First taste of goat's milk--supposed to be creamy?

[SkyWarrior]

Normal for one to produce a bit more. My best milker always needs a few more squeezes on her left side.

I put a strainer (metal kind with the mesh) in the bucket. It fits perfectly on top of the pail and catches any hairs, pieces of dirt, etc. It happened by accident, really. I was using cheesecloth but it never stayed in place nicely enough and was a pain to clean twice a day.

I figured that was normal for Annie, but I also figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

My strainer was improvised. I love loose tea but can't abide tea leaves in my tea, so I have several long fine-mesh strainers made of plastic and stainless steel. They're made to hold tea leaves -- even the finings and dust. I'm thinking of buying one of those metal and paper ones from Caprine or Hoegger. I was wondering if a coffee filter would do the same thing? I don't drink coffee, but I have a coffee pot because I have family and friends that do. Thoughts?

 

[BlondeSquirrel04]

A coffee filter should be fine. Just have to set it in something to make it stay. If you are pasteurizing, I'd worry less about straining. Not saying not to strain, but you don't have to be quite as picky since you are going to be killing most of the germs anyway.

 

[kstaven]

Many people out there use reusable mesh coffee filters for the task.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Many people out there use reusable mesh coffee filters for the task.

That's how my tea strainers are. Good to know! Thanks!

 

[eweinHiscare]

SkyWarrior,

I use a 3 part strain set up: first on top the quart canning jar I set a funnel, inside that I place a wire mesh strainer, inside that I place the piece of paper towel.

The funnel prevents spills, the mesh strainer supports the paper towel, the paper towel is disposable of course and strains the milk very well.

I think I first heard of using paper towel on the Fiasco Farm website, but I'm not sure... anyway it works very well and there's nothing cheaper.

I tried using coffee filters, they work ok too, but not any better that I can tell.

And I milk my goats into a 8 quart stainless steel stock pot that came with a lid that fits it, which is very handy to keep the milk clean in between goats and the walk back to the house from the barn.

I secure the lid with a tiny bungee cord from handle to handle. The stock pot with lid was less than $15.