Is there a difference between a colander and a strainer?
Size and shape: Colanders are typically larger than strainers and feature a base to stand independently. Filtration level: Colanders usually have bigger holes throughout, providing a moderate level of filtration (some modern colanders have borrowed the stainless steel mesh of strainers).
Can you strain with a colander?
Colanders are usually bowl-shaped and have small holes to allow water to strain through. Colanders work well for most food, as long as you don’t have tiny herbs or rice that might fall through the slightly larger holes.
Why is it called a chinois?
Chinois is French for Chinese, and it is whimsically so named because its cone shape resembles a coolie’s hat. Before blenders and food processors, or even the more sophisticated food mills came on the scene, generations of kitchens contained large and small cone-shaped chinois in the cupboards.
What is a conical strainer called?
A chinois (English: /ʃiːnˈwɑː/; French pronunciation: [ʃin. wɑ]) is a conical sieve with an extremely fine mesh. It is used to strain custards, purees, soups, and sauces, producing a very smooth texture. It can also be used to dust food with a fine layer of powdered ingredient.
What can I use to strain?
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.
How do you clean a chinois strainer?
Spray the outside of the strainer so the water goes through the mesh and loosens the food particles. Then scrub both sides and rinse again.” If the sponge just isn’t doing the trick, a coarse brush (a stainless-steel brush or old toothbrush will work) can help get those stubborn bits out.
What is julep strainer?
(n.) A strainer originally designed to imbibe a Julep, but now generally used to strain cocktails. Before the modern drinking straw was invented in 1888, julep strainers allowed drinkers to hold back the crushed ice in a julep while sipping.
What is the difference between a skimmer and a spider?
What’s The Difference Between A Skimmer And A Spider Strainer? A spider strainer and a skimmer seem similar at first, but a spider strainer has wire mesh shaped like a spider’s web, whereas a skimmer has circular wires set in the basket. The holes in a spider strainer are smaller than those of a skimmer.
Why is the kitchen tool called a spider?
A spider is a long-handled spoon with a fine-mesh basket in the shape of a shallow bowl. Traditionally, the mesh is hand-tied with wide lattice-like openings, and the long handle keeps your hands away from pesky things like bubbling hot oil. Its unusual name comes from the spider-web pattern created by the wire.
How do you strain if you don’t have 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.
How often should you clean strainers?
Use this DP as your “clean strainer” reference. In general, when the pressure drop across a y-strainer gets to about 5 or 6 psi differential, it’s time to clean it. Never let it get too plugged; for example, more than 10 psi.