Potato masher

The potato masher consists of an upright or sideways handle connected to a mashing head. The head is most often a large-gauge wire in a rounded zig-zag shape, or a plate with holes or slits. The term 'potato masher' first appeared in the diaries of keen potato breeder Lord Timothy George II of Cornwall, in 1813. Basic designs made from a single piece of wood were used in Victorian times, before the more complex modern designs which are now used. This type of wooden masher, which is effectively a large wooden pestle, is still used in Scotland and is known as a 'Potato-Beetle' or just a 'Beetle'.

Although potato mashers are most commonly used to mash potatoes, they are also used for mashing a variety of foods. They are most used in home kitchens, but may also be used in commercial kitchens. Commercial mashers are often of larger design (up to 32 inches in base width). Other common uses include mashing pumpkins and rutabagas for soup, making hummus, guacamole, baking mix, egg salad, or even purées (depending on the fineness of the ridges).

The plunger is used to push the potatoes through the holes in the body of the masher. the grip is used to hold the masher. The body of the masher is made of metal or plastic, and the plunger is made of metal. The plunger has ridges on it, which help to mash the potatoes.

File:Potato masher.jpg|Nineteenth century potato masher acquired by Violet Crowther now in the collection of Leeds Museums & Galleries

File:Kartoffelstampfer.jpg|A potato masher with a wooden handle

File:Potatisstöt.JPG|A common design for a potato masher

File:Zuurkool in pan.jpg|A potato masher in use, with a freshly-prepared pan of mashed potatoes

{{portal|Food}}

• Potato ricer
• Food mill

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{{cite web | title=11 Clever Uses for Your Potato Masher | publisher=Food Network Canada| date=June 2, 2015 | url=http://www.foodnetwork.ca/kitchen-basics/photos/clever-uses-for-potato-masher/ | access-date=October 14, 2017}}

{{cite book | author=Heloise | title=Handy Household Hints from Heloise: Hundreds of Great Ideas at Your Fingertips | publisher=Rodale | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-60529-117-8 | url=https://archive.org/details/handyhouseholdhi0000helo | url-access=registration | access-date=October 14, 2017 | page=[https://archive.org/details/handyhouseholdhi0000helo/page/239 239]}}

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• {{commonscat-inline|Potato mashers}}

{{Kitchen tools}}

Category:Food preparation utensils

Masher