If you make nut milk at home in a blender, get a French press to filter it out!
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 đ
Can I make plant milks with a stick blender-powered chopper? Itâs 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.