Since the milking forum does

[aggieterpkatie]

I have the mini stainless strainer/funnel whatever from Hoeggers and I prefer to use a gold-meshed coffee filter placed inside the stainless funnel (without the metal disk and filter). The mini filters are a huge PITA to use and the coffee filter is WAY quicker and does a great job.

 

[PJisaMom]

I have the mini stainless strainer/funnel whatever from Hoeggers and I prefer to use a gold-meshed coffee filter placed inside the stainless funnel (without the metal disk and filter). The mini filters are a huge PITA to use and the coffee filter is WAY quicker and does a great job.

Now you tell me! LOL I just got my mini filters yesterday... yep. PITA!!!!!!

 

[babsbag]

I use a T of bleach and a drop or 2 or Dawn in about 1/2 gallon of water for both a wash before I milk and a dip afterwards. I also don't use paper towels. I use white cloth rags and wash them in bleach and hang them on the line in the sun. I go through a lot of them, but better and softer than all those paper towels.

I don't use a strip cup, I just milk into a small cup and swish it around and look for clumps or unusual color. I have been thinking about buying a strip cup but haven't done it yet.

The mini filters are a PITA. Last year I discoverd 6.5" non Gauze milk filters made by Ken AG. I put them in my mini filter and they stick out quite a bit, but they flow quickly and are much better than the mini filters.

I would milk into something that isn't plastic. I do have a stainless steel bucket, but my second choice would be a stainless steel bowl, or if you know that your doe is an easy milker and won't kick, I would use a glass container. IMO. If you are going to drink it I personally don't like plastic.

 

[cindy78]

I use a T of bleach and a drop or 2 or Dawn in about 1/2 gallon of water for both a wash before I milk and a dip afterwards. I also don't use paper towels. I use white cloth rags and wash them in bleach and hang them on the line in the sun. I go through a lot of them, but better and softer than all those paper towels.


I would milk into something that isn't plastic. I do have a stainless steel bucket, but my second choice would be a stainless steel bowl, or if you know that your doe is an easy milker and won't kick, I would use a glass container. IMO. If you are going to drink it I personally don't like plastic.

x2

I also do the bleach with about a drop of dawn and use washcloths. Just toss them in the washer with bleach.

I use empty glass jars from like empty coffee jars or anything glass jar with a lid. I strain the milk with the coffee filter and get it in the freezer to get it cold fast then put it in the fridge. I also make soap with any extra milk. Check out this page on Martha Stewarts website on making soap if you are interested. It's a really good recipe my friends and family love!

http://www.marthastewart.com/265890/dr-brent-ridges-goat-milk-soap

Good luck!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I have the mini stainless strainer/funnel whatever from Hoeggers and I prefer to use a gold-meshed coffee filter placed inside the stainless funnel (without the metal disk and filter). The mini filters are a huge PITA to use and the coffee filter is WAY quicker and does a great job.

Now you tell me! LOL I just got my mini filters yesterday... yep. PITA!!!!!!

One great tip I got from someone on another dairy forum was to fold a dart into the filter. If you sew you'll probably know what I mean. It makes the filter *slightly* conical and really helps the milk flow better.

 

[PJisaMom]

I have the mini stainless strainer/funnel whatever from Hoeggers and I prefer to use a gold-meshed coffee filter placed inside the stainless funnel (without the metal disk and filter). The mini filters are a huge PITA to use and the coffee filter is WAY quicker and does a great job.

Now you tell me! LOL I just got my mini filters yesterday... yep. PITA!!!!!!

One great tip I got from someone on another dairy forum was to fold a dart into the filter. If you sew you'll probably know what I mean. It makes the filter *slightly* conical and really helps the milk flow better.

Now I have to *sew*, too??? LOL!!!! I just have to laugh... my husband accuses me of all kinds of things... except being very domestic. He can handle a sewing machine far better than I can!!!! I have mastered the baking of the bread part (haven't bought bread in well over two months!), but I think I'll leave the sewing to the real man!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

No no! You don't have to sew it, but if you *do* sew you'll probably know what I meant by folding a dart in the filter. LOL.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

This is great stuff, all. Once again, so glad to have found this forum! I need a "high-five" smiley.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I use the 2 qt stainless steel (seamless!!) dog kennel pails from Jeffer's to milk into. They were on sale for around $3 and fit perfectly under the nigis. They work great and are easy to sanitize.

I use baby wipes with chlorhexidine and dip with the same.

 

[Ariel301]

I use the 2 qt stainless steel (seamless!!) dog kennel pails from Jeffer's to milk into. They were on sale for around $3 and fit perfectly under the nigis. They work great and are easy to sanitize.

I use baby wipes with chlorhexidine and dip with the same.

Those are the same ones I use. I have the mini size milk filter, which fits perfectly on top of the half gallon buckets, so I filter it as it goes in the buckets while milking. I then transfer it to gallon glass pickle jars that go in the fridge right away--it's important to chill it as fast as you can for best taste.

The frozen milk is fine for soap making if it's not exactly sanitized. The lye will take care of any germs that might be lingering. When you've got clean milk, you can freeze any excess and use it for making cheese or yogurt, or ice cream, or cooking with. It doesn't thaw to quite the normal texture so it is kind of weird to drink (won't hurt you though if you want to drink it!)

I wash my does' udders with soap and warm water before milking. I do not use a teat dip.