What is chinois strainer?
Jessica Cortez
Updated on March 30, 2026
A chinois is a cone-shaped sieve made with fine metal mesh. It’s traditionally used for straining things that are intended to be very smooth, like stocks, sauces and soups. It usually has a metal or plastic handle and a little overhang on the opposite side, in order to rest it upright in a tall pot or a sink.
How do you use a chinois strainer?
To filter and defat a homemade stock, set the chinois over a large bowl. Then carefully pour the stock and its contents into the cone. Most of the liquid will pass through the mesh, but the solids left behind still hold flavorful juices. Using the pestle, press the solids to release these juices.
What is a cone strainer?
Conical Strainers are temporary devices for mechanically removing unwanted solids from liquid, gas or steam lines by means of a perforated or wire mesh straining element. They are temporary used in pipelines to protect pumps, meters, control valves, steam traps, regulators and other process equipment.
What is a chinois and China cap?
A China cap is used to remove seeds and other coarse matter from soft foods, but produces a coarser-textured product than the chinois. Both the chinois and the China cap often are used with a cone-shaped pestle. In this way, the chinois functions much like a tamis, and the China cap functions similar to a food mill.
What’s the difference between a chinois and a strainer?
A fine mesh strainer, also known as chinois, is used for straining liquids when a velvety texture is desired. These tend to be expensive, but are a must for any serious home cook. Some even come with a pestle to help you strain every ounce of food (but you could always use the back of a ladle).
Why is it called a chinois?
Chinois is French for Chinese, and it is whimsically so named because its cone shape resembles a coolie’s hat. Before blenders and food processors, or even the more sophisticated food mills came on the scene, generations of kitchens contained large and small cone-shaped chinois in the cupboards.
Why is it called chinois strainer?
Metal sieves with conical wire mesh bodies, often called bouillon strainers, or chinois, are as classic as the stocks and sauces for which they are intended. Chinois is French for Chinese, and it is whimsically so named because its cone shape resembles a coolie’s hat.
Is chinois and China cap the same?
Simply put, a chinois is a cone-shaped metal strainer with a very fine mesh. Also known as a china cap, a chinois is used for straining stocks, sauces, soups, and other items that need to have a very smooth consistency.
Why is it called a chinois strainer?
A chinois is a conical sieve with an extremely fine mesh. The name chinois comes from the form of the French adjective meaning Chinese it is the name of this utensil in French. A related but far less expensive utensil, with a related name, is the China cap, a reference to the conical Asian hats common in China.
Can I use a sieve instead of a chinois?
2) Mesh Strainer Sure, there are professional strainers, but if you cannot find the chinois sieve, you can opt for the regular mesh strainers.
What can I use instead of chinois?
What Is The Best substitute For Chinois Sieve?
- Cheesecloth. When it comes down to the substitute, and you need something that’s easily accessible, cheesecloth will settle with your needs.
- Mesh Strainer.
- Paper Coffee Filter.
- Sack Cloth.
- Cotton Baby Diapers.
- Colanders.
- Flour Sacks.
What can I use instead of a fine mesh strainer?
If you don’t have a strainer, there are a few ways to strain the water from your pot without losing any food.
- Tongs.
- Slotted Spoon.
- Lid.
- Cheesecloth.
- Coffee Filters.
- Bandana.
- Pantyhose.
- Fine Mesh Bag.