Here’s my honest take: you need both, but not for the same reasons. If you’re a weekend warrior who loves silky tomato sauce, pressure-free canning, or gourmet purees, the food mill is your partner in crime. It’s the tool for the artist who doesn’t mind a few extra minutes of cleanup for a flawless result.
If you’re a realist who just wants perfect mashed potatoes every damn time without the fuss, grab the ricer. It’s the tool for the perfectionist who wants speed. (And let’s not pretend you don’t own a mixer for everything else.)
So, back to that cluttered drawer. I put Mamie’s food mill back. I used the ricer that night. The potatoes were divine. But guess what? Next week, I’m making coulis, and I’ll be cranking that old metal beast with a smirk. Because kitchen tools are not rivals—they’re comedy duos. The mill is the smooth talker; the ricer is the punchline. Use them accordingly. And always, always wash the screen immediately. You’ve been warned.