Cocktail strainers

[JAZ]

I've been on a search for a nice looking, yet functional cocktail strainer. For a long time, I used the basic one you see everywhere -- small, stainless and ugly. It worked okay, although I always found that there was nothing to funnel the liquid, so it was easy to spill as I poured. Mostly, though, it just looked and felt cheap and flimsy. I like my bar tools to look nice as well as function well; hence the search.

The problem was that most of the "nicer" strainers, in sets or sold singly, had major design flaws -- the spring wasn't large enough to keep the strainer in the shaker securely, or the handle was long (what's the point of that?). That was the main reason I never bought the Rosle strainer -- that and the price, although I could have gotten a substantial discount.

I finally found one that I'm happy with -- this one by WMF. It looks nice (it's made of brushed stainless), fits the strainer snugly and pours well.

But I'd still like to know if there are others out there worth getting -- after all, I can always use two good strainers. What does everyone else use?

[johnder]

I really like the oxo mini strainer. It is heavy gauge, closely spiraled spring, well made. I have 2 of them.

[eje]

I have another WMF one that seems to work well.

It was from their "Manhattan" line, which seems to have been mostly discontinued.

I've been intrigued by the Oxo ones, as I've heard they are well made. Haven't really had a reason to pick one up, though. At least, it doesn't appear have the annoying hollow handles that plague most of the Oxo "grips" line.

[kvltrede]

I have a few but the one I use is by Oxo. I think it's great.

Kurt

[JAZ]

The Oxo one does look good (and it's certainly cheaper than my WMF strainer) -- what's the function of the black rubber piece on the back? John, is that the one you have, or does Oxo make another?

[plattetude]

I use the same Oxo model as Kurt. The black piece in the center is a finger rest -- gives your finger good placement for snapping the strainer into your cocktail shaker. Works very well for me.

Christopher

[Splificator]

I use both the OXO and the WMF--hah!

Both are solid and efficient. In general, I prefer the OXO, but the WMF is bigger and fits some of my bigger shakers (such as, surprise surprise, the WMF Loft-series Boston shaker I've been using).

[johnder]

The oxo one fromm amazon is the one I have. :-)

[lancastermike]

I must have a dozen or so, many purloined from my bartending days. However I am in agreement with all who tout the OXO strainer. It is the one I use these days and it is a nice design.

[DemeraraDrinker]

Anyone else got any ideas. I need an all-metal strainer. The WMF is nice, but quite contemporary looking. I'm looking for something more old fashioned, made from stainless, that will last.

[E. M. Pashman]

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Edited May 23, 2017 by E. M. Pashman (log)

[slkinsey]

I wonder how the tin of Rösle's Boston shaker compares to industry standard? I've noticed that a lot of the strainers I've seen that look like the Rösle strainer are way too small.

[E. M. Pashman]

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Edited May 23, 2017 by E. M. Pashman (log)

[Chris Amirault]

I'm surprised not to see any julep strainers here. I was looking at this one but wasn't sure what to look for. Thoughts? Sources?

[scratchline]

I definitely prefer a strainer with a short handle so it stays put when left atop the shaker. Long handled strainers have a tendency to tip off and just generally clutter up the work area more than their compact cousins.

-Mike

[Bricktop]

I'm surprised not to see any julep strainers here. I was looking at this one but wasn't sure what to look for. Thoughts? Sources?

←

That's the one I have, and I bought it from Amazon. Works great with my Rosle Boston shaker.

[Joe Blowe]

Thoughts? Sources?

←

http://www.instawares.com/stainless-steel-....jst-31.0.7.htm

However, shipping is a killer for a single item...

Edited January 12, 2008 by Joe Blowe (log)

[JAZ]

So, I finally picked up one of the Oxo strainers last week, and although I'm still getting used to it, I do like it. It's a little small for some of my shakers, but so far that's the only downside.

[organicmatter]

So, I finally picked up one of the Oxo strainers last week, and although I'm still getting used to it, I do like it. It's a little small for some of my shakers, but so far that's the only downside.

←

A quick and easy solution is to buy a super cheap strainer with a big fat spring, take the spring out of your OXO, put it *inside* the bigger springs (like a train passing through a tunnel, or whatever less family-friendly metaphor you happen to prefer), and then put both springs back onto your OXO. With a little fiddling to make sure the big spring "sticks out" all the way around, you'll find that the OXO fits more snugly in your 28 oz tins.

(Credit where credit is due: thanks to donbert for the tip.)

[eje]

[..]

A quick and easy solution is to buy a super cheap strainer with a big fat spring, take the spring out of your OXO, put it *inside* the bigger springs (like a train passing through a tunnel, or whatever less family-friendly metaphor you happen to prefer), and then put both springs back onto your OXO.  With a little fiddling to make sure the big spring "sticks out" all the way around, you'll find that the OXO fits more snugly in your 28 oz tins.

(Credit where credit is due: thanks to donbert for the tip.)

←

Since the OXO strainer fits snugly over a 16 and 18 oz metal tin or tempered bar glass, another possibility is to pour the drink out of the smaller tin of your boston shaker set.

[eje]

Here's my heretic question for the week:

Why do I need to use a julep strainer?

I have hawthorn style strainers that fit in all my tins. All drinks are double strained through a tea strainer.

I just find julep strainers to be a pain. Especially if you're cracking your cubes, little pieces of ice always get around the sides of the strainer.

Other than tradition and they look kind of cool, someone give me a good reason to use one.

[thirtyoneknots]

Other than tradition and they look kind of cool, someone give me a good reason to use one.

←

That's usually reason enough for me, I actually can't imagine that a mesh strainer doesn't yield superior results, although (sadly) I don't actually own a Julep strainer, so I couldn't really tell you.

[slkinsey]

No reason to use one. But some reasons to have one. For example, they ave very useful in scooping up crushed ice that's getting a little wet.

[MattJohnson]

Here's my heretic question for the week:

Why do I need to use a julep strainer?

I have hawthorn style strainers that fit in all my tins.  All drinks are double strained through a tea strainer.

I just find julep strainers to be a pain.  Especially if you're cracking your cubes, little pieces of ice always get around the sides of the strainer.

Other than tradition and they look kind of cool, someone give me a good reason to use one.

←

I usually make stirred drinks in my pint glasses. I nearly always use the julep strainer for them. It fits the glass properly. I suppose I could use a hawthorn, but I like the way it sits in there tilted perfectly. I never use it for straining a tin as it falls too far down.

If anything, I have more problems with my hawthorn not straining out the little shards of ice - maybe I shouldn't expect it to. I've started pouring with the hawthorn through a small mesh strainer as well. Its kind of a pain though.

[slkinsey]

Unless you chill the pint glass, you'll get a colder stirred drink by using the metal tin.