The Fastest Easiest Way to Strain Kefir Grains | Less Time | Fewer Dirty Dishes

Since we got our homestead family cow, Cora, I've been making a lot of kefir. Straining the grains every morning to put into a new batch of milk is a pain to me. I've come up with a way that makes it much easier.

[@illiniwood]

Why would you want to wash the protective biological bed out of the kefir grains? It's the kefir grains only defense against bad bacteria. Being that a kitchen is in no way a sterile environment, introducing harmful bacteria that can kill washed kefir grains is inevitable. Plus, the bit of milk or whey that is left on the grains can help seed the next batch.

[@mjcubo2246]

I would not recommend eating foods that come in contact with fiberglass.

[@katherinetyrrell8810]

Just started and after making a huge mess all over the counter, I said, "there has to be a better way to do this!" Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@typower9]

I can go one better. I have made kefir for almost two and a half years. Initially (6months) with shop bought kefir instead of the grains. For almost a year now I use my own method which is probably the simplest in the world. I just strategically place a fork at the neck of the jar, hold it in place while I gently and gradually tip the jar to pour the kefir out into a fresh jar. What is left in the original jar are the grains, and I just pour fresh milk into the jar! I initially(10 months ago) strained, in the same way, with a spoon, but then changed to using a fork. I keep and ferment my kefir in the fridge.

[@lilycardoso4679]

I find kefir fermented in the fridge does not taste good.

[@helloshiny8475]

isn't using the same jar unsterile?

[@karronlaneNOLA]

@@helloshiny8475 i saw a video where one woman has used the same unwashed kefir jar for a very long time. she advises not to wash it. i might experiment with that in one jar and see what happens, it seems to work for her.

[@suzannenorthcutt8295]

THIS IS GENIUS!!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING. I'm totally going to adopt your method. Hate the old strainer method. Thank you 😊

[@user-vk4vw4le1c]

Yeah, I agree that’s awesome. Keep it simple hope to be getting some Kiefer grains, and hope to begin starting mine.

[@archietucker2587]

I'm just starting this journey, and you make more sense than anyone I've listened to, yet.

[@lucysmith3402]

Thank you for sharing great ideas. It looks easy and practical!!!

[@falooda8753]

This looks so convenient! Thanks for sharing.

[@joanne4514]

OMG thank you..i've been struggling with this issue as well! you're a flippen genius!! thanks for sharing

[@jericacadman2400]

Great tip!! Straining through a slotted spoon was killing me. It was so time-intensive and messy with a lot of waste. Thanks for posting!

[@kobayashimartha7515]

Thank you so much for this great idea! As my kefir grains are increasing, I found it a lengthy procedure to strain them. I’m kind of getting even the last drop of my “kefired”milk and not discarding it through the sink, 😁 so I always pour a little bit of mineral water over the grains and mesh on a plastic container, wash them with these clean water and I make a very light kefir water, delicious and refreshing 😃❤️ Thanks for the wonderful tip again!!

[@margiejohnson576]

Thank you for the share. I too have been struggling with the strainer method and now will be getting some screen!! Looks so slick!😊

[@fishnlady]

Genius, I would say. Thank you a million times. This is going to help me big time. Now I just subscribed.

[@scarey2me]

A nut milk bag works well. Pour it in, squeeze it then wash the bag. Thanks for the upload.

[@ms.q7445]

I want to get at least one nut milk bag. I also make soy and coconut milk. Any shopping tips?

[@ignacionr]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing.

[@gladysma308]

Thank you for your sharing - creative and easy.

[@lilycardoso4679]

You should not wash your grains.

[@Hakkeholt]

Oké Why Not ?

[@lilycardoso4679]

@Hakkeholt water has chlorine and you will damage grains.

[@Hakkeholt]

@@lilycardoso4679 you mean tap-water. Some people have osmosis filter on their water or their own source/well.

[@patrogers2594]

@@Hakkeholt, very few people have well water or a filtered water system.

[@Duncan1900Homestead]

That's a great idea Janette. I have been wanting to get Kefir grans for milk. Right now I just buy Kefir milk a the store. Thanks for the tips.

[@bsilano]

Great idea!

[@pidgon08]

Thank you so much. I've been struggling.

[@elle_nolt]

Thanks for sharing I used my hemp cheese cloth fabric because it looked similar to this screen and it worked well! I am also impatient when it comes to straining things.

[@beverlycharles6534]

But cheesecloth can't really be reused - over & over can it?

[@lewissherlock6777]

Fantastic!

[@profesonalantagonist]

That’s seems an easy way ! I just started this week, so I’m a total newbie. What I’ve started using is one of those silicone BBQ brushes to manipulate the grains. I think it almost as easy as this method. I certainly think it easier than a silicone spatula. And being a soft brush, I don’t worry about being too rough with the grains, and I don’t worry about being a little aggressive with the grains, because it’s a soft silicone brush.

[@dorothygrierson2740]

Loved this video thanks .xxxx

[@blainebickle1178]

Oh that's so much easier! thank you

[@bessiemanaois7271]

Thanks for sharing your good info.god bless you always.

[@arcmode]

I've been doing this with a vegan milk strainer bag. I thought a strainer would be easier. I am glad I saw this video, I will keep using my strainer bag just like in this video

[@WendyK656]

Wow! that is much easier then the strainer, I am going to have to find some screen. Thank you Janette I am still just doing the one cup! not sure if I should rinse my kefir grains that you gave me, with our water from the sink; as it is chlorinated.I just have been adding them back in to the one cup of milk. Good information Janette.

[@TheNealsHomestead]

I think adding them back in without rinsing is what you should do. It will be so much easier with the screen. Thanks, Wendy.

[@smiling5683]

You can also use a nut milk bag ;)

[@MAINEiacGrammiesHomestead]

Thanks for sharing ✌️☮️❤️

[@TheNealsHomestead]

Thanks for watching!

[@AzBboy]

Wow!

[@damianloder6080]

No need to wash your kefir grains.

[@sfomikedean1]

Hello! I'm really new to KEFIR farming, l've made two batches so far. I haven't washed the grains and haven't worked hard at straining, I just scoop, refill and cover with rubber band and coffee filter. The Happy Herbalist says to discard the first two batches, so I will taste my first batch tomorrow. I was glad to see your comment. So, is there any part of this product that I should not eat?

[@BestAudiovisualTricks]

Janette, can the dirt under fingernails contaminate the grains? How resilient are these grains to contamination in general? Can they rot when not in use? Do you have to get rid of some after they multiply? Thank you so much!

[@patrickv391]

Cool, using raw milk I have been wasting allot of the milk fat. This solves that issue.

[@MarioHernandez-bn6pm]

You don’t have to wash the grains after each jar you make.

[@helloshiny8475]

i was wondering about washing in water, today was the first time i did it, usually i've just changed the milk . how often would you do a water wash?

[@CBlasingame86]

I love her enthusiasm, but I would use a cheesecloth if you are going to do this method. You also don't have to wash your grains because you wash off their protective coating & over time that's not good for them to function properly (and you risk killing them)...If you absolutely need to wash them, rinse them with milk.

[@blainebickle1178]

Why is a cheesecloth better?

[@jeaniejean4107]

Good thinking... You could also just scoop your grains off the top with a spoon 😉

[@suecollins3246]

No - because the grains sit at the _bottom_ !

[@speakthetruth110]

I use this window screen material for growing sprouts in jars. I bought this material 4 years ago, it is nylon. But now I need more window screen material and can't find nylon, seems they only make fiber glass now. I don't really want to use fiber glass because it has a noxious odor. I searched on Amazon and it is all fiber glass, no more nylon. Maybe someone can give me a lead tip on some nylon window screen material. Thanks for sharing Mrs Neal ! 😊 👍 Subscribed.

[@carolinekuo7715]

Thanks! That's clever. I was really struggling with finding my grains ... because I scoped em out from the top into dishes to eat. ha ha ha. Guess I ate em... well my family did. Do they just grow or do I need to start over?

[@TheNealsHomestead]

They don't grow. I guess there could possibly be some small pieces left behind that could grow, but i think you'll need to start over.

[@kimberlyterrill1532]

after washing out the fiberglass it looks like about the same amount of time as what it takes me to strain with a plastic mesh and spoon- then toss those in the dishwasher. plush I keep my hands a lot cleaner. I don't think I could handle all that kefir goo on my hands. But maybe I will give my nutmilk bag a try for the fun of it

[@DuderofDudeness]

Thx 4 sharing, I was told to discard the strained "milk" until it becomes thick. That seems like a waste of milk. Boy can this get unsanitary fast.

[@debrapaulson7882]

I strain mine with a plastic strainer that has holes that are much larger than your strainers have. It drips through while I eat my breakfast. I never rinse them.

[@cozy_king]

Doesn't tap water kill the grains?

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

If it is chlorinated water, it's very likely.

[@TheNealsHomestead]

I'm using well water

[@goodintentions1302]

​@@TheNealsHomesteadYou are rinsing away beneficial nutrients unnecessarily. And it's better to ferment it inside a cupboard, or covered, to limit light. ☮️💞🙏🏼

[@awhalewatcher]

Well, don’t all yell at me, but I just wash my hands and then dive into my jar and pull out the lump of grains with my fingers! Then I transfer the made kefir to the fridge jar, and put the grains into the making kefir jar and leave it on the kitchen bench. Really easy!

[@fenoks12]

I use screen placed inside of strainer over a bowl

[@epicrelaxingambientmusic8342]

I do it in a easy way also but nor as fast as that altho prety fast i shake the jar strongly before pooring it out and then put in filter and shake sides to sides really fast take less then a minute

[@theresazelazny7445]

How about using a clean washed unused large handkerchief inside your sieve. I wonder about the safety of using window screen.

[@user-vk4vw4le1c]

I found out that when your. Rinse your grains with water you are getting rid of all the bacteria

[@tobelee6985]

Why not just use a cheese cloth then? There are some cheese cloth that are less mesh and food grade too.

[@TheNealsHomestead]

Go for it! 😃

[@michaelo2522]

the strainer works ok..you just need a strainer with bigger holes,..your filters are to fine

[@missmamtube]

Shalom ! Miss Janette and Family. Thank you so much for the great info on the screen, I will have to look for one to use at our house. Miss Janette would you be interested in selling some of your Kefir grains? Please let me know, your grains are large and look so healthy. Thank you for sharing with us and many more Blessings to y'all,

[@bixnash1]

A net curtain would be better than fibreglass which is dangerous bx

[@tlvreality9200]

Is this necessary to wash the grains ??? what happened if i put them without wash ???

[@TheNealsHomestead]

It is not necessary, and probably better to not wash.

[@tlvreality9200]

@@TheNealsHomestead thanks for u r immediate replay

[@missmamtube]

Shalom! Miss Janette, do you have a video on How To Make Kefir. I would love to learn how to make Kefir using your method, and recipe. Thank you and Blessings!

[@TheNealsHomestead]

Please contact me at [e-mail].

[@missmamtube]

@@TheNealsHomestead Shalom Ms.Janette, I left a message for you last week at the bristleridgebook, gmail site. Wasn't sure if you received it or not. Thank you and be Blessed and Blessed!

[@emilyneal7888]

I know you may be just taking time off but I’m concerned about you. I hope all is well and that is the case. Be blessed.

[@TheNealsHomestead]

Thank you, Emily. We are well, I've just been in pandemic fatigue mode. I think I've gotten past it and back on track with doing some videos. Also, my computer broke and I had to buy a new tower. Just got it hooked up today. Bless you for caring about us. ~Janette

[@emilyneal7888]

The Neals' Homestead I’m so glad to know all is well. That stinks about the computer. Never a cheap fix. Looking forward to more videos.

[@JasonDainter]

Out of interest why do you rinse out the grains? It doesnt seem necessary to me and just loosing good bacteria... Or am I missing something?

[@TheNealsHomestead]

I don't think I did damage by rinsing, but it is totally unnecessary

[@fenoks12]

You do not put lid on jar..you put coffee filter and a rubber band

[@abentco]

How about panty hose to strain?

[@TheNealsHomestead]

I think the panty house holes are too small. The kefir is too thick to pass through.

[@dougsmit1]

I see a lot of unnecessary waste and mess here. That pink strainer would work better if you taped it sharply on the edge of a larger glass cup (we use a 4 cup, heavy Pyrex). That clears the clog and cuts down on the spatula time without the mess. There is no reason to wash the grains. You just prime the pump for the next batch.

[@Fedup840]

I am sure you damaged lots of grains.....

[@joshuaneal4296]

Pretty sure I am a relative of yours

[@typower9]

I would not wash it with soap.

[@TheNealsHomestead]

Good point

[@fenoks12]

I do not agree to that ..you crush grains that way

[@omarlondon]

never use soap on it

[@mjackson9067]

Fibreglass? Eeeww

[@toosiyabrandt8676]

Hi Except you have to get your hands milky! Shalom to us only in Christ Yeshua returning soon to reign over the world government from Jerusalem.

[@user-vk4vw4le1c]

This is not good you should not rinse them with water

[@shelbyv2658]

Do not rinse your grains, they don t like it

[@messaoudikarim2951]

This is a stupid way 😂😂