If you want the perfect outcomes every time you bake, there is one piece of equipment that should be present in the kitchen – the best flour sifter. The latter will be the one responsible for making sure that there will be no lumps in your flour. It will be instrumental towards having a more consistent result.
With tons of options that are available in the market, which flour sifter can provide the best value for money? If you are clueless on which one to pick, keep on reading the rest of this post and we will help you to make the right decision.
What is a Flour Sifter?
Simply put, a flour sifter is a special kind of strainer that is designed specifically for making sure that there are no lumps or hard parts in your flour when they are ready to be used. Most of them have a traditional hand-crank mechanism. All that you have to do is to turn the handle and this will push the flour through the mesh.
In another type of flour sifter, there is a trigger or plunger on the top. You have to push it down for the flour to be strained. This may not be a good choice for many people because it will require more effort.
Sifting flour is a good way to loosen up flour that has been in its box for a long time. If it has been unopened, it can last for an extended period, although there is a tendency that some parts can harden. To loosen these parts and to make it lighter, using a flour sifter will be a big help.
Aside from aeration and the removal of debris or foreign material in the flour, a sifter is also good for leveling out your measurements. This will make it possible to be more consistent with measurements, especially because humid climate can make your flour end up being denser.
Below is a short video that will show you more about the importance of sifting flour and how to do it right:
Choosing the Best Flour Sifter
Below, we will have a quick rundown of some of the most important things that you need to consider, which should make it easy for you to narrow down the possibilities and make a well-informed decision:
- Reviews: Before anything else, the first thing that you have to do is to read reviews from other people. This will make it easy for you to narrow down the possibilities. The experiences of other users will give you an idea on what to expect from a specific product.
- Capacity: Most of the flour sifters will have a capacity of three to five cups. Think about how much flour do you often use when you bake, which will make it easier to determine the capacity that will be perfect for your needs.
- Material: This is an important consideration because it will be indicative of the overall quality and performance of the flour sifter. Stainless steel is perhaps the most popular material of choice. See to it that it will not be prone to rust, dent, scratches, and other external damages.
- Ease of Use: A lot of people hate the idea of sifting because it is an additional task that they have to complete. If you choose the right product, however, there should be no problem. pick one that will be user-friendly.
- Mesh: This is one of the most important parts of the flour sifter as it will strain the flour as it comes out. Look for a higher number of squares per inch, which means that it will be finer. There is a lesser tendency that there will be clumps in your flour.
- Handle: Make sure that the handle is big enough to accommodate your hand. This will also make sure that you will feel more comfortable as you hold the sifter even for an extended period.
- Lid: This is one thing that is often ignored by many people. It will be good to choose a product that comes with a lid. This will prevent the flour from flying all over the counter as you crank.
- Crank: The crank should be designed in such a way that the knob is large enough for you to hold. It must also be able to crank smoothly. Take note, however, that there are some types that do not have a crank and instead, you need to push flour from the top.
Cleaning and Maintenance of the Best Flour Sifter
To make sure that the flour sifter will remain in its best condition even with long term use, the following are some of the things that you have to keep in mind:
- It is not enough that you brush the sifter when it is cleaned. It will also be good to leave it sitting in a soapy water solution for about an hour.
- Before putting the flour sifter in the cabinet, it is also important to make sure that it is completely dry. With this, aside from wiping it with clean cloth, you can also dry it in the oven. This will be a good way to prevent the sifter from rusting.
- Be sure to keep it in a clean and dry place when it will not be used. It will also be good to cover it with plastic or cloth so that it will not be prone to external elements that can lead to damages.
Top Picks for the Best Flour Sifter
In this section, we will have a quick look at five of the flour sifters that can offer the best value for money. To make it easier to narrow down the possibilities, we’ll tackle not only their notable features, but a few of their pros and cons as well.
Norpro 3-cup Stainless Steel Rotary Hand Crank Flour Sifter
Among other things, the affordable price of this product is one of its best features. This will be the perfect choice for budget-conscious buyers. Despite being an economical option, the quality and functionality are pretty much impressive.
The simplicity of the design of this product is one more thing that makes it impressive. It has a hand crank, which means that you need to operate it manually. However, this should not be seen as a drawback since the sifter is designed in such a way that it will be as user-friendly as possible.
It is made from stainless steel. The manufacturer claims that it is durable. However, with frequent and heavy use, it is inevitable that it can show visible signs of wear and tear. Rust is one of the problems from this material.
Lastly, it is also a good thing that it is incorporated with two wire agitators, which will improve its sifting efficiency. Because of this feature, you can be sure that no amount of flour will go into waste.
Pros
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Comes with an affordable price
- Effortless to clean
Cons
- Can be prone to rusting
- Some parts can easily bend
Bellemain Stainless Steel 3-cup Flour Sifter
The hand crank operation of this flour sifter might be a drawback for some, but for most people, they loved it. Even if it means that you have to exert a little effort when sifting, there is no need to worry. It is designed with your needs in mind.
One of the best features that you can find in this product is the double loop agitator. This means that there will be no lumps that will be left behind. You can crank smoothly and be assured that there will be no or minimal waste.
It is also a good thing that it has a hand crank operation. This is better than those that you need to squeeze to sift flour. This is especially a good choice for people who have arthritis.
When it comes to durability, this is also going to be a clear winner above many others within the competition. It can last for many years of use without compromising its functionality. It can resist chipping, scratches, and dents, among other external damages. Even after a long time, you can expect that it will still function and look as good as new.
Pros
- Has clear measurement marks
- Easy to clean
- Durable construction
Cons
- Crank can sometimes be difficult to turn
- Minimal capacity
Natizo Stainless Steel 3-cup Flour Sifter
Among others, one of the best features of this product is the lid, which is custom-designed to make sure that it will fit on its mouth. In the case of other models, the top is left open. With this, the flour can end up flying and can create a lot of mess in the kitchen. With the cover in this model, you can keep the entire area clean.
Cleaning should not be a problem with this product. With a short time and minimal effort to spare, you can easily maintain the unit and be sure that it will last for many years. Wiping it with a clean cloth will be more than enough to keep it clean.
Lastly, we also loved the classic hand crank design of this product. The crank will be easy to hold, making sure of your comfort as you sift. Also, the excellent construction of the mesh makes sure that your flour will not be wasted.
Pros
- Has a smooth cranking motion
- Comes with a lid
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can be prone to leaking
- A bit flimsy
Natizo Stainless Steel 3-cup Flour Sifter
One of the features that you will love about this sifter is the volume marking that you can see from the outside. It indicates one, two, or three cups, which will make it easy to determine how many cups of flour are inside the sifter without the need for measuring.
With two wire agitators and a screen mesh, you can be sure that it will deliver efficient sifting. This will make sure that flour will not be wasted and that there will be no lumps on whatever goes out of the sifter.
To maintain the best condition of this flour sifter, make sure that it is regularly cleaned and maintained. In the case of the latter, clean it only through handwashing and with the use of mild soap. This will help to keep it in its peak condition and to avoid rusting.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Clearly marked measurements
- Easy to crank
Cons
- Too small for some
- Can be a bit flimsy
Natizo Stainless Steel 3-cup Flour Sifter
One of the first things that you will love about this product is the design of its handle. The latter is made in such a way that it will be easy for you to hold the sifter, regardless if you have a small or large hand. This also allows you to achieve the precise position of the sifter to make sure that it will not create a mess.
The mesh that is incorporated in this product is also exceptional. They have fine holes, which will make sure that there are no lumps that will be collected in the bowl once you are done sifting.
The compact size of this flour sifter can also be a plus, especially for people who are looking for space-efficiency. Nonetheless, if you have to sift more flour, such as for seasoned and frequent bakers, the capacity will be minimal compared to what you can expect from other models.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Effortless to use
- Handle has excellent design
Cons
- Not durable
- Not as popular as others
Conclusion
Whether you are a novice or expert baker, the best flour sifter is one of the best items to have in the kitchen. It will be an effective way to make sure that there will be no lumps in your flour, and hence, your baked treats can end up with better consistency. We hope that this article was able to enlighten you on how to make the right choice.
From the five products that we have earlier discussed, if I have to pick only one, it would be Natizo Stainless Steel 3-cup Flour Sifter. It has durable construction and can prove to be user-friendly. With its use, you will be able to sift flour quicker!
