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Food mill

16 years ago

I bought one of these to try and remove the skins from rehydrated peppers. I haven't tried it yet so I don't know how well it will work. I'm wondering what else you can do with a food mill. I've seen them make mashed potatoes on TV but that seems like a lot of clean up compared to my masher. If any of you guys have one and use it please clue me in.

James

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Comments (7)

annie1992
16 years ago
James, it is a Foley type food mill, one of those round metal pans with a handle that turns and squishes stuff out the holes in the bottom?

If so, it's great for applesauce, for making tomato sauce or mashing tomato soup, for plum sauce if you don't want chunks or for mashing berries for jam or sauce.

Annie
User
16 years ago
I second it's use for a lovely smooth tomato sauce !
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A grape lug holds 36 pounds. I'd like to avoid the description of Laurie's Foley experience. The Foley looks like it would do a nice job of ricing a few servings of mashed potatoes, though. I read this review on Amazon about the Roma: "The only reason I give less than 5 starts is that the suction on the bottom kept releasing periodically, even when I tried sending fewer tomatoes through. I tried dampening the bottom, which helped, but it still eventually lost its grip. Also, the plastic gasket that is supposed to keep tomato guts from squeezing out the top of the screen (top as in end closest to strainer body) doesn't fit well (at least in mine), and won't stay in the machine." So I am wondering about the suction. I don't really have a completely smooth surface to attach a suction (tile counter). I see it comes with a clamp but it looks a bit flimsy. I do have a table that I could clamp to. I clamp my Atlas pasta machine there. So I'm looking at the Victorio which has a nice sturdy looking clamp. I see both require the purchase of a separate accessory kit. I assume I will need that? I see the new Squeezo on Amazon at 195 and up. Yup, a bit steep. Ebay has a few but also no bargains. Laurie, what is your take on the Amazon review above? Thanks, Eileen
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ruthanna_gw
16 years ago
I use mine primarily for making applesauce and apple butter, tomato products like sauce or ketchup, and for making seedless blackberry or raspberry items.

I haven't expanded its usage much more than for those but I's sure miss it if I didn't have it.
hawk307
16 years ago
Jim:
Does it look like this. It is a Foley, No.101.
Only holds about a Quart.
I use mine same as the others said.

You can use it to take out the seeds from some fruit to make Jams,
or for apples to make Applesauce or Apple Butter.

I only use it now for Tomatoes, to take out the seeds and skins.
My Grandmother had one to hold about 3 Quarts and used it mainly for Canning.
LOU
mer4205
16 years ago
Hiya Jim! In Italian we call it a Passatutto and use it to strain tomatoes for sauce. It works well as a potato ricer too. I have one that has several discs with different size holes....also works great for split pea soup - gives it a nice texture if you are not looking for it to be totally smooth. -maria
jimtex
Original Author
16 years ago
It looks like the one in Lou's pic. I didn't think about making my own tomato sauce. I'll do some experimenting this weekend. I'm off to work now at this unGodly hour to relieve some buddies who have worked all night. Gotta keep the lights on.
James
Lars
16 years ago
I bought one for the same reason you did, and it works very well for removing skins from rehydrated chilies. It also helps with removing the seeds. I got mine from eBay, and so it is from the 1950s, I think. I had bought a new one, but it broke after very little use, and it was much more expensive. For me, this is one case where newer is not better.

I really haven't used it for much else than chilies, and now I often grind the dried chilies in a coffee mill instead.

Lars

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