Using a sifter is a simple process primarily aimed at aerating dry ingredients like flour or confectioners' sugar and removing any lumps or foreign particles.
To use a sifter, you typically place the dry ingredient into the sifter's cup or bowl, hold it over your mixing bowl or surface, and activate the sifting mechanism, often by turning a crank, squeezing a handle, or as mentioned in the reference, simply tap the screen to lighten the flour. This action pushes the ingredient through the fine mesh screen at the bottom, resulting in a light, fluffy product.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sifting
Here's a basic breakdown of how to sift ingredients:
- Measure the Ingredient: Measure the amount of dry ingredient (like flour, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar) specified in your recipe before sifting, unless the recipe specifically calls for sifting first and then measuring.
- Place in Sifter: Carefully scoop or pour the measured ingredient into the sifter. Don't overfill it, as this can make sifting difficult and messy.
- Position Over Bowl: Hold the sifter directly over the bowl where you will be adding the ingredient to your recipe. Ensure it is stable and centered.
- Activate Sifting:
- For crank sifters, turn the handle.
- For squeeze-handle sifters, repeatedly squeeze the handle.
- For screen sifters, as noted in the reference, you can simply tap. The screen to lighten the flower. This action vibrates the screen, allowing the ingredient to fall through.
- Some types, like a drum sifter, may involve using a scraper or brush to push ingredients through the mesh.
- Continue Sifting: Keep sifting until all of the ingredient has passed through the mesh.
- Incorporate: The sifted ingredient is now ready to be used in your recipe.
Why Sift?
Sifting serves several important purposes in baking and cooking:
- Aeration: It incorporates air into the ingredient, making baked goods lighter and fluffier. This is particularly important for cakes and pastries.
- Lump Removal: It breaks up any clumps that may have formed in dry ingredients, especially in flour or powdered sugar which can compact over time.
- Even Distribution: When sifting ingredients like flour and baking powder together, it ensures they are evenly mixed before being added to the wet ingredients.
- Removal of Impurities: While less common with modern commercially produced ingredients, sifting can remove small particles or foreign objects.
Types of Sifters
While the basic function is the same, sifters come in various designs:
| Type | Description | Sifting Action |
|---|---|---|
| Cup Sifter | Metal cup with a mesh bottom and an internal mechanism (crank or squeeze handle) | Turning a crank or squeezing |
| Screen Sifter | Often a fine mesh screen stretched over a frame or resting on a bowl | Tapping or shaking (as per reference) |
| Drum Sifter | A cylindrical sieve, often used with a brush or scraper (mentioned in reference) | Pushing ingredient through mesh with an aid |
| Electric Sifter | Uses a motor to vibrate the mesh | Button activation |
Using a sifter correctly ensures your dry ingredients are perfectly prepared for achieving the best results in your baking. Remember to simply tap the screen to lighten the flower if you are using a screen-type sifter, or employ the specific mechanism of your sifter type.
