De Buyer Drum Sieve 20cm with 4 Meshes Stainless Steel
De Buyer Drum Sieve 20cm with 4 Meshes Stainless Steel
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Free Mainland UK delivery over £49 - No Quibble Returns
About the De Buyer Drum Sieve
The de Buyer 20cm Drum Sieve, also known as a tamis, is an essential professional tool for achieving perfectly smooth, lump-free results in baking and cooking. Constructed entirely from durable stainless steel, this French-made sieve represents generations of culinary expertise and professional kitchen standards.
What sets this drum sieve apart is its versatility—it comes complete with 4 removable interchangeable meshes in different sizes (0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm), allowing you to tackle everything from sifting fine flour and cocoa powder to straining purees and peeling hazelnuts. The robust stainless steel frame and durable meshes maintain their shape and performance through years of regular use.
Used by professional pastry chefs and serious home bakers, the drum sieve's wide, shallow design provides efficient sifting with minimal effort. The 20.5cm working diameter offers ample space for processing ingredients quickly, whilst the sturdy construction ensures stability during use. Unlike traditional handheld sieves, the drum design allows you to work more efficiently by resting the sieve over a bowl and using a scraper or your hand to push ingredients through.
Key Features
- 4 Interchangeable Meshes: Complete set includes 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm meshes for different tasks—from ultra-fine sifting to coarse straining
- Professional Construction: Entirely made from high-quality stainless steel for durability and hygiene
- Generous Working Diameter: 20.5cm inner diameter provides efficient sifting capacity for home and professional use
- Durable Design: Robust frame and meshes maintain their shape through years of regular use without warping or sagging
- Dishwasher Safe: Completely safe for dishwasher cleaning—no special care requirements
- Removable Meshes: Easy to change between different mesh sizes depending on your task
- French Made: Crafted in France to de Buyer's exacting professional standards since 1830
- Versatile Tool: Suitable for both sweet and savoury applications—from flour sifting to vegetable purees
- Stable Design: 6.1cm height provides good depth without being cumbersome, rests securely on bowls
Mesh Size Guide & Uses
0.5mm Mesh (Extra Fine): Perfect for flour, icing sugar, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and matcha. Removes the finest lumps for silky smooth cake batters and pastry doughs. Essential for achieving professional results in delicate baking.
1mm Mesh (Fine): Ideal for almond powder, hazelnut powder, ground nuts, fine coconut powder, and other nut flours. Also excellent for removing lumps from custard powder or fine spice blends.
2mm Mesh (Medium): Used for purees (vegetable, fruit, or potato), fish mousse, applesauce, and cooked baby food. Also works well for separating seeds from raspberry or blackberry purees whilst keeping the smooth pulp.
3mm Mesh (Coarse): Functions as a sifter for removing debris, peeling hazelnuts (rubbing roasted hazelnuts through removes skins), grating almond paste, breaking up praline grains, or sifting coarse ingredients. Also useful for removing lumps from brown sugar.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Before first use: Remove all packaging materials. Wash the frame and all four meshes in warm soapy water or place in the dishwasher. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. This removes any manufacturing residue and prepares the sieve for use.
Selecting the right mesh: Choose your mesh based on the ingredient and desired result. Start with the coarsest mesh if unsure—you can always switch to a finer mesh for a smoother result. The meshes are clearly marked with their size for easy identification.
Changing meshes: To remove a mesh, gently lift it out of the stainless steel frame. The meshes sit securely in the frame but are designed for easy removal. To install a different mesh, simply place it into the frame, ensuring it sits flat and secure all around the edge. The fit should be snug without forcing.
Using the drum sieve: Place the sieve over a large bowl, ensuring it sits stable and level. The bowl should be slightly smaller than the sieve's diameter so the sieve rests on the rim. Add your ingredient (flour, cocoa, ground nuts, or cooked puree) to the centre of the mesh. Using a bowl scraper, dough scraper, or the flat of your hand, gently push and spread the ingredient across the mesh in circular motions. The ingredient passes through whilst lumps, skins, or larger particles remain on top.
For dry ingredients: Use a bowl scraper or bench scraper to push ingredients through with gentle pressure. Work in batches if sifting large quantities—don't overload the mesh. Tap the side of the frame gently to help fine powders pass through more quickly.
For wet ingredients and purees: Use a bowl scraper, spatula, or the back of a ladle to push cooked vegetables, fruits, or fish through the mesh. Work in a circular motion, scraping around the mesh to push ingredients through. For very thick purees, you may need to work in smaller batches. The 2mm mesh works best for most purees.
After use: Remove any remaining ingredients from the mesh. For dry ingredients, simply tap the sieve over your bin or compost. For wet ingredients, use a spatula or brush to remove residue from both sides of the mesh.
Cleaning: The de Buyer drum sieve is completely dishwasher safe—simply place the frame and meshes in your dishwasher for thorough cleaning. If washing by hand, use warm soapy water and a soft brush or sponge to clean both sides of the mesh thoroughly. Pay special attention to the mesh holes, where fine particles can lodge. For stubborn residue, soak in warm soapy water for 15-20 minutes before washing.
Cleaning fine meshes: The 0.5mm and 1mm meshes may require extra attention as fine powders can become lodged in the tiny holes. Use a soft brush (an old toothbrush works well) to gently scrub both sides of the mesh under running water. Alternatively, let the dishwasher's high-pressure jets do the work.
Drying: If hand washing, shake off excess water and allow the frame and meshes to air dry completely before storing. You can also dry with a clean tea towel. Ensure all meshes are completely dry to prevent water spots. If using the dishwasher, the drying cycle typically handles this perfectly.
Storage: Store the drum sieve with one mesh installed in the frame, and keep the other three meshes nearby—perhaps stacked together or in a drawer. Store in a dry place. The stainless steel construction means you don't need to worry about rust or corrosion, but keeping it dry extends its lifespan and maintains appearance.
Maintaining mesh integrity: Avoid using metal utensils or sharp objects to scrape through the mesh, as these can damage or distort the holes. Always use plastic, silicone, or wooden scrapers. Don't force large lumps or hard items through—discard these or break them down first. With proper care, the meshes maintain their shape and effectiveness for many years.
What to avoid: Don't use steel wool or abrasive scrubbers on the meshes, as these can damage the fine mesh structure. Avoid twisting or bending the meshes when changing them—handle gently to maintain their flat shape. Don't use the sieve for sifting hot ingredients straight from the oven or stove—allow ingredients to cool to a safe handling temperature first.
Troubleshooting: If ingredients aren't passing through easily, you may be using too fine a mesh for that ingredient or the mesh may be clogged—clean and try again. If a mesh seems loose in the frame, ensure it's seated correctly all around the edge. If meshes become distorted from improper handling, you may need to replace them, though with proper care this shouldn't be necessary for many years.
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality kitchenware and professional tools. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care. We stock de Buyer because their commitment to quality and professional-grade craftsmanship aligns with our standards.
De Buyer Quality Guarantee
This drum sieve comes with de Buyer's 2 year guarantee against manufacturing defects when used and cared for according to instructions. De Buyer has been crafting professional kitchen tools in France since 1830, with each product representing generations of expertise and quality.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Read our full guarantee policy →
Questions? Visit our contact page
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm not satisfied with the drum sieve?
Return it to us, even if you've used it. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items—if it doesn't meet your expectations or kitchen needs, we'll refund you in full. This applies whether you've used one mesh or all four.
How does the Half-Price Replacement guarantee work?
Valid for 2 years from purchase date. If you accidentally damage the sieve or any of the meshes (for example, distorting the mesh from improper use), we'll replace it at half the current retail price with proof of purchase and evidence of damage. Photos are acceptable. This supplements de Buyer's 2 year guarantee, which covers manufacturing defects.
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4, and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill.
Which mesh should I use for sifting flour?
Use the 0.5mm (extra fine) mesh for flour, icing sugar, and cocoa powder. This finest mesh removes even the tiniest lumps and aerates flour beautifully, resulting in lighter cakes and pastries. For general purpose flour sifting, the 0.5mm mesh is always your best choice.
Can I use this for making baby food purees?
Yes, absolutely. The 2mm mesh is ideal for creating smooth purees from cooked vegetables, fruits, or fish for babies. The stainless steel construction is hygienic and dishwasher safe, making it easy to keep clean. Simply cook your ingredients until very soft, then push through the mesh with a scraper for perfectly smooth, lump-free baby food.
How do I remove hazelnut skins using this sieve?
Use the 3mm (coarse) mesh. After roasting hazelnuts, whilst they're still warm, place them on the mesh and rub them gently in circular motions using your palm or a cloth. The skins will be pushed through or fall off, whilst the peeled nuts remain on top of the mesh. This is much faster than rubbing hazelnuts between tea towels.
Is this dishwasher safe?
Yes, completely. Both the frame and all four meshes are dishwasher safe. This makes cleaning very easy, especially after sifting sticky ingredients or fine powders. Simply place them in your dishwasher for thorough, hassle-free cleaning.
Can I buy replacement meshes separately?
Whilst the sieve comes complete with all four meshes, replacement meshes may be available if one becomes damaged. Contact us to enquire about replacement mesh availability. However, with proper care (avoiding metal utensils and not forcing hard items through), the meshes should last for many years.
What's the difference between a drum sieve and a regular sieve?
A drum sieve (tamis) has a wide, shallow design that rests over a bowl, allowing you to push ingredients through using a scraper or your hand. This is more efficient and less tiring than shaking a traditional handheld sieve, especially for large quantities or thick purees. Drum sieves are standard equipment in professional kitchens for this reason.
Can I use this to make raspberry or strawberry coulis?
Yes, the 1mm or 2mm mesh works perfectly for straining fruit coulis. Cook your berries until soft, then push through the mesh to separate the smooth pulp from seeds and skins. The 2mm mesh is faster for this task, whilst the 1mm mesh gives an ultra-smooth result. Much more efficient than using a regular strainer.
Will the meshes sag or warp over time?
When properly cared for, no. De Buyer's professional-grade stainless steel meshes are designed to maintain their flat shape through years of regular use. Avoid bending, twisting, or forcing hard items through, and don't use metal utensils to scrape through the mesh. With these precautions, the meshes remain taut and effective indefinitely.
How does this compare to cheaper drum sieves?
De Buyer's professional construction offers all-stainless steel construction (not mixed materials), four interchangeable meshes included (not just one), tighter, more consistent mesh weaving for better results, complete dishwasher safety, heavier gauge material that won't warp or bend, and French craftsmanship with 190+ years of expertise. Cheaper sieves often have meshes that sag, frames that bend, or mesh sizes that aren't accurate. The professional quality justifies the investment for serious cooks.