A colander is essential in any well-equipped kitchen. It can be used to drain pasta noodles, wash vegetables, rinse rice and grains, or even use in conjunction with cheesecloth for straining yogurt or stock. You should get at least one colander or even two or three depending on how you cook. There are many colanders available, each with different capacities and draining holes. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the different types of colanders and which one might work best for your needs.
Best colanders
1. Tiawudi Stainless Steel Colander
- FOOD GRADE STAINLESS STEEL 18/8 CONSTRUCTION: Our kitchen strainer is made of first class Stainless Steel 18/8 that is BPA free, Lead and Cadmium free. It is rust free and will never affect the taste of your food! Our heavy duty steel will never deform or bend as it’s 20% thicker than other colanders.
- RIVETED AND HEAT RESISTANT HANDLES: Our premium handles are riveted to the bowl so it will never come off! The super soft, non-slip elevated handles provide a firm comfortable grip. The rubber construction allows you to handle even the hottest pasta or noodles without a hassle.
- LARGE CAPACITY TO STRAIN ANYTHING YOU NEED: If you were searching for a spacious strainer that allows you to strain pasta, noodles, orzo, vegetables and fruits for your large family at one go, our colander is what you need. The 5-quart capacity makes this attractive even for small restaurants and food trucks.
- QUICK DRAINING MICRO-PERFORATIONS: Tiny, closely spaced holes mean your food drains fast without having to tilt the bowl. The sturdy solid ring base keeps the colander from tipping over so that you can fill it up without fear of dumping your food.
- LIFETIME GUARANTEE: We are so confident in the quality of our colander that we offer you a lifetime guarantee. If you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, get your money back, no questions asked.
2. Qimh Collapsible Colander Strainer Over The Sink
- HEALTHY MATERIALS: Using environmentally friendly Rubber and plastics materials,no smell.
- STURDY DESIGN AND PREMIUM QUALITY: You can rest assured that you’re getting only the very best with silicone collapsible colander. The colander is BPA free and dishwasher safe. The strainer’s convenient and ergonomic design will make cooking easier than ever as it has non-slip handles for perfect stability.
- LARGE CAPACITY: The Kitchen Strainer can holds 6 quarts of your favorite pasta, vegetables, fruit, leafy greens and so on.
- MULTI USE: You can used in or over a sink and freestanding on a counter or table
- 100% GOOD SERVICE: We believe that we can help you solve any problems within 24 hours.
3. Makerstep Stainless Steel Over the Sink Colander Strainer Basket
- When Quality & Practicality Blend Into One – This professional grade oval colander strainer with fine mesh basket is your premium quality solution for variety of kitchen tasks including filtering, straining, drying and draining. Upgrade your kitchen with a premium quality kitchen gadgets remastered by Makerstep and enjoy convenient performance & long-term usability.
- Expandable Handy Kitchen Tool – We specifically refined this oval drying sleeve to supply expandable support in your cooking adventures. Our large over the sink design, stainless steel body and exquisite rubber grips is sure to boost your cooking efficiency.
- Masterful Draining Solution – From straining and rinsing pasta, food, fruits and vegetables, to quick drying dishes, filtering, sifting and similar washing & cooking tasks, you can do it all with this oval colander. Drying & straining is efficient with the rust-proof firm fine mesh and frame with feet on the bottom.
- Easy to Clean & Store – Enjoy fast and easy maintenance as the metal oval colander strainer with mesh basket is dish washer safe. When not using, simply store it on the rack, shelves or on your sink.
- Quality You can Trust – Here at we are completely dedicated to producing top quality kitchen items and flawless customer service. That’s why you can rest assured knowing you are getting top quality strainer which is backed by our money-back guarantee! Boost kitchen productivity now.
4. RSVP Endurance 5 Quart Precision Pierced Colander, 3.3 L, Silver
- GREAT FOR THE KITCHEN: Our original design RSVP Precision Pierced Colander is covered from top to bottom with tiny, precision pierced holes that allow water to drain freely.
- STAINLESS STEEL COLANDER: Wide rim base holds the colander above the floor of the sink and provides stability when pouring hot water into the colander; wide rim base also keeps the food inside the colander.
- PERFECTLY SIZED: Holds up to 5 quarts. 11 inches by 5.25 inches. Made of superior quality 18/8 stainless steel for a smooth, polished, corrosion-resistant surface.
- FANTASTIC QUALITY: A long-time favorite of Cook’s Illustrated. Not even the smallest of orzo or angel hair pasta will escape.
- EASY TO USE AND CLEAN: Not a drop of liquid will remain in this colander when rinsing. Dishwasher safe.
5. Now Designs Metal Colander 3-Quart Turquoise
- ONE QUART COLANDER: This colorful colander performs equally well rinsing fruit or straining pasta. Measures 6.5 inches diameter and 4.5 inches tall, this small colander is sure to become a kitchen staple
- VERSATILE & DURABLE: made from food safe powder-coated steel with a stainless steel rim and two handles for an easy grip, this metal colander has a flat base ensuring stability and no tipping
- EASY CARE: This lightweight steel colander is easy to clean: hand wash only
- COMPLETE THE LOOK: Coordinating utensil crocks from Now Designs (sold separately) will ensure your kitchen storage solutions effortlessly blend into your own interior design
- STYLISH KITCHEN: For over 50 years, Now Designs kitchen textiles & accessories have been consistently recognized for their superior colors, trends, designs & unsurpassed quality & workmanship
6. Hutzler 3780RB Garden Colander
- Cut, Carry, & Clean
- Easily collect vegetables from the backyard garden or farmers market
- Loose dirt shakes away
- Wash all the vegetables at once right in the colander bag
- BPA Free & dishwasher safe
7. HÖLM 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mesh Micro-Perforated Strainer Colander Set
- THREE CONVENIENT SIZES: 1-Quart, 2.5-Quart and 4.5-Quart sizes for all your cooking, straining and preparation needs. Large 11" x 3 1/2" (with handles - 13 1/4") - Medium 8 1/2" x 3" (with handles - 11") - Small 6 1/2" x 2 1/4" (with handles - 8")
- DURABLE STAINLESS STEEL: All Stainless Steel heavy duty construction for maximum durability at an unbeatable price. Sturdy handles and durable mesh make this strainer set a must-have. Will not rust even in the dishwasher! BPA free, so it wont leach plastic chemicals into your food.
- STURDY BASE: Footed design facilitates fast, easy drainage for faster preparation, a cleaner rinse, and more efficient cooking. Makes a great alternative to handheld spider strainer.
- SUPERIOR DESIGN: Fully-perforated mesh strainer and footed design provide superior drainage with minimal loss. Mesh is sturdy and will not warp , stretch, or snag even under heavy foods. Also, it's 100% Dishwasher Safe and easy to clean.
- DRAIN ANYTHING: This steel strainer set is great for washing, rinsing or draining pasta, rice, quinoa, grains, fruit, vegetables, berries, canned goods, beans, spaghetti, hamburger, tuna, cooked meats and eggs.
8. Qimh Collapsible Colander Set of 3
- ★ Foldable and Space Saving Design - Ergonomic, space-saving design. Strainers are foldable, so they do not take up much room in your kitchen cupboards.
- ★ Easy to Use - This round colander used for draining most foods like spaghetti, pasta, potatoes, broccoli, green beans, carrots, spinach and other veggies, to rinse your salad leafs, fruits and fresh vegetables.
- ★ Safe - Using environmentally friendly Rubber and plastics materials,no smell.
- ★ Multi Use - You can used in or over a sink and freestanding on a counter or table.
- ★ Good Service - If you are not satisfied with the collapsible colanders,please feel free to contact us,we promise help you solve any problems within 24 hours.
9. ExcelSteel Stainless Steel Colander
- Easy grip handles
- Constructed in durable stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe, clean with ease
- Mirror polished finish for high shine
- Lightweight stainless steel for easy handling
10. LiveFresh Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated Colander
- Microperforated Holes Drain Faster And Prevent Fall-through. Extra close, small holes on every surface allow for super fast drainage so you don’t have to tilt the bowl to get all of the water out. Our robust sieve holds onto your spaghetti noodles and cooked rice and stops small foods from falling through.
- Save Time Cleaning. 100% dishwasher safe and rust-proof, this 5 Quart colander has never been easier to clean. The smooth pierced metal is gentle on your dish cloths and hands.
- Indestructible Design With Riveted Handles. Constructed of professional grade 18/10, 304 stainless steel and built to last a lifetime. Our steel will never deform or bend as it’s 20% thicker than other colanders. Our premium handles are riveted to the bowl and will never come off!
- Warranty For Life. Rest assured, we are so confident that you will love our product that we back it up with a 100% lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. If you are unhappy with your purchase for your reason, get your money back, no questions asked.
- Rapid Draining Ring Base That Won’t Tip Over. The sturdy solid ring base keeps the colander from tipping over so that you can fill it up without fear of dumping your food. Precision-cut drainage ports are added to the base to prevent backflow, now water will not get trapped in the base.
What is the best material and design for colander?
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is the most popular colander material because it is lightweight and strong. There are many sizes and shapes of metal colanders, so make sure to consider your preferences.
Using a stainless steel colander, you don’t need to worry about it getting rusted. And the smooth pierced surface is very easy and safe to clean with hands and cloth. It is also dishwasher safe.
The stainless steel colander allows you to drain and hold all kinds of foods without falling through, such as cooked noodles, pasta, chicken, grains, and beans, as long as you choose the right hole size.
Stainless Steel Colander with Feet or a Rim
Most colanders come with feet or a rim to support them, which should be held at least an inch above the sink’s bottom to allow water to drain easily. You can wash vegetables in the sink with squat models. And taller versions can catch large quantities of lasagna sheets.
Source: Amazon LiveFresh
Stainless steel colander with extendable arms
A colander that has extendable arms can be adjusted to fit completely over the sink.
Fine mesh colanders can be used to drain or rinse small-grained foods like rice, quinoa, or orzo. The fine mesh makes it possible to strain solids from stock and particles out of liquids. However, they can be hard to clean.
Source: Amazon KitchenAid
Plastic
If you are looking for the best colander for kids, tough BPA-free plastic is an excellent choice. They won’t get hotter than those stainless-steel ones. Plastic colanders are lightweight and cheap. They usually have larger holes which means liquids can drain quickly. and are suitable for washing cold food. Because plastic colanders will melt if they are in direct contact with hot pans or pots. Even if the model you choose is heat-safe to at most 225°F(107℃), please avoid using them with hot or acidic foods regularly, otherwise, they may deform and release toxic ingredients.
Source: Amazon KitchenAid
Two-in-one plastic colander
Some colanders have more innovative features. A 2-in-1 colander set has a wider solid bowl outside for containing water, and a fitting colander inside for straining. There is also a 360-degree rotating design for easy pouring wastewater.
This allows you to easily use produce- rinsing water for watering plants. You can finish washing vegetables or grains directly inside the colander without having to pour or collect them into another bowl. The larger hole set is great for veggies and berries while the smaller holes version allows you to wash grains and beans.
Source: Amazon WQGRLLR
Collapsible plastic colander over the sink
Source Amazon Muzpz
Enamel
Colanders made of powder-coated or enameled metal can come in a variety of pretty colors. Some even have holes punched in decorative patterns.
The enamel or stoneware colander is beautiful enough to be used as a fruit bowl or basket on the countertop or refrigerator. Because these holes help with airflow and prevent fruits from rotting quickly. They can also be used to immediately activate duties on the sink side.
However, they can take some time to drain. Make sure there are lots of holes in the colander, especially near the base.
Source: Amazon Rorence
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight, durable, and heat-conductive. Similar to stainless steel colander, an aluminum colander usually comes with handles for good grip, a smooth surface that is safe and easy to clean, and a rim on the base for sturdy holding food. It is a great alternative to stainless steel colander.
However, the aluminum colander must avoid direct contact with acidic foods such as tomatoes, vinegar, and citrus. Because aluminum may react with and leach into acidic food.
Source: Amazon Winco
Silicone
Silicone is lightweight but durable, heat-safe, stick-resistant, easy to use, and clean. It is dishwasher safe.
A collapsible silicone colander may be the best choice for you if space is limited in your kitchen. It can be folded down to the same width as a cutting board and stored in a cabinet, drawer, or drying tray. You will find them made of entire silicone or has a silicone panel that allows you to flatten them significantly for storage. The silicone colander can hold its shape while pouring food into it.
Collapsible silicone colander and strainer set
Source: Amazon Longzon
Collander Size
Large holes are best for fast water drainage, such as when pasta is being prepared. These colanders are great for washing vegetables to remove any dirt or debris. However, these large holes won’t work well for rinsing raw rice or draining small pasta shapes.
A small mesh colander with a diameter of 4 to 5 inches is also useful. It can be used to rinse berries or strain beans, or as a stand-in for catching tea leaves while you make your cup of tea.
Make sure it is the same size as the pot you use to boil potatoes or pasta.
How to use a colander?
Use your colander for more than just cooking. These are some other uses for your colander.
Berry keeper: Rinse the berries and place them in a colander suspended over a bowl, or on a plate. This will allow air circulation around the fruit, which will prevent it from molding.
To make Greek yogurt or yogurt cheese, line a colander with damp cheesecloth. Place it over a bowl and spread plain yogurt on the cheesecloth. Let drain and then refrigerate for between 30 minutes and an hour for thicker Greek-style yogurt or several hours or overnight for yogurt cheese. This is a spreadable, tangy cheese that’s similar to cream cheese.
You can use it as a bug shield at an outdoor meal. To keep the flies away, place a large colander on top of a plate of food until you are ready to eat.
Make a kitchen herb garden. Line a used metal colander or an old colander from a yard sale or thrift store with moss. Fill the colander with dirt, and then plant some culinary herbs such as basil, parsley, mint, mint, or other herbs. You can place it on a sunny windowsill. Water often.
Make an ad-hock salsini spinner. Place the colander in a bowl. Add lettuce or other greens. Cool water should be added to the bowl until the greens are fully submerged. The greens should be tossed in the cool water. Next, take the colander out. To remove any excess water from the greens, place a plate or towel on top of the colander.
What is the difference between a strainer and a colander?
A strainer is usually made of stainless steel fine mesh. Its shape and size are similar to a bowl. It is smaller than a colander, usually with a handle for draining pasta, removing fried food from hot oil, rinsing pints of berries, catching seeds when squeezing lemons, etc.
A colander usually has a short or tall rim or feet so it is able to sit on its own base and not require a handle. It holds more weight than a strainer. Colanders can be made of various materials and colors, such as stainless steel, enamel or powder-coated metal, plastic, aluminum, or silicone. Even if they are bowl-shaped, but usually with larger holes. They can be used to drain cooking water from food, and wash vegetables and fruits.
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