Make your own tortilla press

Tortillas are a staple in my house, so I figured I would stop spending money at the store and make my own. In order to make homemade tortillas, you really need to use a tortilla press. In this video I will show you how to make your own wood tortilla press! And if you want to learn how to use it, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cZjV3gdQ4Y

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• woodworking
• make
• and
• build
• homemade
• wood
• tortilla
• press
• project

[Solidox2k]

I've always used a rolling pin for mine. Been thinking about using a press lately - Do you have to use saran wrap on it? Couldn't you lightly coat it with flour instead?

I'd use a much thinner shim - not paperthin, but just under 2mm would be good IMO. Also, I think a small piece of wood shim at the closing end would be a good idea, so you don't press the masa too much at one end.

[stevinmarin]

@Solidox2k Yeah, my press produces tortillas that are a bit thick. I'd like to make some sort of insert to allow for thinner ones. I'm not sure if you need saran wrap. I'll bet flour would work fine. The advantage to plastic is that is makes removing the pressed tortillas easier.

[MrSlowskie]

any problems with the glued parts holding ?

[stevinmarin]

@MrSlowskie No. They are really strong!

[duaneflower]

Well great Steve, Now there will have to be a Tortilla Press at the Flower House.  Like your design and constant chatter. Was you that way before, or did the making of 98 videos help??? Am surprised that you didnt include some kind of monagram attached to the inside of the press so that each tortillla had a "Steve code" on it.

[stevinmarin]

@duaneflower That's a great idea! And I've always been a loudmouth.

[vitticeps1974]

1/8" is too thick for a tortilla IMO. Pressing them paper thin is ideal as the dough will draw up a bit after being peeled away from the press and put on the skillet/griddle. I use a rolling pin and roll them as thin as I can get them and still be able to peel them off the rolling surface without tearing (usually means they're thin enough to be able to see the granite texture of my counter tops through them), the cooked tortillas come out about 1/8" thick. I like this design otherwise. :)

[rohojamagic]

At the start - about 32 seconds in - this guy sounds like shaggy from Scooby Doo

[laurimonk]

Can you make one for me???

[censeless24]

hey steve I like your tortilla press one thing I would changed when I make mine will be maybey drlling finger holes in the top press on the side to use as a lifting device

[99butcher99]

i made one small change. Instead of a wing nut i used 2 nuts and tightened one against the other so it could not come undone. Install two nuts to proper tightness, then holding the outside one back the inside one off against the outside nut so the lock together. Works great.

[mary3267]

it looks fantastic, I agree with the paper thin idea. My husband wouldn't be able to make one. How much would you charge to make and ship one to Oshawa, Ontario Canada?

[Matyme]

Really great video. I'm going to ask my hubby if we can make one. I don't have a lot of counter space to use a rolling pin for the tortillas and a press would be just perfect.

[ChucklesKeys]

Great video! I think I'm gonna try to build one of those. Thanks!

[Chivalryaintdead]

Really annoying music and host.. disliked the video.. though I like the press. thanks for that.

[Solidox2k]

@Landotter1 I'm from El Paso, I know what you mean ;) I literally grew up on the stuff. Both traditional and tex-mex. *sigh* sure wish I could wolf it down like I used to... now a days I gotta take chase it down with a little pepto haha

Ain't no way am I cutting back on the chilis and peppers tho - that's the best part ;) lol

[Landotter1]

@Solidox2k Are you kidding me? :-D I'm from Texas. Mexican food is the staple of our diet here. We even made our own "Tex-Mex" You are absolutely correct about being able to "stomach it properly" When I was younger, no problem, but now.... I can eat it just fine but will pay dearly for it later. I just have to go lighter on the hot peppers and chili powder! :-D