Every time you mention cheesecloth in a recipe, two questions linger; Which are the different cheesecloth grades?, and, What is cheesecloth used for? Well, cheesecloth, as the name suggests, was originally designed to ripen/age and make cheese. Over the years, cheesecloth has warmed people’s hearts across the globe and the uses for cheesecloth have also multiplied. Today, cheesecloths are now used in almost every industry.
Which Are The Best Cheesecloth Grades?
The diverse uses of cheesecloth require different grades, and there are plenty of these grades available. Let’s get our hands dirty and explore the 7 common cheesecloth grades. We will discuss the uniqueness of each cheesecloth grade and its uses in detail.
The 7 Outstanding Cheese Cloth Grades
Cheesecloth grades vary based on the number of threads used per square inch. The variety includes; Grade 10, Grade 40, grade 50, grade 60, Grade 80, grade 90 and grade 100 cheesecloth.
The grade makes all the difference in cheese cloth thus explaining the varying cheesecloth uses. These grades include;
1. Grade 10 (#10) Cheesecloth
This is the cheesecloth grade whose weave is 12*20 threads per square inch. It’s renowned for its fast draping owing to the loose weave that allows efficient airflow. It tends to be airy, light, and gauzy.
Grade 10 cheesecloth Uses include;
- Making scary Halloween decorations.
- Designers also use it in rustic wedding décor.
- Aging cheese
- Cleaning and polishing
2. Grade 40 (#40) Cheesecloth
This cheesecloth grade is a little finer compared to grade 10. Its weave count is 12*24 threads in every square inch. It is grouped in the medium grade cheese cloth category. It ranks among the type of cheese cloth that has a considerably high absorbing capacity.
The Common Uses For Grade 40 Chesecloth are;
- Cooking, basting, straining, and squeezing juices.
- Its also used in polishing surfaces, faux painting, and wiping surfaces.
3. Grade 50 (#50) Cheesecloth
This is the medium-grade cheesecloth that brings in the compromise for those who don’t want to have open fabric offered by grade 10 yet aren’t comfortable with the fine gauze given by grade 90. The thread count per inch is 28*24. This makes it a little finer than grade 40.
Grade 50 Cheesecloth Uses include;
It is commonly used in;
- Wedding decors
- Cooking
- Draping
- Polishing
- Cleaning
- Straining
4. Grade 60 (#60) Cheesecloth
Grade 60 cheesecloth is slightly different from grade 50 cheesecloth. Its thread count is 32*28 per square inch. It’s the best definition of high quality medium grade cheesecloth.
Grade 60 cheese cloth Uses include;
This makes it suitable for use in;
- Cooking
- Straining
- Wedding décor
- Crafts
- Staining
5. Grade 80 (# 80) Cheesecloth
The fine weave grade 80 cheesecloth has 40*32 threads in every square inch. This gives it extra fine mesh that can comfortably sieve even the smallest particles. The fine weave also makes the fabric very strong and durable.
The cheesecloth can be used several times(Recycled and re-used). It’s easy to wash and reuse.
Uses of Grade 80 Cheesecloth include;
- Cheese making
- Cooking
- Straining and filtering
- Crafting
- Staining
- Dress making
6. Grade 90 (# 90) Cheesecloth
Grade 90 cheesecloth ranks among the finest cheesecloth grades. It is very similar to grade 100 cheesecloth and if not careful you may confuse the two. Its thread count in every square inch is 44*36. This makes it very fine. The huge number of threads also makes the fabric very strong and durable. This characteristic gives it great versatility thus its use in numerous areas.
Uses of Grade 90 cheesecloth include;
- The cheesecloth can be used as bandages
- Used in making tea bags
- Makes excellent mosquito nets
- Useful in cooking
- reliable filter
- Cheese making
- Used in dress-making
- Functions as butter muslin
- Used for binding
It is very durable and can be washed and reused several times before it’s rendered useless.
7. Grade 100 (#100) Cheesecloth
Grade 100 cheesecloth stands out as a premium product, specially woven to achieve the best characteristics in the market. Made from 100% natural cotton, it features a tightly woven design with 54 x 46 threads per inch. This tight and fine weave makes it highly efficient for dense filtering and straining.
The fine weave allows grade 100 cheesecloth to absorb moisture, making it suitable for wiping and polishing tasks. You can use grade 100 cheesecloth for various purposes, such as straining cheese, yogurt, honey, tea, coffee, bone soup, pressing tofu, basting poultry, wrapping fruits, straining nut milk, and kombucha. Additionally, its thickness lends itself to numerous outdoor uses, and you can even use it to make summer dresses.
Most grade 100 cheesecloths come in their natural unbleached state, making them food-safe and allowing for easy cleaning and re-use. Some brands go the extra mile by providing hemmed grade 100 cheesecloths. However, you don’t need to worry if hemmed cheesecloth isn’t available. You can easily cut the cheesecloth into pieces without worrying about fraying or leaving residues in your food. This means you will have an easy time using this cheesecloth.
What Is Cheesecloth Used For?
Understanding the common uses of cheesecloth is important. People often ask what cheesecloth is used for, and many struggle to accomplish tasks at home, especially in the kitchen, despite having a roll of cheesecloth in the pantry. This confusion arises when they do not recognize the various uses for cheesecloth. With a creative mind, you can turn hundreds of uses into thousands. In essence, cheesecloth offers endless possibilities. Here are 6 common uses for cheesecloth;
1. Straining liquids
This is the most common cheesecloth use. Cheesecloths are used to strain cheese as well as other liquids. Straining means separating the large pieces of plant fiber and pulp such as vegetables or spices such as bay leaves from the liquid. The end product will be a fine clear liquid on one hand and well-drained solids on the other.
Cheesecloth has proven to be the favorite fabric when straining broth and soups. It is for this reason that it remains a favorite in most kitchens. Almost every cheesecloth grade will be useful in straining liquids but Grade 100 cotton Farm Cheesecloth has proven to be the best.
You should understand the different cheesecloth grades and their uses before starting any straining tasks. This way, you can achieve the best results. Some cheesecloths strain or drain fluids quickly, while others take longer. The weave and absorption will determine this, as well as the material used.
2. Bundling herbs
To make the best soup and refreshments, you need to handle your ingredients carefully. Top-ranking chefs have their secrets in bouquet garni, which you can easily prepare using cheesecloth. By bundling your herbs in cheesecloth, you can enhance the flavors of every recipe. You can use cheesecloth to bundle both fresh and dried herbs. Some herbs that will elevate your dishes when bundled with cheesecloth include parsley, mint, thyme, and bay leaves. The cheesecloth allows you to remove the herbs easily before serving.
3. Thickening yogurt
We all love yogurt in different consistencies. Having cheesecloth at home allows you to serve different yogurt varieties to everyone’s liking. You can find commonly strained yogurt products like labneh and Greek yogurt. Straining gives these yogurts a thicker consistency. The straining process may take up to three days, during which you can enjoy the benefits of using cheesecloth. Since cheesecloth is made from natural cotton fabric, it ensures that no flavors transfer to your yogurt, even after such long hours.
4. Wrapping citrus
Wrap citrus fruits in cheesecloth for the best serving and storage. In recipes, people commonly use lemons. When you squeeze these fruits, wrap them in cheesecloth to easily collect all the seeds. After cooking, you can wrap the remaining pieces of citrus fruits in cheesecloth for storage. This will minimize the exposure of the exposed flesh, keeping the fruits fresh and juicy.
5. Feeding fruitcake
Before you eat that fruitcake, consider feeding it first. In this context, feeding refers to soaking the cake in alcohol or rum to enhance its flavor and extend its shelf life. To do this effectively, soak your cheesecloth in the liquid and wrap the fruitcake with it. This method will give you the sweetest fruitcake.
6. Cleaning utensils
Most of the uses for cheesecloth come during cooking, but its usefulness doesn’t end there. You will always find it handy even after you’ve finished your meals. One way to use your cheesecloth after meals is to clean utensils. Cheesecloth leaves your utensils sparkling clean and removes even stubborn stains.
Conclusion
Cheesecloth grades make all the difference in the cheesecloth selection and the quality of its output. These grades range from the lowest, grade 10, to the highest, grade 90. They have various uses and you can always select the grade that is best suited for your needs.
We hope that our review of the 6 common cheesecloth grades helps you make better and more informed decisions when buying your cheesecloth. You can also check out some of the best cheesecloths that we have reviewed for excellent results inside and outside your kitchen.