How do I use the strainer?

Rough Cut Products LLC has been making strainers for the last year. They weren't something we just came up with all on our own, so we're giving credit where credit is due! A customer at the Kalispell Farmer's Market indicated she had a strainer that was plastic, and would I be able to make one out of wood? I don't know, I said! Probably. So after making a template of the item, and taking it home to my workshop, I set about determining whether it was indeed something we could make. And the answer is yes, I can, and I do. The strainer has turned into one of our most popular items.

But the question often comes up, typically after someone comments that it would be a good paddle for unruly children, how do I use it?

This particular item can be used to strain pasta, vegetable, potato, or any other water out of your pot without ever needing to use a colander. The description of how to use it (in words) is - just hold it at the end of your pot, tilt, and let the water run out. The video overview follows.

A few things to be aware of. Our standard strainer is the perfect fit for a 8" wide cooking utensil. If you are using a smaller pot, it will work fine also - you'll just have to make sure to keep enough pressure on the outside rim so the water doesn't push it off the lip of the pot. If you are using a pot with a bigger than 8" diameter, you may wish to ask us for a custom sized strainer.

The strainers are all made with a hardwood, usually walnut, but we've used other hardwoods as well. The holes are drilled with a drill press, and as each is done by hand, the holes will be a bit different from strainer to strainer. We also do not promise all the holes will be perfectly lined up!

Finally, each strainer is sealed with a food grade tung oil which offers water resistance. And as with all our utensils, please do not put them in the dishwasher! They should all be washed by hand.

If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to give Kat a call on 406-270-3667!