If you’re in the market for a new flour sifter, you’ve come to the right place! These handy kitchen tools are a must-have for anyone who frequently bakes, especially if they want to have a light and airy cake.
A flour sifter is a kitchen tool that is used to make a dry ingredient fine and smooth, removing any lumps and clumps that may be present. They are most often used for flour, though other dry ingredients like cocoa powder or powdered sugar can also benefit from being put through a sifter for better consistency and distribution in your recipe.
But why do we practice sifting flour? When you sift flour, you are both removing clumps in the flour while incorporating air. This helps to give your baked recipes a better consistency and makes things much more light and airy.
If you want to start baking with sifted flour to see if it makes a difference in your baking, purchasing the right flour sifter is key. Let’s explore the features that make a flour sifter stand out and review our top picks for the best flour sifters you can buy.
What Makes a Flour Sifter the Best?
There are a few key features to consider when trying to shop for the best flour sifter out there.
Key Features of a Top-Rated Flour Sifter
Fine Mesh Design
The mesh screen on your flour sifter is what’s going to make the true difference in its quality. With a super fine mesh, your flour sifter will be able to consistently aerate your dry goods and incorporate a good amount of air into your fine powder.
The more fine the mesh design is on your sifter, the more lumps and debris will be removed as you sift flour. When choosing a sifter, try to look for a fine mesh screen made of high-quality metal.
Sturdy Construction
A top-rated flour sifter will be well-made in its construction. Durability is essential to ensure you get to use your flour sifter for a lifetime.
For a high-quality flour sifter, look for food-safe materials like stainless steel or high-quality plastics. This will help a sifter avoid warping and bending from frequent use.
Easy-to-Use Handle
Another feature that sets some flour sifters apart from the rest is its handle. This is especially important when looking at a manual flour sifter, where sifting flour is all done by hand.
In many cases, using a manual flour sifter is a one-handed task. For a crank-style sifter, you’ll need to hold a handle with one hand while using the other to operate a hand crank that aerates the flour. On other sifters, you’ll have a squeeze handle you use with one hand that pushes unsifted flour through the mesh screen.
For any kind of manual flour sifter, an ergonomic handle with a secure grip is something to look for.
Capacity and Size Options
Those looking for the best flour sifter will also want to ensure it’s the size and capacity needed for the kind of baking project they want to accomplish.
Making a simple sponge cake at home? A flour sifter with a 2 or 3-cup capacity will suit your fine. However, if you’re looking to bake in large quantities for a kitchen (for example, sifting enough cake flour to make multiple sheet cakes), an industrial-sized sifter may be better. Some cake flour sifters have quantities as high as 8 to 10 cups if needed.
Top Recommendations: Best Flour Sifters
If you’re looking to buy, we have some great options! Here are our top recommendations for flour sifters.
Best Flour Sifter Overall: Bellemain Stainless Steel 3 Cup Flour Sifter
- STRONG AND LIGHTWEIGHT SIFTER HOLDS A FULL 3 CUPS: Home baking just got easier. This sifter holds more flour or powdered sugar than most sifters made for home use. Measurements are stamped right into the metal and can easily be read from inside the sifter as well as outside.
- CLASSIC RELIABLE HAND CRANK AND SINGLE MESH: Professionals prefer crank-style sifters over hand squeeze sifter models because they can stand up to repeated use without tiring out your hand. Sifting is effortless and clean up is super simple - no multi-layers of mesh for ingredients to get stuck.
- THE DOUBLE LOOP AGITATOR LEAVES NOTHING BEHIND: Lumps of flour and sugar can get left behind to clog the mesh screens when using squeeze handle models, but the Bellemain Flour Sifter cranks smoothly, capturing everything. Works great with fine and coarse flours like almond meal and oat bran.
- EASY FOR BAKERS WITH ARTHRITIS TO USE: Squeeze handles are hard to work and require hand strength - which means they can wear you out quickly. But the Bellemain Sifter’s hand crank operates smoothly and effortlessly - lightweight flours and sugars practically sift themselves.
- RUST RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL WILL EASILY LAST A GENERATION OR MORE: Stainless steel is lightweight, but stronger than aluminum or plastic - so you never need to worry about cracks, chips, dents and scratches. This is the sifter that youll still be using in 20 ye
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you’re looking for a solid sifter to use at home for everyday baking, we highly recommend this sifter from Bellemain. It’s a high-quality, easy-to-use sifter marketed at a very reasonable price.
Features and Benefits
- The flour sifter holds up to 3 cups, with measurement markings stamped both inside and outside of the sifter.
- This sifter features a classic hand crank with double-loop agitators that push dry goods through a fine mesh screen. Perfect for users who struggle to use squeeze handle sifters.
- Sifter is made of sturdy, rust-resistant stainless steel. It’s super lightweight but surprisingly strong, meaning it will last a lifetime.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews on Amazon praise this sifter for its durability, ease of use, and price point. Many note it is very similar to classic sifters used decades ago.
Pricing and Availability
This sifter is available now on Amazon, priced at $17.50. Click here to shop now.
Best Electric Flour Sifter: Norpro Battery Operated Sifter
- Capacity, 5 cups/40 ounces
- Stainless steel mesh screen
- Perfect sifter for those who have trouble turning a crank or squeezing a handle
- Food safe-BPA free material
- Requires one C battery, not inclu
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For those shopping for a flour sifter that is truly easy to use, the Norpro battery-operated sifter is an excellent choice. Those who struggle with using hand cranks or squeeze handles will benefit from this tool, which sifts the flour for you with the push of a button.
Features and Benefits
- This sifter can hold up to 5 cups of flour, perfect for baking projects, big or small.
- The flour sifter is made of food-safe, BPA-free plastic with a single mesh stainless steel screen.
- To operate, users flip the button switch on the sifter’s handle. This triggers the agitators in the basket to spin, pushing flour through the mesh screen automatically.
Customer Reviews
Many users love this sifter for its speed and ease of use! They praise it for its large capacity, lightweight design, and speed at which the sifter pushes dry goods through. Reviewers also note that this sifter does not come with a battery included.
Pricing and Availability
This sifter is available now on Amazon, priced at $17.99 for a single sifter. Click here to shop.
Best Large Sifter: Quinys 8 Cup Flour Sifter
- DURABLE DESIGN: This flour sifter is made from sturdy stainless steel material and has a heavy duty rotary crank mechanism with a handsome wooden knob, meaning its sure to serve you well for many years to come.
- PERFECT FOR SIFTING: This flour sifters fine mesh screen guarantees a smoother finish every time. This conventional flour sieve has an 8-cup capacity.
- VERSATILE: This Hand Crank Sifter will break up clumps and aerate flour, sugar, and other baking materials for light and airy baked goods. Simply add materials and turn the crank to obtain a fine, uniform powder!
- THE MORE THE MERRIER: It has 8 cup capacity, simply squeeze handle to deploy the sifter inside. Not to mention, the easy to use hand crack allows for one-handed action.
- GET CONSISTENT PRODUCT: The fine mesh screen has a smaller weave and holes for sifting finer ingredients. It will make the flour easier to incorporate and result in a lighter, more consistent product. The crank handle makes the operation more convenie
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For the baker working in larger quantities, this flour sifter from Quinys will make the perfect addition to your kitchen. Able to hold up to 8 cups of dry goods, this sturdy sifter will make quick work of large baking projects.
Features and Benefits
- This baking sifter holds up to 8 cups in capacity, pushing dry goods through a durable fine mesh screen.
- Quickly aerate and sift flour with an easy-to-use hand crank on the side of the sifter.
- This sifter is made of sturdy, food-safe stainless steel, built to last for many years.
Customer Reviews
Many buyers of this sifter praise its high-quality construction and ease of use. It’s loved by those looking to use a sifter for larger projects and is perfect for use with dry goods like flour, salt, sugar, cocoa powder, and more.
Pricing and Availability
This sifter is available now on Amazon for $26. Click here to shop.
How to Choose the Right Flour Sifter
When shopping for the right flour sifter for you, there are some things you should keep in mind.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Flour Sifter
Purpose and Usage Frequency
The first thing you need to consider before buying is what you want to use your sifter for and how often you’ll want to use it. Different sifters are suited to different baking projects based on the size and capacity you need.
For example, the average home baker making cookies and cakes would do well to purchase a simple 3-cup sifter. On the other hand, an industrial kitchen baking tons of bread may want a sifter that holds up to 10 cups of bread flour.
Material and Durability
The material your sifter is made out of will determine how long it lasts. Try to shop for sifters made of high-quality stainless steel or durable, food-safe plastic. These are less likely to warp or break with time.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You’ll also want to make sure you buy the kind of sifter that is easy to clean! Try to look for sifters that say they have removable parts or sifters that are dishwasher safe.
Price and Value for Money
When buying a flour sifter, you must ensure it’s within your budget. Do your research, read reviews, compare products, and determine the investment you can make.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Still have questions? We have answers! Here are the common questions people have about flour sifters.
How does a flour sifter work?
A flour sifter is a device that works to push flour through a mesh screen. By doing this, you remove clumps and impurities from the flour and aerate it to provide a lighter and more uniform texture in your baked goods.
To use a manual flour sifter, you fill it with your desired amount of flour, then turn a crank or squeeze a handle to push the flour through the mesh screen on the bottom.
Can I sift other ingredients besides flour?
Yes, you can! A flour sifter is a tool that can be used for any dry goods in baking. Goods such as powdered sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and spices can all be sifted to remove lumps and encourage even distribution.
How often should I clean my flour sifter?
You should clean your flour sifter after each use to avoid residue buildup. It’s recommended to disassemble the sifter (if you can) and wash it by hand with soapy water or in a dishwasher if your sifter is dishwasher safe.
Buy a Sifter to Level Up Your Baking
There are many benefits to incorporating a flour sifter into your kitchen! Flour sifters are an amazing tool for baking, aerating dry goods into consistent fine powders that lead to better baking. Aerated flour often leads to a lighter, more airy consistency in cake baking, improving your final product.
At Daisy Flour, we love bringing you informative guides that help bakers take it to the next level. Click here to explore more of our informative baking guides.
