PanSpanAll Clad Food Mill
Which food mill should I choose for canning tomatoes, applesauce, and other from-scratch cooking?
For most home cooks, I’d choose the OXO: it has three texture options, legs that grip pots and bowls, and a spring-loaded lever that makes changing discs straightforward. If an all-stainless build and a traditional turning knob matter more, the Rösle is the sturdier-feeling alternative; for serious canning volume, the Louis Tellier is the workhorse. The right choice comes down to how much you process at once, how often you change textures, and what you need the mill to sit on.
All-Clad is not among the food mills available here. The Rösle comes closest to that stainless-steel, sturdy-tool brief, with a stainless steel body and stable supports.
#1 · OXO
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill For Purees | 2.3 Qt Capacity, Three Grinding Disks for Different Textures, Non-Slip Legs, Ideal for Purees and Sauces, Dishwasher Safe
This is the best everyday choice for cooks making sauces, purées, or mashed potatoes in ordinary home batches. Its three texture discs, non-slip legs, and easy-release lever make it especially practical if you switch textures or move between pots and bowls.
#2 · Rösle
Rosle 16252 Stainless Steel Food Mill with Handle, Bowl Rests & 2 Grinding Disc Sieves
Choose the Rösle if you want a straightforward stainless steel mill with a turning knob and stable supports. It suits cooks who value a solid, simple design for regular sauce, soup, jam, and mash making.
#3 · Louis Tellier
Louis Tellier - Large Stainless Steel Food Mill & Ricer N.5, Commercial | Made in France; double milling, up to 11 lbs/min; 3mm disc included; fits pots 10-1/4" to 24"
This is the one for large batches of garden tomatoes, apples, or other cooked produce. Its roomy capacity and double milling action are aimed at sustained, high-volume work rather than occasional small-batch cooking.
#4 · Cuisipro
Cuisipro Deluxe Food Mill,Silver | Manual food-preparation tool
Pick the Cuisipro if dialing in texture by disc size is important: its three discs have stated 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm openings. The scraper underneath is a useful touch for moving purée down into the pot or bowl.
#5 · The Hungry Artisan
Hungry Artisan 3-Disc Food Mill for Applesauce, Tomato Sauce & Canning | Stainless steel hand crank mill, 3 discs; great for fall applesauce, tomato sauce, canning & baby food
This is a sensible option for seasonal applesauce and tomato-sauce making if you want three textures and a hand crank you can use anywhere. It also handles other cooked foods, but its strongest case is straightforward, unplugged batch processing.
Are you processing a few meals or a canning-sized batch?
For normal home cooking, I’d take the OXO: its 2.3-quart capacity is a useful fit for sauces and purées without going straight to a bulky commercial-style tool. If you regularly work through a garden harvest or cook for a crowd, choose the Louis Tellier instead; its 8-quart capacity and double milling action are built for bigger runs. The Hungry Artisan is a more focused pick for seasonal applesauce and tomato sauce.
Do you want simple disc changes or an all-stainless design?
The OXO is the easiest choice when swapping plates is a regular part of the job: its spring-loaded lever is designed for quick disc changes and disassembly. Its stainless steel bowl has a plastic exterior to protect hands from heat; for a stainless steel body and a turning-knob design, go with the Rösle. If exact opening sizes matter for choosing a texture, the Cuisipro gives you three clearly sized discs.
Will the mill sit securely on your favorite pot or bowl?
Measure the rim before choosing, especially if you plan to mill directly over a stockpot. The OXO’s legs fit pots up to 11 inches in diameter; the Louis Tellier rests on pots and bowls from 10¼ to 24 inches. For any mill, use a stable, level rim, seat all the supports evenly, and keep a hand on the handle rather than letting the mill wobble as you crank.
Do you need skins and seeds removed without peeling first?
A food mill is made for processing cooked produce while holding back skins and seeds, so you generally don’t need to peel tomatoes before milling. For tomato sauce, start with a fine disc for a smoother result; the Louis Tellier includes a 3 mm disc, while the OXO offers fine, medium, and coarse textures. If seeds or skins build up, pause, clear the plate, and feed smaller batches instead of forcing the crank.
How they compare
Which one is yours
OXO: Choose it if a satisfaction-guaranteed replacement or refund matters to you.
Rösle: Choose it if 18/10 stainless steel construction and two grinding discs are more important than having three texture options.
Louis Tellier: Choose it when throughput matters: its double milling action is rated to process up to 11 pounds per minute.
Cuisipro: Choose it if a lifetime warranty is a deciding factor.
The Hungry Artisan: Choose it if repeated-season durability is a priority: its stainless steel body, discs, and crank are built for repeated use.
You will also want
For hot batches, have something ready to protect your hands and the counter. Lidded containers are useful for chilling or freezing sauce once it has cooled.
R HORSE 6Pcs Black Pot Holders with Pocket for Kitchen, 7''x 9'' | Cotton Potholders, Heat Resistant Oven Mitts, Non-slip Terry Cloth Trivet, Ideal for Baking Cooking, Machine Wash
These pot holders are handy when lifting a hot pot of tomatoes or apples off the stove before milling.
Walfos Silicone Trivet Mats - 4 Heat Resistant Pot Holders, Multipurpose Non-Slip Hot Pads for Kitchen Potholders, Hot Dishers, Jar Opener, Spoon Holder, Food Grade Silicone & BPA Free (Black)
Keep a silicone trivet nearby to protect the counter when you set down a hot pot or bowl.
M MCIRCO 30 Piece Extra Large Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids,Gray | Glass Meal Prep Containers,Airtight Lunch Containers with Lids, Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher Friendly, BPA Free
Use these lidded containers to store cooled sauce or purée in the refrigerator or freezer.
Bumble 12"x12" Dish Cloths (8-Pack), 100% Cotton Kitchen Towels - Gray | 405 GSM | Soft, Highly Absorbent & Durable Dish Towels for Kitchen
A few absorbent dish cloths are useful for wiping up splashes and drying the mill after hand washing.
Questions buyers ask
Do you need to peel tomatoes before using a food mill?
You can leave the skins on; trim tough stems and damaged areas first, then cook the tomatoes until soft before milling.
How do you stop a food mill from clogging with tomato seeds?
Cook the tomatoes until fully soft and cut unusually large pieces smaller before feeding them; softer, smaller pieces are less likely to pack against the plate.
Which disc size is best for tomato sauce?
The Cuisipro gives exact choices of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm; use the finer disc for smoother sauce and a coarser one for more texture. For berry purée, start with the finest disc, but strain separately if tiny seeds need to be removed.
How do you clean a food mill and change its discs?
Rinse the plate and blade soon after use, before pulp dries in the holes, and use a small brush to clear the underside. The OXO has a spring-loaded lever for disc changes; with any mill, take it apart as intended and dry the parts well after washing.
How do food mill legs fit on a pot or mixing bowl?
The supports rest on the vessel’s rim and hold the mill above the food. A broad, stable bowl works as well as a pot if its rim fully supports the mill; avoid narrow or unstable vessels that can shift as you turn the crank.
Can a food mill make fluffy mashed potatoes?
Yes. Mill cooked potatoes while they’re hot, using a coarse or medium plate for a soft, even texture. Don’t overwork them afterward: excessive stirring can make potatoes gluey.
Is a food mill better than a tomato strainer for canning?
A food mill is a handy manual choice for cooked tomatoes and other foods, and it separates much of the skin and seeds as it works. A dedicated tomato strainer can suit very large harvests better, particularly if you want to process fresh tomatoes continuously; choose based on batch size and how much setup and storage you’re willing to manage.
Are stainless steel food mills dishwasher safe?
Dishwasher safety varies by mill: the OXO is dishwasher safe, but don’t assume the same for every model here. When unsure, wash by hand, clear the disc holes promptly, and dry the parts thoroughly.