Our top pick for Food Mills is the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill. Its user-friendly design and exceptional performance ensure the creation of flawlessly smooth purées every time.
In today’s kitchens, we’re accustomed to the speed and convenience of electric appliances. Food processors, blenders, and mixers have revolutionized food preparation, taking over tasks that were once labor-intensive. Yet, amidst this wave of modernity, the humble food mill remains a relevant, manually operated tool that has stood the test of time for its unique capabilities.
This straightforward, hand-cranked device excels at creating smooth purées by gently forcing cooked ingredients through a sieve. This process results in a текстура that is both silky and subtly textured, a characteristic that sets it apart from the results achieved with electric appliances. To identify the top performers, we rigorously tested nine different food mills, processing over 20 pounds of potatoes and crafting numerous batches of fresh tomato sauce. Our goal was to determine which models consistently delivered the best results and offered the most user-friendly experience.
Our Top Picks
The Best Food Mill:
SALE
OXO Good Grips Food Mill at Amazon $56 $47
The Best Budget Food Mill:
SALE
Mirro Stainless Steel Food Mill at Amazon $60 $44
The Best Splurge Food Mill:
Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Food Mill at Williams Sonoma $100
The Tests
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We put food mills to the test with mashed potatoes and tomato sauce. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
What We Learned
Food Mill Vs. Food Processor
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Food processors rapidly chop and process food, but can overwork some ingredients. Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
As mentioned earlier, a food mill operates as a sieve equipped with a mechanism to gently press ingredients through its perforated surface. Turning the handle rotates metal blades inside, which catch the food and push it through the sieve’s holes. The small size of these holes ensures that skins and seeds are effectively separated from the purée (though very fine seeds, like those in raspberries, may pass through). This process is deliberate and slow, contrasting sharply with the high-speed, powerful action of a food processor. The difference is particularly evident when making mashed potatoes. A food mill gently sieves the potatoes, yielding a creamy, thick purée. In contrast, a food processor’s rapid and forceful action can rupture the potato starch molecules, resulting in a gluey, undesirable texture.
Both appliances have their place in the kitchen. Food processors are excellent for tasks like kneading dough, making dips like hummus, and chopping vegetables efficiently. Food mills, however, shine when you need to create smooth sauces and purées. They are ideal for processing stewed apples into applesauce, transforming tomatoes into a seedless passata, or even sieving egg yolks for exceptionally creamy deviled eggs.
Fluted Sides Funneled Ingredients
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Fluted sides on food mills help guide food towards the sieve for more efficient processing. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
During our tests, we observed variations in food mill design, specifically in the side walls. Some models featured straight sides, while others, like the OXO, incorporated a fluted design. Fluted sides offer a dual advantage. First, they allow for a larger initial food load, reducing the need to stop and refill frequently. Second, the sloped design naturally directs food downwards towards the perforated base, enhancing efficiency. In contrast, straight-sided mills often require manual assistance with a spatula to push ingredients down and ensure consistent processing.
Evenly Spaced, Raised Holes Made for Quicker Work
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Raised holes in the food mill sieve prevent clogging and speed up the puree process. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
The size and spacing of the holes in a food mill’s sieve directly influence the texture of the final purée. Smaller holes produce finer, smoother results, while larger holes allow for a coarser texture. The distance between holes also affects efficiency. Closer spacing promotes a more uniform purée, whereas wider spacing can handle larger quantities of food more quickly. Regardless of hole size or shape, we discovered that food mills with raised holes, such as the Williams Sonoma, processed food much faster. This is likely because the raised design minimizes clogging, ensuring a smoother and more consistent flow of food through the sieve.
The Best Food Mills Were Easy to Assemble
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Easy assembly is a key feature of a user-friendly food mill. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
If you are new to using a food mill, the assembly process might present a learning curve. Experienced users know that a food mill that is easy to assemble is crucial for a seamless cooking experience. Models with interchangeable sieve plates require careful fitting of the sieve into the mill body. Then, attaching the crank lever involves inserting its post into the center hole of the sieve plate. A spring and crossbar mechanism located up the crank arm must be maneuvered – the crossbar needs to be pressed down against the spring, slightly swiveled, and secured under two hooks. Some food mills, like the OXO, incorporate a lock mechanism to ensure correct placement. A spring that is too stiff can make setup challenging, but insufficient spring tension can hinder the blade’s ability to effectively push food through the mill.
Handles and Stability Were Important, Too
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Stable feet and comfortable handles enhance the usability of food mills. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
Beyond easy assembly, several other factors significantly impact a food mill’s usability, notably its handles and stability. Handles should not only be comfortable to grip but also provide adequate leverage for efficient milling. Wire handles are generally less comfortable and offer minimal leverage.
Stability is equally critical. Our top-rated OXO food mill features flat feet that rest securely on top of a bowl or pot, offering greater versatility during use. Some models use hooks to attach to the side of a pot, but this design can be restrictive in terms of pot size compatibility. For instance, a food mill with hooks and an 8-inch bowl opening might only fit pots that are precisely nine inches in diameter, limiting your choice of cookware.
Among models with hooks, we noted that some had metal hooks, while others were coated in silicone or plastic. We preferred silicone-coated hooks for their superior grip and reduced slippage.
The Criteria: What to Look for in a Food Mill
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Key features of a high-quality food mill include comfortable grip, stability, and a well-designed sieve. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray / Grace Kelly
When selecting a food mill, consider several key factors. Size and capacity are important; choose a mill large enough for your usual batch sizes but not so bulky as to be difficult to store. Material durability is key, and stainless steel is an excellent choice due to its ease of cleaning and rust resistance. Some food mills come with interchangeable discs, offering versatility in texture from fine to coarse, which is useful for various recipes. However, for the smoothest purées, prioritize mills with small, raised holes.
A comfortable handle and stable base are essential for ease of use; milling should not feel like a wrestling match. Ease of cleaning is another crucial aspect. Dishwasher-safe models or those that disassemble easily will save you significant time and effort in the kitchen.
Food Mills We Love
The Best Food Mill
OXO Good Grips Food Mill
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PHOTO: Amazon
$56 $47 at Amazon $56 at Williams Sonoma $49 at Walmart
What we liked: The OXO Good Grips Food Mill has been a staff favorite at Serious Eats for some time, and our tests reaffirmed why. Unique among the tested models, the OXO features silicone-covered feet that extend flat and level, making it adaptable to various bowls and pots. It can even be used directly on a flat surface, unlike many competitors. The collapsible feet also enhance storage convenience.
The OXO excelled at creating silky smooth potato purée without any gumminess and a tomato passata that was perfectly smooth, neither too chunky nor too watery. It includes three sieve discs, allowing you to customize the texture based on the ingredient being processed.
What we didn’t like: Processing potatoes took slightly longer with the OXO compared to some other models. However, the superior texture achieved, particularly with tomato passata, justified the slight time difference, resulting in a truly luscious and smooth final product.
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Stated capacity: 2.3 quarts
- Discs included: 3
- Weight: 2 pounds, 5 ounces
- Handle length: 5 inches
- Opening diameter: 8 inches
- Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
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The OXO Good Grips Food Mill features a stable design and easy-to-use mechanism. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
The Best Budget-Friendly Food Mill
Mirro 3.5-Quart Stainless Steel Food Mill
PHOTO: Amazon
$60 $44 at Amazon $54 $46 at Walmart $50 at Farmandfleet.com
What we liked: The Mirro 3.5-Quart Stainless Steel Food Mill is appealing not just for its budget-friendly price but also for its practical design. Unlike many others, it has a fixed sieve, offering a single, versatile hole size and shape suitable for most recipes. This fixed sieve design simplifies setup, eliminating the need to manage stiff springs or complex crossbars.
Similar to the Williams Sonoma model, the Mirro includes a small metal scraper that rotates at the bottom of the sieve. This feature effectively scrapes off processed food and prevents clogs, significantly speeding up the milling process.
What we didn’t like: The fixed sieve, while convenient, limits your control over texture and seed filtration. The straight sides also necessitate occasional manual pushing of food downwards to ensure consistent processing.
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Stated capacity: 2 or 3.5 quarts
- Discs included: 1, fixed
- Weight: 1 pound, 5 ounces
- Handle length: 6 inches
- Opening diameter: 7.25 inches
- Care instructions: Hand-wash
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The Mirro Food Mill offers great value and efficient performance for everyday use. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
The Best Splurge Food Mill
Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Food Mill
PHOTO: Williams Sonoma
What we liked: The Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Food Mill stands out for its user-friendly design. The silicone-coated handles, though shorter than some, are exceptionally comfortable and provide excellent leverage. The oval-shaped knob on the crank is also easier to grip firmly. This mill purées food quickly and smoothly and is remarkably easy to assemble.
It features a unique clip attached to the base that rotates with the blade, effectively scooping processed food into your bowl or pot, preventing clogs and ensuring smooth operation. While other high-end models performed similarly well, the Williams Sonoma mill is the most affordable in its premium category.
What we didn’t like: This food mill is a significant investment.
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel, silicone-coated handles
- Stated capacity: NA
- Discs included: 3
- Weight: 2 pounds, 10 ounces
- Handle length: 4.5 inches
- Opening diameter: 8.25 inches
- Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
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The Williams Sonoma Food Mill combines premium features with ease of use for discerning cooks. Serious Eats / Taylor Murray
The Competition
During our testing, other food mills were evaluated but did not make our top picks for various reasons, including less efficient puréeing, more cumbersome assembly, or less comfortable handling. While these models may still be functional, they did not match the performance and user-friendliness of our recommended food mills.
FAQs
What’s a food mill good for?
A food mill is an invaluable tool for any recipe requiring simultaneous puréeing and straining. It effortlessly creates silky-smooth tomato sauce free from seeds and skins, ideal for pasta dishes or homemade pizza. It’s also perfect for lump-free mashed potatoes, velvety applesauce, and smooth vegetable purées like pumpkin or squash. Food mills are also excellent for making homemade jams, jellies, and fruit preserves by removing unwanted seeds and fibers, ensuring a consistently smooth texture. Its ability to separate solids from liquids without incorporating air makes it superior to blenders or food processors for certain culinary applications, especially where texture is paramount.
What’s the best way to clean a food mill?
Cleaning your food mill promptly after use simplifies the process. Most food mills are dishwasher-safe, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions. For hand washing, disassemble the mill and wash each part with warm, soapy water. Use a brush to dislodge any food particles trapped in the sieve holes. Ensure all parts are thoroughly dried before reassembling to prevent rust, particularly with metal mills.
How is a food mill different from a ricer?
While both food mills and potato ricers utilize metal sieves with holes, their food processing methods differ significantly. A ricer employs a metal plunger to force food through the holes in a single, quick motion, primarily for potatoes. A food mill uses a handle-operated spinning blade to slowly push food through the sieve. Food mills are generally used for purées and exceptionally smooth mashed potatoes, while ricers are mainly used for starchy foods, producing a lighter, fluffier texture.
How do you use a food mill for tomatoes?
Food mills are frequently used to make passata, a thin, fresh tomato purée. Our passata recipe involves briefly cooking chopped fresh tomatoes to reduce excess water before processing them in a food mill. Turning the mill’s handle pushes the tomatoes through the sieve, effectively separating seeds and skins, resulting in a smooth tomato purée.
Why We’re the Experts
- Taylor Murray has extensive experience in the food industry and food media, with over a decade of experience including work in award-winning restaurants.
- Her writing for Serious Eats is comprehensive, covering a range of kitchen equipment from paella pans to carving boards and beyond.
- For this review, Taylor rigorously tested 10 stainless steel food mills, processing 20 pounds of potatoes and making multiple batches of passata. Her evaluations focused on each model’s performance, usability, and design to provide reliable recommendations.
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