[CH] Tortilla Press: Wood v Metal
Art Pierce (pierces@cruzio.com)
Tue, 16 Apr 2002 10:53:32 -0700
John,
Either is ok.
The metal lasts longer but makes 6" tortillas.
(The same press is selling for more at other sites;
up to $23.95 at Jane Butel's.)
The wood makes 10"-ers & is lighter and less "tiresome"
to use if you're making bunches of tortillas every meal.
The lever arm isn't that important, since you have to develop
a touch with your press to get a good thickness tortilla,
neither lumpy & too-thick nor too-thin-to-peel (plastic off of).
Details:
Go to your library & check out pp 69 => 72 in Rick's cookbook
to get details on how to use press and how to cook tortillas:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684800063/102-7328004-1635358
If you want to buy it - it's THE best mexican cookbook - try here for best prices:
http://www.dealtime.com/Media/where2buywrap/1,5687,,0.asp?status=&requestID=ISBN%3D0684800063&country=1&mediaType=80&searchString=MUL%3DN%7EISBN%3D0684800063%7EPRD%3D3123501%7EIMG%3D1&sort_by=3&Creator=Bayless+Rick&Title=Rick+Bayless%27s+Mexican+Kitchen&ProductID=3123501&Format=Hardcover%2801%2DOCT%2D96%29&MDPID=1018977268533P776&MDitemID=12627429&ZipCode=&ShipMethod=1
Also, you can call or email Jane Butel and discuss this with her:
http://www.janebutel.com/
~~~
I have no experience with the following, but it looks like the teflon coating
wouldn't give the traditional brown & black areas on the tortilla.
A 10" Villaware Grand Wrap Flatbread maker that also cooks is $70:
http://www.kitchen-classics.com/electric_tortilla_maker.htm
Or $60:
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=179129
Or $50:
http://www.chefscatalog.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml;jsessionid=D5PGIICOLLYUUCQAAJUB4RI?itemId=cprod1861827&parentId=&masterId=&navCount=0&navAction=jump
Art