Cottage pie - just a thought!

I put it through the grating disc after only partly cooking the potatoes, Once I put the disc in upside down and it sliced the potatoes which --sort of--worked after a fashion, but I wouldn't recommend it!

Penstemmon I had never heard of a potato ricer either - the other half does perfect mashed potatoes, little bit of butter, a splash of milk and if it is for a cottage pie, then we add a nice spoonful of mustard. Left over mash gets mixed with fried onions for next days' meal, whatever that may be. It never seems to get to the freezer.

Thank you anno There is so much choice out there I would rather buy based a recommendation by someone who has used it!

Penstemmon, I have a second-top of the range Magimix which I bought when my Kenwood processor started giving off smoke. The Magimix is tough but more expensive than the Kenwood and most other brands. The price includes three bowls of different sizes, three blades as well as a whisk and slicing/grating discs. I find it makes good cakes.

Lordy! I have never heard of a potato ricer! Where have I been??? Think I need to buy one for DD2 whose partner is a mashed potato king... he really does love it!

Also whilst cooking people are looking at this thread I am thinking of investing in a food processor..never had one before... what are your recommendations? I have a hand mixer/chopper but that's the limit to my electrical kitchen gadgets...except for the unused breadmaker and chocolate fountain (latter was given to me!)

Many years ago my MIL didn't do any mashed potato at Christmas and we realised our favourite meal was the Boxing Day cold meat with mash and brown sauce. And I love pie made with lean minced steak with a bovril cube crumbled into it.

I had a good grips one that collapsed at the handle end while I was using it which was when I bought a ricer. I like the look of the big one shysal

I often buy Sainsbury's family sized mash from the chiller if it's on offer. It freezes well and only takes a couple of minutes in the microwave. Had no mash but lots of potatoes today.

Just googled it; it's called a wire potato masher. Just need to find out where I can get one from now...

When I used to look after someones children after school, they had a potato masher that was just shaped like lots of S's put together; have never seen one anywhere else but it did the most perfect mash.

I used to use a mouli - and added cream in which garlic had gently infused...

Riverwalk Tesco's frozen buttery mash is excellent too, and so is Auntie Betty's. (Three cheers for Auntie Betty)

I have a large heavy duty potato ricer like this one. There are similar stainless steel ones also available from around £15
I remember my father using a similar one when I was a child. They give completely lump-free mash. Some of my favourite dishes are potato topped, like fish pie and cottage pie. I have heard it said that mash done in a food processor or mixer becomes glue-like.
#feelhungrynow

Oh, and the height of whatever you rest your pan on matters too.

Hot potatoes (I always mash them hot) would melt a polythene bag, wouldn't they?

Hmm. If you have a good masher (like the Oxo Good Grips potato masher) with a horizontal grip so you can apply downward force easily, mashing a large panful of potatoes for seven or eight people is easy peasy. I can say this with entire confidence as my mother had a similar masher and it was often my job to mash the spuds for seven of us.

I honestly don't think a ricer is easier to use, let alone clean afterwards. Ergonomically they are less efficient. A giant ricer would need an engine!

The kind of potatoes you use makes a difference too.

I tip the drained spuds into a large polythene jug, and just use my electric hand mixer on low and then high. Takes less than a minute and you've got more control this way rather than with a processor. You do need a container with a rounded bottom for the whisk to get to all the potatoes. Butter and cream to taste - that's not optional. My Gkids love my mash. It's also easier to clean the beaters than clean a ricer. If there are lots of potatoes, I sometimes mash them briefly first, before using the hand mixer.

Talking of mash, I can highly recommend this frozen mashed potato from Waitrose.

It's proper potato with just butter, milk & salt - ideal for when you need mash in a hurry or don't want to faff about cooking a very small amount, say for one grandchild. Comes in large pellet-like shape and microwaves in a couple of minutes.

Tastes delicious!

Waitrose mash

GM how do you stop the Magimix making it gloopy - if I use mechanical aids I get wallpaper paste!

Well done Cari

Mr P often has a big mash up (he knows how much I hate the horrible starchiness of saucepans that have had mash in!) and he freezes the potato in tubs that hold the perfect amount for 2 people. He just sets to with an old fashioned masher.

I use the Magimix (and before I had one I used a Moulinex passe-tout) - plenty big enough.

I could do with a bucket size ricer in here, I would be all day with those tiny ones, unless I use too much potato