An Aluminum Mexican Tortilla / Pastelles Press (20cm / 8-inch) is a lightweight, rust-proof, and highly versatile kitchen tool. While traditionally designed in Mexico for flattening corn masa into tortillas, this 20cm size is uniquely popular in Caribbean and Latin American cuisines for quickly flattening dough and banana/plantain leaves for Trinidadian pastelles, empanadas, rotis, and arepas. Key Product Features • Material Advantages: Unlike heavy cast iron, cast aluminum is highly rust-resistant and lightweight (typically weighing around 600g to 800g). This makes it significantly easier to pull out of cabinets and handle for high-volume meal prep. • The 20cm (8-inch) Sweet Spot: According to Tortilla Press Size Guides, the 8-inch diameter is the standard domestic size. It provides enough surface area for standard tacos, rotis, and perfectly portioned holiday pastelles. • Lever Mechanism: A reinforced curved handle and top hinge distribute manual pressure evenly across the plates. This flattens dough balls into uniform circles in seconds without needing a rolling pin. Pro-Tips for Perfect Pastelles & Tortillas 1. Always Use a Liner: Aluminum presses are not inherently non-stick. Always sandwich your dough or pastelle mixture between two layers of plastic wrap, a cut-open Ziploc bag, or parchment paper to ensure an easy release. 2. Mind the Thickness: Because aluminum is lighter than cast iron, you may need to apply a firm, steady press at the end of the lever handle to get flour-based doughs or pastelle cornmeal thin enough. 3. Cleaning: Never place an aluminum press in the dishwasher. Wipe it down with a damp cloth or hand wash with mild soap, then dry immediately