Cleaning fine sieves

[David A. Goldfarb]

The recent Silpat thread reminded me of this particular annoyance. I have a fine reinforced stainless steel Piazza chinois and a fine Piazza stainless steel skimmer--both the best tools of their type, and both a real pain to clean. I never feel I've gotten everything out of the mesh, particularly on the chinois. One of these days, I suppose we'll own a dishwasher, but in the meanwhile, does anyone have any special tips for cleaning fine sieves?

Edited September 22, 2009 by David A. Goldfarb (log)

[maggiethecat]

I own a dedicated kitchen toothbrush for tasks like these.

[Chris Amirault]

Maggie beat me to it: a long soak in hot, soapy water and a good tooth-brushing.

[paulraphael]

I don't know why I never asked this question. Toothbrush has been added to the shopping list. I have the same chinois, and discovered the hard way that banana seeds are the perfect size to install themselves permanently between the wires. Perhaps the tooth brush will be a worthy implement of demolition.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've been using various kitchen brushes, but yes, maybe a toothbrush is the thing.

[baroness]

Try 'canned air,' as used to clean electronics, etc.

[Pierogi]

I own a dedicated kitchen toothbrush for tasks like these.

"Kitchen" toothbrushes are vital for many, many tasks. Cleaning ginger fibers out of a Microplane, for instance (even in a dishwasher, the fine, hairy fibers survive more often than not). Cleaning sieves. Cleaning the parts of your food processor blades where they fit onto the drive shaft of the machine, but where, still, miraculously, gunk still collects. Cleaning ceramic ginger graters of the same hairy fibers.

Finally, if you have any level of fingernails whatsoever, using a toothbrush to remove any trace of capsacin oil from under said nails will ensure you never have the delightful experience of inserting a contact lens along with a good hit of hot pepper. Don't ask me how I know this.

[HungryC]

The jet nozzle on my garden hose is far more powerful than the little sink sprayer: take the sieve outside and give it a good, thorough hosing from the reverse side. Works like a charm to dislodge particles from mesh.

[JanMcBaker]

I often have an easier time getting crud out of strainers and sieves by letting them DRY entirely first, then brushing the item in question. When it's wet, the crud just seems to stick better. Letting it dry seems to help the crud flake off easier.

[tim]

Hi,

A brewers jet bottle washer does and excellent job on a clogged chinois.

I ALWAYS top my stock pot with a round cooling/steaming rack before pouring stock. I also use a coarse strainer on top of the chinois to catch sediment.

Tim

[TimmDavis]

I own a dedicated kitchen toothbrush for tasks like these.

"Kitchen" toothbrushes are vital for many, many tasks. Cleaning ginger fibers out of a Microplane, for instance (even in a dishwasher, the fine, hairy fibers survive more often than not). Cleaning sieves. Cleaning the parts of your food processor blades where they fit onto the drive shaft of the machine, but where, still, miraculously, gunk still collects. Cleaning ceramic ginger graters of the same hairy fibers.

Finally, if you have any level of fingernails whatsoever, using a toothbrush to remove any trace of capsacin oil from under said nails will ensure you never have the delightful experience of inserting a contact lens along with a good hit of hot pepper. Don't ask me how I know this.

Want to get rid of those pesky ginger fibers? Just put some plastic wrap over the top of your microplane and grate as normal. Still grates it, and you don't have the crappy clean up job at the end. Just remove the plastic wrap and toss.

[judiu]

I own a dedicated kitchen toothbrush for tasks like these.

"Kitchen" toothbrushes are vital for many, many tasks. Cleaning ginger fibers out of a Microplane, for instance (even in a dishwasher, the fine, hairy fibers survive more often than not). Cleaning sieves. Cleaning the parts of your food processor blades where they fit onto the drive shaft of the machine, but where, still, miraculously, gunk still collects. Cleaning ceramic ginger graters of the same hairy fibers.

Finally, if you have any level of fingernails whatsoever, using a toothbrush to remove any trace of capsacin oil from under said nails will ensure you never have the delightful experience of inserting a contact lens along with a good hit of hot pepper. Don't ask me how I know this.

A brush called a denture brush is the best tool ever for this! The bristles are very firm, and the round area is tapered to a fine point to hit the crevaces.

Want to get rid of those pesky ginger fibers? Just put some plastic wrap over the top of your microplane and grate as normal. Still grates it, and you don't have the crappy clean up job at the end. Just remove the plastic wrap and toss.

AHA!