The kitchen tool you never knew you NEEDED!

[@jaynefranck1]

Looks like and works same as a Champion Juicer minus the motor. Champions last FOREVER! We bought ours in 1975 and still works like a true champ! Love your Homestead life…Ive learned sooooo much! My husband and I have been married for 52 years, raised our 6 children..Thankful I learned from my mom and sisters how to bake and cook homemade everything! Always had a pot of soup or stew on the stove and sometimes 12 loaves of fresh baked bread every three days! All my kids are great cooks today…Learning homemaking skills is vital and truly a family blessing. Keep up the great work! Thank you for sharing your love of home and hearth!

[@Whodaleewho]

My girlfriend loves hers. I modified the handle, I cut off at the first curved section and hooked my cordless drill to the shaft so she would not have to turn the crank, works great! I really enjoy your channel and content. Cheers from Upstate SC.

[@gregogden6607]

I did the same thing with ours for apple sauce. Saves a bunch of arm turning when doing 75 qts of sauce.

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

That is brilliant!

[@dorcasbockelman2392]

What a cool idea

[@Whodaleewho]

@ihavemyshield (is my handle) I would have to fire my generator up and use my welder but yeah.

[@barneygimble8984]

Weston makes an electric motor for the strainer. I can use the crank or the motor whenever I like

[@heatherryan8301]

I never knew you could freeze tomatoes! And then drying the skins to make a thickening powder. Brilliant! I always hate throwing away so much of the tomatoes. Totally incidental to the video but these are game changers for me!

[@davidbeutler7665]

Thanks for the video, my wife does tomato sauce pumpkin purée for pies, and a lot of apple butter. Didn’t know what to get her for Christmas so I ordered for her and hopefully makes her life more simple ❤

[@PamWWW]

Melissa, I purchased your book. I received the book after a long waiting. I just want to say, TANK YOU. The book is so good, nice size letters, well spaced, nice quality hard cover, beautiful pics, and most importantly a lot of very precise information that I really need as I am starting a big vegetable garden & learning how to preserve my future harvest. This book only complements watching your videos, & so many other great homesteaders and home gardeners KZbinrs. Thanks again! God Bless you. And, please keep the books coming Pamela, from New Jersey

[@MelissaKNorris]

Thank you! I hope it serves you well for years to come

[@mikevine1057]

I bought one this spring, just used it for the first time. WOW, I did about 50 lbs. of fresh raw Romas in less than two hours.

[@marthafearsme]

Love my tomato press. AND nice to see someone using a steam canner VS a water bath. So much easier, less energy heating water and time saved. I have been using mine (I have 2 now) for over 30 years! Will try freezing the tomatoes to can when it is cooler!

[@jnastudios3728]

I just want to say, when everyone thinks they can cook and make KZbin videos. This lady had a great subject, knows her stuff, isn’t annoying, and knows a little bit of editing goes a long way. Great job!

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

I have had an Italian tomato press for thirty years. I bought it from Williams Sonoma I believe. It makes the best fresh tomato sauce for a light marinara. It is also great for making salsa. I have tried getting another for our second home. I tried a couple on Amazon made in China they were total busts. So I found another made in Italy and it works perfectly like the original.

[@ammiedoering4205]

That juice looks lovely. I bought Hand Made and make the dough regularly. I’m 57 and have learned so many tips from you. Thank you for teaching so many home skills.

[@TomKD0QKK]

We've had an old Victorio mill for years. It's pretty much the same as what you have there. It gets used extensively during the canning season. It's a great tool. I freeze the tomatoes and pop the skins off. Removing the skins makes the process a lot quicker.

[@hoosierpioneer]

It sure looks like one company madethe parts for all the various brands. The red plunger is exactly the same. Sure there's a wide range of prices.

[@JP1AO]

Same here. I even found a attachable motor for it on ebay. Then I got a strainer attachment for my electric meat grinder. I haven't found anyone worthy in the family to give the Victorio one too yet.

[@dcessna1465]

Found my old Victoria mill at a thrift store! It works great and saves so much time! It works well with the berry attachment to separate black berries and most of the seeds as well.

[@RustyPgh]

My sister and each have Victorios, that have processed tomatoes and apple sauce. We heat our apples and tomatoes first and then run it through the strainer. Wonderful tool.

[@jenniferwulf4856]

I have been canning for 12+ years and I just bought the electric version of this Weston tomato machine and it is a game changer. Saves so much time in processing tomatoes and way less seeds. I have only used it for tomatoes so far because we are knee deep in the middle of processing tomatoes. But i really want to get some apples and or pears to run thru it for apple sauce and such. They also have an accessory set that has 3 additional screens to the 3 that came with our machine. One of them is for berries and we are eatablishing berries in our garden so i bet that would be great for making james and friut sauces. So many possibilities with this one machine. Worth every penny we spent on it. My husband has never really helped with canning other than getting the canner setup outside over our firepit to keep the heat out of the house. But he even agreed to set this up for me and run tomatoes thru it while I i chopped them up. We also have several bags frozen and when they are defrosted they dont really even have to be chopped before running them thru. One of the best purchases ever too bad I didnt have this when I i first started canning. If you can and process a lot of tomatoes and or fruit get yourself one of these you wont regret it.

[@DS-bp4zw]

Mine worked great for one year then the machine started leaking juice through the motor. Shortly after the motor went up

[@maryadkins4619]

Kitchen Aid makes an attachment for your mixer too! Absolutely love it! Makes nice thick sauce!

[@joanb2773]

Whats that called, if i may ask

[@woodstream6137]

​@@joanb2773fur and vegetable strainer, meat grinder. Might be some sort of combo

[@robbyers7614]

All right I came clean with my wife tonight and told her I like to listen to your videos because of your voice lol you are very knowledgeable and I enjoy you sharing your knowledge with all of your viewers. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[@lori2182]

You made me so happy. I’m using a Weston tomato strainer for the first time and I was looking at the waste and wondering if I could pass them through again. When I saw that Melissa Norris has a video, I knew she was a no waste gal and would tell me. Thank you!

[@umiluv]

I use my masticating juicer to make tomato sauce. I heat them on the stove and then run it through the juicer. It works very much like this food mill. I also take the skins and seeds to make dried tomato powder.

[@agentk4332]

We have been using the Kitchen Aid food mill for years. Love it! But just in case, I made a hand crank for it when the grid goes down.

[@jzinkhan5608]

Great video I bought this Weston press and it works awesome. Your recipe makes great sauce as well!🇨🇦

[@Artiekarns]

I bought a SqueezO at a farm sale 42 years ago. It was still wired into the original box which was faded and dusty. I bid first...$5.00. No one else bid. That has remained in the top five of great deals. It is all metal, made in America and I have bought the different screens. It works the same as the one you demonstrated. No matter the brand it is a wonderful tool. I have used it every year but one since getting it. Victorio makes one, too. If you have a garden and preserve your harvest you NEED and DESERVE one of these tools!

[@barbaraanderson4175]

I have the same attachment for my kitchen aid mixer that does this job much faster. It’s electric and you don’t need to turn the handle. I could do my whole pot in about 3 minutes. It takes longer to put it on the kitchen aid and off. I put it thru at least 4 times to get all the pulp and seeds. I got it at a garage sale for $5.00

[@dianebondhus9355]

I loved this video! This tool looks like a great time saver. ❤

[@RORAtherose]

I’ve had mine for 4 years now, and I love it! Last year I bought a motor to attach on the handle, so no more hand cranking for me.

[@Aprons.Overalls]

We purchased the all stainless steel version of the Weston Strainer this year and we absolutely love it. 😍 We've used it for making both Applesauce and Tomato sauce and it's worked flawlessly. This is one of the best items you can get for your homestead kitchen!🍎

[@melvinajessop696]

@Aprons Overalls. Can u send me the link for the stainless steel one. I been wanting one. Thanks

[@Aprons.Overalls]

@@Su-Jo I believe Melissa has links blocked in her comment section to prevent spam. If you search for the item on Amazon, there is an all metal version. :)

[@luckyrobinshomestead]

I got one of those in February for my birthday, only the electric version. I used it this summer to make spaghetti sauce and it was so, so nice. Then I used it on a sugar pie pumpkin for my pumpkin cheesecake bars this fall, which I cooked in the Instant Pot. The time difference was just so worth it. I am glad that I got one. I had wanted one for years. It's never been worth it to me to grow very many tomatoes, but now I'm going to in the coming summer because it just shortens everything down so much. And winter squash, too.

[@randyq3955]

Although not a Weston, I have been using one of these for over 35 years. My dad purchased the first one. He drank tomato juice every morning. He would pick 3 hot bath canners full of tomatoes from the garden, quarter the tomatoes, then cook them. Then he would run them through using the tomato screen like you have done. Then switch to the beery screen with the finer holes. He would run it through again with the berry screen removing the pulp and ending up with juice. The pulp that came out the end was now thick tomato paste. Mom would have to take some of the juice to add to the paste so she could work with it. Now more spending hours cooking down to make paste. He would start picking at 7 am and have everything in jars ready to can by 10 maybe 11. I bought one as soon as I moved out. I stared out using the tomato screen, then the berry screen to get tomato paste. I then used the paste to make my sauce with all the spices.. When I used the sauce I would add a jar of water to thin it back out, one day I questioned why I was doing that. I now just use the tomato screen and can my sauce that way, no need to add water. I made pints and would normally do 40 to 50 a year, one year 78. I have never hot bath canned, always pressure canned everything, no need to worry if the acidity was high enough. I may have 3 or 4 jars that did not seal each year. I have had a freeze dry for 8 or 9 years, one of the first Harvest Rights, but never thought about freeze drying tomato sauce. Will need to experiment with that.

[@devotedmomof7]

It makes AMAZING applesauce as well! Just quarter the apples (removing the bottom button hole where little strings are that will end up in the sauce if you don’t) and simmer in a small amount of water until they are barely soft. Then run them through the machine. Run the discard pulp through 2-3 times and you will get even more sauce.

[@MrKoobuh]

I used Melissa's roast/peel method a few times and always had great results, but it was always so time consuming I was ready to give up making tomato sauce. A little research brought me to food mills, and I picked up a Cuisinart brand one to try out. They work so much faster and yield so much more than the hand peeling method. The tabletop device shown here no doubt works faster and with less effort, but does take up more storage space (very relevant in modern kitchens). Can't wait to try making applesauce and seedless jams too!

[@conspiratornot2215]

Melissa, I have been enjoying watching your videos. You have a tremendous knowledge base and are masterful in information and presentation. I just might have to buy this wonderful tool to add to my arsenal. I had seen it on Lehmas, but not in practice. Thank you!

[@OutdoorsandCountryLiving]

We have used a couple versions similar to this for years. We do a lot of canning and they are a game changer. We also have a version that connects to our grinder motor. We have a few videos up on our channel showing some of them. Nice job and blessings.

[@theheritagehousesc]

I have the stainless steel Weston with the motor that is even faster as you don’t have to crank it by hand. Mine has both options. I also got the different screens for berries etc. It is a great tool to have. I got mine from the Webstaurant store on line. It was less expensive than lehman’s at the time and they were running a special as a package for all

[@millennialwoman4680]

Get the other screens! I also make applesauce after steaming them in a juicer (collect juice and can too,). Makes apple sauce making so fast !

[@BulletproofPastor]

We've been using our Vitorio food mill for decades and it's about used up. They're great for tomatoes but you ought to try processing black-berries. Fabulous jam without seeds. It's fantastic!

[@zippysteger-wm6ry]

I have used this product and works great for the last 3 years. This year I used a cabelas meat grinder with the juicier attachment. Game changer

[@wholeNwon]

Nice video. I bought a similar press in like-new condition at Goodwill years ago for about $4.00. It works so well that friends borrow it. Just to be as safe as possible I acidify, check the pH and pressure can.

[@jakeforester2705]

My wife sent me the link to this, for information purposes I'm sure. Yeah, this year we've been using a vegetable mill to do exactly what you're doing, and it's a great timesaver. However, ours is a combo grinder/mill attachment for a Kitchenaide mixer like you have in the background. And that works a treat for this. It's basically the same idea, but the actual separating cone is enclosed with a lid so you don't get all that juice splashing around. After the first batch we did, where I just discarded the first pass "leavings," I did what you suggest and ran them through a second time. I kind of think the Kitchenaide may be better since the mixer is a solid platform to mount the mill on and the continual power gives you both hands to fill the hopper (which is smaller than yours) and plunge the tomatoes. It only has a single sieve screen, so yours may have an advantage if you do actually make pumpkin or do salsa this way. The Kitchenaide has an advantage wherein it also has the screw, cutter, and plates to work as a meat (or whatever) grinder. I like the idea of drying the leavings and grinding them. We'll probably try that when we do the next batch of tomatoes. Nice production and good video. Thanks for sharing! I may look at how you do home freeze drying too.

[@mom2grandma594]

I have one.just set it up to process pears to make pear sauce ...it is great!! My brand is sauce master. Have had it for 5 years and love it!

[@rand-san2095]

If you have a Kitchenaid stand mixer, other brand meat grinder, or masticating juicer, you can use those machines to be even faster.

[@stephaniehanuman-dale6279]

Home Depot had them in stock for $49.99 with free delivery. I like Lehmans but they’re more expensive.

[@christiethomas6905]

This is great! I use my old juicer to process mine like this, I send the pulp through twice too, so much faster than doing them all by hand! I didn’t know about the heating tip I’ll start doing that, ❤

[@mojoflyingsolo639]

I have a Squeezo and have had it for around 40 years. It has 3 screens that I use, the smallest hole one screen I use on blackberries to take the seeds out and the middle and large ones I use on tomatoes. I freeze my tomatoes in gallon bags but before I put them in bags I take all the seeds out when I cut them up. I did 2 batches of tomato sauce the first one I had 13 gallon bags and the second one I had 18 bags. I take them out 24 hours before I like to start processing them. The first thing I do before putting them into the squeezo is put them in a mesh collender to drain all the water from the freezing process. My sauce after funning it through the squeezo was so thick my spatula would stay upright in the sauce. Then I put all the sauce into my roaster and cook on 200 over night then can the next morning. Got 20 quarter pints and 16 pints the first batch and 26 pints the second batch. Would not do tomatoes any other way.

[@genskitchenmagic2957]

I have a manual one that works pretty well. I too was amazed at the beautiful thick sauce it produced! And so quickly!

[@joeltremblay4554]

I have a similar machine. When I first started canning tomatoes it was great. However now I just put my tomatoes in a blender skins and all, blend for a few seconds, warm, and can. Everything is cooked down so we don't notice any strange texture even with seeds. I did appreciate learning why sauce sometimes separates. I have wasted jars before fearing an issue in the canning process.

[@scottjkern]

They work so great. I love them so much. They make the best best juice in the skin and the corn and everything can go with it and that ends up being a dry pile.

[@mamoe3]

I have a similar food Mill made by Victorio. It had that same cheap, red plunger that got food stuck inside because it had a hole on the end. I ended up tossing it and replacing it with a wooden one. So far mine is in good shape after two seasons. But the plastic does seem to make it feel cheap and not very durable. That being said, it’s pretty cool how well it works.

[@danieltranchida4009]

Did that with my jackolane juicer, definitely easier than by hand. That reminds me of my meat grinder. Very nice video Thanks from Michigan

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

Best time saver ever !!!

[@carolavant3778]

This, or the Victorio brand, would be great during a power outage, but honestly, I much prefer my Kitchenaid vegetable strainer attachment.

[@glendalivingston6236]

Such a helpful video you made! I realized that my Champion Juicer is a powered version of the Tomato Press you use!

[@user-nw5cr1tl6j]

I have had one form years and I love it. I do grapes, tomatoes and apples in mine..

[@chessastockton5645]

I Love mine. We had a hand crank one for a year but then the kids broke it. It's OK it was a very old used one from a friend. Then we got a electric and it is even better. So worth the time it saves

[@ruthmcbride1778]

You can also roast them, then put them through the press. I have an old victorio. It doesnt have that nice clear plastic extension. Still use it every year

[@malley4747]

Nice new oven!!

[@davidramey7186]

Thank you for this video I couldn’t remember certain things from when I was a kid and this reminded me of things

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Good morning Melissa. I'll bet that Western Roma Tomato Press works great in making homemade tomato sauce.

[@melindawargowsky8176]

I don’t have a countertop for suction appliances, either. I went to a local store and bought a cheap 1’ square counter tile that was smooth, and it worked great!

[@rachelswanson8797]

We have a different brand but we absolutely love it. Saved us so much time.

[@hmmm..2733]

I didn’t know about peels. I grind them up with a little juice in the Vitamix and put them in the sauce. I pressure can my tomato sauce. Just because it seems easier to me. Thank you for the video! It looks like a good tool.

[@sheliaheverin8822]

I just bought the Saucemaster this year....don't know how I lived without it. I wish my clamp was a little longer, it's not wide enough to fit over my counter top.

[@jamesgaul3544]

Love Love Love your videos. Thanks!!!

[@malley4747]

I have an electric press and it’s the greatest thing!!!!

[@alannormal226]

Kitchen aid mixer with the food strainer attachment is faster than that. We roast them in the oven and use the strainer. Bake them long enough to reduce the water and the flavor is concentrated.

[@kristenrayborn1740]

I got one for Christmas a couple of years ago and I LOVE it! The also make a motor attachment that I hope Santa brings me this year! Also great for berries and pumpkin!

[@gretarank2784]

Looks like the old Victorio Strainer from back in the 70's , I still use mine the gasket needs to be replaced but the unit hand cranks as it should

[@j.h.7501]

I have those same stainless steel bowls! Love it!

[@michaeltimerson2628]

There is one made by Cirillo housewares that mounts on your KitchenAid mixer, no cranking and works great.

[@missmollycollie911]

Applesauce and tomato sauce are my go to's for this press

[@lindamannix1247]

However did you think if preserving those lemons ? I can't believe it . wonderful .

[@george33631]

I have been using mine for applesauce for years now!

[@kaylapilon1447]

Is it worth it to roast the tomatoes before putting them through the food mill?

[@MelissaKNorris]

Depends on your time and how much you like the roasted flavor

[@devotedmomof7]

Place a fine strainer in your sauce bowl and the excess liquid will sift through and save you lots of time reducing your sauce. Then can the tomato juice for other purposes, too. It made the sauce so much better!! It tasted like an Italian Passata sauce. Also you can dehydrate the discard and pulverize to make tomato powder for thickening. No waste.

[@theemmanuelswife]

I have the same Weston juicer/saucer, but we added the optional electric motor. We process a couple hundred jars of different types of Mediterranean sauces for our yearly food supply. If you run all your tomatoes through a tomato slicer first, it will greatly speed up any juicing and saucing. We purchased our tomato slicer and the juicer/saucer online from the webstaurantstore. :)

[@donaldcadwell3911]

I bought one about 20 years ago off Ebay. It was called a Victoria strainer, AKA" Squeezo Strainer". Mine has different sized screens for berries and pumpkin and didn't have the outer guard around the cone. Had to place some aluminum foil around it to keep from having tomatoe juice splattered everywhere. We (kids and I) cored, cut and cranked away on about 200 lbs of tomatoes. Had lots of tomato juice for several years.

[@risingequinox3093]

Wow that's cool. I found a food mill though for less than half that price that is more versatile and overall, works much better. But it's nice to see what others are using. Thanks, I now know.

[@Tippler0611]

I have the Norpro version, but its much lower to the counter. I can only get a cake pan under it. Actually watched your's to see if I was doing something wrong!

[@stevefromthegarden1135]

My tomato press is on the cheaper side but works well. Big time saver! There are some fancy ones with electric motors speed up the process even more.

[@josephg.3370]

I'll have to buy one.

[@ajb.822]

I love the Victorio strainer I have, it's a must for doing apple sauce, for me. I myself don't do any tomatoes with it, I use a blender for making tomato sauce. My mom heard about doing it that way years ago, and when I got married, it was the most easy and comfortable way for me to, also. I just wash/check over, core/remove bad spots, GENTLY squeeze out excess water of waterier tomatoes, and then put into blender. It's necessary to at least quarter the 1st few, at least, going into the blender, to be able to get it started "whizzing" /grinding. If doing all very meaty paste tomatoes, it may be necessary to add a bit of water. If so, I then save back a little of the blended-up tomato juice, in the blender, for the next batch, avoiding adding much water total to the pot. I empty the blended juice into a pot and begin boiling down. Lotta words here, just to incl. some tips, but this is SO simple ! Now, this method leaves the seeds and skins in, the seeds at least may be a source of a more bitter taste. I haven't always noticed, myself, but I also don't ever make it a different way.... . So, I can only compare to store-bought.

[@tacder1]

I love my Weston food mill/tomato mill. Can't do canning without it

[@dawsoncolleen]

what type of metal pot did you place the jars in, i like it, is it a different hot water bath, tub.

[@denisedee6377]

Love your video, great idea for leftover tomato skins. Question, after you canned your sauce you placed them in a pot?? What kind of pot is it and how does it work?? I water bath my sauce.

[@rickross199]

My grandma had the same level of excitement when she discovered them back in the 70s lol. They also make one powered by a little electric motor. You can still roast them my friends grandma cooked her tomatoes on the stove prior to putting them through the press.

[@rebekahrose8130]

Nice to see a new video ....👍

[@cheriterry441]

Is there a concern of the lectin in the skins? I have used this process for years but this year I hear from others about the lectin cautions doing this method. Wondering your opinion on this.

[@bobbyollar9805]

I steam juiced apples and then put the apples through this food mill, and the applesauce that came out was PERFECT! No peeling/coring/seeding necessary.

[@MyGreenNest]

Great video thank you so much!

[@aliciadupuy9228]

I lurv mine. I use it for applesauce so far

[@KitchenFairy61]

I have a tomato/fruit strainer for my Kitchen Aid Mixer that does the same thing.

[@bethanynelson2678]

I have a juicer would that be just as effective?

[@robeijunsoyos7835]

Is it possible to use juicer machine to extract juice from tomatoes?

[@tessemma81]

I am a new gardener and canner with a freezer full of tomatoes to process. I’m wondering what’s the best way to defrost the tomatoes. In the fridge or on the countertop? Thanks!

[@MelissaKNorris]

I do the counter top

[@AP-lm5qe]

When you freeze & thaw some water separates. Should that be discarded or removed to make tomato juice to help thicken the sauce faster?

[@MelissaKNorris]

Yes I use the excess liquid to water plants

[@caronstout354]

Honorable mention for Potato ricers and Spaetzle makers...

[@christajennings3828]

I wonder if this type would work better for me. I used to have a Vittorio strainer, and i couldn't get it to work at all. As i cranked it, it got tighter and tighter, to the point that I couldn't turn the crank at all any more, after just a few turns.

[@gjsmimi4474]

I love mine!

[@cathmcfarlane-noble2087]

I am not familiar with the system used for processing the filled jars. I do pressure can and water bath but how does your work? Is it processing with steam? How do you regulate it?

[@aloras405]

I need that for blackberries. Straining out blackberry seeds takes forever!

[@shannonstratton3164]

Works great with most berries, (with berry screen of course). We have ran blackberries, raspberries, mulberries, elderberries. Buy one, you won't regret it.

[@A347baker]

What do you do to the tomatoes for freezing?

[@hystorix9031]

I’m 53 my grandma was using that in 1970’s…. This makes great tomato juice to can and drink too …

[@timclark7507]

The original was a product called Squeezo. I have one of the earlier models.

[@kay.hthrkc9302]

There is a motor you can purchase that attaches to this. That makes things go quicker even more.