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The Best Food Mills

We wanted to know which food mill was the most stable, efficient, and easy to use.

Top Pick

  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

WinnerCuisipro Deluxe Food Mill

This food mill had the largest capacity of all the models we tested, allowing us to process a significant volume of potatoes, apples, or berries in one batch. With medium tension on the spring-loaded blade and a smooth turning mechanism, it quickly produced high-quality mashed potatoes and applesauce without requiring too much muscle. Its rubber-coated handle and hook helped stabilize it on a wide range of vessels, although it still rocked a bit during use. Another small problem: It was a bit deep, sitting in the puree in smaller vessels.
Model Number: 746479Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm)Weight: 2.6 lbCapacity: 12 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, thermoplastic rubberDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $84
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This food mill had the largest capacity of all the models we tested, allowing us to process a significant volume of potatoes, apples, or berries in one batch. With medium tension on the spring-loaded blade and a smooth turning mechanism, it quickly produced high-quality mashed potatoes and applesauce without requiring too much muscle. Its rubber-coated handle and hook helped stabilize it on a wide range of vessels, although it still rocked a bit during use. Another small problem: It was a bit deep, sitting in the puree in smaller vessels.
Model Number: 746479Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm)Weight: 2.6 lbCapacity: 12 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, thermoplastic rubberDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $84

What You Need to Know

A food mill simultaneously grinds and strains foods. To use it, you turn a crank, and a spring-loaded blade presses the fruit or vegetable through a perforated disk, extruding a smooth, dense puree and leaving most skins and seeds behind in the hopper. Because you often don’t need to peel or seed produce before milling, the food mill can save a lot of time and effort. We wanted to know which food mill was the most stable, efficient, and easy to use, so we tested a range of models, using them to make mashed potatoes, applesauce, raspberry coulis, and tomato sauce.

A food mill floats atop a glass bowl filled with pureed potatoes
Food mills are ideal for making mashed potatoes, fruit purees, and more.

Each mill we tested has at least three interchangeable disks with different-size perforations for fine, medium, and coarse purees. While the perforation sizes and patterns varied from model to model, puree quality was not an issue. All the models produced smooth, even-textured purees with each of their disks and handled each type of produce equally well—the tomato sauce, coulis, and applesauce made with each mill were great, although all mills ground some potato skin into the mashed potatoes.

three food mill disks in coarse, medium, and fine
Food mills have interchangeable disks that allow you to process foods to different textures, typically coarse, medium, and fine.

For almost every task, even the slowest models were faster and more efficient than the peelers, ricers, wooden spoons, blenders, and strainers we’d otherwise use for those preparations. It took us 11 minutes to peel 1½ pounds of tomatoes by hand and put them through a blender, making a seedy, aerated sauce, but it took just 2 to 4 minutes in the food mills to process the same amount of unpeeled tomatoes into a skinless, nearly seedless sauce.

To use a food mill, you sit or hook the hopper on top of a bowl or pot. Then you crank a handle, pressing food against perforations in the hopper and turning the food into a puree.

Still, some machines worked more quickly than others. The main factor in determining speed was the force exerted by a small spring at the center of the mill. Each time you set up a food mill, you compress the spring by locking the bar it’s attached to into the hopper. When compressed, this spring keeps the rotating blade close to the perforated disk and delivers the force necessary to extrude the produce as you turn the crank. Slack springs didn’t generate enough force to mill the food quickly, but springs that were too tightly coiled pushed through unwanted berry and tomato seeds and required more muscle power to compress, making it more difficult to set up the mills and break them down. The best mills had medium-tight springs that were easy to install and provided just enough force to process produce efficiently without seeds passing through.

A compressed spring in the center of the mill provides the force necessary to push food through a perforated disk, turning it into a smooth puree. This spring force varied significantly from model to model, affecting each food mill’s performance and ease of use.

Problems also arose in terms of comfort, as larger mills were heavier to lift and thus less ideal for sessions in which we needed to process multiple batches of food. Others had handles that became uncomfortable to grip after just a few minutes.

We pureed more than 40 pounds of fruits and vegetables during testing. While all of the models we evaluated delivered smooth, even-textured purees, there were differences when it came to speed and ease of use.

Stability also proved important. Models with legs that extended out from the bottom of the hopper were the most stable, provided that they extended far enough to reach the sides of wide cooking vessels such as Dutch ovens, as they allowed the whole mill to sit securely on top of a bowl or pot. Models that hooked onto the sides of the cooking vessel tended to wobble or rock during use, requiring more effort from the user to stabilize them. That said, mills with handles and hooks that were covered in rubbery material were more secure than ones without, as they gripped cooking vessels more readily and thus were less prone to sliding around. Deeper models often sank so low within the pot that larger volumes of mashed potatoes and applesauce built up underneath, forcing us to repeatedly clear the purees with a spatula to make room for more.

We liked our winner, the Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill, for its comfortable, rubber-coated handles; large capacity; and smooth processing. It wasn’t quite as stable as we would like, but its grippy hook and handle helped it sit fairly securely in a wide variety of cooking vessels. We liked how its large capacity enabled us to process a large quantity of potatoes, apples, or berries in one go, but its size also meant that its base sometimes sat in the resulting puree. Despite this, it was easy to clean and comfortable to use.

The Tests

  • Make mashed potatoes
  • Make applesauce
  • Make raspberry coulis
  • Make tomato sauce
  • Have six test cooks use and rank
  • Wash by hand or put through dishwasher 10 times


How We Rated

  • Performance: We awarded more points to food mills that worked efficiently and held back a higher percentage of seeds and skins when making mashed potatoes, applesauce, raspberry coulis, and tomato sauce.
  • Ease of Use: We evaluated how heavy the machines were, how comfortable the handles were, how smoothly the cranks turned, and how easily the machine could be set up, dismantled, and washed.
  • Stability: We awarded more points to mills that sat securely on top of cooking vessels and did not rock, tip, or jerk during processing.

  • Legs (not hooks) to stabilize food mill
  • Comfortable, grippy handle
  • Lightweight
  • Medium spring force on blade

Everything We Tested

Good 3 Stars out of 3.
Fair 2 Stars out of 3.
Poor 1 Star out of 3.

Recommended

  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

WinnerCuisipro Deluxe Food Mill

This food mill had the largest capacity of all the models we tested, allowing us to process a significant volume of potatoes, apples, or berries in one batch. With medium tension on the spring-loaded blade and a smooth turning mechanism, it quickly produced high-quality mashed potatoes and applesauce without requiring too much muscle. Its rubber-coated handle and hook helped stabilize it on a wide range of vessels, although it still rocked a bit during use. Another small problem: It was a bit deep, sitting in the puree in smaller vessels.
Model Number: 746479Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm)Weight: 2.6 lbCapacity: 12 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, thermoplastic rubberDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $84
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This food mill had the largest capacity of all the models we tested, allowing us to process a significant volume of potatoes, apples, or berries in one batch. With medium tension on the spring-loaded blade and a smooth turning mechanism, it quickly produced high-quality mashed potatoes and applesauce without requiring too much muscle. Its rubber-coated handle and hook helped stabilize it on a wide range of vessels, although it still rocked a bit during use. Another small problem: It was a bit deep, sitting in the puree in smaller vessels.
Model Number: 746479Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm)Weight: 2.6 lbCapacity: 12 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, thermoplastic rubberDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $84

Recommended with reservations

  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

Küchenprofi Vegetable Sieve/Food Mill

This food mill performed quickly and did the best job of straining out seeds from berry coulis and tomato sauce; its four disks gave cooks more processing options. But it was a touch heavy, and its wide wire handle was uncomfortable to grip and made it harder to lift. Finally, although its large hook lifted the mill just above the puree, it didn’t always latch onto pots as securely as we’d have liked, so it rocked a bit during use.
Model Number: 0966002820Disks: 4 (1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm) Weight: 2.32 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $57.12
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This food mill performed quickly and did the best job of straining out seeds from berry coulis and tomato sauce; its four disks gave cooks more processing options. But it was a touch heavy, and its wide wire handle was uncomfortable to grip and made it harder to lift. Finally, although its large hook lifted the mill just above the puree, it didn’t always latch onto pots as securely as we’d have liked, so it rocked a bit during use.
Model Number: 0966002820Disks: 4 (1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm) Weight: 2.32 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $57.12

Not Recommended

  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

OXO Good Grips Food Mill

This model was the easiest to dismantle and had comfortable rubbery handles; better still, grippy, foldable legs made it the most stable mill we tested. But with not quite enough tension on the blade, this mill took the longest to make applesauce, coulis, and tomato sauce, ineffectively churning the contents of the hopper and often failing to push anything through. To get things moving, we had to reverse directions with the turning handle frequently—an action that made the blade grate unpleasantly against the perforated disk.
Model Number: 1071478Disks: 3 (1.5 mm, 2 mm, 7 mm)Weight: 1.91 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, soft-grip TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), polypropylene Dishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $49.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This model was the easiest to dismantle and had comfortable rubbery handles; better still, grippy, foldable legs made it the most stable mill we tested. But with not quite enough tension on the blade, this mill took the longest to make applesauce, coulis, and tomato sauce, ineffectively churning the contents of the hopper and often failing to push anything through. To get things moving, we had to reverse directions with the turning handle frequently—an action that made the blade grate unpleasantly against the perforated disk.
Model Number: 1071478Disks: 3 (1.5 mm, 2 mm, 7 mm)Weight: 1.91 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, soft-grip TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), polypropylene Dishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $49.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

RSVP Stainless Steel Food Mill

This model milled food relatively quickly and did a decent job of straining out most seeds. But it was done in by its hooks, which were placed so close to the top of the hopper that the mill inevitably ended up bathing in the puree it made. The hooks themselves failed to truly latch on to any cooking vessel, causing the mill to jump around like a bucking bronco while in use. Finally, not all the parts were dishwasher-safe—a big minus when it comes to messy milling.
Model Number: FDMLDisks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm)Weight: 2.12 lbCapacity: 9 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, beechwoodDishwasher-Safe: Disks, yes; body, noPrice at Time of Testing: $37.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This model milled food relatively quickly and did a decent job of straining out most seeds. But it was done in by its hooks, which were placed so close to the top of the hopper that the mill inevitably ended up bathing in the puree it made. The hooks themselves failed to truly latch on to any cooking vessel, causing the mill to jump around like a bucking bronco while in use. Finally, not all the parts were dishwasher-safe—a big minus when it comes to messy milling.
Model Number: FDMLDisks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm)Weight: 2.12 lbCapacity: 9 cupsMaterials: Stainless steel, beechwoodDishwasher-Safe: Disks, yes; body, noPrice at Time of Testing: $37.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

All-Clad Food Mill

This pricey food mill smoothly churned out great mashed potatoes, applesauce, and berry coulis. Its metal hook was able to reach the sides of a Dutch oven, saucepan, and large bowl, aiding its stability, but it rocked back and forth a bit during use. It was also the heaviest mill we tested and its steel wire handle was uncomfortable to hold, so it was difficult to lift. It has a medium capacity and is fairly deep, so its base often sat in the resulting puree.
Model Number: 2176130Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm)Weight: 2.73 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $129.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This pricey food mill smoothly churned out great mashed potatoes, applesauce, and berry coulis. Its metal hook was able to reach the sides of a Dutch oven, saucepan, and large bowl, aiding its stability, but it rocked back and forth a bit during use. It was also the heaviest mill we tested and its steel wire handle was uncomfortable to hold, so it was difficult to lift. It has a medium capacity and is fairly deep, so its base often sat in the resulting puree.
Model Number: 2176130Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm)Weight: 2.73 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $129.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

Tellier Stainless Steel Food Mill, 9½"

This food mill was one of the lightest in our lineup and felt unstable on a wide variety of cooking vessels. It has adjustable legs, which we hoped would greatly improve stability, but they only reached the sides of smaller cooking vessels and didn’t extend to span our favorite Dutch oven. We had to frequently reverse directions on the turning handle to clear the disk and get things moving, causing an unpleasant grating sensation and sound.
Model Number: Disks: 5 (2 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, 6.2 mm x 3.3 mm oval)Weight: 1.6 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $60.95
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This food mill was one of the lightest in our lineup and felt unstable on a wide variety of cooking vessels. It has adjustable legs, which we hoped would greatly improve stability, but they only reached the sides of smaller cooking vessels and didn’t extend to span our favorite Dutch oven. We had to frequently reverse directions on the turning handle to clear the disk and get things moving, causing an unpleasant grating sensation and sound.
Model Number: Disks: 5 (2 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm, 6.2 mm x 3.3 mm oval)Weight: 1.6 lbCapacity: 8 cupsMaterial: Stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: YesPrice at Time of Testing: $60.95

DISCONTINUED

  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance

RSVP Classic Rotary Food Mill

This inexpensive, lightweight food mill proved the top choice of every cook who tried it. Despite a relatively small capacity, good spring force enabled it to puree foods quickly and efficiently while allowing just a few tomato and berry seeds to pass through. Its handles were comfortable, and it was easy to lift and crank (a narrow crossbar made it a tad tricky to take apart). Best of all, long, notched legs allowed the mill to feel comparatively stable while sitting high and secure above the food.
Model Number: VEG-3Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 7 mm)Weight: 1.05 lbCapacity: 7 cupsMaterials: BPA-free plastic, stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: Yes, top rack onlyPrice at Time of Testing: DISCONTINUED
  • Stability
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
This inexpensive, lightweight food mill proved the top choice of every cook who tried it. Despite a relatively small capacity, good spring force enabled it to puree foods quickly and efficiently while allowing just a few tomato and berry seeds to pass through. Its handles were comfortable, and it was easy to lift and crank (a narrow crossbar made it a tad tricky to take apart). Best of all, long, notched legs allowed the mill to feel comparatively stable while sitting high and secure above the food.
Model Number: VEG-3Disks: 3 (2 mm, 3 mm, 7 mm)Weight: 1.05 lbCapacity: 7 cupsMaterials: BPA-free plastic, stainless steelDishwasher-Safe: Yes, top rack onlyPrice at Time of Testing: DISCONTINUED

*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.

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