Tomato Strainer versus Tomato Press versus Food Mill

Tomato Strainer

Important Tools For Straining Tomatoes

When it comes to processing tomatoes, two tools often cause confusion: the tomato strainer and the tomato press. Both help make smooth sauces, but they work in different ways. Picking the right tool depends on your needs and how much time you want to spend.

A tomato strainer separates seeds and skins from the pulp. It’s great for making large batches of sauce or canning tomatoes. You load the tomatoes in, crank the handle, and a smooth, seed-free puree comes out. Strainers work quickly and can handle big jobs.

A tomato press, on the other hand, is simpler. It’s perfect for small batches. You press halved tomatoes through a screen, and the pulp comes out while the seeds and skins stay behind. It requires more manual effort, but it’s compact and easy to clean.

So, which one should you choose? Consider your cooking habits. Do you process tomatoes often? Use the strainer. Need a quick tool for the occasional sauce? The press might be better. Understanding these differences will help you decide and save time in the kitchen. In the end, both tools make fresh tomato sauce easier and tastier!

What's the Difference Between a Strainer and a Press?

Tomato Strainer

A tomato strainer is a kitchen tool that quickly removes seeds and skins from tomatoes. It separates the pulp from the waste, giving you a smooth puree. This tool is perfect for making large batches of sauce, soup, or juice.

Most tomato strainers are manual and have a hand-crank system. You load cooked or raw tomatoes into the hopper at the top. The strainer forces the tomatoes through a fine screen as you turn the crank. The pulp and juice flow out one side, while the skins and seeds exit from another chute. This process saves time compared to peeling and seeding tomatoes by hand.

Many strainers come with different screens for various textures. You can adjust them to make smooth sauces or thicker purées. Some models also process other foods, like applesauce or jam, making them versatile.

Electric tomato strainers are available too. These are ideal if you can process large amounts of tomatoes often. They work faster and require less effort.

Compared to a tomato press, a strainer is larger and more efficient for big jobs. It’s a great investment if you grow your own tomatoes or love homemade sauces. With a tomato strainer, you get the job done faster and with less mess.

Tomato Press

Tomato Press

A tomato press is a simple, handheld tool that helps remove seeds and skins from tomatoes. It works by pressing the tomato through a perforated screen. The pulp and juice pass through, while the skins and seeds stay behind.

Most tomato presses are manual. You cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters, then push them down with a plunger or handle. The press forces the tomato’s flesh through small holes in the screen, leaving you with a smooth puree. It's a bit like using a food mill but smaller and more focused on tomatoes.

Some presses come with interchangeable screens. You can adjust the size of the holes based on how smooth you want your sauce. Others have suction bases to hold the press steady on your counter.

A press is smaller and easier to store than a strainer. It’s great for quick, small batches of sauce or juice. You don’t need electricity or a lot of space. However, it requires more effort, especially when processing large amounts of tomatoes.

A tomato press is handy if you make fresh pasta sauce or salsa now and then. It's a simple way to get smooth, fresh tomato puree without any seeds or skins.

Food Mill

Food Mill

A food mill is a kitchen tool used for puréeing, straining, or milling various types of food, including tomatoes. It typically consists of a bowl with a perforated bottom, a hand crank or handle, and a rotating blade or paddle inside. Here's how it's used with tomatoes:

1. Preparation: Wash and cut your tomatoes into chunks. You don't need to peel or deseed them, as the food mill will separate those parts.
2. Cooking: If you're making a sauce or soup, cook the tomatoes beforehand to soften them and develop flavor. Alternatively, you can use raw tomatoes if you prefer.
3. Processing: Place the cooked or raw tomatoes into the food mill's bowl.
4. Milling: Turn the hand crank or handle to rotate the blade or paddle inside the food mill. As you turn the crank, the tomatoes are pushed through the perforations in the bottom of the bowl. The blade or paddle breaks down the tomatoes into a smooth purée while separating the skins and seeds from the pulp.
5. Collection: The purée is collected in a separate container placed beneath the food mill, while the skins and seeds are retained in the bowl.
6. Optional Straining: Depending on your desired consistency, you can pass the purée through the food mill multiple times or strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any remaining seeds or fibrous bits.

Food mills are versatile tools for making sauces, soups, purées, and baby food. They provide a convenient way to process fruits and vegetables while separating unwanted parts like seeds and skins, resulting in a smooth and consistent texture.

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