Sieves, Sifters, and Colanders

Utensils with meshes or perforations of different sizes are used for straining solids from liquids, washing and draining fruit, forcing lumpy materials, such as gravy, into smooth homogeneity, pulping ripe fruit, and sifting dry foods into batters. Benjamin Gilbert of Redding, Connecticut, invented wire screening about 1835, after years of making horsehair sieves. Horsehair had to be washed and sorted, woven, set into bentwood frames, and sewed securely with waxed thread. Wire screen was made on special looms and held in metal frames. Gilbert prospered from making screening for meat-safe doors, sieves, and dairy strainers.