A wooden tortilla press uses two flat boards joined by hinges, with a pivoting handle that pushes a presser bar down over a ball of masa. To keep the build coherent, this guide follows the dimensions of Slow Farm’s design: two untreated timber boards, each 28 × 28 × 2.5 cm, with a bar fixed to the upper board and two sturdy hinges at the back. Other published plans use different layouts and hardware, so avoid mixing their measurements into this build.
How the press works
The lower board supports the dough, and the hinged upper board closes over it. A handle pivots between supports attached to the base; as it moves, it presses on the bar fixed to the upper board. This spreads pressure across the top board rather than relying on the handle to push directly on the dough.
The 28 cm square pressing area is one documented design, not a universal size. A larger surface may seem useful for oversized tortillas, but Slow Farm cautions that a larger masa ball is harder to flatten. Choose a complete plan for the tortilla size and mechanism you want rather than scaling individual parts without checking how they fit together.
Choose one plan before buying materials
Published wooden presses vary in board size, thickness, handle arrangement, and hardware. For example, The Tortilla Channel’s 2017 tutorial starts from 120 × 30 × 1.8 cm beechwood stock and glues components in layers; Houseful of Handmade lists a finished press 12 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 6 inches tall without feet; and Cappers Farmer specifies a 9-by-9-inch top and a 10.5-by-9-inch bottom. These are distinct designs, not interchangeable dimensions. Use the selected plan’s complete cut list and hardware schedule.
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For the Slow Farm version described here, the stated board dimensions are two pieces of untreated timber, each 28 × 28 × 2.5 cm. Its guide also calls for a presser bar, two sturdy hinges, a wooden handle holder attached to the base, and pivot hardware. The source does not provide a complete standardized cut list or universal hardware sizes; use its project instructions for those details rather than substituting measurements from another plan.
Materials and tools
Gather materials according to the exact plan you choose. Across the cited wooden-press designs, the relevant categories are:
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- Wood: suitable timber or butcher-block/cutting-board stock. Slow Farm prefers hardwood and identifies macrocarpa as an option; The Tortilla Channel names beech and oak.
- Hinges: sized and counted for the selected plan. Hinge placement and specifications differ among designs.
- Handle hardware: a pivot bolt and matching nut, or the plan’s specified alternative, plus screws.
- Adhesives and fittings: wood glue; some designs also call for clamps, a dowel, a threaded insert, or waterproof glue.
- Tools: a saw, drill, screwdriver or driver, measuring tools, and sandpaper or a sander. The exact tools depend on the plan and whether you make the cuts by hand or with power tools.
Do not treat this category list as a universal bill of materials: the plans differ, and hardware that fits one handle or hinge layout may not fit another.
Build and assemble the press
- Cut the parts from your chosen plan. For the Slow Farm design, prepare the two 28 × 28 × 2.5 cm pressing boards and cut the presser bar, handle supports, and remaining components to that guide’s specifications.
- Sand and dry-fit the boards. Smooth the surfaces and edges, then align the boards as they will sit when closed. Check that the top can meet the base without twisting or catching.
- Assemble doubled components, if your plan uses them. The Tortilla Channel design builds thickness by gluing components in layers; this is a feature of that plan, not a required step for every press. Clamp glued parts as specified by the plan.
- Attach the presser bar to the upper board. Position it according to the selected design so the handle’s contact point can apply pressure as the board closes.
- Fit the hinges along the joining edge. Align them so the upper board opens and closes smoothly. Use the hinge count, size, and placement specified by the plan.
- Install the handle supports and pivot. Attach the holder or support pieces to the base, then fit the handle with the specified bolt, nut, or other pivot hardware.
- Test movement before final tightening or gluing. Swing the handle through its full range and close the top over the base. Confirm that the handle moves freely, clears the supports, and presses the upper board without binding. Correct alignment before locking the assembly in place.
Choose a finish carefully
Finishing instructions are plan-specific. One guide lists chopping-board oil as optional, while Houseful of Handmade’s plan lists food-safe sealer. The cited plans do not establish one universal finish or application method. If your plan calls for a finish, follow the finish manufacturer’s directions and use a product intended for the relevant food-contact application.
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Keep masa from sticking
Place a liner on both sides of the dough before pressing. Norpro’s instructions for its 6-inch and 8-inch cast-aluminum presses recommend wax paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap; the wooden-press tutorial from The Tortilla Channel also describes using parchment. These are practical options, not a requirement for every homemade design. A liner also avoids relying on an unverified oil treatment for the pressing surface.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect when making tortillas
The cited DIY guides describe builds rather than controlled comparisons of homemade presses, so they do not establish how different woods, dimensions, or handle mechanisms perform against one another. Norpro says its named 6-inch and 8-inch cast-aluminum models are not intended for flour tortillas; that is guidance for those specific products, not a demonstrated limitation of every wooden press. Follow the instructions for your dough recipe and press, and do not assume all press designs behave identically with corn and flour dough.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Handcrafted Quality – Handmade in the USA from sustainably sourced oak and walnut hardwoods, each press is unique in grain, tone, and character.
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- Food-Safe Finish – Treated with multiple coats of food-grade mineral oil and beeswax, protecting the surface while enhancing the natural wood beauty.
- Functional Size – Pressing plates measure approximately 8" x 8", perfect for small to medium tortillas, empanadas, arepas, and more.
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- Please note that these presses are best suited for non-gluten based products like corn and not recommended for flour based products due to the gluten content making it difficult to press thin enough for tortillas.
- Not optimal for wheat based Roti or Chapatis
- Stainless Steel hinges and hardware are standard all presses
- Pressing surface is 9.75" x 10"
- The compact size of our presses makes them ideal for home use, while the sturdy construction ensures they'll last for years to come.
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