I’m Positive You Will Not Know What This Is. Go Ahead And Prove Me Wrong (If You Can).

The tool shown in the images is a vintage handheld potato ricer (also commonly described as a food press, masher, or strainer/squeezer). It features green-painted metal handles, a perforated cylindrical basket, and a hinged pressing plate that forces cooked food through small holes to create a smooth, uniform texture.

Name and Common Terms
This kitchen tool is typically referred to as:

• Potato ricer
• Food press
• Potato masher/juicer (ricer style)
• Handheld strainer/squeezer
• Tomato, lemon, or fruit press (for soft foods)

In listings like the provided text, it may be identified as “Vintage Green Handle Cast Metal Potato Ricer – Handy Things USA.”

What You’re Looking At (Key Design Features)
Notable visible parts include:

• Two long, green-painted lever handles for mechanical advantage
• A perforated metal basket/cup where food is loaded
• A hinged round pressing plate (piston) that compresses food downward
• A rigid rim and frame that holds the basket in place during pressing

This design is purpose-built to press food through holes rather than smash it by impact, which is why the result is typically smoother than standard mashing.

When It First Appeared
The potato ricer concept became established in the early 20th century, as kitchens moved toward specialized handheld tools designed for speed, consistency, and texture control.

For the specific vintage, green-handle, cast-metal style shown here, the most commonly associated era is the mid-20th century, when:

• Enamel-painted handles and durable metal kitchen tools were widely produced
• Home cooks favored simple, mechanical tools before countertop appliances were common

Who Created It

• The potato ricer was not created by one universally credited inventor in the way some single-patent items are; it evolved from earlier press-and-sieve kitchen devices used to process soft foods.
• The example referenced in your text is associated with Handy Things (USA) as the maker/brand attribution used by sellers and collectors.
• In practice, multiple manufacturers produced near-identical designs across the 20th century, often with small differences in handle shape, hinge construction, or basket perforation patterns.

What It Was Used For (Primary Function)
The main purpose of a potato ricer is to turn cooked potatoes into an even, lump-free texture by pressing them through fine holes.

Common results:

• Light, fluffy mashed potatoes
• Smooth purées suitable for piping or plating
• Consistent texture for recipes where lumps cause problems

Other Practical Uses in the Kitchen
Because it is essentially a press-and-strain tool, it can also be used for:

• Tomatoes (pressing cooked tomatoes to separate skins/seeds from pulp)
• Soft cooked vegetables (carrots, squash, sweet potatoes) for purées
• Fruit preparations (soft fruits for sauces, depending on firmness)
• Small-batch pressing tasks where a blender would over-liquefy the texture

Why This Tool Became Popular
Key advantages that made ricers household favorites:

• Texture control: Pressing produces a finer, more uniform result than mashing
• Speed: A single press can process a large portion quickly
• No electricity needed: Reliable, portable, and always ready
• Better recipe outcomes: Especially for gnocchi, croquettes, and smooth mash, where consistency matters

How to Use a Vintage Potato Ricer (Simple Steps)

1. Cook potatoes (or other foods) until very soft.
2. Place a portion into the perforated basket.
3. Close the pressing plate and align the handles.
4. Squeeze the handles together to force food through the holes.
5. Repeat in batches for consistent texture.

Tip for best results:

• Rice potatoes while warm, and avoid overworking the pressed potato afterward to reduce gumminess.

Care and Maintenance (Especially for Vintage Pieces)
To preserve a vintage ricer like this:

• Hand-wash and dry immediately to reduce corrosion and protect painted handles
• Use a soft brush to clear perforations
• Avoid prolonged soaking, especially if there are worn paint areas or oxidation
• If stored, keep it in a dry place to prevent rust spotting

Why Collectors and Home Cooks Still Want Them
Vintage ricers remain desirable because:

• They are durable, repairable, and simple
• They reflect mid-century kitchen design, often with distinctive enamel colors
• Many cooks prefer the texture a ricer produces compared with modern shortcuts

In Short
This item is best described as a vintage handheld potato ricer / food press with green enamel handles, likely produced in the mid-20th century style. It was designed to press cooked foods through a perforated basket to create smooth, consistent purées, most famously for fluffy mashed potatoes, and it remains a practical and collectible kitchen classic.