food mill: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2neutral / technical (culinary)
Quick answer
What does “food mill” mean?
A kitchen utensil, typically a hand-operated device with a hand-crank, a perforated bottom, and a set of stationary blades, used to puree and separate food (like cooked fruits or vegetables) by pressing it through the holes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A kitchen utensil, typically a hand-operated device with a hand-crank, a perforated bottom, and a set of stationary blades, used to puree and separate food (like cooked fruits or vegetables) by pressing it through the holes.
By extension, can refer to the process or action of using such a device to process food into a smooth, seed- and skin-free puree.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both terms are understood and used, but the device is more commonly referred to in American cookbooks. Some UK sources may simply describe its function or use 'mouli' (from the French 'moulin à légumes') as a near-synonym, though this is technically a brand name.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of traditional, from-scratch cookery in both regions, but slightly more a staple term in American canning/preserving contexts. In UK, might be perceived as a specialist tool.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English. In UK English, the term is less common in everyday speech but well-known among cooking enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “food mill” in a Sentence
[Subject] + pass/run + [Food] + through + a/the food mill.[Subject] + use + a food mill + to + puree [Food].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “food mill” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He milled the cooked apples for the sauce.
American English
- Just mill those tomatoes straight into the pot.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable; not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- A food-mill attachment for the stand mixer is available.
American English
- The food-mill puree was perfectly smooth.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail for kitchenware sales and product descriptions.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical studies of domestic technology or food science texts on food texture modification.
Everyday
Used in home cooking discussions, recipe instructions, and kitchen tool conversations.
Technical
Standard term in professional culinary textbooks, cooking manuals, and equipment catalogs to specify a type of food preparation tool.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “food mill”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “food mill”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “food mill”
- Confusing it with a 'food processor' (which is electric and chops).
- Spelling as one word: 'foodmill'.
- Using it as a verb incorrectly, e.g., 'I will food mill the potatoes.' (Better: 'I will put the potatoes through a food mill.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A food processor uses a fast-spinning blade to chop and mix, while a food mill is a manual device that presses and sieves soft foods to create a smooth puree without skins or seeds.
Common uses include making tomato sauce, applesauce, mashed potatoes, fruit coulis, soups, baby food, and removing seeds from cooked berries.
You can, but the results differ. A blender will puree everything, including skins and seeds, which can affect texture and flavour. A food mill provides a smoother, seed-free result ideal for certain recipes.
Most modern food mills disassemble into parts (bowl, blade, disk, crank). These parts are typically dishwasher safe, but it's often easiest to rinse them immediately after use before food dries on the perforated disk.
A kitchen utensil, typically a hand-operated device with a hand-crank, a perforated bottom, and a set of stationary blades, used to puree and separate food (like cooked fruits or vegetables) by pressing it through the holes.
Food mill is usually neutral / technical (culinary) in register.
Food mill: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfuːd ˌmɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfud ˌmɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to the term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tiny 'mill' you use for 'food'—it 'mills' tomatoes into sauce like a grain mill grinds wheat.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL IS A MILL (a device that grinds or crushes material into smaller parts).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a food mill?