Some traditional kitchen utensils are very desirable even in today’s modern world. A food mill, for example, acts as the bridge between a food processor and blender. It is typically a strainer that mashes or purees soft food items like tomatoes, boiled or cooked vegetables and legumes, and fruits like raspberries, blackberries, etc. The best food mills remove the seeds, skin, fiber, unnecessary pulp, and only allow the pure flesh to pass through.
If you have an orchard of your own or a garden that blesses you with abundant fruits yearly, you must definitely invest in a food mill. It will be perfect for you to make apple sauces, jellies, jams, etc. Not just that, it can mill most soft foods and even help make mashed potatoes. It is a vital kitchen equipment if you have a toddler and you need to prepare baby food daily Best Pick
The OXO Good Grip is our best pick because it offers superior construction, more features and merges functionality with practicality. It is affordable and offers a quality and durable product at a price much less than high-end brands.
View on Amazon Budget Pick
The Mirro 50024 is our budget pick because it is highly functional that allows ease of operation, has a sturdy and durable construction that enables it to perform well and can be used for a wide variety of purposes such as mashing, straining, grating, and even ricing.
View on Amazon Quick Comparison: Top 11 Best Food Mills Product Name Weight
(pounds)
Capacity
(quarts)
Item Dimensions
(inches)
Grade OXO Good Grips Food Mill 3.10 2.30 14.75 x 7.25 x 10.25 A Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill 1.85 2.00 13.87 x 8.37 x 18.62 A Weston Stainless Steel Food Mill (61-0101-W) 1.80 2.50 8.75 x 16.75 x 6.75 B Granite Ware Stainless Steel Deluxe Food Mill 1.55 2.00 8 x 13.75 x 9.75 B Rösle Stainless Steel Food Mill 2.75 3.10 6.5 x 6 x 7.7 B RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Food Mill 1.00 1.50 7.75 x 7.75 x 4.25 A Norpro Multi-Purpose Food Mill 1.00 2.20 4 x 14 x 7 B GEFU Stainless Steel Food Mill 2.64 2.00 7.5 x 8 x 15.5 A Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill 0.39 4.00 17 x 9 x 10 A Kuchenprofi Professional Stainless Steel 3.26 2.00 15.5 x 8.75 x 4.75 A HIC Harold Import Co. Food Mill 1.89 2.00 16.5 x 3.66 x 8 A 1. OXO Good Grips Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Three steel disc for fine, medium and course straining Legs are rubber coated, sits stably on bowls. Legs can be folded for compact storage This stainless steel bowl from Oxo lives up to its reputation for producing durable, efficient kitchenware. It comes equipped with 3 stainless steel disc with large, medium and small-sized holes, patterned and distributed around the surface of the discs.
The stainless steel bowl has a large capacity that allows you to mill a greater amount of food in one batch. Also, the stainless steel construction ensures there is no rusting with time or corrosion when it comes in contact with acidic food like tomatoes.
It has rubber coated legs that sit firmly on most bowl sizes and does not wobble or slip when milling. The legs are foldable which means they save space when storing the unit. The customer service of Oxo is impeccable and they are quick to replace your product lest you receive a faulty one.
The entire unit is very easy to assemble and only takes a few minutes. The spring-loaded lever makes milling less strenuous. Counterclockwise rotation of the level is occasionally recommended for greater progress and for removal of clogged food if any.
This miller is ideal for tomato puree or sauces and milling fruits and berries for jellies. It efficiently removes unnecessary pulp and almost all of the seeds without wasting a lot of flesh. To prevent accumulation of seeds above, it is best to periodically remove the trash. You may also wish to use a spatula to remove food (if any) sticking on the underside of the blade. Pros Sturdy construction; well-built; durable for heavy-duty use Easy to assemble unit; easy to disassemble; all parts are dishwasher safe Cons Clogs some food on the underside and need to be cleaned periodically Some rubber and plastic parts that may wear out in a few years’ time Not the cheapest in the market Check Latest Price on Amazon 2. Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Decent capacity: 2 Quart bowl can hold a lot of food for milling Shiny stainless steel construction This food mill from Mirro 50024 is made using stainless steel which enables it to perform well for a long period of time. The material protects the food mill from rust, corrosion, and harsh stains. It has a well-built structure that allows you to use this item with ease. Moreover, this food mill enables you to fulfill a wide variety of functions such as grating and straining.
Since the material is unlikely to react with the food inside the bowl, you do not have to worry about it releasing toxins or waste substances into the food. You can easily make tomato sauce or puree, mashed potatoes, applesauce, squashes, and lots more. The stainless steel bowl has a capacity of 2 quarts so you will be able to mill a moderate amount of fruits and vegetables in one batch.
The handle is easy to turn and the knob allows you to grip onto it comfortably. Plus, it is quite sturdy so you do not have to worry about it breaking any time soon. The disc blade does a fine job in separating the seeds and skin from the puree but it tends to get clogged frequently. You might want to use a spatula to push the food through the perforated disc. This makes the food-milling process more time-consuming.
Pros Well built at a very low price point Lightweight Cons It gets the job done, but it is very labor-intensive to get the mill operating Black grease-like substance drips off from the middle right into the food Difficult to maneuver, especially for people with small hands Check Latest Price on Amazon 3. Weston Stainless Steel Food Mill (61-0101-W) View on Amazon Highlighted Features Durable, stainless steel construction Three stainless steel interchangeable discs with small and large holes
This stainless steel food mill from Weston offers great functionality at an unbelievably low price tag. It has a great construction and is very sturdy and durable. The mill is equipped with three interchangeable disk-fine, medium and large; the large has holes considerably bigger than most discs available in the market.
The food mill doesn’t have any legs or extensions so you might have to just hold it in the air or get a helping hand. This is quite troublesome and disadvantageous to a lot of people. Also, working the crank requires a greater force than usual making it quite labor intensive for some users.
The construction is super; the crank works comfortably. Assembling the unit is quite easy and only takes a few minutes. Removing the parts for cleaning is quite easy too. It is dishwasher-friendly but some nooks and corners of the unit may be hard to reach and hence, hard to clean. This food mill does not have a very compact size and takes up quite some space.
It works best for tomatoes or fruits, removing almost all of the seed but it creates a little mess for mashed potatoes, causing a spill and requiring more effort and leaving some lumps, which is undesirable. Also, the peels and food tend to clog a lot: what you must do is turn the crank counterclockwise sometimes to removed lodged particles. Remove the seeds and peel periodically. Pros Easy to assemble and disassemble; easy to clean; dishwasher friendly Crank handle with superior grip and comfortable to hold Cons No legs- holding the mill while milling above bowl is labor- intensive Clogs a lot and the peels, seeds, etc need to be removed periodically or the crank must be turned counterclockwise frequently Works great for sauces and jellies, but quite a disaster for mashed potatoes Check Latest Price on Amazon 4. Granite Ware Stainless Steel Deluxe Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Lightweight functional food mill at an affordable price
This lightweight stainless steel food mill from Granite Ware is quite a steal at its affordable price tag. It comes equipped with three interchangeable disc. There are no legs or extensions on this unit for sitting atop any bowls but it will fit perfectly on bowls when milling. This is a very well-designed utensil and sturdy and durable, even if the materials feel a little flimsy.
It is quite labor-intensive to assemble and even though the product is shipped with a manual, it can be quite an ordeal. Dissembling is also tough for some users, especially for the older users. Cleaning the unit is comparably easy. It also requires considerable physical strength to work the cranks to mill food.
Some users have issues with the efficiency of removing smaller seeds from food: the smallest disc provided is reportedly not fine enough and a lot of seed passes through. However, it is great for canning and making sauces. Since the discs are non-replaceable, be careful not to break or crack. Pros Easy to clean up: dishwasher safe Cons Does not remove 100% seeds Difficult to assemble and dismantle Check Latest Price on Amazon 5. Rösle Stainless Steel Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Comes with two grinding disc sieves 18/10 stainless steel construction Dishwasher-safe This food mill from Rösle is perfect for mashing and sieving food that has a soft texture. With a diameter of 9.5 inches, this food mill offers a spacious capacity for making tomato puree or even mashed potatoes. All you need to do is place the cooked or uncooked food inside the food mill and turn the knob continuously for a seedless, smooth texture.
You will not need to waste time assembling the parts of this food mill. It comes in a single piece so you can start milling food in no time. The one-piece construction also makes cleaning easier. There is no welding seam and it does not take too much effort to turn the handle.
The stainless steel construction protects it from rust and corrosion, enabling a longer lifespan. The stainless steel construction also enables you to use the food mill in the dishwasher for easy and quick cleaning. You do not have to worry about the parts warping or discoloring when exposed to high heat.
This food mill is well-designed for increased efficiency and convenience. The blade and the disc sieve are positioned very close to each other so that you can mash food quickly and easily. Moreover, the food mill is unlikely to move while in use. This is because it sits on three rests that help to keep it stable.
All the parts, including the handle, are extremely sturdy. It comes with two types of disc sieves. One has a diameter of 0.04 inches while the other has a diameter of 0.1 inches. This helps to produce different textures in food.
Pros It does a fine job in removing the seeds and skin while sieving or mashing food Comes with a lifetime warranty The crank-style handle is very easy to use Cons It does not come with proper instructions so if you are new to this, you might face some difficulties Makes a lot of noise while milling food Check Latest Price on Amazon 6. RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Heavy duty; Lightweight; stainless steel construction for durability Wooden handle for better grip and innovative design Hooks for attaching to bowls to collect milled food
This food mill from RSVP is totally a value-addition to your kitchenware collection. Not only is this extremely cheap, but also extremely functional. It is a heavy-duty utensil, designed for daily use. It is constructed of 18/10 stainless steel and even though it is very lightweight and may seem flimsy, it is a very industrial mill.
RSVP has merged innovation in design with functionality for this unit. The handles are long and have wooden layers at the top and bottom for better grip. There are two metallic hooks or inserts at the two sides of the rim where the mill will attach to the bowl. However, the hooks are placed too high, making it only suitable for use with very deep bowls.
The long handle and low weight may cause some difficulty in keeping it stable. The capacity of the mill is large: you can get a lot more milling done in a single batch. The unit comes with three interchangeable discs, the smallest at 2mm and the largest at 5mm. However, some users have reported that the skins of fruits escape through the place where the disc attaches loosely to the holding bowl. If this happens, you may get a slightly textured sauce or jelly. Pros Time-saving; handles and cranks are comfortable to work with and rotate Easy to set up, dismantle, and clean Good, workable product for an affordable price Cons
A bit too light, may be unstable; very high holding bowl The hooks are placed too high: requires a deep bowl for collecting milled food It lets some skin and peels pass through where the discs don’t fit snugly Check Latest Price on Amazon 7. Norpro Multi-Purpose Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Versatile 2.2-quart capacity Stain-resistant construction This food mill from Norpro is a multifunctional tool that you can use as a masher, ricer, or strainer. The bowl has a capacity of 2.2 quarts which allows you to prepare a large number of purees, mashes, or sauces in one single batch.
Moreover, the food mill has a sturdy construction that allows it to perform well for a long period of time. It is extremely durable and easy to use. Your food mill is unlikely to rust or break apart any time soon. The high-quality construction enables it to withstand harsh conditions easily.
All the parts of this food mill can be disassembled easily for a quick cleaning process. You will be able to remove the seeds or other waste from the disc sieves and other parts quite easily. You might need to use a wrench to open the bottom part of the food mill.
Pros It weighs only 1 pound so you will be able to move it around easily Cons
It comes with only one type of disc sieve The disc sieve tends to get clogged It is quite difficult to turn the handle It might produce a gray or black substance while milling food Check Latest Price on Amazon 8. GEFU Stainless Steel Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Comes with two interchangeable discs Dishwasher-safe Well-designed structure This food mill from GEFU deserves a place in every kitchen because of its high functionality and quality construction. It is made using 18/10 stainless steel that produces a glossy texture, making it look good at all times. The high-quality materials also protect the food mill from rust and harsh stains. Plus, the food mill is extremely durable which makes it perfect for everyday use.
Since all the parts can be disassembled easily, you will be able to clean this food mill by hand in less time. All you need to do is use warm, soapy water and scrub the parts with a soft sponge to get rid of the waste substances. You can also use it in the dishwasher as the parts are unlikely to warp or become damaged.
It features two interchangeable perforated discs that differ from each other. One of the discs has holes that have a diameter of 2mm while the other has holes that have a diameter of 3mm. The two sizes allow you to make a variety of food starting from tomato purees and baby food to mashed potatoes, soups, and squashes. It only takes a few turns to prepare the liquid texture.
Pros Allows for easy installation The scraper on the bottom prevents clogging Compact size for easy storage Produces smooth textures Cons
Does not remove seeds completely The instructions are not printed in English Check Latest Price on Amazon 9. Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Attractive and sturdy stainless steel construction Scraper at the bottom of the disc to remove milled food and prevent clogging A hook-like handle which attaches to the bowl at one end and a regular handle for holding the mill at the other end
The Cuisipro food mill features a strong, durable and sturdy construction, engineered to deliver performance. It is made entirely out of stainless steel. There is plastic on the knob which helps get most out of the mill. It comes with three interchangeable discs, the smallest being 2mm, and the biggest 4mm. It has a large capacity and very spacious interiors.
The mill has a plastic scraper at the bottom of the disc which removed milled food quickly and prevent clogging. You no longer need an additional spatula for that. However, users have reported that the scraper is quite flimsy and is prone to breaking. Unfortunately, Cuisipro doesn’t sell parts separately but they do have a 25-year warranty for replacements.
The discs do a great job for mashed potatoes, giving it a great texture. It does a good job milling fruits too but you must use the smallest disc for removal of maximum seeds. It is very versatile and functional equipment, which is built to last. It is easy to assemble and disassemble and easy to clean as well. It is somewhat more expensive than a lot of available mills but definitely worth it in the long run. Pros Durable; high-quality materials used; easy to use and clean Scraper removes food easily Cons The hook-like handle only provides support on one side: mill may wobble or be unstable during operation The scraper is made of low quality plastic Check Latest Price on Amazon 10. Kuchenprofi Professional Stainless Steel Vegetable Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Superior stainless steel construction; sturdy and durable design Four interchangeable discs: very fine to remove the smallest seeds efficiently Attractive design and appearance: not cheaply made
Efficiency of milling food for jams and sauces meets superior construction in this well-made high-quality food mill. It comes in two sizes- large and small- and both at very affordable prices: you don’t have to drain your pocket to get the best engineered designed in the market.
The food mill comes equipped with three interchangeable bottom discs of varying size, the largest having 5mm holes and the smallest having holes just over 1mm, one of the finest sizes available in the market.
It is very easy to assemble and just as easy to dismantle and disassemble for cleaning. It is extremely easy to clean. Moreover, it has an attractive sleek silver appearance. Not just good-looking, it is entirely made of 18/10 stainless steel that is designed for heavy-duty use. It is durable and built to last.
Though some users feel the discs do not fit as snugly as they should near the bottom of the mill, it works perfectly and efficiently removes skin and seeds. Use the right sized disc to get the best consistency. Milling using this is time-saving because it cuts down the hassle of clogging, cleaning and jamming. It is a must have food mill if you can and jar regularly- it will not disappoint. Pros Excellent value for money Easy to set up and easy to disassemble; cleaning up is simple; dishwasher friendly Cons May require some strength to get mill working; people with small, tender hands may face slight discomfort The Discs may be very slightly loose at the bottom but no loss of pulp or flesh Check Latest Price on Amazon 11. HIC Harold Import Co. Food Mill View on Amazon Highlighted Features Offers a capacity of 2 quarts 18/8 stainless steel construction 4 types of disc blades This food mill from HIC Harold Import Co. allows you to make purees, sauces, and squashes in the easiest way possible. All its parts are made of 18/8 stainless steel so they are unlikely to rust or become worn out any time soon. Moreover, the ergonomic crank-style handle provides a comfortable grip that allows you to use this item easily.
The food mill comes with four interchangeable perforated disc blades that all have different-shaped holes. The different blades allow it to produce different textures so you will be able to use this food mill to make lots of food. You can make pasta sauces, creamed soups, fresh puree, mashed potatoes, or even applesauce. The blades are sharp enough to remove the skin and fibrous bulk of the soft fruits and vegetables.
The disc blades also do an excellent job in keeping the seeds separate from the puree or sauces. The disc blades can be detached from the base so you will be able to clean this food mill by hand easily. Speaking of cleaning, all the parts of this food mill are dishwasher-safe. If you are on a tight schedule or feel too lazy to do the dishes, you can place the food mill in the dishwasher to save time and effort.
Pros It weighs only 1.89 pounds which allows for easy portability You will be able to make ground meat using this food mill It comes with clear instructions Cons The bottom part tends to get clogged easily Check Latest Price on Amazon Things to Consider Before Buying a Food Mill Unless you are a professional canner or the parent of a toddler who uses the mills for straining baby food, you will usually be taking out your mill several times a year- during tomato or fruits seasons. Therefore, you need a sturdy and durable mill that will last you at least a few years. So what do you consider before buying a food mill for your cooking needs? Read on below to find out!
Size
Most food mills for home use come in capacities of 2 to 3 quarts and some rare larger ones have a capacity of 3 to 4 quarts! This range is best for your needs. A food mill with a larger capacity will prevent the blades from getting clogged which disrupts its operation. It will also allow you to mill more food in a single batch so you will not need to do it multiple times. The diameters of the mill usually range anywhere between 10 and 16 inches. This is adequate for inserting large quantities of food as well as provide space for rotating the crank.
Blade
Most blades are either circular or semi-circular and have a gentle slope. If the slope of the blade is too steep, you will find food merely being pushed at the back of the blade and not getting milled at all. Also, there should be some space and height between the mill bottom (disc) and the blade because milled would fall in there and accumulate only temporarily.
Handles, Cranks, and Hooks
The handles for mills are usually long and very sturdy for you will be holding it while milling. The handles are metallic or plastic depending on what the holding bowl is made of. It may have some rubber or wooden parts for better grip.
Most food mills will have hook-like extensions, also known as legs, around the circumference of the mills. Most have three legs; a few models even have two. These are provided so that the mill sits comfortably on the bowl where the milled food will collect. It rests the mill stably and ensures it doesn’t wobble or slip.
The crank often called knob and handle too, is the lever part of the miller. It is long so it can provide considerable rotation force and mill the food. It may a roundish bulky knob-like end for comfortable holding and has a spring connected bar that attaches to the disc. Laterally it has crossbars which connects it to the two ends of the holding bowl. The crank should not be too tight or rough or you would need a lot of manual labor to operate it.
Discs
Most food mills come with two or three interchangeable discs or bottoms. Sometimes, unfortunately, it will have just one. The disc have different opening sizes, usually in the range 1mm to 5mm, or up to 8mm for really coarse food. For fruits, you may need the smallest sieve to ensure effective seed removal. They have a slight dome shape at the top for ease of milling.
Scraper
This is a feature more common in older models and almost non-existent in newer ones. The scraper-made of plastic or metal-attaches at the bottom of the disc and you can use it periodically to remove milled food to prevent clogging.
Ease of use, handling and storing
Food mills need to be assembled and some products come in with instruction manual. For some units, the assembly is easy and intuitive. Others may take a little effort and strength to set up. You need to disassemble the unit every time you clean.
Most mills are dishwasher safe and this reduces the work. But some manufacturers recommend hand wash for longevity of the unit.
Food mills must be compact to store and occupy as little counter space as possible. Some have holes or hooks for hanging it when not in use. The discs can be piled on each other for storing.
FAQ How do I unclog the bottom part of the food mill? If the disc gets clogged, you should turn the handle in an anticlockwise motion and then in a clockwise motion. If that does not work, you should scrape the excess off.
What type of spatula should I use? Always remember to use a wooden, plastic, or silicone spatula while using the food mill. Metal spatulas may scratch the stainless steel surface of the food mill, causing it to look unpleasant.
Will I able to put raw fruits and vegetables in the food mill? If the fruits and vegetables do not have a soft texture, you should boil or cook them before putting them in the food mill.
Conclusion
If you are not interested to buy store-bought purees and sauces that contain a high amount of sugar and salt, you might want to consider purchasing a food mill. A food mill does a great job in removing the skin and seeds of the fruits and vegetables while producing the liquid texture. The best food mills allow for easy operation and help to make the cooking process stress-free.
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