I can no longer buy milk filters locally. I've inquired at Orscheln's, Feldman's, Tractor Supply, and MFA. It isn't something I buy often, since I don't milk twice a day like I did in the old days. A box of 100 lasts a year or more, although now that I'll be milking two cows occasionally, I'll probably use more. However long it takes me to use them, they are necessary. So I'll be buying them online.
Some places want $10 for a box of a hundred, then want to charge almost as much for the shipping. The best deal I've found online is at NASCO farm supply, $5.50 for a box of one hundred. The shipping is over seven bucks. However, I can order four boxes and the shipping is $12.61. That ought to be a lifetime supply. After all, I won't be milking cows forever!
I know there are other people milking cows and using the milk, because I see raw milk advertised for sale on Craigslist sometimes. I wonder if they have a local source for milk filters. I'm going to have to start asking around. Although, if I buy four boxes, I won't need any for awhile. I'm not going to order immediately, since I still have about fifty filters. Even if I used one a day, they'd last awhile. Meanwhile, maybe I'll call some Craigslist folks and see what they use for filters.
I just use a small square of muslin and wash it out with the rest of the milking equipment. I use it for about 3-4 months then cut a new one. Very cheap!
ReplyDeleteuse a coffee filter
ReplyDeleteA lady on Facebook said she uses coffee filters. I just now went and tested one (with water, not milk), and it strains awfully slow to suit me.
ReplyDeleteI know my grandmother used a piece of cheese cloth to filter hers. I so remember her wrapping that cloth over the edge of the milk pail and pouring it into a large crock. It'd sit there awhile and then she'd scoop off the cream. When she was done using the cloth she'd put it in the dish pan and pour hot scalding water over it to wash it out. You always bring back some memories for me that I didn't remember even having.
ReplyDeleteI followed you over from Pioneer Woman's site and am glad I did. I'm a mountain country girl but have never lived on a ranch. I had no idea what milk filters were. This was a fun read!
ReplyDeleteI tried to use the coffee filters for my goat's milk. Uhhh, no. Way too slow!!!! I cut a piece of bed sheet. It seems to work okay as long as I have a place where air can get out of my jars. I would love to get some REAL filters.
ReplyDeleteEven though I live in a rural Texas town, I'm still a City Sissy at heart. I'm always learning interesting country stuff from your blog.
ReplyDeleteShopping online is really a Godsend. I've been able to buy so many things that I could never get in stores. I don't need milk filters - - but who knows? I just might get that electric fence for my neighbors (I'm kidding of course. Or am I???)
I wonder if a nut-milk bag would work? It's what ppl use to strain other types of milk that they themselves make... almond milk, oat milk, etc. It's washable too. Check out your local health food store, if you have one, or check online.
ReplyDelete--Andrea
XOXOXO
What a blast from the past to this mildly old lady from a dairy farm in PA! The years I poured milk into a strainer w/ Kendall filter just like yours . . . Truly were the "good old days" Wonder if you could find them on Amazon? Especially if you have a Prime account.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could ask my husband about milk filters; I've never milked a cow or heard of them, although I did feed my MIL's cows. He was a farm boy and did all of that.
ReplyDeleteDonna, try hambydairysupply.com. If it has to do with milking, they'll have it. Jim.
ReplyDeleteDonna, try hambydairysupply.com. If it has to do with milking, they'll have it. Jim.
ReplyDeleteI still have two strainers but no filters. I need a few filters just to show the grandkids how we did it.
ReplyDelete