I've always used a pillow case. I delegated one of the older ones and it stays with my canning equipment. My Mom also used an old cloth diaper...the kind that was a big single layer and square. I can't find them anywhere anymore.

I have a cone shaped strainer, that I use to get the seeds out of tomatoes, It has sturdy legs and they are separate from the strainer. Would lining that with a pillow case work? I don't have an old pillow case, but I'd be willing to go buy one, or some muslin and sew it into a bag that would fit the cone shaped strainer! Sorry don't know what it is called! My Grandma-in-law gave it to me! Do you think that would work?
If I tied it to a kitchen chair, I think someone would forget and let the dog in, and it would be gone in a flash. Let alone if my 3 year old would find it, he would have a field day!
Oh, someone once said they use a pair of new pantyhose for something they needed to strain, because they had no cheese cloth, and she said it worked like a dream! I still can't picture it, but if your in a pinch, your in a pinch!
Brenda

Are you referring to a chinois strainer? Muslin is very inexpensive. Seems like that would be a good way to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: chinois strainer

I agree, it sounds like a chinois to me and lining it with fabric would work fine.

When my kids were small I hung my pillowcase/jelly bag from a nail driven into the rafters in the basement, safe from dogs, children, maurading teenagers, etc. Now my youngest is 17 the jellybag is relatively safe in the kitchen.

Annie

An old and well washed pillowcase is what I use too. Works great when all I want is the juice and not the pulp.

.....Alan.

I used to use an old single layer diaper, too! Now I hang the old dish towel with berries in it from the cupboard handle over a bowl on the kitchen counter. Works very well.

WOW! THAT's what it's called! "chinois strainer". Mine is older, much older, with solid metal sides that have holes in them rather than mesh. But same thing really. I NEVER heard any name for it except "Applesauce Squisher". Honest! That's what we always called it. And that's how I've always made applesauce, by pressing through the strainer. Like my mom and her mom, etc.......
Cool. Vocabulary word of the week, now, how DO you say it? hee hee
Deanna

It is like Shin-Wa'. At least that is how I have been taught.
I recently had 2 that were sold at the garage sale we had when my dad died. I wasn't there, my sister in law held the sale, so I don't know how much she sold them for.
I think they start around $45 new when I looked online.

Thanks! Cheesecloth is rather expensive for one time use. I think I'll try the pillowcase or the pantyhose thing sounds good too. I used to have to wear pantyhose at my old job so I stocked up and now I never wear them-It's nice to make use of what you already have. I'm glad I didn't hunt down a jelly bag!!

It looks simular,but mine has pin size holes and is older much older! My son sports it on his head every now and then! LOL!! Kinda looks like the tin man! I will try it out with the muslin, and sew a sac,but for now I will push the pulp thru the seive. I will look for a recipe now, because someone said it was posted already! My hubby will be happy, that all the scratches and poison ivy he got from picken won't be in vain!
Thanks for all your help!
BTW, I didn't use pickle crisp. It didn't call for it in the BBB I used and I bought it this year, new. From wal-mart, so it sould be a fairly new copy! Or I just didn't read it well enough!LOL!
Brenda

The VIllaware food strainer is the easiest and quickest way to get juices seperated from seeds and skins of almost any fruit or vegetable. Those cheese cloths and such are just too time consuming.

Brenda, the pickle crisp is not in the recipes, it is a fairly new product. Sure works well, I think.

I am a rookie at this jelly making. I made a batch of crab apple jelly (it turned out delicious) My question is how long do you let the juices drip, I didn't seem to get very much juice for all of the crab apples I processed.
Thanks

> The VIllaware food strainer is the easiest and quickest way to get juices seperated from seeds and skins of almost any fruit or vegetable. Those cheese cloths and such are just too time consuming.

A jelly bag is meant to separate out not just seeds and skins, but pulp, in order to create a clear juice.

Fabric works GREAT for this, because you can set it up (from the kitchen chair, cupboard, rafters --- I LOVE the variety of methods folks have described!) and just let the fruit drip for however long it takes.

Ken, just because the Villaware is your fave way to do everything, it doesn't mean it is the best way for everyone, all the time. I'm really glad you love it, and I know it's a great machine, but it's frustrating and a bit insulting when you not only say you like YOUR method, but flatly call other people's methods bad. The methods described here are great, cheap, and easy, take very little time of the person making the jelly, and in my very humble opinion, it's just silly to discourage people from using them.

Zabby

I agree, Zabby, it's good to have several alternative methods and use the one that suits individual needs the best. Not every can afford to or wishes to pay for a food mill or other expensive gadget when an old pillowcase or pantyhose works for their purposes. IT's all in what works for each person in their own unique situation and suits their own unique tastes.

As for jelly, I also agree, the pulp isn't supposed to be there, just juice. It should be just juice, if the pulp is there it's jam.

Annie

Actually a Villaware wouldn't work for jelly because once you have the puree you'll never get a clear juice. (I don't think I'm mistaken on that.)

Just as a reminder for alternatives, I filter juice for jelly or syrup with coffee filters. I buy the urn size at an office supply store. Since jelly is so messy, I like the convenience of being able to discard the filter.

These coffee filters also work well with blind-baked pie crusts. Put in a filter, add the beans or other weights and at the end you can just lift out.

(Got a bit OT there, LOL.)

Carol

If time is the most important factor for me, when doing a clear apple jelly, I just simply use apple cider. Once heated and sweetened, it will clear up. The Villaware may not be suitable for just a juice, but for me, it works very well for tomatoes, raspberries and other seedy fruits that I want all the seeds and skins out FAST.

reading lady: Don't you have a problem with the coffee filters "plugging up" with debris and then not draining anymore? At least that's been my experience. What do you do to avoid this?

It's a great idea about using a hung pillowcase; I have a recipe that calls for the mash not to be squeezed at all, and the suggested coffee filters all clog-up quickly. Do you all wash the pillow case any special way so as not to impart any "laundry" flavors?

Yes, the filters do plug up. For that reason I don't strain the whole batch at once, maybe a cup of pulp at a time. It's a pain, though I'm not sure the total time elapsed is any greater than with a pillowcase or such because as the juice drops out and the pulp gets thicker the dripping slows there too, even with a bag that's hanging.

Regardless, I do the same as you. I would never squeeze the pulp because it clouds the jelly and I'm not going to all this trouble for a less-than-ideal product.

The one thing I have observed (just my personal observation) is the jelly or syrup has a wonderful clarity.

But you know, it's all a matter of preference. All of these methods work. I'm not saying the filters are better, just that I like them. It does speed things up a little to use the large commercial filters. They're also organic, and you're right, there's no laundry "aftertaste."

Carol

> If time is the most important factor for me, when doing a clear apple jelly, I just simply use apple cider. Once heated and sweetened, it will clear up. The Villaware may not be suitable for just a juice, but for me, it works very well for tomatoes, raspberries and other seedy fruits that I want all the seeds and skins out FAST.

Now, that makes total sense, Ken, to hear you talk about what YOU like to do and why. Maybe one day they'll make a fabric "screen" for the villaware and you can do juice, LOL.

Meanwhile, for me, muslin rocks!

Zabby

Why attack me all of a sudden? I post here because I have experience and knowlege I like to share with others. I have never ever stated that someone MUST follow my advice. Just where do you get off dictating to me? If you dislike my suggestions and yes, they are suggestions, not absolute rules by any sense of the words, just ignore them. Its seems that you suddenly have sort of vendetta toward me,. is it jealousy? do you wish you had a Villaware? I really don't know. I do know that when my mom used a big pillow case to drain grape juice, it took about 2-3 days to get most of it. She only made about two gallons of juice. Some fruits do not have much pulp, while others have a lot. I do agree that the right tool for the right result is necessary, but when your not sure about wanting a totally clear liquid compared to one that may have a bit of cloudiness, its difficult to tell what is required.The cheese cloth I have seen is like a very open weave gauze like material. With this, I doubt it would prevent any pulp from passing trough unless it was many layers thick. Years ago I made many wines and these were 'clarified' by using several methods. Filtration was one, as was a substance called bentonite which attacts to the solids and is easily syphoned off. Clarity itself is also compromised if your using Pomona pectin. Lets bury that hatchet and still with the subject in the thread instead of ridicule.

Carol, the pillowcase does take longer, but it works for me because I seldom have time to finish a batch of jelly in one night. I cook/crush/whatever the fruit when I get home from work one night, pour it into the pillowcase and let it drip. That only takes a bit of time so if I have something else going on I can still prep the fruit. The next night I'm ready to make jelly.

I haven't noticed any "laundry" flavors, although I am careful not to use bleach or fabric softener. Of course, the pillowcase isn't nice and white anymore, because I don't bleach the elderberry/blackberry juice out of it. It does get washed with laundry detergent, I buy the no perfume and no dye stuff.

Annie

The next time I make this particular recipe I'll get some of the commercial filters and give those a try. If I get frustrated I'll go to the purified pillowcase. :^)

I don't have a Viilaware, but I do have an Acme Juicerator that is pretty good at taking the juice away from the solids. I wonder what would happen if I used the juicer then ran the liquid thru' the coffee filters. Any thoughts on this method?

I use a steam juicer and then run it through the filters; that may be why the filters are workable for me. Most of the "big stuff" stays in the top of the steamer. I should have mentioned that.

Annie's right. A pillowcase does have its advantages. Filters involve more fuss.

Carol

I have a set of plain unbleached "flour sack" towels that I think I bought from king arthur flour. I used them when I was in my bread baking phase. I have found that they make a marvelous jelly bag. I draped the towel in the big bowl, dumped the cooked fruit into it, gathered the towel up and hung it from a cabinet knob over the bowl. I learned this nifty trick from the folks here. Like Annie, I use the unscented, dye free detergent. I usually find some other laundry and run it through the "sanitize" cycle on the washer. It heats to 95C (203F). Then I hang it to dry since I usually use dryer sheets. Even though they are unscented, I didn't think I wanted bounce in my jelly.

Aw, Ken, don't be mad. I'm not dictating to you, and I hope you know I appreciate your sharing your advice and knowledge. My last post was meant in a 100% positive tone, in response to your second post, which phrased your comments in terms of what YOU like to do and why, which is fine. Certainly didn't mean any attack at all.

We all know you love your Villaware, and I thought it was kind of a fun idea to imagine a fabric screen for it (though I guess it wouldn't work in real life since it presses the fruit through rather than letting it drip).

But your previous post did get my goat. The original poster specifically was asking for advice about a jelly bag, in order to make something from clear juice. Several respondents gave reasonable advice based on their own experience. You responded by stating flat out that the Villaware as "easiest and best" (not YOUR preferred method). And this is a machine that is *totally unsuitable* for the purpose the poster had clearly asked about! Then you summarily dismissed the other methods because they "just too time consuming."

So, that's the reason I chided you (not really and "attack," for heaven's sake). Because it's great to post about how much you love your way of doing things, but kind of obnoxious to post that your methods are simply the best and to dismiss other people's. Often I ignore such posts, but in this case I really thought I should respond because your info was just plain wrong for the question being asked.

I made a reasonable point, in a reasonable tone, and I would definitely make it again to anyone in the same circumstance. If that makes you made at me and feel attacked, that's too bad, because I have respect for your knowledge and find some of your posts to hold interest and even fun. But I like this forum too much not to do my bit to keep its discussions reasonable.

Regards,

Zabby

How about this. Squeezing out all of the pulp and juice and seperate it from the waste. THEN, pour it into a big jelly bag and let that do its thing. Still would be faster and the end result would still ge just juice.. I have never stated to anyone here that they must do it my way or no way, but you seemed to head into that direction. EVERYONE in the forum likes the way THEY do things, and maybe even you have preferences that somone else would never want to bother with. Yes, I did feel it was an attack as you directed it to me only, and from the way I read it, you disliked my comments, and felt that I was forcing someone to do something they may not want to do. I can take abuse (yes, I feel your comments were) to an extent, but when it gets personal and direct, it starts to get a bit annoying, so I go on the defensive.. A natural human reaction or negative comments.

Ken, I mean this with no disrespect at all but only explanation: It is all in how you say it. I SURE do have my preferences, and I state them often, but always clearly labelled as that: my preferences.

You didn't say anyone HAD to do it your way (good thing, because that would be monumentally silly). But your first post above that annoyed me was not phrased in any way as your opinion or preference. When you [or anyone] responds to posts describing many people being very happy with another method by saying something like "The Villaware is much better." or "Oven-drying tomatoes is too time-consuming and troublesome" --- stating what's just their own preference as an absolute, dismissing anyone else's experience, it's not helpful to the discussion. It comes across as arrogant, and it could easily misinform some new person who is hoping to get a variety of opinions.

On the other hand, when you say, as in your second post, "Time is the most important thing to me, so I like to do X," THAT is a reasonable post that is the kind of discussion this forum is intended for.

If you can't see the difference, it is too bad, because when I see too many comments of the first kind from anyone, ESPECIALLY if the information in them isn't even TRUE, I will eventually get fed up and will make a comment about the level of debate. If I make one to you and you're going to see those comments on the tone of discussion here as "attacks," there's nothing I can do about that except to say they're not meant that way, to repeat that I DO respect your experience and opinions (when you say them as opinions!), and hope that my general attitude on this forum bears that out. If it doesn't, that's unfortunate.

As for your fruit juice method, I'd be interested to know if you'd tried it? My fear is that it would actually be harder to separate the juice once one had created a smooth pulp than if one just crushed the berries and left them to drip. Usually the books say NOT to push the berries through the sieve/cloth, because it'll make the juice cloudy --- just to let it drip. But maybe you've tried it and found differently?

Regards,

Zabby

I second the pillow case. I second the use of unscented products to wash it too. Mine is stained purple from all the concord grapes I use for my sons' grape juice. I use an upside down stool, put a big bucket on the seat and fold the pillow case onto the legs. It gives me a much bigger, sturdier version of the jelly bag. You can set the stool anywhere you like, on top of a table in an out of the way place. I also hate to waste juice, so I let it drip for one night, like most recipes suggest, than change the bucket and really twist the bag for all it's worth to get all the left over juice. Not much pulp can make it through the tight weave of my very old pillow case, but just in case, I filter my second bucket in coffee filters then I add to the first. Lots more juice that way and still a nice clear jelly. By the way, I did not see a note to that effect so I will put one. Make sure to wet and wring the case before using it, so that all the juice drips down. If not, you will lose some as it wicks up the fibers. Also, I sewed across one corner of the pillow case to create that sort of funnel shape, because it is easier that way, and more effective. Otherwise, the juice pools at the bottom of the bag towards the end, instead of dripping. And last but not least (and I learned this the hard way), make sure your pillow case does not overhang your bucket, especially at the beggining, especially when it is square instead of funnel shaped.

Marie

Marie, you are absolutely right, it's much better if you wet that pillowcase/jelly bag, I always do but never thought to mention it. Thank you.

Annie

Zabby, the 'assumed' moderator to this thread??

Because of recent repetitive posts from other readers who tend to ignore everything I write about in an honest and to the point reply, I feel that my precious time here is not worth the aggrevation or ridicule. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and in ths country it is freedom of speech. But when it gets personal and nit picking, I dont feel its a nice place to be anymore.. Tiptoe-ing around a harsh accusation stating something is not true, is just like calling someone a liar. You might like to paint pretty words, but because they don't look 'pretty' when directed to me personally, then what can I do but to either ignore them, or go on the defensive. I have done the latter until you stir up even more things to 'comment' about, and now its a war or words? But, I will end it here by stopping to rebutt to your accusations, tirades and all the negativeness you write about me. Bye..

Bye, Ken. Sorry you feel that way.

I sure am not the moderator, but I do have a right to speak up --- reasonably --- if I think someone's lowering the tone of the discussion by being dismissive of others' postings as you were. And I didn't call you a liar, and I wouldn't say such a thing and don't think it, but I am saying that you posted some information that was not true in the sense of *wrong.* The question was how to make clear fruit juice, and your answer was to use a Villaware, which does NOT make clear fruit juice but puree. You yourself said so.
But for all we've disagreed on things, I've always felt we both had a place in this community of harvesters, so I'm sorry you don't. I feel I've been clear, fair, and reasonable, and I'm baffled that you think I attacked you. I don't know what else to say, except thanks for the asparagus seeds you shared with me, and I hope your Villaware brings you lots of happiness.

If anyone else is still reading this thread (and I would be surprised if anyone was, but just in case), I offer true apologies for having gotten it so off track. I only meant to defend the posts and experiences of people that were being summarily dismissed, and point out some information that was wrong.

Zabby

Zabby, I didn't think you were calling Ken a liar, only pointing out that other people might have other experiences or outcomes.

It's usually so nice and civil here in spite of all the different opinions. It's too bad when things get off track with misunderstandings.

Annie

This really is an unusually civilized discussion space, and I value it highly.

Zabby

A couple of years ago I went to the Sewing/Fabric department of Walmart. They had fabric on sale so I bought a gauzy fabric meant for making blouses. It was a polyester and cotton combination....pretty sturdy fabric and just the right weave. I bought a couple of yards, and keep it in my kitchen drawer. Whenever I want to strain fruit for jelly, or strain homemade broth for soup, I cut off the correct amount that I need for the job.

I use a large enough pot, a regular wire colander, line it with the gauze cloth, and add my fruit. Gather up all ends and tie together securely. Hang in a secure place (in my case it is a kitchen cabinet door handle) and let it drip into the pot over night.

That piece of cloth can be washed and used over and over again. When it gets too stained and unsightly looking, I just throw it away. Can always cut a new piece from my stash that I have in reserve.

This works for me...so thought I would post it. Maybe it could be helpful to someone else.

lisbet, thanks for that (and for getting this poor thread back on track).

I'm trying to picture --- is the colander just for while you are putting in the fruit, and you take it away after you have gathered up the ends and hung the cloth, so it drips right into the pot? Or do you leave the colander over the pot while this happens?

I think the only jellies I've ever actually made are mint and garlic, not fruit. THough I liked the idea someone posted on another thread about using apple cores for a spiced apple jelly and was thinking of trying that after my next appleasuce batch, so I'll be needing to rig up some kind of jelly straining apparatus.

Zabby

Zabby, if you need the spiced apple jelly recipe I use, just let me know.

Marie

"zabby17".....sorry that I took so long in getting back, but I use the wire colander just to support the cloth while I put the softened fruit and juice into the cloth. At times I have left the colander resting on the rim of the pot while the juices are dripping. The colander is all stainless steel wire. Or could also use an enameled one....but don't use aluminum, since juices are acidy! (guess that really goes without saying :-)) After the fruit is safely bundled up, the colander can be removed or left. Mine just rests on the top rim of the pot so I have left it there just to keep anything from getting into the dripped juice in the pot.

Hope that isn't "clear as mud"!!! LOL. Sometimes I am just not too articulate in getting my thought across!

Thanks, lisbet, that is crystal-clear, just like the resulting fruit juice! ;-)

Marie, I'd love your spiced apple jelly recipe!

Zabby

Oooh, Marie, I'd like the spiced apple jelly recipe too. Please?

Annie

Making Black berry Jelly and this one came up as a good idea.

ML

I want a cheese cloth alternative, but you guys dong know the difference between a china cap ( applesauce squisher?) and a Chinnoise

Does it matter if you don't boil the jelly bag prior to using? Just put my boiled fruit in a new bag, then read of recipie to pre-boil the bag

It not only makes sure the bag is lint free, clean and bacteria free - no way of knowing how long it has been laying around - but it also relaxes the fibers and improves the straining. Worth the effort of removing your fruit and boiling it.

Dave

I'm surprised no one mentioned using nylon stockings in this old forum thread. I've used my wife's "retired" nylon stockings since the late 1970's to make dewberry/blackberrt jelly. I cut the legs into 12 inch or so long segments, tying off the ends if not using the foot, and putting them 3 or 4 thick to make the bag. A canning funnel helps to keep the bag open to load it with mashed fruit. I'm in the group that likes to squeeze the bag to shorten the collection time. Althouth, this does make the juice cloudy as noted above..

I will empty and clean the nylon bags using a garden hose nozzel for the final step in cleaning the nylon segments. and then reassemble the nylon segments and repeat the juice collection process. It usually takes about 5 to 6 collection cycles to get 6 to 7 qts of juice.

After collecting the juice I put it in the refrigerator in 48 to 64 oz clear plastic bottles. In 24 or so hours, the cloudy juice settles to the bottom of the bottles and clear juice remains above. I then make as many recipes of clear jelly as I can and then finish with cloudy jelly to not waste any juice. No difference in flavor of clear vs cloudy jelly...it's only the look.

Having said the above, I'm not sure nylon stockings are available anymore. They don't seem to be in fashion today. But luckily, I happen to have an old stash/supply that ceased to be replinished about 15 or so years ago.

"After collecting the juice I put it in the refrigerator in 48 to 64 oz clear plastic bottles. In 24 or so hours, the cloudy juice settles to the bottom of the bottles and clear juice remains above. "

That seems to me to be much longer and more fiddly than just draining the bag overnight without squeezing. I blast the fruit in the PC in the evening, drain overnight and it's ready to use in the morning. I use squares of old pillow case or sheet, stick a single 's' hook through all the corners and hang the bundle from a doorknob. It is easy to fill the fabric square because it is much wider than either a jelly bag or a stocking.

I have been using a clean knee high panty nylon hose tied up to a door know. It is cheap and when done toss in the garbage. Yes jelly makers are resourceful!

Elderberry juice dripping overnight. It runs clear by gravity alone. Large piece of pillow case. Simple and effective. I used a shallower bowl than usual hence the gory splashes.

floral, that's exactly how I do it, but I usually tie the pillowcase/bag to the back of a kitchen chair and I have a deep stockpot that I use to catch the drips, so it SHOULD be neater, but somehow it seldom is...

Annie