Checklist · 10 picks · 4 categories
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Taco lovers want every taco night to feel like a party, and the right gear keeps tortillas warm and shells upright.
The Fox Run terra cotta warmer is Food Network's best overall tortilla warmer, with the best heat retention, the IMUSA cloth warmer is its best value, and the Dexas was the only completely dishwasher- and microwave-safe model it reviewed. LifeEase stands hold up to four tacos each, and the OH Ovation trays, BestReviews' best of the best, can go in the oven or on the grill. The IMUSA granite molcajete is America's Test Kitchen's best buy, the Victoria press is its best buy tortilla press, and the Lodge reversible griddle is Serious Eats' best stovetop griddle. The splurges are the Masienda molcajete, ATK's best, and the Doña Rosa x Masienda press, its winning tortilla press. Every pick is on my taco night list with its source.
Who this is not for. Skip this if they cook everything, not just tacos; the gifts for home cooks page has knives, pans and a thermometer.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Run Terra Cotta Tortilla Warmer | mid | $25-50 | keeping tortillas warm the longest | 1 outlet |
| IMUSA Cloth Tortilla Warmer | budget | under $15 | big parties that need a few warmers | 1 outlet |
| Dexas Microwavable Tortilla Warmer | budget | under $15 | reheating tortillas in the microwave | 1 outlet |
Best tortilla warmermid pick · 7-in diameter
Best for keeping tortillas warm the longest
Food Network's best overall tortilla warmer: it had the best heat retention, and the testers were convinced terracotta is the superior choice.
Heads up. Must be soaked in water and heated in a cold oven
1 outlet. Food Network best Overall tortilla warmer.
$25-50
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budget pick · 12-in diameter
Best for big parties that need a few warmers
Food Network's best value tortilla warmer: an excellent choice for big dinner parties where you might need more than one warmer.
Heads up. Made from synthetic materials
1 outlet. Food Network best Value tortilla warmer.
under $15
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budget pick · 8.5-in diameter
Best for reheating tortillas in the microwave
Food Network's best all-in-one tortilla warmer and reheater: the only completely dishwasher- and microwave-safe model it reviewed.
Heads up. Trapped condensation
1 outlet. Food Network best All-in-One Tortilla Warmer and Reheater.
under $15
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Best taco holdersbudget pick · Set of 2, 4 tacos each
Best for hard shells that won't stop tipping over
BestReviews' best bang for the buck taco holder: a set of two stainless steel stands that hold up to four tacos each.
Heads up. The plastic feet have to come off for cleaning or oven use
1 outlet. BestReviews best Bang for the Buck taco holder.
$15-25
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mid pick · 2- or 4-pack
Best for loading tacos and baking them right in the holder
BestReviews' best of the best taco holder: sturdy stainless steel trays that can go in the oven or on the grill.
Heads up. A little bulky to store and doesn't easily fit on a standard plate
1 outlet. BestReviews best of the Best taco holder.
$15-25
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria 8" Tortilla Press | budget | $25-50 | trying homemade corn tortillas | 1 outlet |
| IMUSA Granite Molcajete 8 inches, Grey | budget | $25-50 | guac and salsa made right at the table | 1 outlet |
| Lodge LDP3 Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle | budget | $25-50 | charring tortillas and searing fillings on the stove | 1 outlet |
Top pickbudget pick · 8-in plates
Best for trying homemade corn tortillas
America's Test Kitchen's best buy tortilla press: its wide plates ensured no dough squeezed out the sides.
Heads up. Pressing too hard on the handle occasionally made tortillas of uneven thickness
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best Buy tortilla press.
$25-50
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budget pick · 3.5 cups
Best for guac and salsa made right at the table
America's Test Kitchen's best buy molcajete: an affordable granite set that did a great job making pastes, sauces, dips and spice blends.
Heads up. Its tejolote (the pestle) was the heaviest ATK reviewed and can get a little tiring to use
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best Buy molcajete.
$25-50
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budget pick · Stovetop
Best for charring tortillas and searing fillings on the stove
Serious Eats' best stovetop griddle: cast iron from a reputable brand that gets really hot.
Heads up. No drip tray, so grease can spill onto the cooktop
1 outlet. Serious Eats best stovetop griddle.
$25-50
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Top picksplurge pick · 4 cups
Best for a showpiece molcajete that lasts
America's Test Kitchen's best molcajete: gorgeous and formidable, this molcajete and tejolote set excelled at every task.
Heads up. The tejolote is a tad short, and the molcajete itself weighs over 15 pounds, so it can be daunting to lift for cleaning
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen best molcajete.
$100-150
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splurge pick · 8.75-in plates
Best for making tortillas every week
America's Test Kitchen's winning tortilla press: with its heft, the testers barely had to apply pressure to make perfect tortillas.
Heads up. Its large handle juts upward, so it's a bit hard to move and store
1 outlet. America's Test Kitchen winning tortilla press.
$100-150
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
A tortilla warmer and a taco holder. The Fox Run terra cotta warmer is Food Network's best overall tortilla warmer, and the LifeEase set, BestReviews' best bang for the buck taco holder, has two stands that hold up to four tacos each.
It is for someone who wants to try homemade corn tortillas. The Victoria is America's Test Kitchen's best buy, with wide plates so no dough squeezes out the sides, and the Doña Rosa x Masienda, its winning press, is so heavy that testers barely had to apply pressure.
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