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?
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.