Does using a metal strainer kill the grains? I don't have any plastic ones and I think I might have killed my grains.
1313331
Agree with Morgaine and Rakhi. Give the grains time. Also, a small pinch of baking soda in the sugar mixture revved mine up......
1313332
Metal is a no no, could be what killed them. Use cheesecloth or a coffee filter, anything but metal!!! Also white sugar will kill them I found out. I use only organic cane sugar and they do awesomely well.
1313333
From what I've read it is advised not to use a metal strainer but I have a couple of times and it didn't seem to do them any harm. I tried lining a metal strainer with cheesecloth but found I couldn't get all the grains out of the cheesecloth so I picked up a plastic strainer at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Then my grains started multiplying like crazy and it would have been fine if a few didn't make it back in. What I also bought at a thrift shop was a 2-3 gallon glass container with a spigot so I didn't have to pour and strain each and every time. Made the whole process much easier and simpler. Oh, and it took a few weeks (6-8 or more) to start getting a really good fizz so stick with it. Good luck! From what I've read it is advised not to use a metal strainer but I have a couple of times and it didn't seem to do them any harm. I tried lining a metal strainer with cheesecloth but found I couldn't get all the grains out of the cheesecloth so I picked up a plastic strainer at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Then my grains started multiplying like crazy and it would have been fine if a few didn't make it back in. What I also bought at a thrift shop was a 2-3 gallon glass container with a spigot so I didn't have to pour and strain each and every time. Made the whole process much easier and... » Read More From what I've read it is advised not to use a metal strainer but I have a couple of times and it didn't seem to do them any harm. I tried lining a metal strainer with cheesecloth but found I couldn't get all the grains out of the cheesecloth so I picked up a plastic strainer at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Then my grains started multiplying like crazy and it would have been fine if a few didn't make it back in. What I also bought at a thrift shop was a 2-3 gallon glass container with a spigot so I didn't have to pour and strain each and every time. Made the whole process much easier and simpler. Oh, and it took a few weeks (6-8 or more) to start getting a really good fizz so stick with it. Good luck! « Show Less
1313334
why didn't you buy a plastic one. They well insist on it on all instructions, you tube etc...
1313335
I have used a metal strainer and they have done just fine. Just don't let them sit in the metal strainer for too long.
1572264
Sorry, but I cant say that I've ever strained rice because I use the minute rice kind. However...I love this strainer! I've have no problems with it so far:)
81094
the one I bought recently didn't work so I sent it back. I went back to using a plastic food mill that I already had. Amazon may not want to use my response.
686024
Yes. I bought the strainer set to use for straining kefir grains. Sacrificing 3T of red quinoa, I tested the question using the medium and large strainers as the small clearly would hold the grains. The medium and large strainers also held the small grains while being rinsed. The strainers are very slightly graded in size. Glad to help.
860824
I'm not sure what you mean by clean it. After almost a year of use, it has never had a reduced water flow, which would be the only reason that I would know of for cleaning. I also have very hard water, but no buildup that reduces water either. I would imagine you can replace the strainer, or clean it if needed, but haven't had to do anything at this time. I realize this doesn't answer you, but it all I can tell you at this time.
74428
No you do not have to remove seeds before use. There is a strainer. Great machine.
942127
No, unfortunately the holes are too big for rice and other small grains. Beans would be the smallest you could rinse with this particular strainer. Hope this helps.
1683197
I strain kefir, which is like lumpy buttermilk. If the custard is hot, it will cause the plastic strainer to start to melt.
1696916
I believe the grains do NOT come crushed, and the instructions do not tell you to crush them. If I recall correctly, the steeping worked OK without them being crushed. I would bet that if you have the means to crush them properly, it would come out even better. One thing I've learned in my young brewing career is that there is PLENTY of room for e̶r̶r̶o̶r̶ experimentation.
630831
Mine have done beautifully in the dishwasher thus far. When I can, I wash by hand, but I have done both depending on what is being strained. They are made for light items, not items that require the strength of metal. I use mine for water kefir grains mostly.
498772
Hello answering your question I have a metal one and 2 plastic poppers they allwork just find I forgot sometimes i use the microwave around here we eat a lot of pop corn.But the metal popper works just fine for the price i payed for it.
666951
I've never tried that. I think the mesh is the same size as the metal strainers.
1521992
Yes, the entire strainer is metal, and I would assume its all stainless steel. Nice item for the money, I would recommend it.
336746
I have never tried that but it depends on the size of the particles. The strainer does have double mesh so be advised.I use it to strain larger particles, that is kefir grains. You could try when straining milk solid particles out of ghee but I use either a coffee filter or cheesecloth inside the strainer to catch the solids. It is a great quality product. I have all the sizes.
1562106
Don't know the answer to that question. However I've read articles recently indicating that research now shows that when manufacturers produce BPA free plastic they end up replacing BPA with other chemicals which haven't been tested as much but which are possibly just as bad for your health as BPA, and maybe worse. Here's an example: http://www.ibtimes.com/bpa-free-plastics-might-not-be-safe-you-think-they-are-1559434 Everybody draws the line in a different place about how careful they are about possible toxins. These plastic mesh strainers have been quite useful for me. Before I got them, I used metal mesh strainers which often rusted and deteriorated, causing me a different kind of concern about contamination. So it's hard to get a very fine mesh strainer that is completely pure--what are you going to make it out of? Not glass or ceramic....
694341
Could it have to do with the size of the grains? I've noticed that the larger grains have a rubbery texture, the smaller ones less so. However, I'm new at this also. Will
1677439
We had to test this out ourselves, but unfortunately this is not the case. The grain size of ground coffee can be compared to that of flour. There are hardly any strainers that are fine enough to strain coffee. Most people use a coffee filter inside these strainers to make sure it doesn't fall through.