The Moulinex food mill and the Oxo Food Mill are two top choices for home cooks, but they excel in different areas. The Moulinex stands out for its sleek, modern design and more accessible price point, making it a great value pick. The Oxo, known for its "Good Grips" line, prioritizes ergonomic comfort, durability, and a slightly larger capacity for a higher price.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which of these popular food mills is the right fit for your kitchen.
Moulinex Food Mill
The Moulinex Food Mill is a classic kitchen tool from a well-established French brand known for combining function with a clean aesthetic. It's a reliable workhorse for everyday tasks like making purees, sauces, and baby food, appealing to home cooks who want a functional and stylish product without a big investment.
- What it is: A manual food mill designed to puree and strain fruits and vegetables for sauces, soups, and jams.
- Key features: Typically includes multiple interchangeable grinding discs for varying textures, stainless steel components, and BPA-free plastic parts.
- Price: Ranges from $30 to $50, offering an excellent balance of quality and affordability.
- Style: Sleek and modern with smooth lines, often featuring white or gray colors that fit well in contemporary kitchens.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a combination of stainless steel discs and bowls for processing food, and sturdy BPA-free plastic for the frame and handle.
- Pros: More budget-friendly than its Oxo counterpart. Sleek, minimalist design looks great in the kitchen. Performs reliably for small to medium batches. Generally easy to assemble and clean.
- Cons: The plastic handle may feel less robust than Oxo's. Smaller capacity (1-2 quarts) may not be ideal for large-batch canning or freezing. Ergonomics are standard but lack the enhanced comfort of the Oxo.
This mill is ideal for the budget-conscious cook who values a modern design and needs a reliable tool for regular, smaller-scale food processing tasks.
Shop this product: amazon.com/Moulinex-Vegetable-Mill
Oxo Good Grips Food Mill
The Oxo Good Grips Food Mill is engineered with user comfort and durability at its core. It's designed for cooks who want a premium, easy-to-use tool that reduces hand strain during repetitive tasks. With a focus on stability and high-quality materials, it's a popular choice for serious home cooks and those with dexterity concerns.
- What it is: A high-quality, ergonomic food mill for pureeing, mashing, and straining soft foods.
- Key features: Includes a stainless steel inner bowl, 3 interchangeable grinding discs, a soft non-slip handle and knob, and non-slip legs that fold for storage.
- Price: Typically costs between $40 and $60.
- Style: Functional and utilitarian, with the brand's signature black and stainless steel professional look.
- Materials/Construction: The bowl and discs are made from durable stainless steel, while the handle, knob, and legs feature Oxo's signature soft, non-slip silicone/rubber for a comfortable and secure grip.
- Pros: Superior ergonomic comfort makes it easier to use for longer periods. High-quality materials feel durable and built to last. Larger capacity (around 2 quarts) is better for bigger jobs. Sturdy, folding non-slip legs provide excellent stability over bowls and pots.
- Cons: Higher price point compared to the Moulinex. The utilitarian design is less stylish and more function-focused. Can be slightly bulkier to store due to its robust design.
The Oxo Food Mill is perfect for those who prioritize comfort and stability, frequently process larger batches of food, or have limited hand strength.
Shop this product: oxo.com/food-mill.html
Moulinex vs. Oxo Comparison
Capacity & Sizing
The primary difference here is batch size. The Moulinex food mill typically offers a capacity between 1 and 2 quarts, which is plenty for everyday mashed potatoes, a small batch of tomato sauce, or baby food. This size is well-suited for smaller households or kitchens with limited storage space.
The Oxo Good Grips Food Mill generally features a slightly larger capacity of around 2 quarts. While the difference isn't huge, it becomes noticeable when you're canning tomatoes or making a large batch of applesauce for freezing. The Oxo is built for those moderate-to-large jobs where efficiency is key.
Materials & Construction
Both food mills are designed for durability, using stainless steel for the bowl and grinding discs to handle hot foods and resist rust. However, the difference is in the handles and frames. Moulinex uses a hard, BPA-free plastic for its handle and frame, which is functional and sturdy enough for most applications.
Oxo sets itself apart with its signature "Good Grips" materials. The turning knob and handle are a soft, comfortable non-slip material, and the folding legs have the same coating. This makes the Oxo model feel more secure and comfortable, reducing hand fatigue, and ensures it won't slip while perched on top of a pot or bowl.
Price & Value
The Moulinex Food Mill consistently comes in at a lower price point, usually between $30 and $50. For home cooks on a budget or those who only use a food mill occasionally, it offers fantastic value and performance for the price.
The Oxo Food Mill is priced slightly higher, around $40 to $60. The extra cost directly reflects its superior ergonomic design, more robust construction, and enhanced stability features. For cooks who process a lot of food or struggle with hand strength, this extra investment pays off in comfort and longevity, offering excellent long-term value.
Style & Aesthetics
Style is where the two brands have clearly different philosophies. The Moulinex Food Mill has a distinct Euro-modern aesthetic. With its clean lines and often bright white finish, it's designed to look sleek and unobtrusive in a contemporary kitchen.
The Oxo Food Mill leans heavily into a professional, function-first design. Its black and stainless-steel look is clean and practical but less focused on winning style points. It looks like a serious kitchen tool built for performance over aesthetics.
Who Each One Works Best For
The choice ultimately comes down to your priorities in the kitchen. The Moulinex is perfect for the home cook who wants a reliable, stylish, and affordable tool for everyday food prep. If you make applesauce a few times a year or need to puree vegetables for soup occasionally, its performance and price are hard to beat.
The Oxo is made for the user who values comfort and efficiency above all else. If you spend entire weekends canning, have arthritis or hand-strength issues, or simply despise kitchen tools that feel flimsy, the Oxo is the clear winner. Its thoughtful ergonomic details make a tangible difference during bigger projects.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Moulinex and Oxo are high-quality food mills, but they cater to slightly different users.
Choose the Moulinex Food Mill if:
- You're on a tighter budget and want the best performance for your money.
- You prefer a clean, modern aesthetic that blends into your kitchen decor.
- You typically process small-to-medium batches of food at a time.
- You have adequate hand strength and don't require enhanced ergonomic grips.
Choose the Oxo Good Grips Food Mill if:
- Comfort is your top priority and you want to reduce hand fatigue.
- You need a highly stable tool that won't slip on bowls or pots.
- You frequently process larger batches for canning or meal prepping.
- You're willing to pay a little more for superior build quality and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Moulinex and Oxo food mills?
The main difference lies in design philosophy. Moulinex focuses on offering a reliable, stylish, and budget-friendly product. Oxo's primary focus is on exceptional ergonomics, user comfort, and robust durability, which is reflected in its higher price.
Which food mill is easier to clean?
Both are designed to be easy to clean. They disassemble quickly, and the major components, like the stainless steel bowls and discs, are typically dishwasher-safe. Oxo's simple release button to remove the blade can make it slightly easier to take apart.
Is the Oxo Food Mill worth the extra money?
For most frequent users, yes. The non-slip handle, comfortable knob, and extreme stability of the legs make a real difference during long sessions. If you have any hand strength or wrist issues, the ergonomic benefits alone are worth the price difference.
Which mill is better for making tomato sauce?
Both work exceptionally well for tomato sauce. However, if you're processing a large harvest of tomatoes for canning, the Oxo's slightly larger capacity and more comfortable handle will make the job faster and less tiring.
Can both of these food mills handle hot foods?
Yes, both models feature stainless steel bowls and discs, which are ideal for processing hot foods like cooked potatoes, tomatoes, or apples directly from the pot without having to cool them down first.
Which food mill is more durable?
While both are well-made, the Oxo generally has a slight edge in perceived durability due to its robust materials and focus on heavy-duty construction. The soft-grip materials also tend to withstand wear and tear very well.
Do they come with different size grinding discs?
Yes, both the Moulinex and Oxo models typically come with multiple interchangeable discs. This allows you to create different textures, from a fine puree for baby food or jelly to a coarser mash for applesauce or rustic mashed potatoes.
How stable is the Oxo food mill when in use?
The Oxo mill is extremely stable. Its three non-slip legs are designed to fold out and securely anchor the mill over a wide range of bowls and pots, preventing it from shaking or sliding around while you turn the crank.
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