What's an effective method to strain liquids?
When I make horchata or aqua frescas, I often have a large volume (quarts) of liquid that could benefit from straining. Usually only the small fine mesh strainer can get out the fine particles that remain after running the juices through the blender.
I haven't really seen very fine mesh strainers that are bigger than a couple inches across; I'd like to be able to strain a large volume at once. Are there any tricks of the trade?
Best Answer
Cheese cloth is easy to find and does a great job when we make horchata.
More Details
I use a regular mesh strainer like the one below, and I line it with a few layers of cheese cloth. Depending on your colander's design, it might work too.
The number of layers depends on what your straining, and how loose the cheesecloth is. I use it more often to make mascarpone cheese and I typically use 3 or 4 layers.
I set the strainer over a large bowl and load the strainer and cheese cloth with as much unstrained liquid as it will take. Something like horchata shouldn't take too long, a few minutes maybe. When I make mascarpone I set the strainer (in its bowl) in the refrigerator overnight.
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Quick Answer about "What's an effective method to strain liquids?"
Keep the juice you want to strain in a pitcher or a glass so it's easier to pour. Slowly transfer the juice into the strainer, being careful so it doesn't flow over the sides. Let the liquid completely drain through the strainer before pouring more through the strainer.Which of the following is used to strain liquids?
Strainer, sifter, sieve (pronounced like give with an 's'), whatever you call it, a sieve is an invaluable kitchen tool. Used to strain liquids or sift dry ingredients, a sieve is simply a mesh bowl with a handle attached.How do you strain a large amount of liquid?
My new technique is incredibly simple: place a small bowl or saucer (I prefer the bowl) inside the sieve. Pour your liquid into the bowl \u2013 it captures the impact and many solids will stay in the bowl as liquid pours over the top, into the sieve and is strained with little to no direct pressure on the sieve itself.How do you strain water without a strainer?
Some of the best ways to strain liquid without using a strainer include using a slotted spoon, using cheesecloth, using tongs to pull pasta and noodles out of the water, using the lid of the cooking pot, or using coffee filters or other similarly fine straining vessels.What can I use to strain something?
You can use a flour sack towel, pillowcase, bandana, scrap of fabric, clean cloth diaper, cloth napkin, or jelly bag to strain foods or contain little bundles of herbs. Choose something you don't care about because the food you're straining can permanently stain the fabric.what. (Bo Burnham FULL SHOW HD)
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Answer 2
Frequently health food stores and asian markets will have "milk bags" that are used for straining soy milk and nut milks. They usually look either like a pillowcase with a drawstring at the open end, or occasionally a long cloth tube with a wire handle. Either way, you pour the liquid in and the fine mesh of the cloth holds the particles back, but the large surface area allows the liquid to drain quickly. You then rinse the cloth inside out and wash it before reusing. I've used them to make both nut milks and cold brewed coffee and they work a lot faster than a strainer of equivalent mesh size. Another advantage is that the cloth allows you to squeeze the liquid out of the pulp for maximum yield.
Answer 3
At restaurant supply stores, you can get much larger fine strainers than consumer stores normally have. Another type is the chinoise or china cap, which may or may not be suitable for your needs; these typically have very fine mesh. These can be available in larger capacities.
You may also have success with a tamis, which is a drum type strainer, although these are harder to find.
Answer 4
I've been using this strainer
To help me strain liquids, it has smaller holes and bigger space. You can have some of these at Elisabeth Nielsen's webite.
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