Kitchn Love Letters

You Probably Haven’t Heard of This Brand, but Their $20 Potato Ricer Is the Key to Perfect Mashed Spuds

updated Mar 12, 2021
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Cream cheese mashed potatoes in bowl with butter and chives.
Credit: Photo: Jason Rampe | Food Stylist: Amelia Rampe

I have a love for mashed potatoes that transcends wanting to eat them every day. I own several potato mashers and ricers, and even have these potato-themed socks. I also run marathons and ultramarathons, and one of favorite mid-race snacks is mashed potatoes. They taste a whole lot better than some of the energy gels that are out there — and some of my best finishes have been potato-fueled!

Last year, when I was living with my parents and using their ricer to make mashed potatoes, I bent the ricer’s metal handle in half trying to push a few pieces of spuds through. Was I just that strong? Sadly, no. The ricer was just that weak.

So I bought my parents my favorite ricer, by RSVP International, that very night. Unlike my parents’ wonky, bendable metal ricer, the RSVP ricer is made from heavy-duty plastic that absolutely won’t budge. Its smooth handle is comfortable, too, which is important, because ricing potatoes can take a few minutes. And unlike other potato ricers I’ve used, which feel like a workout to operate, the RSVP ricer makes almost-effortless work (thanks to its aforementioned handle and its substantial plunger) out of what my husband calls his “least favorite” kitchen task. It also comes with two plates: one with smaller and the other with larger holes, so it’s suitable for finer or coarser ricing.

Credit: Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

While RSVP International isn’t as well-known as a brand like OXO (fun fact: RSVP is also the maker of my favorite colander!), the mashed potatoes I’ve made with the RSVP ricer are simply the best. It produces creamy, clump-free spuds and is what fluffy, mashed potato dreams are made out of. Oh, and it’s also dishwasher-safe and less than $20. Do you need any more convincing?

Do you have a favorite potato ricer? Tell us about it in the comments!