Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Our Top Picks
After weeks of testing, here are my winners:
Best Overall: The Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill
Best Premium Choice: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill
Best Budget Pick: Gemfino Stainless Steel Food Mill
Let me explain why I chose each one.
What Is a Food Mill?
A food mill is a kitchen tool. It purees soft foods while removing skins and seeds. You turn a crank handle. The food pushes through small holes in a disc.
It’s different from a blender. A blender chops everything up. A food mill separates the good parts from the bad parts.
I use mine for:
- Tomato sauce without seeds
- Smooth applesauce without peels
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Baby food purees
- Berry jams without seeds
Why I Love Using Food Mills
I could use a blender or food processor. But food mills give me better results.
Here’s why:
Better texture. The food comes out smooth and light. Not thick or gluey.
No seeds or skins. I don’t have to peel apples first. The mill does that work for me.
Hot food safe. I can mill foods right after cooking. No waiting to cool down.
Easy cleanup. Most parts go in the dishwasher.
No electricity needed. I can use it anywhere. Even when camping.
How I Tested These Food Mills
I ran the same tests on all three mills. This helped me compare them fairly.
Test 1: Tomato Sauce
I boiled 5 pounds of Roma tomatoes. I milled them hot. I checked how much pulp came through. I looked for any seeds that got past the mill.
Test 2: Applesauce
I cooked 10 apples with skins on. I milled them while hot. I tasted for any skin pieces. I measured how long it took.
Test 3: Mashed Potatoes
I boiled 3 pounds of Russet potatoes. I milled them immediately. I checked the texture. I looked for any lumps.
Test 4: Stability
I placed each mill on different sized bowls. I checked if they wobbled or slipped. I tried using them over pots too.
Test 5: Cleanup
I washed each mill by hand. Then I put them in the dishwasher. I noted any problems.
1. The Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill – Best Overall
This is my number one pick. I reach for it most often. It works great and costs less than the OXO model.
Product Features
This mill has an 8-inch bowl. It holds about 2 quarts of food. The bowl is made from thick stainless steel.
The handle has a spring-loaded lever. This makes changing discs super easy. Just squeeze the lever and pop in a new disc.
It comes with three grinding discs:
- Fine disc for baby food and smooth sauces
- Medium disc for applesauce and most tasks
- Coarse disc for chunky textures
The side hooks rest on your bowl. They’re double-welded for strength. This keeps the mill stable while you work.
What I Like
The handle turns so smoothly. My hand never gets tired. I can mill large batches without stopping.
The side hooks fit on all my bowls. Even my big mixing bowl and my small sauce pot. The mill never slipped during testing.
The bowl is deep enough for most jobs. But not so big that it’s hard to store.
All parts come apart quickly. I can clean it in under two minutes.
Why It’s Better
This mill beats the OXO in one key way. The turning action is smoother. The ergonomic handle makes a real difference.
It beats the Gemfino too. The build quality is better. The hooks are welded more securely.
The spring-loaded disc changer is genius. I can swap discs without tools. The OXO has this too. But this mill costs $13 less.
How It Performed
Tomato Sauce Test: This mill crushed it. Literally. The tomatoes went through fast. The sauce came out smooth and thick. Zero seeds made it through.
I filled the bowl with hot tomatoes. The steel stayed cool enough to touch the rim. The handles never got hot.
The sauce had perfect body. Not too thin. Not too thick. Just right for pasta.
Applesauce Test: I didn’t peel the apples first. The mill removed all the skins. They stayed in the bowl while the sauce came through.
The medium disc gave me smooth applesauce. The fine disc made it even smoother. Almost like baby food.
It took me 8 minutes to mill 10 apples. That’s pretty fast.
Mashed Potato Test: These potatoes were fluffy and smooth. No lumps at all. The texture was lighter than when I use a masher.
The coarse disc left some texture. The fine disc made them super creamy. Both ways tasted great.
How I Clean It
I scrape out the leftover food first. Then I rinse the bowl under hot water.
The discs sometimes have food stuck in the holes. I use a brush to clean them. Takes about 30 seconds per disc.
Everything is dishwasher safe. I put the bowl and discs on the top rack. The handle goes on the top rack too.
After 20 dishwasher runs, everything still looks new. No rust spots. No discoloration.
Testing Results
Ease of Use: 10/10
Food Quality: 10/10
Stability: 10/10
Cleanup: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Overall Score: 9.8/10
2. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Mill – Best Premium Choice
This is the premium option. It costs more. But you get OXO quality and design.
Product Features
The OXO mill holds 2.3 quarts. That’s slightly bigger than The Hungry Artisan model.
It has three legs instead of two hooks. The legs fold up for storage. This is a nice touch.
The legs are non-slip. They grip your bowl or pot. The mill works with pots up to 11 inches wide.
Like the others, it comes with three discs. They’re all stainless steel. The spring-loaded lever makes disc changes easy.
The dimensions are 13 inches long and 5 inches wide. It’s bigger than the other two mills.
What I Like
The legs are super stable. Even better than the hooks on other mills. The mill never moves while I’m cranking.
The capacity is great for big batches. I can mill more food before emptying the bowl.
OXO’s build quality is top-notch. Every weld is perfect. The steel is thick and sturdy.
The brand has a great reputation. I trust OXO products to last.
Why It’s Better
This mill has the best stability. Those three legs really work. If you mill a lot of hot foods, this matters.
The larger capacity helps with big projects. Like when I make 20 jars of tomato sauce.
OXO’s customer service is excellent. If anything goes wrong, they’ll help you.
How It Performed
Tomato Sauce Test: Excellent results. The sauce was smooth and perfect. Maybe slightly better than The Hungry Artisan. But honestly, both were great.
The three-leg design kept everything rock solid. I never worried about the mill tipping.
Applesauce Test: Smooth and delicious applesauce. The bigger capacity meant I could fit more apples at once.
This saved me about 2 minutes compared to the other mills. Not a huge difference. But nice for large batches.
Mashed Potato Test: Perfect mashed potatoes. Light and fluffy. The fine disc made them extra creamy.
The larger bowl meant I could do all 3 pounds at once. With smaller mills, I had to work in two batches.
How I Clean It
Same process as The Hungry Artisan. Scrape, rinse, brush the discs, and into the dishwasher.
The legs have small crevices where food can hide. I use a brush to get in there. Adds about 30 seconds to cleanup.
Everything holds up great in the dishwasher. Still looks brand new after many washes.
Testing Results
Ease of Use: 10/10
Food Quality: 10/10
Stability: 10/10
Cleanup: 8.5/10
Value: 8/10
Overall Score: 9.3/10
The OXO is amazing. But it costs $13 more than The Hungry Artisan. For most people, that’s not worth it. The performance difference is minimal.
3. Gemfino Stainless Steel Food Mill – Best Budget Pick
This is the budget-friendly option. It costs less than the other two. But it still works well.
Product Features
The Gemfino mill is similar in size to The Hungry Artisan. It has an 8-inch bowl.
The handles have silicone grips. These are orange and easy to spot. They help prevent slipping.
It comes with three milling discs. Plus, you get a bonus orange spoon. This spoon helps push food into the mill.
The mill uses a dual hook design. The hooks and handle form a triangle. This provides stability.
The upgraded blade is larger. It covers more area. This should improve grinding speed.
What I Like
The price is right. This mill costs about $4 less than The Hungry Artisan. And $17 less than the OXO.
The silicone handles feel comfortable. They stay cool even with hot foods.
The bonus spoon is actually useful. I used it to push tomatoes into the mill. And to scrape stuck food from the bottom.
All parts are dishwasher safe. That’s important to me.
Why It’s Better
If budget is your top concern, this mill wins. It does the job for less money.
The silicone grips are nice. They’re softer than bare metal. My hands prefer them.
The included spoon adds value. Other mills don’t come with one.
How It Performed
Tomato Sauce Test: Good results. The sauce was smooth. A few tiny seed pieces got through on the first pass. I ran it through again and it was perfect.
The triangle structure worked well. The mill stayed stable on my bowl.
The grinding took slightly longer than the other mills. Maybe 1-2 minutes more for the same amount of tomatoes.
Applesauce Test: Solid performance. The applesauce was smooth. All skins stayed in the bowl.
I did notice the crank felt slightly less smooth. Not bad. Just not as buttery as The Hungry Artisan or OXO.
Mashed Potato Test: The potatoes came out great. Light and fluffy. No complaints about the final product.
The medium disc worked best here. The fine disc took longer to push the potatoes through.
How I Clean It
Same cleaning routine. Scrape, rinse, brush, dishwasher.
The silicone grips need extra attention. Food can get between the silicone and metal. I peel back the silicone slightly to clean underneath.
After dishwasher cycles, I noticed slight discoloration on one disc. Not rust. Just some staining. It didn’t affect performance.
Testing Results
Ease of Use: 8/10
Food Quality: 9/10
Stability: 8.5/10
Cleanup: 7.5/10
Value: 9.5/10
Overall Score: 8.5/10
This mill is good for casual use. If you mill foods once a month, it’s perfect. If you mill foods weekly, I’d spend more for The Hungry Artisan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s how all three stack up:
| Feature | The Hungry Artisan | OXO Good Grips | Gemfino |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $43.99 | $56.95 | $39.99 |
| Capacity | 2 quarts | 2.3 quarts | 2 quarts |
| Stability | Excellent | Outstanding | Good |
| Handle Comfort | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good |
| Disc Changes | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Cleanup | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Best For | Most users | Heavy use | Light use |
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Let me share what I learned about choosing a food mill.
Material
Get stainless steel. Always. It won’t rust. It handles hot foods safely. It lasts forever.
Some cheap mills use plastic parts. Avoid those. They crack and break. They can’t handle hot foods.
All three mills I tested are all-stainless. That’s why I picked them.
Capacity
Think about your typical batch sizes. Most mills hold 2 to 2.5 quarts.
That’s enough for:
- 5 pounds of tomatoes
- 10-12 apples
- 3 pounds of potatoes
If you process huge batches, get the OXO. It holds slightly more.
For normal home cooking, 2 quarts is plenty.
Stability
This is huge. An unstable mill is dangerous. Hot food can spill. You can burn yourself.
Look for:
- Multiple support points (hooks or legs)
- Wide contact area with your bowl
- Non-slip features
All three mills I tested are stable. But the OXO’s three-leg design is best.
Handle Design
You’ll be turning that crank a lot. The handle needs to feel good.
The Hungry Artisan has the smoothest action. The ergonomic shape reduces hand fatigue.
The OXO is also smooth. Just not quite as nice.
The Gemfino is okay. It works. But you’ll feel it after milling for 10 minutes.
Disc Options
Three discs is standard. You need:
- Fine for smooth purees
- Medium for everyday use
- Coarse for chunky textures
All three mills I tested include three discs. Good.
Storage
Food mills take up space. Look for models that break down.
The OXO’s folding legs are clever. Everything stores more compactly.
The Hungry Artisan and Gemfino store similarly. The discs nest inside the bowl.
Price
Food mills range from $30 to $80. The three I tested fall in that range.
$40-45 is the sweet spot. You get quality without overpaying.
The OXO costs more. You’re paying for the brand and the legs. Worth it if you use your mill a lot.
The Gemfino saves you a few bucks. Fine for occasional use.
How to Use a Food Mill
Let me walk you through the basic process.
Step 1: Cook Your Food
Most foods need to be soft before milling. Boil, steam, or roast them first.
For tomatoes: Cut them in quarters. Boil for 10 minutes.
For apples: Cut in chunks. Cook until soft. About 15 minutes.
For potatoes: Boil until fork-tender. About 20 minutes.
Step 2: Set Up the Mill
Place your mill over a large bowl. Make sure the hooks or legs rest securely.
Install the disc you want. Usually medium for most jobs.
Step 3: Add Food
Don’t overfill. Fill the mill about halfway. This gives you room to work.
If the food is very hot, add it slowly. Let the mill handle small amounts at a time.
Step 4: Crank
Turn the handle clockwise. The blade pushes food through the disc.
Keep turning even when the bowl looks empty. Some food hides under the blade.
Step 5: Scrape
Use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the mill. Food sticks there. You want to collect it all.
The Gemfino comes with a spoon for this. For other mills, use any spoon you have.
Step 6: Deal With Leftovers
Skins, seeds, and lumps stay in the mill. Throw them away. Or compost them.
Don’t try to force everything through. Some stuff isn’t meant to go through.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made these mistakes. Learn from me.
Mistake 1: Not Cooking Food Enough
Firm food won’t mill well. It just bounces around. Make sure everything is soft.
I tried milling under-cooked potatoes once. Big mistake. They just smashed into lumps.
Mistake 2: Overfilling the Bowl
Too much food makes milling hard. You can’t turn the crank. Food spills over.
Fill halfway. Mill that. Then add more.
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Disc
The fine disc clogs easily with thick foods. The coarse disc lets too much through for smooth sauces.
Match the disc to your goal:
- Fine: Baby food, smooth sauces
- Medium: Most jobs
- Coarse: Chunky textures
Mistake 4: Rushing Cleanup
Dried food is hard to clean off. Rinse your mill right away.
I left mine overnight once. The tomato seeds dried like cement. Took forever to clean.
Mistake 5: Not Checking Stability
Always wiggle your mill before starting. Make sure it sits firmly.
I learned this the hard way. My mill slipped. Hot sauce went everywhere. Not fun.
Recipes I Make With My Food Mill
Let me share my favorite uses.
Fresh Tomato Sauce
This is what I use my mill for most.
I grow tomatoes in summer. In August, I have too many. I make sauce and freeze it.
The mill removes seeds and skins. I get smooth, pure tomato flavor. Way better than store-bought sauce.
I mill 20 pounds at a time. It takes about an hour. But I get 15 jars of sauce. That’s worth it.
Applesauce
So much better than the jar stuff.
I buy apples from the farmers market. I cook them with a little water. Then I mill them.
No need to peel. The mill does that. I add cinnamon and honey. Done.
My kids love it. I freeze it in small containers. Easy lunch box addition.
Mashed Potatoes
This is my secret weapon for Thanksgiving.
I mill the potatoes instead of mashing them. They come out incredibly smooth. No lumps. Ever.
I add butter and cream. Then whip them briefly. They’re fluffy like clouds.
Everyone asks how I make them so good. The mill is the answer.
Baby Food
I made all my daughter’s baby food.
The food mill was perfect. I could mill any cooked vegetable. Carrots, peas, sweet potatoes. Everything came out smooth.
The fine disc made perfect baby food texture. She never had a problem with lumps.
I saved so much money. And I knew exactly what she was eating.
Berry Jam
I make strawberry and raspberry jam.
Berries have so many seeds. Too many for jam. The food mill removes them all.
I cook the berries first. Then mill them. The seeds stay in the bowl. The smooth pulp goes through.
Then I add sugar and pectin. Perfect seedless jam.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Take care of your mill. It will last forever.
After Each Use
Rinse immediately. Don’t let food dry on the metal.
Disassemble all parts. Clean each piece separately.
Use a small brush for the disc holes. Food gets stuck there.
Dishwasher Tips
All three mills are dishwasher safe. But I have tips.
Put discs on the top rack. They can move around on the bottom rack.
Don’t let discs touch other metal items. They can scratch.
Run a rinse cycle if food is really stuck. Then run a full wash.
Long-Term Storage
Store your mill in a dry place. Moisture can cause rust over time.
Some people keep discs in a plastic bag. This prevents scratches.
I store mine assembled. It takes up less space that way.
Troubleshooting
The crank is hard to turn: The disc might be clogged. Remove it and clean it.
Food isn’t going through: The food might not be soft enough. Cook it more. Or use a coarser disc.
The mill wobbles: Your bowl might be too small. Try a bigger bowl. Or a pot instead.
There’s rust: This shouldn’t happen with stainless steel. But if it does, scrub it with baking soda. Then dry thoroughly.
My Final Recommendation
After all my testing, here’s what I suggest.
Buy The Hungry Artisan Ergonomic Food Mill if you’re a normal home cook. It’s the best value. Great performance. Fair price. It’s the one I use most.
Buy the OXO Good Grips Food Mill if you mill foods weekly. Or if you make huge batches. Or if you just want the best. The extra stability is worth the higher price for serious cooks.
Buy the Gemfino Food Mill if you’re on a tight budget. Or if you only mill foods a few times per year. It’s good enough for occasional use.
You can’t go wrong with any of these. All three work well. The differences are small. Pick based on your needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a food mill and a food processor?
A food mill separates skins and seeds. A food processor chops everything together. For tomato sauce or applesauce, you want a mill. The texture is better. The results are cleaner.
Can I use a food mill for raw vegetables?
Not really. Raw veggies are too hard. They won’t go through the disc. Cook your food first. Then mill it.
How long does a stainless steel food mill last?
Forever if you care for it right. I’ve had mine for 6 years. It looks and works like new. Stainless steel doesn’t wear out.
Do I need to peel tomatoes before milling?
No. That’s the whole point. The mill removes the skins. Just quarter the tomatoes. Cook them. Then mill. The skins stay in the bowl.
Can I make baby food with a food mill?
Yes. It’s perfect for baby food. Use the fine disc. You get smooth, lump-free purees. I made all my daughter’s baby food this way.
Are food mills dishwasher safe?
All three mills I tested are dishwasher safe. Put parts on the top rack. They clean up perfectly. I never wash mine by hand.
Which disc should I use for mashed potatoes?
Use the coarse disc for textured potatoes. Use the fine disc for super smooth potatoes. I prefer the fine disc. The potatoes come out like whipped cream.
Conclusion
Food mills are simple tools. But they make a big difference in your cooking.
I use mine all the time. For sauces. For purees. For mashed potatoes. It’s one of my favorite kitchen tools.
The Hungry Artisan mill is my top pick. It works great. It costs less than the OXO. And it lasts forever.
But honestly, all three mills I tested are good. You’ll be happy with any of them. Pick the one that fits your needs and budget.
Stop buying jarred sauces and applesauce. Make your own. It tastes better. It’s healthier. And it’s easier than you think.
A good food mill makes it all possible.
Happy milling!