It is the HOT acid that interacts with the aluminum and it only happens with time of exposure. So how hot was your fruit mix and how long was it exposed to the aluminum? Was the fruit in the bag or just in the chinoise? Cold processed foods pose no problems with a chinoise. They are normally used to extract the juice from the fruit, tomatoes, etc. before the food had been heated or after it has cooled. But if already very hot when exposed to the aluminum and if left in long contact, then the same thing can happen with a blender or food processor with aluminum blades or even a Foley food mill which millions use. Dave

Hmm, I am not "first owner" of anything too old. A French Press I've had since about 1980, is the oldest thing I suppose. As far as "previously owned" stuff, I use a slicer that my father-in-law used when he was a butcher shortly after WW2. It is about 18" long, slim flexible carbon steel, gets very sharp, I think of him when I take it out.

While I currently have all utensils stashed in drawers, I have used various containers on my counters to hold them. Some things I've used are a pottery bean pot, an urn, a large pottery cachepot, an enamel coffee pot, a vintage/maybe antique enamel pot, and a large ceramic rumtopf. Any large container will work altho if it's not heavy it can tip and I've sometimes placed something heavy in the bottom to prevent that. Most of the items I've used are are family treasures, have been found at yard sales, or while traveling. Large containers are everywhere, what you use depends on your style and preference. I prefer old things or unique items and can find them easily. Some items I've used to decorate my kitchen counters are a small lamp, a small chalkboard on an easel, a pottery sign, a tray with condiments, a tray with pottery containers filled with dog and cat treats, a vintage 30's tin scale, cookie tin, and pie saver that belonged to my DM, a 3 tiered plate holder, apothecary jars filled with various things from time to time. I currently have a large clear glass lidded canister that's still empty as I haven't decided what to put in it.

I have a grouping of McCoy vases. Don't fill them too full or you risk breaking them along invisible cracks, or toppling them over if the weight is distributed unevenly. Cool cookie jars that have lost their lids are also good and very cheap, if not free. But you might also consider hanging them (by hooks or in a container) or slotting them behind a rail, not unlike the one pictured, made by AllClad, Rosle or Ikea. They all make systems of items that work together.