How do I clean this sifter?

[Tab]

My wife last used it, although I think she just had flour and water in there; however instead of cleaning it then and there, it dried up and now there seems to be chunks of flour in it (see callout); ignore the yellowish hue, I think that was just the light and I didn't bother to color-correct. They're really a grey-white, basically, dried flour color.

It's been through the dishwasher, I think. I could soak it, but am hoping for hints for something better than just hot water. I suppose I could just sift it down until my fingers fall off, but life is too short as it is.

Any ideas? My wife tossed it in the metal recycling, wherefrom I immediately retrieved it. It's perfectly fine except for the crusted-up flour.

[Tab]

1. I may have screwed myself on this one

a search on the Internetz shows never to use hot water or the dishwasher. Use cool to cold water and soap, after that try to pick it out (hard, since it's multi-layer) or bang it on a counterpart until all the little parts fall out.

[TheMadMonk]

2. Try an air compressor and a dry washing up brush.

Then flour the Mrs' pillow, and she will learn exactly why you don't wet flour when it's where it shouldn't be.

[Tab]

3. I'm willing to lose the sifter

Not so willing to lose the marriage, but thanks

[Tab]

6. Actually, realized I misworded the post

My wife just had flour in there. Then it was run under a faucet afterwards. Didn't mean to imply she was trying to sift a water/flour mix.

[guardian]

4. use a brush with stiff bristles. n/t

[Major Nikon]

5. I would soak it in a 10% bleach, 90% water solution for 15 minutes or so

Then see if water spray and/or compressed air can take care of it. The metal parts can rust, so you just don't want to leave it wet for very long.

[Lars39]

7. I vote soaking it a bit in vinegar.

My grandma repaired her sister's chimney once with a flour water paste.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. The comedian Rita Rudner said....

"If you mix water and flour you get glue. If you add eggs and sugar you get cake. Where did the glue go?"

[Lars39]

9. lol...right to my hips.

:chuckle;