I should preface this by saying that I’m new to the DIY nut milk scene, despite being vegan for over two decades.

Not wanting to spend $300+ on a “nut milk maker”, I figured I would try to use my high-powered blender first.

In addition to be being frugal, I also hate wasting time preparing/cleaning, so if a blender were to work, it needed to be quick and easy.

First I used a strainer, which did an OK job filtering almond and oat pulp, but the drinks weren’t smooth, and you can feel some grit in the back of your throat.

Then I tried a cotton t-shirt (recommended by the Minimalist Baker) and a nut bag. Better results, but these are a bit of a PITA to keep clean.

Then I came across a video of a guy using a French press to filter his nut milk. Since I had a small one, I decided to try it. The experiment went so well that I decided to buy a 1L version of the bestseller on Amazon - fantastic quality.

The results are nothing short of incredible. Smooth milk, easy to gather pulp, easy to clean and sterilize, and it’s a BIFL item that I can use for filtering nut milks or making coffee!

I think I just saved myself a few hundred dollars and some extra countertop space 😂

Has anyone else tried this?

  • nonailsleft@lemm.eeEnglish
    121·
    10 months ago

    Fun fact: both ‘nut milk’ and ‘French press’ have entirely different meanings in the adult film industry

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I think it would work, but the volume is quite small, and I’m not sure if the pulp will clog up the paper filter or not. There’s no harm in trying :)

        • jol@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
          2·
          10 months ago

          Second try. I tried to strain the pulp out first, and then tried again. I was able to press it out, but the amount of force I had to put onto it gave me a new appreciation for the quality of IKEA glasses.

          So it could work. Maybe with cheese cloth?

          • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
            2·
            10 months ago

            So it could work. Maybe with cheese cloth?

            Perhaps, but too much effort as far as I’m concerned. LOL

        • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Ok, I know why the Aeropress won’t work.

          Because the filter is on the bottom, all the sediments will quickly clog it as they settle. In a French Press, the sediments drop to the bottom, so only liquid is left at the top, and you won’t get enough sediment to clog the filter.

          Such a shame!

        • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          That’s a damn shame. Was this almond or oat milk?

          Hey, at least it still makes great coffee, right? 😀

      • jol@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        2·
        10 months ago

        I meant I use an aeropress for coffee. Maybe if I find some sort of mesh filter like a French press it would work. But with a paper filter it would clog up. Oats are too creamy.

        • kablammyEnglish
          2·
          10 months ago

          I’ve seen reusable metal aeropress filters on amazon with reviews complaining they let through too much grit, so perhaps one of them would work better than the paper filters.

  • illi@lemm.eeEnglish
    4·
    10 months ago

    Whoa, this changes everything! So simple yet so elegant. Definitely trying this.

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      5·
      10 months ago

      How’s this for easy? You even use an immersion blender inside the French press for some quick oat milk!

  • Io Sapsai 🌱@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    10 months ago

    I got two stainless steel ones and I love them to bits.

    A bit off topic but my blender died. Can I make plant milks with a stick blender-powered chopper? It’s not within my budget to replace it right now.

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      Can I make plant milks with a stick blender-powered chopper? It’s not within my budget to replace it right now.

      I made oat milk with an immersion blender (stick blender) no problem. If your French press is large enough, you can even make it right in the French press! I haven’t tried almond or other nut milks with the immersion blender, but i’d probably soak the nuts if I were to try.

    • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      3·
      10 months ago

      1. 100% stainless steel (every component), and the filter screens are replaceable, should you need to. You get two spare screens + the one already installed. But the way the filter holder is designed, I don’t see these needing to be replaced unless you actually damage them. You can also double the filter screens for an even smoother result (haven’t tried it, but it says so on the spare filter package).

      2. Yes.

      • library_napper@monyet.ccEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Huh. In my experience the steel French presses are shit at filtering and always leave grinds in the pour

        • Showroom7561@lemmy.caOPEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          The container itself can be glass (my smaller one is), but the filter/plunger needs to be something like metal, so I don’t see how that would change anything. Unless the non-steel ones you’re referring to use paper filters, like an Aeropress.

          You could double up on the filter screens, as I mentioned above, if you want a smoother result. But I honestly don’t find that to be necessary.

          It’s also possible that the design of the French press and the quality of the filter screens can make a difference. My smaller French Press is not very good, but this new one is significantly better in every way. It’s also really inexpensive @ <$35 Canadian, and Amazon’s return policy is quite generous if the results aren’t good enough.