Milk strainer

A milk strainer is a farm tool used to remove hair and other debris from milk after milking, allowing the milk to pass into a vessel. This differs from separating cream from milk, so a strainer should not be described as a cream separator.

Traditional wooden forms could have a funnel-shaped centre in a crosspiece resting across the milk vessel. Filtering could involve a separate filter material. Examples also occur with perforated metal or mesh, followed by metal-bodied strainers with separate inserts. Høvåg Museum displays strainers of different generations in its kitchen setting.

When examining an older example, describe its body, supports, opening and surviving filter material. Measure the opening and support width, and photograph interior and underside. A missing insert may obscure the function but is important to record. Note corrosion, cracks, repairs and alterations without assigning the same date to every metal or wooden example. Documented use on a farm or summer dairy can support identification better than appearance alone.

Sources: Audun Dybdahl: Melkesil, Store norske leksikon; Høvåg museum: kjøkkenets melkesiler.