While you are cooking, you would know that straining is an important part. Be it straining the yogurt to take out the excessive cream or draining the brains from soaked water, straining is an important part. With this being said, the need for a strainer is crucial. Likewise, the chinois sieve is the famous metal strainer with an iconic cone shape. On the contrary, if you don’t have one, we have added the chinois sieve substitutes in this article to help you out!
Chinois Sieve – What Is It?
Before we begin with the substitutes, we need to understand what chinois sieve is. To begin with, this is the metal strainer designed in a cone shape. It has a fine mesh and makes it suitable for straining the soups, sauces, and stocks. However, it can be used for straining anything with which you need smooth consistency. Now that we are clear with what chinois sieve is, we can begin with the substitutes!
What Is The Best substitute For Chinois Sieve?
1) Cheesecloth
When it comes down to the substitute, and you need something that’s easily accessible, cheesecloth will settle with your needs. For this purpose, you need to use at least double or triple layers of the cheesecloth (keep in mind that cheesecloth must be moistened). However, keep in mind that cheesecloth cannot be reused for other purposes.
2) Mesh Strainer
Sure, there are professional strainers, but if you cannot find the chinois sieve, you can opt for the regular mesh strainers. This is because even the chinois sieve is designed with fine mesh. With this being said, the mesh strainers are readily available at the supermarket.
3) Paper Coffee Filter
In some cases, people are fine with the regular mesh strainers, but it doesn’t offer much accurate straining. Also, the mesh strainers and chinois sieve often somehow similar straining outcome (which is not enough for some people). However, if you need a better straining outcome, we suggest that you opt for the paper coffee filter. Keep in mind that paper coffee filters might offer much-better straining, but the process will be slow, so be patient!
4) Sack Cloth
For everyone who needs higher straining and a better outcome, layering is important. To begin with, you can opt for the sackcloth if you cannot find the chinois sieve. While using the sackcloth, you will need at least two layers for straining the yogurt. However, if you need to strain the broth, the layers will be added with sackcloth.
The best thing about sackcloth is that it can be cleaned properly in the washing machine. In addition, the sackcloth is extremely reasonably-priced. So, you can even replace the sackcloth easily. Many people argue about the thickness issues, but convenient layering helps enhance straining.
5) Cotton Baby Diapers
Nope, don’t laugh because nothing can provide as much better straining and filtering as the cotton diapers. This is because the cotton baby diapers are extremely thick, which helps precise straining. In simpler words, cotton baby diapers will only leave out the liquid from the broth (it’s that amazing). In addition, the cotton baby diapers are being professionally used, so don’t shy away!
6) Colanders
Colanders are great for straining the veggies and fruits, along with the bigger beans. This is because there are various spaces in the pot and the small stand promises stability. However, if you want to make colander a much-better straining device, we suggest that you opt for the huge sized coffee filter (you can opt for the commercial-sized filter).
For this purpose, you can simply layer the coffee filter in the colander, and it will work perfectly. In addition, it’s better that you wet up the coffee filter before adding stuff for straining. The best part is that adding a coffee filter will help with bacon grease straining.
7) Flour Sacks
Well, who knew that these “useless” sacks will become the fine substitute for chinois sieve? To begin with, the flour sacks are designed with tight weaving, which strains the fine texture out of the ingredients.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you can use all these substitutes. All in all, you can use cotton fabric material for straining purposes. So, if you cannot even find the substitutes, you can opt for the scrap fabric or napkin (ladies, you can even use the bandana!).