How to Make Your Own Tofu Press

Creating homemade tofu mirrors the process of making cheese. Soy milk combines with an agent to separate it into curds and whey. When you press soy milk in a tofu press, the excess liquid drips out, leaving behind a firm block of tofu that's ready for cooking and baking. A tofu press does not have to consist of an elaborate construction. Recycle old cardboard milk or juice cartons into your own single-use tofu press that you can throw away after use.

Things You'll Need

• 2 qt. milk or juice carton
• Scissors
• 10d nail
• Hammer
• 4 wooden tongue depressors
• 4-inch (diameter) rubber band
• 2 20-inch squares of cheesecloth
• Brick
• 9-by-14 inch baking pan

Instructions

1. Cut off the top, pointed end of the milk carton to create an open box.

2. Push the tip of a 10d nail into six places on each of the sides and bottom of the box to create drainage holes. Use a hammer if you cannot push the nail through by hand.

3. Place one tongue depressor along each length of the milk carton to act as re-enforcers. Hold them in place by wrapping a rubber band around the milk carton and depressors.

4. Line the inside of the tofu press with a 20-inch square of cheesecloth.

5. Wrap a brick with the other piece of cheesecloth and place the tofu press with the open end up into a 9-by-14 inch baking pan.

6. Follow your tofu recipe and pour the soy milk into the cheesecloth-lined milk carton and drape the ends of the cheesecloth over it. Gently lower the cheesecloth-wrapped brick on top of the tofu and allow it to press for 15 to 30 minutes. Pull out the brick and drained tofu.

References

• Carnegie Mellon University: How to Make Tofu
• University of Illinois, Urbana: Tofu