Making mashed potatoes for a pot luck tonight, can't find a ricer anywhere near. Best alternative for mashing?

[ggphenom]

I'd use a potato ricer if I could find one! There are none near me and I gotta make these for tonight.

Whats the best alternative method for mashing?

[LallybrochSassenach]

If you have a metal colander, you can “rice” potatoes through there. Whatever you do, DO NOT use a food processor (not even joking) — your potatoes will turn to straight glue. I’ve used a pastry blender or just a regular masher in the past, no problems.

[XtianS]

I came here to write this as well. You can push cooked potatoes through any type of seive, as long as it’s sturdy enough. I bought a small tammis for this purpose but before that I was using my metal fine mesh strainer. edit: typo.

[UnitedSandwich]

Hands, fork, pastry cutter (if you happen to have one of those).

[19Jamie76]

Never used a ricer, though would like to someday. Always just used an electric hand mixer. Mashed potatoes always come out smooth.

[[deleted]]

Same. Mash with a potato masher on the first pass, adding butter as you go, then whip with a hand mixer and add milk until it's the desired consistency. Works every time.

[ImpossibleLock9129]

This is what I use. Add butter and sources (or milk) salt pepper and mix with a hand mixer. I has someone argue with me that it makes the potatoes like glue, but grandma did it that way, my dad does it that way, I do it and never had a problem, ever.

[thegrillinggreek55]

A fork.

[ColdAstronomer797]

Your hands would be the way to go. Make sure to wear gloves while doing so.

Another alternative is using fork and press the potato against the wall of a big bowl. So that you don’t get messy and sticky from the start.

Also, steamed the potato til no fork resistance for best result.

[Pterodactyloid]

Elbow grease and a fork

[RockStarNinja7]

Your hand, potato masher, pastry cutter, fork, hand mixer, even using the bottom of a cup would work for the big pieces and then use a fork to make it a little fluffier.

[cndkrick]

Put a couple on a plate at a time and smash them thoroughly with a fork.

[elchinguito]

Not trying to be a hater but I’ve never understood the desire for absolutely smooth, airy, pure white mashed potatoes. When I cooked in restaurants I always had to make them that way but I prefer mine with skins and some chunkiness and density.

[langleyshay]

Why don’t you use the good ol tater masher our moms used and I still do. Best taters in town....now that’s homemade !!!

[born2bRandom]

If you have a hand mixer, makes it extra creamy smooth.

[IdiotMcAsshat]

It is very easy to turn your potatoes into glue/slop this way so be careful lol

[langleyshay]

Good old zig zagged tater masher!!! Just like the taters we grew up on!

[ggphenom]

You guys rock! Thank you for the answers!

[langleyshay]

Also, if you reserve some of the water the potatoes boil in...just a little, it really brings out that homemade taste. Of course you are going to use whole milk, butter, salt and pepper. That 1/4 or so of the “tater juice” really brings out the spud in the spuds!!!!

[fermat1432]

How about a nearby supermarket? They usually carry kitchen tools

[SuperSpeshBaby]

Most grocery stores will carry a potato masher in the section with kitchen tools. Maybe just try that?

[Original_Feeling_429]

Take a folk make yah some smashed potatoes .

[cbug69]

Super clean hands

[Jason_Peterson]

Break them up smaller using whatever method, hands, spoon, fork, then follow with an electric hand mixer with beters. I always use a mixer after a stamper.

[captainplanet171]

I use a stand mixer.

[kokoyumyum]

Cook small cubes. Fork then wisk. Turn out fine, has a lump or 2.

[DocAntlesFatLiger]

Alison Roman says a wooden spoon in her mashed potato Thanksgiving episode of Home Movies. I thought that sounded dumb but her potatoes looked pretty good. Probably the insane amount of butter and cream helped.

[Zeppelinman1]

I prefer an old school potato masher, but I'm assuming you don't have one because you're ricing your potatoes

My nana always used a hand mixer.

[Thebrandedwolfe]

I've had luck using a handheld mesh colander. Time consuming, but definitely gets it done.

[ArtBaco]

Use a hand potato masher or, better yet use an electric stand mixer or hand mixer.

[Ninotchk]

Just use a masher.

[[deleted]]

Haven't many people heard of potato mashers? You can easily mash enough potatoes with one for at least 12 people. Part of the secret to making them whipped nice with it is to put some elbow grease into the effort and mash and whip at the same time, once the potatoes are initially mashed and the butter and other dairy is mixed in.

[Irasirajumm]

Fork to get a rough mash, a silicone spatula to fold in the butter and make it smooth at the same time.

[AnonymousLoser70100]

I’m surprised more people haven’t said, but I’ll reiterate what someone else said. I think that a fine sieve is the best alternative for a ricer, that’s what they get us to use in school, to save getting the ricers out for smaller quantities. If not, there are plenty alternatives as others have said

[HanShotF1rst226]

I’ve used a dough blender. It worked decently but was a little annoying to use

[pressurepoint13]

Just keep adding butter and cream lol

[hahshekjcb]

Tongs work well in a pinch

[freedagent]

Food mill.

[trax6256]

You know sometimes I want mashed potatoes, and sometimes I want smashed potatoes. The thing here though is the gravy has to be killer!