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The 5 Best Substitutes for Potato Ricer

One of the hardest parts of cooking is knowing how to mash potatoes correctly.

This can be even harder when you’re in a hurry, don’t have an oven-safe bowl, or are simply doing something else while the potatoes cook.

Using a potato ricer for this task is always an option.

Compared to other tools, a potato ricer is much faster and easier for making fluffy potatoes.

When you use a ricer, it extracts the starch from the cooked potato without heating or melting the starches as much as cooking in water will do.

This means that using a ricer will leave you with less of a sticky mess.

That being said, a ricer isn’t always available.

What can you use in its place? It’s easy to find something that will do the same job but not have any benefits.

Here are five great substitutes for your ricer.

What is Potato Ricer?

what is potato ricer

A potato ricer is a utensil that can be used to mash potatoes.

It is a kitchen tool that presses boiled potatoes through the perforations while forcing the excess liquid out, making it a versatile utensil for other cooking applications such as mashing cauliflower and pushing fresh berries through a sieve.

1 – Is Potato Ricer durable?

Yes, if the ricer is made from stainless steel, it can be maintained to last for a very long time.

Some are also dishwasher safe.

2 – Is Potato Ricer easy to use?

Yes, potato ricers are simple in design, making them easy to use.

You boil your potatoes or other ingredients you want to mash up and then push the boiled potatoes, etc., through the ricer holes with a masher or other utensil.

The potato is pressed through, and excess liquid is pushed out.

3 – Can Potato Ricer be used for other materials?

Yes, they can also mash fruits and vegetables such as cauliflower and avocados and even make baby food out of fruits and vegetables.

4 – What material is Potato Ricer made of?

Potato ricers can be made from either aluminum or stainless steel.

Aluminum ricers are more affordable than the stainless steel variety but may not maintain their appearance for long, especially if they are exposed to water for a significant period.

This makes the stainless steel ricer a more expensive option, outlasting the aluminum variety.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Potato Ricer

As an alternative to potato ricer, you can use a few household products that will produce the same results without purchasing another kitchen utensil.

This is a list of five substitutes for potato ricer that you can use to mash your potatoes or other items.

1 – Mortar and pestle

mortar and pestle

Mortar and pestle can be used to mash potatoes.

This is because it can crumble foods into small pieces.

There are several types of mortars and pestles available in different sizes.

The most common shape is the stone type used to grind plants and spices.

Mortar and pestle can be made from several different materials such as porcelain, marble, wood, etc.

They all function similarly; they are just designed differently to suit different needs.

The mortar and pestle may be the most primitive of mashing utensils, but it is still very common in many kitchens worldwide.

2 – Food Mill

food mill

Food mill is a kitchen utensil used to mash cooked fresh or raw fruit and vegetables.

It does not remove any pulp from the food as other mashing devices do.

Food mills are versatile as they can be used to puree baby food, make baby food, sift flour for making bread, pastries, etc., and even make mashed potatoes for your family.

It is also dishwasher safe; this makes it very easy to clean up after using it.

3 – Fork and Spoon

fork and spoon

You can mash your potatoes or other ingredients using a fork and spoon.

You need to boil the potatoes and then stir in salt and pepper for taste.

At this point, you will need to use a fork and mash the potatoes until they reach the desired consistency.

You can also add milk or butter at this point if you choose.

They are very affordable and easy to use in most kitchens.

It can also be used to mash other ingredients such as bread, rice, beans, etc.

4 – Potato Masher

potato masher

Potato masher is a very affordable kitchen utensil.

This can be used as an alternative to a ricer.

The potato masher has a very simple design that consists of a handle and a perforated, round metalhead.

It is made out of heavy-duty material to ensure durability.

When using a masher, you need to cook or steam your potatoes.

This is to soften them up to make it easier to mash them.

Then add in your salt and any other seasonings that you choose for taste.

The last step is to use the masher by pressing it down onto the potatoes until smooth.

5 – Grater


One of the best substitutes for a ricer is a fine grater.

Fine graters are available in multiple shapes and sizes to suit different needs.

There are electric, hand-held, box-style, and flat graters with various perforations or blades.

The idea is they all produce similar results, so it is just a matter of personal preference as to which one you choose.

All you need to do is peel the potatoes, then use the grater over a bowl or pot placed below it.

This ensures all skin and pieces are collected in the bowl for later disposal.

When using the fine side of the grater, grate your potatoes until they are of the desired consistency.

The graters are also dishwasher safe, which allows for easy cleanup.

You can also choose to use them on other ingredients such as cheese and carrots when you need a finer texture.


Whenever you are preparing mashed potatoes, you will need to use a ricer so that the consistency of your potatoes is smooth.

If you do not have access to a potato ricer or if yours has broken, you can always use a substitute to ensure that your potatoes do not suffer.

Of course, if you are on a budget, you can also opt for using other household items like forks and spoons.

However, if you do not want to sacrifice the texture of your mashed potatoes, consider purchasing one of these cheap substitutes that will help ensure that your potatoes come out looking great.

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