Every summer our team fields the same question from canners, sauce makers, and backyard growers: which food strainer actually earns a spot on the counter when the tomatoes and apples start piling up? After three months of running ten of the most popular food strainers, food mills, sauce makers, and chinois through real batches of Roma tomatoes, Honeycrisp apples, pumpkin, and blackberries, we have a clear answer.
The best food strainers and sauce makers are not one-size-fits-all. Some crank through 50 pounds of tomatoes in under an hour, while others are built for silky pumpkin purée or clear, jewel-like jellies. In this guide we share what each tool does best, where it falls short, and which model fits your kitchen and your harvest. We also included a side-by-side explainer that no other roundup covers: food mill vs fine-mesh strainer vs chinois vs electric sauce maker, so you can match the tool to the job before you spend a dime.
Our team has tested every strainer on this list with cooked tomatoes straight from the stockpot, raw apples quartered and cored, and soft berries that destroy cheap mesh. We weighed capacity, how the crank feels after 20 minutes of continuous use, how easy the screen is to clear, and whether the body holds steady on a wet counter. If you want the short version, the Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill earned our Editor’s Choice slot, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill is the best value, and the Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer is the only one we trust for a 50+ pound harvest. Read on for the full breakdown, the buying guide, and the FAQs home canners actually ask.
If you are stocking a homestead kitchen from scratch, our guides to the best food dehydrators for homesteaders and best vacuum sealers for food storage pair well with a dedicated food strainer.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks at a Glance (September 2026)
Three strainers stood out after our 12-week testing window. Each one solves a different problem: the everyday food mill, the value-priced stainless mill, and the electric workhorse for large canning runs.
Hungry Artisan Food Mill
- 3 interchangeable discs
- Dishwasher-safe stainless
- Household capacity
OXO Good Grips Food Mill
- 3 discs fine/medium/coarse
- Fold-out non-slip legs
- 2.3-quart capacity
Best Food Strainers and Sauce Makers in 2026 Quick Comparison
Every model on our list, side by side with the key features that matter for tomato sauce, applesauce, jam, and berry coulis. Hover or tap a row to see the full review below.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill |
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| OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill |
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 Johnny Apple Sauce Maker (Kitchen Crop VKP250) |
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 KITCHTREE Fruit and Vegetable Strainer for KitchenAid |
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 InnoMoon Fruit and Vegetable Strainer for KitchenAid |
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 Norpro 1951 Original Sauce Master |
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 Rosle 16252 Stainless Steel Food Mill |
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 Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Food Mill |
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| Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer |
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 Norpro 642 Stainless Steel Chinois with Stand |
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Food Mill vs Chinois vs Fine-Mesh Strainer vs Sauce Maker
The single biggest source of buyer confusion is that “food strainer” gets used as a catch-all for four genuinely different tools. Pick the wrong one and you will either fight a clogging screen or throw away good pulp. Pick the right one and you will move from dreading canning day to actually looking forward to it.
Food mill: the everyday workhorse
A food mill is a hand-crank or motorized bowl with a perforated disc at the bottom and a rotating blade (or auger) that pushes cooked food through. It is your go-to for tomato sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin purée. The sauce exits the bottom or front spout while skins and seeds ride up the fluted sides and out the discard chute. Our top pick, the Hungry Artisan, is a classic food mill.
Sauce maker / tomato strainer: the high-volume specialist
A sauce maker (sometimes called a tomato strainer or fruit strainer) is a taller, clamp- or suction-mounted device with a side hopper, an internal spiral auger, and a chrome or stainless screen that pushes product through under pressure. The VKP250 / Johnny Apple Sauce Maker and the Norpro 1951 are the two best-known examples. Sauce makers are built for big canning runs and handle raw or cooked produce equally well.
Chinois: the silky-finish finisher
A chinois (also called a china cap or bouillon strainer) is a cone-shaped, ultra-fine mesh strainer paired with a wooden pestle. It is the tool restaurants reach for when they need absolutely clear consommé, lump-free custards, and seedless berry purées. It is not built for volume. The Norpro 642 is a longtime favorite among serious cooks.
Fine-mesh strainer: the everyday sifter
A fine-mesh strainer is a small wire basket on a handle. It is perfect for sifting flour, rinsing rice, draining small batches of pasta, and quick jobs. It cannot replace a food mill for sauce or a chinois for crystal-clear broth. We recommend one in every kitchen, but it does not belong on a list of dedicated sauce makers.
If you process less than 5 pounds of produce per session, a food mill or fine-mesh strainer is all you need. If you process 5 to 25 pounds, look at the clamp-on sauce makers. Above 25 pounds, an electric tomato strainer like the Weston Deluxe pays for itself in saved time and shoulders.
1. Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill – Editor’s Choice
Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill for Tomato Sauce & Canning
Material: Stainless steel
Discs: 3 (fine/medium/coarse)
Capacity: Household
Cleanup: Dishwasher-safe
Pros
- Sturdy all-stainless build with no plastic in the food path
- 3 interchangeable discs cover every texture we tested
- Smooth
- low-effort crank even after 30 minutes of use
- Dishwasher-safe cleanup beats every competitor at this price
- Works equally well on tomatoes
- apples
- berries
- and potatoes
- No sharp blades - safer to take apart and clean
Cons
- Coarse disc may let some seeds through with very seedy produce
- Smaller batch capacity than clamp-on sauce makers
The Hungry Artisan is the food mill I reach for when I want a smooth, seed-free tomato sauce without hauling out a clamp-on machine. The build is genuinely all stainless steel, with a comfortable rotary crank, three interchangeable discs (fine, medium, coarse), and a fluted interior that keeps food moving through the screen instead of piling up at the edges.
On the first run I cooked down 10 pounds of Roma tomatoes until soft and started cranking. Within seconds I had a stream of glossy, deep-red passata flowing out the front spout while dry, compressed skins and seeds exited cleanly through the back. The crank stayed smooth through the entire batch, with no sticking and no need to stop and clear the screen. The fine disc caught every seed in a single pass, and swapping to the coarse disc gave me a thicker, more rustic sauce for pizza night.
I also ran Honeycrisp apples through the medium disc for a quick applesauce. Quartered, cored, and cooked 15 minutes, the apples came out silky with no need to peel the skins – exactly what I wanted. The mill stayed put on a damp counter, no slipping, no chasing the bowl across the kitchen.
Cleanup is the standout feature. The discs pop out without tools, the bowl rinses clean in 30 seconds, and the whole unit goes on the top rack of the dishwasher. After 12 weeks of weekly testing the discs still look new. The only real complaint from reviewers is that the coarse disc may let a few seeds through on very seedy heirloom tomatoes; switching to the fine disc solved it every time.
Who it is best for
The Hungry Artisan is the right food mill for a home cook who wants one sturdy, all-purpose tool for weekly tomato sauce, applesauce, berry coulis, and mashed potatoes. It is not built for 50-pound canning marathons, but for everyday kitchen use it is the best all-rounder we tested.
Who should skip it
If you process bushels of tomatoes every September, a clamp-on sauce maker or electric tomato strainer will save you hours. The Hungry Artisan is a hand-crank mill first, and a determined hand can crank through maybe 15 pounds before the forearm starts talking back.
2. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill – Top Rated
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill For Purees
Material: Stainless steel
Discs: 3 (fine/medium/coarse)
Capacity: 2.3 qt
Cleanup: Dishwasher-safe
Pros
- Trusted brand with thousands of long-term owner reviews
- Spring-loaded lever makes disc swaps one-handed
- Fold-out non-slip legs fit pots up to 11 inches
- Stainless bowl handles hot food without staining
- Lightweight and stores in a drawer
Cons
- Smaller 2.3-quart capacity means more refills on big batches
- Legs may not span extra-wide stockpots
- Plastic quick-release on crank can wear over years
The OXO Good Grips is the food mill I have recommended to friends for years because it nails the everyday case at a price most kitchens can absorb. The body is stainless steel, the three discs swap with a spring-loaded lever that does not require tools, and the three fold-out legs sit firmly on a pot up to 11 inches across.
I cooked 5 pounds of Roma tomatoes down to a soft mass and ran them through the fine disc. The sauce came out clean and the bowl underneath filled with a deep-red passata that needed no further straining. Swapping to the coarse disc produced a thicker sauce suitable for chili or a quick pizza base. Switching discs took about 5 seconds with one hand – the spring lever is genuinely one of the better small design decisions on any food mill I have tested.
The biggest compromise is capacity. At roughly 2.3 quarts the OXO bowl is smaller than a clamp-on sauce maker, so big canning days mean stopping to refill more often. Reviewers also mention that the plastic quick-release on the crank can wear after many years, and that the fold-out legs may not bridge very wide stockpots. None of these are dealbreakers for the typical home cook.
For under most specialty strainers, the OXO delivers near-flagship performance for everyday batches. It is also one of the easiest food mills to clean: a rinse, a quick brush, and the top rack of the dishwasher takes care of the rest.
Who it is best for
A couple or small family that wants one reliable mill for weekly pasta sauce, occasional applesauce, and the mashed potatoes for Sunday dinner. The OXO is the safe, well-supported pick with the longest track record on this list.
Who should skip it
Anyone processing 25 or more pounds of produce per session will refill the OXO so often that the smaller bowl becomes a chore. Jump to the Johnny Apple Sauce Maker or the Weston electric.
3. Johnny Apple Sauce Maker (Kitchen Crop VKP250) – Best for Canning
Johnny Apple Sauce Maker, Tomato Sauce Maker, Remove Skins & Seeds From Produce, Model 250 Clamp Based Food Strainer (Basic Strainer)
Mount: Clamp-on
Screen: 1.3 mm apple/tomato
Auger: Standard spiral
Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Clamp-on mount frees both hands during long canning sessions
- Removes skins and seeds in a single pass with very dry waste
- 5-year warranty and easy-to-find replacement parts
- Optional electric motor turns it into a powered strainer
- Handles tomatoes
- apples
- grapes
- berries
- and pumpkin
Cons
- Clamp only fits counters 3/4 to 2-1/8 inches thick
- Discard chute plastic cup can crack if dropped
- Screen needs hand washing with a bottle brush
The Johnny Apple Sauce Maker – sold for years under the Victorio brand and now branded Kitchen Crop – is the tomato strainer most experienced canners swear by. It clamps to the counter, has a side-mounted hopper with a feed chute, and pushes food through a chrome-plated screen via a sturdy spiral auger.
On a recent Sunday I cranked through 30 pounds of Roma tomatoes in well under an hour. The clamp held firm on a 1.5-inch butcher-block counter, the spiral did the work, and the discard chute produced a remarkably dry pile of skins and seeds. The smooth passata that came out the front spout needed no second pass, no cheesecloth, and no extra blending. That is the VKP250 difference.
The trade-offs are real. The clamp only fits counters between 3/4 and 2-1/8 inches thick, so a thin modern countertop may not work. The discard chute plastic cup is a known weak point – multiple long-term reviewers on Reddit and canning forums report it cracking after a few years of heavy use. Replacement cups are available through VKP Brands, but it is something to know going in.
Cleaning takes more work than a hand-crank mill because the screen is finer. A bottle brush and warm running water are mandatory. Once you have the routine down, it is five minutes well spent.
Who it is best for
Anyone running a real home-canning operation. The clamp mount, the spiral auger, and the option to add an aftermarket electric motor make the VKP250 the most flexible tomato strainer on the market for serious canners.
Who should skip it
Casual cooks making a single jar of sauce will find the VKP250 overkill. If you only make tomato sauce a few times a year, a food mill like the Hungry Artisan or OXO will be friendlier.
4. KITCHTREE Fruit and Vegetable Strainer for KitchenAid – Best Stand-Mixer Attachment
KITCHTREE Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Attachment Set for KitchenAid – Includes Food Grinder Attachment and Sausage Stuffer Tubes, Compatible with KitchenAid Stand Mixers
Power: KitchenAid stand mixer
Includes: Strainer, grinder, sausage tubes
Screens: 2 grinding plates
Use: Cooked produce
Pros
- Powered by your existing stand mixer - no hand cramping
- Half the processing time of hand-peeling tomatoes
- Includes meat grinder and sausage stuffer tubes for added value
- Cuts skins
- seeds
- and pulp in a single pass
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Compatibility must be verified (not for KitchenAid FGA food grinder)
- Some plastic parts can crack after extended heavy use
If you already own a KitchenAid stand mixer, the KITCHTREE strainer attachment turns it into a powered tomato and fruit processor for a fraction of the cost of a dedicated electric strainer. It attaches to the front hub, includes a fruit and vegetable strainer cone, a meat grinder with two plates, two cutting blades, and two sausage stuffer tubes.
I clamped the strainer to my KitchenAid Artisan, dropped quartered, cored apples into the hopper, and let the mixer do the work. Within a couple of minutes I had a bowl of smooth applesauce with no peeling required. Switching to cooked tomatoes worked the same way – the spiral auger pushed everything through the cone and out came seed-free sauce. The fact that the same attachment handles meat and sausage stuffing makes it a triple-use tool that pays for itself fast.
The two real trade-offs are cleaning and compatibility. Everything is hand wash only, and you need to verify the attachment fits your specific KitchenAid model before ordering – it does not work with the KitchenAid FGA food grinder. A small number of reviewers report plastic components cracking after many seasons of heavy use, which is worth knowing if you plan to run it weekly.
For owners of a KitchenAid who process 20-50 pounds of tomatoes a season, this is a smart, budget-friendly alternative to a separate electric tomato strainer.
Who it is best for
Home cooks who already own a KitchenAid stand mixer and want to add strainer, grinder, and sausage stuffer functionality without buying three separate appliances.
Who should skip it
If you do not own a KitchenAid, this attachment does nothing for you. Look at a standalone mill or strainer instead. Hand-wash-only households will also want a dishwasher-safe option like the Hungry Artisan or OXO.
5. InnoMoon Fruit and Vegetable Strainer for KitchenAid – Best 2-in-1 Attachment
InnoMoon Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Power: KitchenAid stand mixer
Includes: Strainer, grinder, blades, tubes
Screens: 2 grinding plates
Cleanup: Top-rack dishwasher-safe
Pros
- 2-in-1 design covers strainer and meat grinder in one box
- Dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleanup
- Doubles as a sausage stuffer with included tubes
- Cuts tomato processing time roughly in half
Cons
- Plastic components feel less premium than the KitchenAid original
- Strainer holes can clog with very seedy produce
- A few reports of attachment shifting on the mixer over time
The InnoMoon strainer is the cleaner-built cousin of the KITCHTREE. It does the same job – turn your KitchenAid into a powered fruit and vegetable strainer plus meat grinder – but it adds dishwasher-safe parts, a more compact form factor, and a slightly more refined build.
In my testing the InnoMoon installed on the KitchenAid hub without tools, and within minutes I had applesauce, then tomato sauce, then a small batch of sausage meat. Switching between strainer and grinder modes is straightforward, and the included recipe guide is genuinely useful for first-timers.
Where the InnoMoon stumbles is on long-term durability. The plastic components feel a step below the KitchenAid-brand original, and a few reviewers mention the attachment can shift slightly on the mixer after many uses. Strainer holes can also clog with very seedy heirloom tomatoes, so plan to stop and clear the screen every few minutes on big batches.
For the price, the InnoMoon delivers an enormous amount of capability. Two appliances in one, dishwasher-safe cleanup, and the ability to skip a dedicated electric strainer entirely.
Who it is best for
KitchenAid owners who want a more compact, dishwasher-friendly strainer-and-grinder combo than the original KitchenAid attachment.
Who should skip it
Anyone who plans to process 100+ pounds of tomatoes per season will overwork the plastic components. Step up to the Weston electric for that kind of volume.
6. Norpro 1951 Original Sauce Master – Best Budget Tomato Strainer
Norpro 1951 “The Original” Sauce Master
Mount: Clamp-on
Screen: Chrome-plated steel
Capacity: 3 qt
Auger: Plastic spiral
Pros
- Decades-long reputation as a budget canner's tomato strainer
- Higher juice yield on the first pass than many rivals
- Optional berry
- pumpkin
- and salsa screens available separately
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
Cons
- Plastic auger can wear over many years of use
- Clamp can slip on some countertop edges
- Screen seam traps seeds and makes cleaning harder
The Norpro 1951 “Original” Sauce Master has been the entry-level tomato strainer for home canners since the 1970s. It is a clamp-on design with a chrome-plated steel screen, a plastic spiral auger, and a 3-quart hopper that holds enough tomatoes for a serious canning session.
I cranked through 12 pounds of cooked heirloom tomatoes and was impressed by the first-pass yield. The Norpro extracted noticeably more juice than some of the newer look-alike strainers, with smooth sauce flowing steadily out the front. The chrome screen held up well to acid tomatoes and cleaned up with a rinse and a brush.
The two recurring complaints in long-term reviews are the plastic auger (it can wear after many seasons) and the clamp, which can slip on certain counter edges. There is also a small seam in the screen where the chrome plates meet; that seam catches seeds and needs extra attention during cleaning.
For a canner on a tight budget, the Norpro 1951 still delivers real value. It is also the easiest strainer on this list to expand: Norpro sells optional berry, pumpkin, and salsa screens that swap in for different jobs.
Who it is best for
First-time canners and budget-conscious buyers who want a real tomato strainer without paying for a premium brand. Also a strong pick if you want to add berry, pumpkin, or salsa screens later.
Who should skip it
Anyone processing very large harvests will want a stronger metal auger and a sturdier clamp. The Johnny Apple Sauce Maker or Weston electric are better long-term picks.
7. Rosle 16252 Stainless Steel Food Mill – Premium Pick
Rosle 16252 Stainless Steel Food Mill with Handle, Bowl Rests & 2 Grinding Disc Sieves
Material: 18/10 stainless steel
Discs: 2 (1 mm and 3 mm)
Build: One-piece, no welds
Cleanup: Dishwasher-safe
Pros
- Professional-grade 18/10 stainless steel
- no plastic in food path
- Tight blade-to-sieve alignment for very efficient milling
- Heirloom build - cooks report decades of regular use
- Comes apart easily for cleaning
- no tools required
Cons
- Premium price well above most home food mills
- Heavy - best positioned over a sturdy bowl
- not held in the air
- Food can climb the bowl sides on soft produce and needs scraping
The Rosle 16252 is the food mill you buy once and hand down. It is built from a single piece of 18/10 stainless steel, with no welds, no plastic in the food path, and tolerances tight enough that the blade nearly touches the sieve. That precision is what gives Rosle its reputation for the smoothest, most efficient milling in the category.
On cooked tomatoes, the Rosle produced a noticeably silkier passata than any other mill I tested. The crank moved with almost no resistance, the food cycled through the sieve in seconds, and there was no pulp buildup around the edges. Apples for sauce went through just as easily. Cleaning was a non-event: take apart, rinse, and either hand wash or put in the dishwasher.
The premium price is the obvious trade-off. The Rosle costs more than most home food mills, and it is heavy – definitely a set-it-on-a-sturdy-bowl tool rather than a hold-it-in-the-air tool. A few reviewers also note that soft, very wet foods can climb the bowl sides and need to be scraped back down. Neither is a dealbreaker for serious cooks.
If you want a food mill that will outlast every other kitchen tool you own, the Rosle is the one.
Who it is best for
Serious home cooks and small-batch pros who want the best-built hand food mill available and are willing to pay for it.
Who should skip it
Casual cooks and tight-budget shoppers. The OXO and Hungry Artisan deliver 90 percent of the Rosle experience at a fraction of the cost.
8. Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Food Mill – Best for Decades-Long Durability
Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill Cookware, 2-Quart, Silver –
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 2 qt
Disc: Fixed multi-purpose
Legs: Two
Pros
- Affordable stainless steel mill with a proven decades-long track record
- Lightweight and easy to position over any pot
- Easy to clean by hand
- Reliable workhorse for applesauce
- tomato sauce
- and potatoes
Cons
- Only one fixed disc - no interchangeable options
- Two-legged base is less stable than three-legged mills
- Sometimes requires blade alignment tweak out of the box
The Mirro 50024 Foley is the stainless steel food mill many of us grew up watching on our grandmothers’ counter. It is a simple, lightweight 2-quart mill with a single fixed disc that handles tomatoes, apples, and potatoes without complaint.
I ran 8 pounds of cooked tomatoes through the Foley and got a clean, seed-free sauce with the expected modest throughput. The two-leg base sat well on a standard 9-inch bowl, the crank turned smoothly, and the disc cleaned up with a quick rinse and a brush. It is not fancy, but it is honest.
The obvious limitation is the single fixed disc – if you want a fine sauce and a coarse sauce in the same session, you need two mills. The two-leg base is also less stable than the three-leg designs from OXO and Rosle, and a few users report having to tweak the blade alignment on arrival. None of those issues have stopped the Foley from earning thousands of dedicated long-term reviews.
For a buyer who wants a simple, well-priced stainless mill that will keep working year after year, the Foley remains a smart buy.
Who it is best for
Anyone who values simplicity and a decades-proven design over interchangeable discs and modern features. Also a smart secondary mill for a homesteader who already owns a clamp-on strainer.
Who should skip it
Cooks who want to swap between fine, medium, and coarse textures in one session. The Foley is one speed, one disc.
9. Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer – Best Electric for Big Harvests
Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer, Food Mill & Sauce Maker
Motor: 250 W
Hopper: 1 gallon
Screens: 3 (1.5/3/6 mm)
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- 250-watt motor chews through 50+ pounds of tomatoes in an afternoon
- Reverse function clears jams without disassembly
- Three stainless steel screens cover sauces
- purées
- and chunky salsas
- Includes a stomper for safe feeding
- One-gallon hopper for fewer refills
Cons
- Aluminum head needs oiling before first use to avoid gray residue in sauce
- Plastic motor housing can shift when the hopper is full
- Cannot run continuously - needs 5-minute cool-down breaks
The Weston Deluxe Electric is the tomato strainer for the homesteader with a real harvest. It pairs a 250-watt motor with a 1-gallon hopper, three interchangeable stainless steel screens (1.5 mm for tomatoes and berries, 3 mm for pumpkin and squash, 6 mm for chunky salsas), and a reverse function that clears the occasional jam without disassembly.
I cooked down 25 pounds of Roma tomatoes, set the Weston up on the counter with a large stockpot underneath, and started feeding. Within 30 minutes I had just over 7 quarts of thick, seed-free sauce and a near-dry pile of skins and seeds in the discard tray. The motor never bogged down, the reverse button saved me twice when a chunk got stuck, and cleanup was a quick rinse plus a trip through the dishwasher for the screens.
The Weston has two quirks every buyer should know about. First, the aluminum head needs to be oiled before first use or you will get a faint gray tint in your sauce. Second, the plastic motor housing can shift when the hopper is fully loaded, so plan to brace it against a wall or heavy counter. The motor also needs a 5-minute cool-down every 15-20 minutes of continuous use, which is normal for this class.
For serious canners who process 30, 50, even 100 pounds of tomatoes per season, the Weston is the most capable electric tomato strainer you can buy without going fully commercial.
Who it is best for
Homesteaders, small-farm growers, and competitive canners who need to clear a serious tomato harvest in a single afternoon. Also a smart pick for anyone with shoulder or hand strength issues.
Who should skip it
Casual cooks making a few jars of sauce will get more value from a hand-crank mill or a KitchenAid attachment.
10. Norpro 642 Stainless Steel Chinois with Stand – Best for Broths and Jellies
Norpro 642 Stainless Steel Chinois with Stand and Pestle Set, Bouillon Strainer, Jelly Strainer, China Cap
Material: Stainless steel with wood
Mesh: 0.5 mm fine
Stand: Chromed steel
Pestle: Wooden
Pros
- Sturdy stainless steel cone does not bend like handheld mesh strainers
- Ultra-fine mesh produces clear
- jewel-like stocks and jellies
- Wooden pestle controls pressure without damaging the mesh
- Stand fits a wide range of pots from 4 to 10 quarts
- Excellent for broths
- jellies
- berry purées
- and finishing sauces
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Narrow base - tricky to position over a mixing bowl
- Sharp/burr edges on a small number of units out of the box
The Norpro 642 chinois is the last-step tool that turns a perfectly good stock or sauce into a beautifully clear one. It is a stainless steel cone with ultra-fine mesh (0.5 mm), a chromed steel stand, and a wooden pestle for pressing soft food through.
I used the Norpro chinois to finish a batch of chicken stock that had been simmered overnight. Two passes through the chinois produced a stock so clear I could read newsprint through the bowl. The same tool turned a bowl of blackberries into a seedless, glossy coulis that was the highlight of a cheesecake that evening. For jellies, the chinois is unmatched – it is exactly the tool jelly makers reach for to get a crystal-clear set.
Cleanup is the trade-off. Everything is hand wash only, and the fine mesh takes more time to rinse than a food mill disc. The base is also narrow and works best over a stockpot rather than a mixing bowl. A small number of buyers report sharp or burred edges on the rim out of the box; a quick pass with a file resolves it.
No serious cook’s kitchen is complete without a chinois. The Norpro 642 is the model we recommend.
Who it is best for
Cooks who care about crystal-clear stocks, jellies, coulis, and finishing sauces. A chinois is not a primary tomato strainer – it is the finisher that takes a sauce from good to restaurant quality.
Who should skip it
If your only goal is a quick weeknight tomato sauce, a food mill or sauce maker is faster and easier. A chinois is the right tool only for the last finishing step.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Food Strainer for Your Kitchen
Picking the right food strainer or sauce maker comes down to four honest questions: how much do you process, how often, what produce, and how much cleanup do you tolerate? This guide walks through each factor with real numbers from our testing.
Match the tool to the job
Food mills (Hungry Artisan, OXO, Rosle, Mirro Foley) are the all-rounders for tomato sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and berry purées in batches under 15 pounds. Sauce makers (Johnny Apple Sauce Maker, Norpro 1951) are the right tool when you start hitting 15-30 pounds per session and want to leave the skins and seeds behind. Electric tomato strainers (Weston Deluxe) become worth it at 30+ pounds per session. Chinois (Norpro 642) are finishing tools for stocks, jellies, and ultra-smooth sauces, not primary strainers.
Mesh and screen size: what each disc actually does
The screen size controls the texture of the final product. A 1-1.5 mm screen (fine) gives you silky, seed-free tomato sauce and clear apple butter. A 3 mm screen (medium) gives you a slightly thicker sauce with a bit of body. A 6 mm screen (coarse) gives you a rustic sauce or a chunky salsa. Most food mills ship with fine and medium; the Weston electric ships with all three. Buy a strainer that supports additional screens so you can expand later.
Hand-crank vs motorized: pick based on your harvest
Hand-crank strainers are quieter, simpler to clean, and far cheaper. They are perfect for batches up to about 15 pounds of cooked tomatoes. Above that, your hand starts cramping. Motorized strainers and electric tomato strainers pay for themselves when your harvest crosses 25-30 pounds, especially for anyone with arthritis, shoulder injuries, or limited grip strength. VKP Brands sells an aftermarket electric motor that bolts onto the Johnny Apple Sauce Maker if you want one tool that does both.
Capacity and batch size
Capacity matters more than buyers expect. A 2.3-quart mill (OXO) is fine for a few pounds of sauce; you will refill it constantly on a 25-pound canning day. A 1-gallon hopper (Weston) or a clamp-on sauce maker with an open hopper (VKP250) is built for the long haul. If you process less than 5 pounds per session, capacity does not matter. Above 15 pounds, it matters a lot.
Materials: stainless steel vs plastic vs coated aluminum
Stainless steel is the gold standard for durability, heat tolerance, and cleanability. It will not stain, warp, or react with acidic tomatoes. Plastic-bodied strainers are lighter and cheaper but can warp over years of hot food use and are harder to sterilize. Coated aluminum (the Weston head) is fine for occasional use but must be oiled to prevent gray residue in acidic sauces. For a tool you plan to keep for a decade, stainless steel is the safer bet.
Cleaning and maintenance
Every strainer on this list benefits from immediate rinsing before food dries onto the screen. Dishwasher-safe models (Hungry Artisan, OXO, InnoMoon, Weston) save time. Hand-wash-only models (Norpro 642, KITCHTREE, Johnny Apple Sauce Maker) need a bottle brush and warm running water. Budget 5-10 minutes of cleanup per batch, regardless of tool.
Replacement parts and long-term ownership
The biggest hidden pain point in this category is replacement parts. The Johnny Apple Sauce Maker’s plastic discard chute cup is the most commonly reported failure across Reddit and canning forums – it is replaceable through VKP Brands but worth budgeting for. Norpro sells separate berry, pumpkin, and salsa screens for the 1951. KitchenAid attachments are easiest to source parts for through KitchenAid directly. Buy from a brand that supports its products with parts.
Country of manufacture: the Italian-made quality angle
If you are willing to pay a premium for a tool built by a European maker, Italian tomato strainers from brands like Squeezo, OMRA, and Reber carry a serious reputation among canners. They are typically all-metal, with stainless augers and replaceable screens, and they tend to outlast any of the US-made options. If you go this route, buy from a US importer with a real warranty. The Weston Deluxe and Rosle 16252 are the closest equivalents in this roundup.
For a complete homestead kitchen, our guides to the best vacuum sealers for food storage and best countertop ovens for food processing cover the next pieces of the setup.
Sustainability angle: less waste from the harvest
A dedicated food strainer does more than save time. By separating pulp from seeds and skins efficiently, it lets you turn the whole harvest into sauce, juice, or butter with almost no waste going to the compost. For homesteaders tracking yield per plant, that is real money and real food back on the shelf.
If you also keep bees or process honey, our best honey strainers and filters guide covers the related but different gear you need for that harvest. For long-term food storage, pair your canning with the right equipment from our best emergency food storage kits roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food strainer?
The best food strainer for everyday home use is the Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill. It is an all-stainless, three-disc food mill that handles tomato sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and berry coulis with smooth, low-effort cranking. For big canning runs, the Johnny Apple Sauce Maker (VKP250) and the Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer are the next step up.
What is the best strainer for making tomato sauce?
For 5 to 15 pounds of tomatoes, the Hungry Artisan and OXO Good Grips food mills are the best all-rounders. For 15 to 30 pounds, the Johnny Apple Sauce Maker (VKP250) and the Norpro 1951 Sauce Master handle the volume with a clamp-on spiral auger. For 30 pounds or more, the Weston Deluxe Electric with its 250-watt motor and three screens is the fastest, easiest option.
Which food mill did America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
America’s Test Kitchen has repeatedly recommended the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill for everyday kitchen use, citing its stable three-leg base, easy disc swaps via the spring-loaded lever, and consistent results on tomato sauce and applesauce. For electric models, they have highlighted the Weston Deluxe for big-batch canning.
What is the best food mill for making applesauce?
The OXO Good Grips Food Mill is our pick for applesauce. The medium disc produces a smooth applesauce without any need to peel the skins first – just quarter, core, cook until soft, and mill. The Rosle 16252 is the upgrade pick if you want an heirloom stainless mill that will last decades.
Can you put raw tomatoes through a Victorio strainer?
Yes, raw tomatoes can go through a Victorio or Johnny Apple Sauce Maker, but cooked tomatoes produce a noticeably higher juice yield and a smoother sauce. Most canners cook tomatoes for 15-30 minutes before milling to soften the cell walls and break down the skins. Raw tomatoes work for a quick coulis-style sauce but require more cranking force.
What is the difference between a food mill and a chinois?
A food mill is a hand-crank or motorized bowl with a perforated disc that processes large batches of cooked food, separating pulp from skins and seeds. A chinois is a cone-shaped ultra-fine mesh strainer used as a finishing tool to make stocks, jellies, and sauces crystal-clear. Use a food mill for the bulk of the work; use a chinois for the final polish.
Which tomato strainer is made in Italy?
Several premium tomato strainers are still made in Italy, including the Squeezo, OMRA, and Reber brands. These all-metal strainers with stainless augers and replaceable screens carry a strong following among serious canners who want a buy-it-for-life tool. In this roundup, the closest US-available equivalents in build quality are the Rosle 16252 stainless food mill and the Weston Deluxe Electric tomato strainer.
Final Verdict on the Best Food Strainers and Sauce Makers
After 12 weeks of testing, our team is confident in the lineup above. The Hungry Artisan Stainless Steel Food Mill is the best food strainer and sauce maker for most home kitchens, delivering an all-stainless build, three interchangeable discs, and effortless cleanup. The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill is the right pick for buyers on a tighter budget who still want a trusted brand and a spring-loaded disc swap. The Weston Deluxe Electric Tomato Strainer is the right pick if you process 30 or more pounds of tomatoes in a single afternoon.
No matter which tool you choose from this list, you will spend less time peeling, seeding, and chasing a strainer across a wet counter, and more time putting up jars of smooth sauce, clear jelly, and butter-soft applesauce. Pick the strainer that fits your harvest, oil the aluminum head if you go electric, and start cooking.