Lime Squeezer Platinum Lumian, 18/10 Stainless Steel

For cocktail bars that squeeze to order: Daiquiri, Margarita, Gimlet, Caipiroska. Juice squeezed in the morning has already changed flavour by mid-evening, juice squeezed over the tin has not. With a hand press the bartender works half a lime at a time without leaving the station, and when the bar is full there is no waiting for the lever citrus press at the far end of the bar to come free.

In hotel bars and venues where the work is done in front of the guest, looks count too: polished steel stays the same colour after months of citrus, and on the bar top it sits next to shakers and jiggers without looking out of place.

At home it is the tool that changes the Daiquiri. Bottled juice tastes flat, and juice squeezed to order is the difference you notice at the first sip. Cut the lime in half, close the press over the shaker and the juice is already in.

The half lime sits in the cup cut side down. As the arms close, the upper part pushes on the peel and turns it inside out: pressure reaches the whole surface of the fruit rather than the centre, and the pulp empties. The juice runs out through the holes in the base of the cup, straight into the shaker or the glass. That is why a press gets more juice out than a hand squeezing.

This is where the two numbers of the Platinum come in. The long handle lengthens the lever arm, so the same fruit takes less force in the hand: a difference you do not notice on the first lime and do notice on the fiftieth. The 350g of solid steel mean the arms do not flex under the grip, and all the force goes into the fruit.

The radial ribs in the cup hold the half lime still while the arms close, so the fruit does not slip sideways and does not need repositioning.

Specifications of the Lime Squeezer Platinum

• Material: 18/10 stainless steel
• Finish: polished silver
• Length: 22cm
• Weight: 350g
• Cup: with radial ribs
• MPN: Lumian L0138
• EAN: 8051511371082
• Pack quantity: sold singly

18/10 stainless steel against painted aluminium

The most common citrus presses are painted aluminium. The rim of the cup is where pressure is highest, and that is where the paint starts to chip after a few months of service. The Platinum has no paint: it is bare 18/10 stainless steel, which takes the acidity of lime without clouding and holds no odours.

The weight says the rest. The Platinum weighs 350g, three and a half times the Moros Lime Squeezer, which weighs 100g and is the light model from the same maker. Anyone who squeezes a few limes a night may prefer the Moros; anyone who gets through a case chooses the long lever and the arm that does not flex.

What it is used with

The lime squeezer works over the shaker tin, over the jigger when the measure matters, or over a fine strainer for juice without pulp. For juicing in quantity before service, or for oranges and grapefruit, the tool is the stainless steel lever citrus press: the two do not replace each other, they cover two different moments.

On a station with more than one bartender it pays to have one each: a press passed from hand to hand is one more movement on every drink. All the models are in the citrus presses category.

The more you buy, the less you pay: 4 pieces -5%, 6 -7%, 8 -10%, on the same item.

Cleaning and care

The step that counts is rinsing it under running water straight after use, with the arms open: fresh pulp comes away by itself, pulp left to dry between the ribs needs a brush. At the end of service, hot water, a mild detergent and a dry cloth, which keeps polished steel free of water marks. The manufacturer does not state whether it is dishwasher safe, so hand washing is the cautious choice.

FAQ on the Lime Squeezer Platinum

How does the lime go into the press? Half a lime at a time, cut side down, peel facing up. As it closes, the peel turns inside out and the fruit empties.

How much does it weigh and how long is it? 350g and 22cm, in 18/10 stainless steel.

Does it work for oranges? No, the cup is sized for half a lime. Oranges and grapefruit need the lever citrus press.

What is the difference from the Moros? The Moros weighs 100g and is the light model. The Platinum weighs 350g and has a longer handle: it is the press for anyone who squeezes a lot of limes in every service.