The Best Food Mills

Food mills are used to grind and puree foods. They can help you make a variety of healthy recipes, including soups, sauces, applesauce, or even homemade baby food. Food mills can also help removing seeds and skins from fruits and vegetables and grind grain into flour. These hand kitchen tools are great for processing through large batches of of things, such as tomato puree or fruit preserves, especially for gardeners with large amounts of produce. They come come in a variety of sizes, types, and prices, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget.

We looked at dozens of food mills in order to find the best, highest-quality food mills at any budget, based on factors such as type, quality of materials, durability, Amazon ratings, and other considerations. We narrowed our search down to five of the top-rated food mills that are on the market today.

Best Food Mill Overall

OXO Good Grips Food Mill

Here’s the OXO Good Grips Food Mill, the best food mill you can buy.

We’ve identified the OXO Good Grips Food Mill as the best food mill overall. While it’s a little pricier than some of our other food mills picks, it is well-made, durable, and includes three stainless steel grinding discs. These features, coupled with its three non-slip legs, make it an excellent choice for smart buyers.

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The 5 Top-Rated Food Mills

Editor’s Picks Brand Rating
Best Food Mill Overall OXO Good Grips Food Mill 4.3
Best Rotary Food Mill Mirro 50024 Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill Cookware 4.1
Best Budget Food Mill green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill 4
Best Manual Food Mill Roots & Branches Basic Strainer 4.4
Best Electric Food Mill Homeasy Meat Grinder 4.5

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Best Food Mill Overall: OXO Good Grips Food Mill

If you’re looking for a food mill that checks all the boxes, look no further than the OXO Good Grips Food Mill. It features a stainless steel bowl that not only prevents staining, but is also ideal for hot foods. It includes three stainless steel grinding discs for preparing foods of fine, medium, and coarse textures. The fine disc can be used to make fine sauces and baby food, the medium disc works great for applesauce and soups, while the coarse disc is perfect for chunkier sauces and mashed potatoes. Its simple, spring-loaded lever allows for easy disc exchange and disassembly for storage. It also features three non-slip legs that provide stability when the food mill is placed over bowls and pots up to eleven inches in diameter. These legs fold in for easy storage. The soft, non-slip handle and knob ensure comfort when working with the food mill and turning the blade. This food mill holds approximately 2.3 quarts at a time. All parts are dishwasher safe.

Reviewers love the fold out legs on this model. They report that this design makes much more stable on top of the pot you put it over. They also like the fact that its stainless steel, which eliminates the worry about acidic foods reacting with the material or staining it. Reviewers also like the spring-loaded lever, which allows for quick and easy disc exchange. They also like how it removes seed and peels without much effort.

OXO Good Grips Food Mill Key Features:

  • Made with stainless steel
  • Three stainless steel grinding discs for fine, medium, and coarse textures
  • Spring-loaded lever allows for easy disc exchange
  • Three non-slip legs provide stability and fold in for easy storage
  • Soft, non-slip handle and knob provide comfort when operating the mill

Best Rotary Food Mill: Mirro Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill

Best Rotary Food Mill

Mirro Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill

The Mirro Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill mashes, strains, grates, and rices.

A bit less expensive than our top pick, the Mirro Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill is the best rotary food mill you can find. It features an easy-hold handle for enhanced stability. Its stainless construction ensures easy clean up and reduced staining. It comes with one medium-sized stainless steel grinding disc that’s built into the food mill. This eliminates the need for any awkward spring release clamps or the like, and instead, gives you quality medium-sized grating that can fit most applications. The Mirro Foley food mill features two hooks and a long handle that provide stability when placed on top of a bowl or pot.

Reviewers love how easily this food mill separates the pulp from the seeds when making jams, jellies, and soups. It couldn’t be easier to operate and saves reviewers tons of time when canning or preparing large batches of food. Reviewers also love the longevity of the product. Even with heavy use, the food mill lasts years and years without breaking down or losing efficiency. Reviewers also report that the stainless steel construction of this food mill doesn’t rust, unlike other metal food mills. The stainless steel resists corrosion and staining, even when working with acidic foods like tomatoes. Lastly, reviewers report that the food mill is easy to clean.

Mirro Foley Stainless Steel Healthy Food Mill Key Features:

  • Easy-hold handle for enhanced stability
  • Stainless steel construction
  • One medium-sized stainless steel grinding disc
  • Two hooks provide stability when placed on a pot or bowl
  • Two-cup capacity

Best Budget Food Mill: green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill

Best Budget Food Mill

green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill

For buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality for price, the green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill comes highly recommended.

At just $13.24, the green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill is the best food mill for buyers who don’t want to sacrifice quality for price. Ideal for small batches of fruits and vegetables, this handy food mill quickly and easily separates seeds and skins from the puree. It can also be used to puree soft meats. It’s intended for baby food, but can be used for any pureeing needs. Its compact size with built-in serving bowl is convenient for pureeing and grinding foods even while on the go. It doesn’t require any batteries or electric needed because it’s fully manual, so you won’t need to worry about finding an electric source if you’re away from home. It’s also made with BPA free plastic that’s completely dishwasher safe.

Reviewers love the quality of the product for the low price. They report that it works just as well as expensive machines, with the added benefit of being able to use it while on the go. Reviewers also love that it’s easy to clean. Just dissemble and pop it into the dishwasher and you’re good to go. They like the stainless steel grinding disc because it grinds better than similar products that are made of plastic. Lastly, they report that it’s easy to use and get the hang of, even when you’re new to pureeing.

green sprouts Fresh Baby Food Mill Key Features:

  • Ideal for small batches of fruits and vegetables
  • Compact size with built-in serving bowl
  • No batteries or electric needed, fully manual
  • BPA free
  • Dishwasher safe

Best Manual Food Mill: Roots & Branches Basic Strainer

Best Manual Food Mill

Roots & Branches Basic Strainer

The Roots & Branches Basic Strainer is a manual food mill that checks all the boxes.

If you’e looking for a manual food mill, turn to the Roots & Branches Basic Strainer. It’s made with a sturdy cast aluminum body and easy-to-install stainless steel screens that resist rust and corrosion for durability and longevity. It’s designed for manual use with the included handle or you can choose to purchase an electric motor that’s sold separately for electric operating. This food mill clamps onto your counter top or table for increased stability. The strong clamp features the best grip on the market with ten square inches of clamping surface. It includes a large food hopper and food pusher to process through foods quickly and easily. It includes a tomato and applesauce screen for medium-sized pureeing.

Reviewers love how quickly they can process through large amounts of food with this food mill. They report that it’s quick and easy to set up. They also like how easy it is to clean. It quickly comes apart and the pieces are easy to clean in hot water. Reviewers also report that they like the style of this food mill better than the rotary style mills because it’s more stable and easier to operate. The only drawback is that it isn’t ideal for hot liquids as a few of the pieces are made with plastic.

Roots & Branches Basic Strainer Key Features:

  • Sturdy cast aluminum body
  • Stainless steel tomato and applesauce screen included
  • Large clamp features a strong grip
  • Large food hopper allows for large-batch processing
  • Includes a full one-year warranty

Best Electric Food Mill: Homeasy Meat Grinder

Best Electric Food Mill

Homeasy Meat Grinder

The Homeasy Meat Grinder is a superior electric food mill.

If you’re looking for an electric food mill, Homeasy Meat Grinder is your best bet. Intended for meats, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, this food grinder is equipped with four stainless steel blades and two grinding modes to choose from. You can chop your ingredients or grind them into a smooth puree, depending on your needs. This electric food mills comes with a powerful 350 watt motor that’s efficient and fast. It also includes a stainless steel bowl with a two liter capacity. The entire product is designed with easy cleanup in mind. It’s a breeze the disassemble and the accessories are easy to clean. It comes with a non-slip mat for stability during use.

Reviewers love the longevity of this product. One reviewer reports that, due to heavy use, other motors have burnt out, but this grinder stands the test of time. Reviewers also love how quickly this product works. In just seconds, they can power through foods that would have taken a lot longer to process through a manual mill. They also love its small and compact size because it takes up less space on their counter top. Reviewers also report that the product is easy to clean and use.

Homeasy Meat Grinder Key Features:

  • Intended for meats, vegetables, fruits, and nuts
  • Four stainless steel blades and two grinding modes
  • Includes a powerful 350 watt motor that’s efficient and fast
  • Its stainless steel bowl features a two liter capacity.
  • Designed for easy cleanup
  • Comes with a non-slip mat for stability.

Who Should Buy a Food Mill

A food mill is a handy kitchen tool that allows you to puree and grind a variety of fresh foods. It even allows you to remove skin and seeds from produce at the same time as you’re pureeing. Therefore, they’re essential for quickly processing big batches of things like tomato puree, fruit preserves, and applesauce. Gardeners often turn to a food mill when they’re tasked with powering through large amounts of produce. Likewise, those who like to can fresh produce also use a food mill to get their foods ready for canning. A food mill is also great for parents who want to make their own baby food. There are plenty of food mills on the market with smaller capacities that are perfect for grinding baby food, even when on-the-go or at a restaurant.

Food mills are handy tools, but they aren’t the right appliance for everyone. Food mills can be large and clunky and include a lot of pieces. They tend to take up a lot of space in the kitchen. Often, another product, such as a food processor or blender is a more practical option.

Best Food Mill Overall

OXO Good Grips Food Mill

Here’s the OXO Good Grips Food Mill, the best food mill you can buy.

Important Features to Consider

A food mill should quickly and easily grin and puree a variety of different foods. Here’s what to consider when selecting a food mill:

  • Electric v. manual. Most food mills feature a manual design that allows you to turn a handle and process the food through a sieve along the bottom. Others feature an electric motor that can process through large amounts of food in just minutes. Electric food mills are much more expensive than their manual counterparts,  but they are ideal for gardeners, canners, and those who cook for large crowds to power through large amounts of food quickly.
  • Table-mounted v. rotary. There are two types of manual food mills on the market: rotary and table mounted. Rotary food mills can be placed on top of a pot or bowl, so that the food processes through the mill and into the pot. They come in a variety of sizes, holding anywhere from one quart to seven quarts or more. Table-mounted food mills have a clamp that attaches to your table or counter top. They usually have a high capacity, holding as much as a gallon or more. Food is placed into a hopper and you turn a crank-like handle that pushes the food through a grinding disk that drops the food into a bowl. These are ideal for processing through large amounts of food quickly.
  • Materials. You can typically find food mills in stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic. Stainless steel is the most expensive option, however it’s resistant to rust and won’t corrode, even when exposed to highly acidic foods, such as tomatoes. Stainless steel food mills are also ideal for processing through hot foods because they won’t melt or corrode. Aluminum is less expensive, but has the tendency to rust or corrode. Plastic is the cheapest option by far and won’t rust or corrode, however, there are a few drawbacks. Plastic doesn’t allow you the option to process through hot foods, because it would melt. It’s also susceptible to staining, which can damage the appearance of the product, but not it’s efficiency.
  • Capacity. Food mills come in a wide variety of capacities, ranging from just a few tablespoons to over a gallon of food at a time. You’ll want to determine your primary purpose for the food mill before you can pick the proper capacity. If you’re planning on using the food mill for large batches of food for canning, you’ll want to pick a mill with a large capacity. However, if you’re mostly using the food mill to prepare baby food for your infant, you won’t have much use for a large capacity and can choose a smaller mill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a food mill and how does it work?

A food mill is used to grind and puree foods to make soups, sauces, applesauce, fruit preserves, and even baby food. They also remove seeds, stems, and skins from fruits and vegetables while processing. Not all food mills are the same and different models work in very different way. Some feature a rotary handle that you spin to push the food through a sieve along the bottom. Others feature an electric motor that does all the hard work for you.

What does mill mean in cooking?

When it comes to cooking, the term “mill” typically means grinding or pureeing food. The type of food can range from fruits and vegetables to meats or even grains or spices. Milling can also refer to removing various inedible parts of the food, such as removing the seeds, stems, and skins from vegetables and fruit or the bran from wheat.

Is a food mill the same as a food processor?

A food mill and food processor are not the same. A food mill extracts seeds and skins, whereas a food processor minces and purees them right along with the rest of the food, keeping in the final product. Often, these seeds and skins can effect the flavor and texture of the final product, so it’s more ideal for you to remove them. In this case, you either need to remove the seeds and skins by hand or use to a food mill to quickly process through large batches.

What can be used in place of a food mill?

If you’re not looking to extract seeds, skins, or stems from your food, you can use a food processor or blender to achieve a pureed effect. Due to its fast motion and sharp blade, a food processor or blender can allow you to achieve a very similar texture to that of a food mill. If you do wish to remove seeds and skins, you can do this prior to adding the food into your blender or food processor with a manual vegetable peeler, corer, and the like.

Other Food Mills We Reviewed

Best Food Mill Overall

OXO Good Grips Food Mill

Here’s the OXO Good Grips Food Mill, the best food mill you can buy.

We looked at 20 other food mills. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best food mills, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your home. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

Rotary Food Mills

RSVP International Endurance (FDML) Food Mill

RSVP International Endurance (FDML) Food Mill

This food mill is made of stainless steel and comes with three interchangeable stainless steel disks in fine, medium, and coarse. The long, comfortable wooden handle and pot keeps the mill steady while using.

Key Features:

  • Made with stainless steel
  • Measures 8 by 4 inches with a 7.5 inch handle
  • Hand washing of the mill is recommended but the disks are dishwasher safe

Cost: $40.95

Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill

Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill

The large knob of this food mill turns so as to evenly puree the fruits or vegetables in the bowl. The innovative plastic scraper at the bottom of the canister pushes puree out of the mill and into the bowl.

Key Features:

  • Extra-large stainless steel bowl with non-slip handles
  • Includes three interchangeable disks for different size grinding
  • Comes with an outstanding 25 year warranty

Cost: $110.00

Weston Stainless Steel Food Mill

Weston Stainless Steel Food Mill

With three stainless steel discs, this food mill can puree and grind a variety of foods while removing seeds and skins. Its large two-quart capacity allows you to process through a large amount of food quickly.

Key Features:

  • Made with stainless steel
  • Approximately two quart capacity
  • Dishwasher safe

Cost: $28.95

ExcelSteel 580 Food Mill

ExcelSteel 580 Food Mill

This food mill features an easy press and release to interchange the discs fast and efficiently. It includes three stainless steel grinding discs for fine, medium, and coarse textures.

Key Features:

  • Made with durable 18/10 gauge stainless steel to ensure longevity of your food mill
  • A comfort grip handle ensures stability while mixing
  • Approximately 17 by 8.25 by 3.75 inches

Cost: $22.29

All-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Food Mill

All-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Food Mill

Featuring a unique, ergonomic ball on the handle that spins as you turn it, this food mill ensures a comfortable grip. It’s designed to work with large pots, pans and work bowls that are eight to ten inches in diameter.

Key Features:

  • Includes three stainless-steel discs
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Seven cup capacity

Cost: $89.99

Rotary Food Mill with 3 Interchangeable Disks

Rotary Food Mill with 3 Interchangeable Disks

The ergonomic design of this food mill makes it easy to power through large amounts of food. It features two non-slip handles that ensure stability when placed on a pot or a bowl and a soft rounded ball on the end of the handle, making it easy to hold and turn.

Key Features:

  • Made of stainless steel
  • Includes three stainless steel grinding discs
  • Spring loaded lever allows easy disc exchange and assembly

Cost: $27.99

Large French Food Mill

Large French Food Mill

This large commercial-grade food mill has an eight quart capacity with a double pulping area to process over ten pounds of food per minute. It features a large 14-inch diameter top that allows you to seamlessly add more food to process as you quickly power through it.

Key Features:

  • Made with tinned steel
  • Includes one sieve with 3mm holes
  • Two hooks provide stability when placed on a pot or bowl

Cost: $219.00

X3 Rotary Food Mill Stainless Steel

X3 Rotary Food Mill Stainless Steel

This large stainless steel food mill fits seven inch or larger containers. It comes with three different strainer plates for different degrees of pureeing.

Key Features:

  • Made of stainless steel to reduce staining
  • Fits on top of a bowl
  • Ergonomic handle spins as you turn it

Cost: $134.99

Moulinex K1012114 Small Food Mill Plastic

Moulinex K1012114 Small Food Mill Plastic

This small food mill is ideal for making small-batch soups, sauces, and mash. It’s made with plastic with stainless steel grids for longevity and is dishwasher safe.

Key Features:

  • Seven inches in diameter
  • Ergonomic plastic handle is easy to hold when mixing
  • Two plastic legs provide stability

Cost: $20.00

Mouli Food Mill

Mouli Food Mill

This commercial grade food mill powers though large batches of food. It includes one sieve with 3mm holes strain or puree fruits and vegetables.

Key Features:

  • Measures approximately 7.5 by 7.5 by 3.5 inches
  • Made with stainless steel
  • Two handles provide stability when placed on top of a bowl or pot

Cost: $154.00

Westmark 11712260 Schnitzel Mouli Rotary Grater

Westmark 11712260 Schnitzel Mouli Rotary Grater

Made with high quality stainless steel, this grinder is made to last. Three rubber suction feet to ensure a tight and secure hold to your tabletop and an ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use.

Key Features:

  • Includes a drum for coarse grating, one for fine grating, and one for slicing or cutting
  • Comes with a five year no-questions-asked warranty
  • Easy to clean with soap and water

Cost: $26.49

Manual Food Mills

Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder

Kidalog Baby Food Mill Grinder

This food mill is ideal for small batches of meat, veggies, and fruit. The grinding disc is stainless steel, not plastic, for increased functionality and longevity.

Key Features:

  • Top rack dishwasher safe
  • Hand operated
  • Small size measures 6.3 by 4.9 by 3.9 inches

Cost: $29.95

Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder Set

Simple Being Manual Meat Grinder Set

This manual food mill can grind meat, vegetables, fruits, and nuts for a wide variety of uses. A powerful suction base keeps this grinder in place on your tabletop while in use.

Key Features:

  • Made of heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel to ensure durability
  • Includes a meat pusher to keep fingers and hands out of the feeder
  • Comes with `00% money back guarantee

Cost: $22.99

CucinaPro Tomato Food Strainer and Sauce Maker

Tomato Food Strainer and Sauce Maker

With this handy food mill, skins and seeds are ejected to the side while the puree runs down the tray. It features a sturdy suction mount that attaches to your tabletop that provides stability while in use.

Key Features:

  • Stainless steel strainer blade ensures longevity
  • Includes a tamper to push food through the machine
  • Easy to clean

Cost: $29.95

Victoria Cast Iron Grain Mill

Victoria Cast Iron Grain Mill

This food mill allows you to grind and puree almost anything, including barley, grains, coffee, cheese, vegetables, seeds, buts, spices, beans, and cooked meats. To adjust the coarseness and fineness of  your pureeing, just turn the adjusting screw.

Key Features:

  • Hopper has more capacity for larger batch processing
  • Made of cast iron with double tin plating to resist stains
  • Clamp fits onto most tables and comes with a protective non-slip rubber mat to protect your surfaces

Cost: $48.99

OXO Tot Mash Maker Baby Food Mill

OXO Tot Mash Maker Baby Food Mill

Made with plastic with a stainless steel blade and grinding mechanism, this food mill purees a wide variety of cooked and soft foods with ease. It features a contoured body, a non-slip grip, and a non-skid base for comfortable use.

Key Features:

  • Easily scoop pureed food from the top of the mill
  • Allows you to add liquid to control the thickness of the puree
  • Dishwasher safe

Cost: $21.59

DCOU Hand Cranked Premium Grinder

DCOU Hand Cranked Premium Grinder

This handy food mills isn’t intended for meats, fruits, or vegetables, but is perfect for grinding spices, herbs, and grains. It features 25 sharp diamond cutting teeth for optimum grinding power and thirty two grinding holes to guarantee the best grind.

Key Features:

  • Mesh screen filter that filers out very fine pollen and other contaminants
  • Grinder rotates smoothly for an even consistency
  • Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

Cost: $12.90

Electric Food Mills

Food Meat Grind Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Food Meat Grind Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixer

This food mill attachment is Kitchen Aid stand mixers. You simply attach and use to grind raw fresh meat, vegetables, fruits, or bread. Made with food grade plastic, the attachment is durable and resistant to corrosion.

Key Features:

  • Comes with two grinding cutting blades
  • Two sausage stuffing tubes allow you to make sausages quickly and easily
  • Hand wash only

Cost: $34.99

Happybuy Electric Grain Grinder

Happybuy Electric Grain Grinder

This electric grain grinder allows you to grind all kinds of food, including rice, corn, seeds, spices, and so much more. It’s made with food-grade stainless steel that’s tough and durable to ensure the longevity of the motor.

Key Features:

  • Three layers stainless steel quenching blades
  • Timing switch allows you to adjust the grinding time
  • 1000-gram capacity

Cost: $99.99

Grain Grinder with Flour Canister

Grain Grinder with Flour Canister

This flour mill has a powerful 1,250-watt motor and works faster than most grain mills in the market. The multiple attachments allow you to grind wheat, corn, rice, beans, small grains, and more.

Key Features:

  • Can grind over 100 pounds of flour per hour without clogging issues
  • One knob controls coarseness of grinding with three settings
  • Enclosed compartment ensures flour is contained while grinding

Cost: $263.90