Food mills are a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as pureeing fruits and vegetables, making sauces, and even preparing baby food. However, not everyone has a food mill in their kitchen, or they might not have the space to store one. This is where food mill substitutes come in.
Food mill substitutes are kitchen tools that can perform similar tasks to a food mill, such as pureeing and straining food. These substitutes can be more compact and easier to store, making them a great alternative for those with limited kitchen space.
When looking for a food mill substitute, it’s important to consider the type of food you’ll be processing and the desired consistency. Some substitutes, such as immersion blenders, are better suited for pureeing soft foods like cooked vegetables, while others, like potato ricers, are better for straining out seeds and skins. Size and ease of cleaning are also important factors to consider.
We tested several food mill substitutes to find the ones that can perform tasks similar to a food mill with ease and precision. In this article, we’ll share our top picks for food mill substitutes that can help make your kitchen tasks easier and more efficient.
Best Food Mill Substitutes
We understand that not everyone has a food mill in their kitchen, but that shouldn’t stop you from making your favorite recipes. Luckily, there are plenty of substitutes that can help you achieve similar results. We’ve researched and tested various options to bring you the best food mill substitutes on the market. Whether you’re looking to puree fruits and vegetables or strain sauces and soups, we’ve got you covered. Check out our top picks below.
Bob’s Red Mill Egg Substitute

We highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Egg Substitute for vegan baking enthusiasts.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility
Cons
- Cannot be used as a whipped egg white or scrambled eggs
- Slight texture difference in baked goods
- May require additional ingredients for certain recipes
Bob’s Red Mill Egg Substitute is a versatile and easy-to-use vegan alternative to traditional eggs. Made from four simple and clean ingredients, this egg replacer can be used in a variety of baked goods, including quick breads, cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, pancakes, and more. Just add water to the egg replacer in varying amounts depending on whether you’re replacing a whole egg, egg yolk, or egg white.
This product is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo-friendly, and kosher pareve. It is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility and is R5-ELISA tested to confirm its gluten-free status.
While this egg substitute cannot be used in place of whipped egg white or as a scramble or omelet, it is a great option for vegan baking. Some users have noted a slight texture difference in their baked goods, but overall the results are still delicious. It may require additional ingredients for certain recipes, but the convenience and versatility of this product make it a great choice for anyone looking to bake without traditional eggs.
In summary, if you’re looking for a vegan egg substitute that is easy to use, gluten-free, and produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility, we highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Egg Substitute.
Norpro Stainless Steel Food Mill,Silver

We highly recommend the Norpro Stainless Steel Food Mill for those who want to make sauces, purees, and baby foods.
Pros
- The capacity of 2 quarts/2 liters is perfect for small to medium batches.
- The stainless steel material ensures durability and longevity.
- The Norpro Food Mill can mash, rice, and strain, making it a versatile kitchen tool.
Cons
- Hand washing is recommended, which can be time-consuming.
- The food mill doesn’t seem to align well, making it difficult to push soft food through easily.
- The knobs on the crank are loose and feel like they might come off during use.
We used the Norpro Stainless Steel Food Mill to make apple sauce and were impressed with how easy it was to use. The capacity was perfect for our needs, and the stainless steel material made it easy to clean. We also appreciated the versatility of the food mill, as it could mash, rice, and strain. However, we did notice that the food mill didn’t seem to align well, making it difficult to push soft food through easily. Additionally, the knobs on the crank were loose and felt like they might come off during use.
Overall, we recommend the Norpro Stainless Steel Food Mill for those who want a durable and versatile kitchen tool for making sauces, purees, and baby foods.
Stainless Steel Food Mill

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly food mill that can help you make lump-free mashed potatoes, the Stainless Steel Food Mill is a great option.
Pros
- The three stainless steel grinding discs allow you to prepare fine, medium, and coarse textures.
- The rotary handle is very easy to turn, making the mashing process effortless.
- The grain grinder stainless steel bowl has two non-slip handles that prevent staining and easily hold hot foods.
Cons
- The product is not suitable for raw food, so you need to cook the fruit or vegetable soft before entering it in the food mill.
- The rotating center piece will not remain stationary to the upper inside of the bowl.
- The inserts are free to spin along with the blade as you crank.
The Stainless Steel Food Mill is a convenient, durable, and practical kitchen tool that will help save your time and effort. With its ergonomic handle and spring-loaded lever, you can easily turn the crank and prepare your favorite canned foods, jams, and sauces without any effort. The food mill is heavy-duty and robust, which means it can pass the test of time and help you make the most mouth-watering sauces and purees for years to come.
The three interchangeable mill discs work well for jellies, baby food, and sauces, medium for applesauce and vegetable soups, and coarse for chunky sauces and mashed potatoes. The grain grinder stainless steel bowl has two non-slip handles that allow you to place it on a pot or a bowl, preventing staining and easily holding hot foods. The hand crank has a super soft rounded ball on the end of the handle, making it easy to hold and move the crank of the baby food masher.
However, the product is not suitable for raw food, so you need to cook the fruit or vegetable soft before entering it in the food mill. The rotating center piece will not remain stationary to the upper inside of the bowl, which may cause some inconvenience during the mashing process. Also, the inserts are free to spin along with the blade as you crank, which may affect the quality of the puree.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly food mill that can help you make lump-free mashed potatoes, the Stainless Steel Food Mill is a great option. It’s easy to use, durable, and practical, making it a must-have kitchen tool for anyone who loves to cook.
OXO Good Grips Food Mill

We highly recommend the OXO Good Grips Food Mill for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient food mill substitute.
Pros
- The stainless steel inner bowl is perfect for hot foods and prevents staining, making it easy to clean.
- The three stainless steel grinding discs provide fine, medium, and coarse textures, allowing for versatility in preparing various foods.
- The simple, spring-loaded lever makes it easy to exchange discs and disassemble for storage.
Cons
- The three non-slip legs can be a bit tricky to secure over larger bowls or pots.
- The capacity is approximately 2.3 quarts, which may not be enough for larger batches of food.
- The plastic finish may not be as durable as other materials.
We found the OXO Good Grips Food Mill to be a great tool for preparing fresh purees, sauces, soups, and more. The release button made it easy to switch between discs and disassemble for storage, and the soft, non-slip handle and knob ensured comfort when gripping the Food Mill and turning the blade. The legs held the Food Mill securely over bowls and pots up to 11 inches in diameter, keeping it out of our food, and also folded for easy storage.
Overall, the OXO Good Grips Food Mill is a reliable and efficient food mill substitute that we highly recommend for anyone looking to prepare fresh purees, sauces, soups, and more.
The Hungry Artisan Food Mill

If you’re looking for a durable and versatile kitchen tool that can be used as a colander, vegetable steamer, and food mill, then The Hungry Artisan Food Mill is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The food mill is made from top grade 201 stainless steel that’s super durable, easy to clean, and built to last.
- The rotary handle is very easy to turn, thanks to the ergonomic handle with a spring loaded lever that allows for effortless, smooth turning.
- The side hooks secure to bowls & pots, making it easy to rest the steel mill on top of nearly any pot or bowl.
Cons
- The food mill is a bit small compared to others, which means it takes a little longer to do its job.
- Some users have found it hard to remove the straining disc after use for cleaning.
- Tomato bits can get stuck easily, which makes it a little harder to clean.
We recently tried out The Hungry Artisan Food Mill, and we were impressed with its versatility and ease of use. The food mill comes with three 5 inch interchangeable mill discs: fine, medium, and coarse, which can be used to make tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, jellies/jams, applesauce, soups, baby food, sauces, and more. The food mill is also dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to clean.
One of the things we really liked about The Hungry Artisan Food Mill was the rotary handle, which is very easy to turn. We’ve used other food mills in the past that were difficult to turn, but this one was a breeze. The side hooks also came in handy, as they allowed us to rest the steel mill on top of nearly any pot or bowl.
The food mill is a bit small compared to others we’ve used, which means it takes a little longer to do its job. However, we found that the quality of the food mill more than made up for this minor inconvenience. The only other issue we had was with cleaning, as tomato bits can get stuck easily. However, this is a common issue with food mills in general.
Overall, we would definitely recommend The Hungry Artisan Food Mill to anyone looking for a durable and versatile kitchen tool. It’s well-made, easy to use, and does exactly what it’s advertised to do.
Buying Guide
When looking for a food mill substitute, there are some factors to consider to ensure that you get the best product that meets your needs. In this section, we will guide you through the features to look out for when choosing a food mill substitute.
Material
The material of the food mill substitute is an important factor to consider. It should be made of sturdy and durable material that can withstand the pressure of milling. Stainless steel is a popular material for food mill substitutes as it is rust-resistant, easy to clean, and long-lasting.
Capacity
The capacity of the food mill substitute is another important feature to consider. It should be able to hold the amount of food you intend to process at once. If you plan to process large quantities of food, you should opt for a food mill substitute with a larger capacity.
Size
The size of the food mill substitute is also important. It should be compact enough to store easily but large enough to handle the amount of food you intend to process. You should consider the size of your kitchen and storage space before choosing a food mill substitute.
Versatility
A good food mill substitute should be versatile enough to handle a variety of foods. Look for a product with different discs for different types of food, such as fine, medium, and coarse. This will allow you to use the food mill substitute for a variety of recipes.
Ease of Use
The food mill substitute should be easy to use and operate. It should come with clear instructions and be easy to assemble and disassemble. Additionally, it should be easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
In summary, when choosing a food mill substitute, you should consider the material, capacity, size, versatility, and ease of use. By considering these factors, you can choose a product that meets your needs and helps you prepare delicious meals with ease.
In the vast and diverse world of coffee, coffee alternatives, and tea, Olivia has found her calling. As an author and a dedicated coffee and tea aficionado, her work for Cappuccino Oracle reflects her profound love and understanding of the intricate complexities found within these beverages. Olivia’s passion for the subject serves as both a catalyst for her creativity and a connection point with her audience.
Olivia’s appreciation for coffee, coffee alternatives, and tea blossomed at an early age. She discovered that these beverages invigorated her senses and stimulated her creative spirit. From the nuanced flavors of single-origin roasts to the captivating narratives intertwined with coffee, coffee alternatives, and tea trade and culture, Olivia found an unlimited source of inspiration in her daily cup.
Her love for these beverages and her talent for storytelling eventually converged at Cappuccino Oracle. As an author, Olivia’s mission is to illuminate the intricate tapestry that makes up the world of coffee, coffee alternatives, and tea. Her articles span a diverse range of topics, encompassing everything from the unique flavors of different brews to the sociocultural history intertwined with their cultivation and consumption.