Prep Tools

Fine-Mesh Strainer

Catches the finest solids for silky sauces and custards

A tightly woven mesh that strains out the smallest specks — seeds, curds, lumps — for silky custards, sauces, and stocks. It's also ideal for rinsing grains and dusting cocoa. The fine weave is delicate, so don't force solids through with force.

A fine-mesh strainer has a tightly woven mesh that catches the smallest solids — seeds, curds, lumps — for silky custards, sauces, and clear stocks. It's also the right tool for rinsing tiny grains and dusting cocoa. The fine weave is delicate, so coax liquid through gently rather than forcing solids against it.

Types & varieties

Handled fine-mesh strainer

The everyday version with a hook to rest on a bowl; pick a sturdy welded frame.

Conical (chinois)

Cone of very fine mesh, used with a ladle pressed inside to push sauces silky-smooth.

Tea / cocktail strainer

Small fine mesh for straining tea, infusions, and cocktails into a glass.

Getting a silky result

Pour the liquid through and let gravity do most of the work; stirring or tapping the rim helps it pass without tearing the mesh. For sauces and purées you want smooth but thick, press gently with the back of a ladle — don't grind hard, which both damages the mesh and pushes through the bits you're trying to remove.

Let gravity pull liquid through; tap, don't force
Press purées gently with a ladle for smoothness
Strain custards to catch any scrambled egg
Brush the mesh clean from the outside in

Common uses

Straining custards, curds, and sauces silky-smoothClarifying stocks and brothsRinsing quinoa, rice, and small grainsDusting cocoa and powdered sugarStraining tea, coffee, and infusionsSieving puréed fruit and removing seeds

Tips & pitfalls

Strain custard, crème anglaise, and curd through fine mesh to catch any cooked egg.
Rinse quinoa, rice, and other small grains where a colander would let them slip through.
Dust cocoa or icing sugar through it for an even, lump-free finish.
Clean it by brushing from the outside in, so debris falls away from the mesh.
Don't grind solids through hard — it ruptures the mesh and defeats the point.