Chef'n FreshForce Potato Ricer and Vegetable Ricer Review: Fluffy Mash in One Pass

Can a simple kitchen tool transform your mashed potatoes from lumpy to restaurant-worthy? The Chef’n FreshForce Potato Ricer and Vegetable Ricer promises exactly that, using a dual gear mechanism that claims to be 65% more efficient than conventional potato ricers.

I put this ricer through its paces making mashed potatoes from scratch, testing everything from the stainless steel basket to the side-hole design that aims to eliminate clogging. The results were genuinely impressive. The FreshForce produced some of the fluffiest mashed potatoes I’ve made at home, with a texture that no hand masher or food processor can replicate.

If you’ve been on the fence about picking up a potato ricer, this review covers whether the Chef’n FreshForce earns its spot in your kitchen, and who should look elsewhere.

What I Liked

The Chef’n FreshForce impressed me in several areas during testing. Here are the standout features.

Side Holes That Prevent Clogging

Most potato ricers only have holes on the bottom of the basket. The FreshForce has perforations on both the sides and bottom of its stainless steel basket. This means vegetables get pushed through from multiple angles instead of bunching up against the walls. During my testing, I noticed significantly fewer clogs compared to ricers with bottom-only holes.

Dual Gear Mechanism for Effortless Pressing

The dual gear mechanism is what sets this ricer apart from the competition. Chef’n claims it provides 65% more pressing power than conventional ricers, and I believe it. Squeezing the handles felt noticeably easier than a standard lever-style ricer. For anyone who makes mashed potatoes for a full family, the reduced hand fatigue is a meaningful upgrade.

Fluffy Mashed Potatoes in One Pass

The texture this ricer produces is remarkable. After a single pass, I got ultra-fine, lump-free mashed potatoes with a fluffy consistency that no hand masher can match. Gordon Ramsay talks about using a ricer in his master class for mashed potatoes, and after using the FreshForce, I understand why. The fine perforations create strands that are light and airy before you even add butter or cream.

Removable Stainless Steel Basket

The perforated basket pops out of the frame, which makes cleaning much simpler than one-piece designs. The stainless steel construction resists warping and corrosion, and the entire unit is top-rack dishwasher safe. This removable design also means you can inspect and scrub the basket separately, reaching areas that would be inaccessible in a fixed design.

Versatile Beyond Potatoes

This is not a one-trick kitchen tool. I found it works well for cauliflower, sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots. You can use it for making baby food, applesauce, gnocchi dough, or even squeezing moisture from cooked spinach. The fine holes produce a smooth puree regardless of which vegetable you feed through it.

Long Lever Reduces Hand Strain

The FreshForce has a longer handle than most ricers I have used. This extra length gives you more leverage, so each press requires less force from your grip. Combined with the dual gear mechanism, this ricer is a strong option for anyone with arthritis or limited hand strength who still wants to make homemade mashed potatoes from scratch.

What Needs Improvement

No kitchen tool is without trade-offs. Here are the areas where the Chef’n FreshForce falls short.

Larger and Heavier Than Basic Ricers

At 1.94 pounds and 15 inches long, the FreshForce is noticeably bulkier than a standard stainless steel ricer. The dual gear mechanism adds weight and size that a simpler lever design does not carry. If your kitchen drawers are tight on space, storing this ricer takes planning. It fits in a cabinet but not easily in a standard utensil drawer.

Higher Price Point

The FreshForce typically sells for $35-$68 depending on the retailer, which is two to four times the cost of a basic stainless steel potato ricer like the PriorityChef ($15) or OXO Good Grips ($16-$22). If you only make mashed potatoes a few times a year, the efficiency gains may not justify the price difference. Budget-conscious cooks can get adequate results from simpler options.

Crevices Can Trap Water When Drying

The multi-component design has small crevices and seams around the gear mechanism that hold water after washing. Even after running it through the dishwasher, I found spots where moisture lingered. This extends drying time compared to a one-piece ricer design, and you need to towel-dry these areas if you want to put it away promptly.

How It Compares

The potato ricer market has several strong contenders. Here is how the Chef’n FreshForce stacks up against the most popular alternatives.

vs OXO Good Grips Potato Ricer

The OXO Good Grips is the most widely recommended potato ricer in its price range, sitting at $16-$22. BBC Good Food rated it 4.5 out of 5 for ergonomics, praising its soft non-slip handles. The OXO lacks a gear mechanism, so pressing takes more arm strength. However, it comes with three interchangeable disc settings (fine, medium, coarse) while the FreshForce has a single perforation size. Choose the OXO if you want disc variety at a lower price. Choose the FreshForce if pressing ease matters more.

vs Zulay Kitchen Potato Ricer

The Zulay Kitchen ricer is a heavy-duty 18/10 stainless steel option with a 15-ounce capacity and ergonomically shaped handles designed to reduce hand fatigue. It is dishwasher safe and priced comparably to the OXO. The Zulay uses a standard lever mechanism without gearing. It is a solid mid-range choice if you want durable stainless steel construction without the bulk of the FreshForce.

vs PriorityChef Potato Ricer

The PriorityChef is the budget pick in this category, offering a 15-ounce capacity with 3mm holes and long cushioned handles at around $15. It produces smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes that satisfy most home cooks. The stainless steel build is sturdy for the price. If you make mashed potatoes occasionally and want a reliable ricer without a significant investment, the PriorityChef delivers strong value.

Final Verdict

The Chef’n FreshForce Potato Ricer and Vegetable Ricer earns a 4.5 out of 5 rating. Its dual gear mechanism and side-hole basket design solve the two biggest frustrations with conventional ricers: pressing effort and clogging.

The FreshForce is sturdy, produces exceptionally fluffy mashed potatoes in one pass, and handles multiple vegetables well. The higher price and larger footprint are the main drawbacks, but for anyone who makes mashed potatoes regularly, the efficiency gains justify the investment.

Bottom line: If you want the smoothest mashed potatoes with the least effort, the Chef’n FreshForce is the ricer to get. For occasional use, a basic stainless steel ricer will serve you well at a fraction of the cost.