Equipment: need potato ricer

Subject: need potato ricer
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking
From: dabluez (dabluez at micron.net)
Date: 8 May 1997 15:29:09 GMT
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I bought a potato ricer for Thanksgiving and have used it oh maybe 4-5 times...this last time the musher part just bent and re-bends even after I straighten it... it was aluminum of course... anyone know a source for a TOUGH ricer?? Thanks!
From: idlewild at webspan.net (Idlewild)
Date: 11 May 1997 02:17:50 EDT
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no experience with ricers, but have you considered a food mill? it does the same job, but i think it is a little more versatile (ie can make applesauce and other fruit purees, etc.).
From: chocolab47 at aol.com (Chocolab47)
Date: 11 May 1997 13:36:21 GMT
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the king arthur baker's catalog has potato ricers...judging from other stuff i have ordered from them, i am sure it will be sturdy!

The Baker's Catalog
PO Box 876
Norwich, VT 05055-0876
1-800-827-6836
From: Sara Zarr (lassie at slip.net)
Date: 11 May 1997 16:25:19 GMT
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Idlewild wrote:
>no experience with ricers, but have you considered a food mill?

Maybe I just picked a bad food mill, but that has got to be the most useless kitchen gadget I have ever purchased. Half of whatever I'm trying to "mill" sticks to the thing, the little holes are easily plugged up... it just doesn't do what it is supposed to do. Any recs for a really good, easy to clean food mill?
From: idlewild at webspan.net (Idlewild)
Date: 11 May 1997 14:07:33 EDT
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Sara Zarr wrote:
> Maybe I just picked a bad food mill, but that has got to be the most
> useless kitchen gadget I have ever purchased.

hmm... i have a foley food mill, purchased at lechters for maybe $20 about three years ago. never had a problem. it's easy to clean - i hold it "bottoms up" to rinse bits out of it - and the handle and swirly top thing come off of the pan, too. plus the bottom has a sweeping bar to clear away anything that's gone thru but hasn't dripped down. like i said in posts past, i've never had a problem.
From: capterie at at netroute.net (Captain Erie)
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 13:01:12 GMT
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I use a food mill successfully, and enjoy using it, but I think I understand your problems with it. If I describe what I do, perhaps you'll try again and get a little more milage out of it. It DOES take a little practice.

Set it up on a bowl and put some cooked potatos in. Turn the handle 2-3 times clockwise and once counter clockwise. Repeat until it's time to add more cooked potato.

There is a tension adjustment screw on the bottom. Don't mess with it. If you have to take the unit apart for cleaning, screw the bolt back on to where it was. When you have more confidence with the unit, You may want to loosen it a 1/2 turn to mill sweet potato. I find that I am quite able to clean the mill without taking it apart.

Hand milling + cleanup is faster than an electric processor + cleanup.
From: lea at sirius.com (Lea)
Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 18:38:54 GMT
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If you are only using this for mashed potatoes try this:

Cook the potatoes LONGER, and use thin skinned poatoes like yukons, reds or finnish yellows..ummmmm),

Leave whole while boiling or IF they are really big, cut in no more than half. Cutting up potatoes makes them loose their starch to the water.

Simmer, dont rapidly boil, until they are VERY tender. frok should sail right through, but not to the point where they are falling apart. Add butter, and some half and half. (salt,pepper) A regular sturdy old potato masher will THEN be all you will need. Never a lump and the taste will be nirvana.

Most people undercook their tates after cutting them in too many pieces. Slow down!
From: nancy-dooley at uiowa.edu (Nancy Dooley)
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 15:36:00 GMT
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My ricer can do what a food mill does.
From: LKS (laura21 at ix.netcom.com)
Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 17:20:38 -0400
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Go to flea markets or some antique stores that sell kitchenware. You should be able to pick up a very sturdy one from the 30's or so for about 10 bucks!!