVP product.

In-scope

  • User must be able to easily adjust pressure to tofu

  • Press should fit most blocks of commercially available tofu

  • Ability to effectively drain excess water

  • Easy to clean

  • Easy to store

Out of scope

  • Ability to refrigerate and press tofu overnight

  • Spring mechanism to add pressure

Approach

The size of tofu blocks might vary based on the brand. I usually purchase my tofu from Trader Joe's or Costco, so I thought it would be helpful to measure the size of the tofu from each store to determine the ideal size for my needs. In addition, I had to make sure that the tofu press size did not exceed the 3D printer’s print volume (9in x 9in cube).

I had to make sure the design wasn't overly complicated because the press will be 3D printed using PLA. I used the following strategy to reduce the following risks:

  • Pressure Control: I made the decision to drill two holes in each of the two slabs that the tofu would be placed on so that I could add knobs to control the pressure.

  • Water Drainage: To help with water drainage, I added a juice groove around the perimeter of the tofu placement area. This would help me drain water

  • Ability to Clean/Store: I made sure that disassembling the press would be easy by using only two PLA slabs and two knobs for the design. This would help me clean the press and store it easily in my small kitchen cabinet.

Materials Used

  • White PLA Filament

  • Bolts x 2

  • Nuts x 2

  • Drill

  • 3D Printer (Creality Ender 3 V2)

Result

The end result is a considerably denser and less crumbly tofu. When pan-fried, it slices cleanly and does provide a crispier final product. (I prefer to pan-fry the cubed, drained tofu after tossing it with cornstarch to give it an extra-crispy coating.) In addition, it eliminates the need for balancing cast iron skillets and fumbling with paper towel rolls, not to mention its additional function as a paneer slab mold.

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