Best Food Strainers
If you’re newly outfitting your kitchen with the basics, you’ll likely want to invest in a food strainer. Even if you don’t do a large amount of cooking, a food strainer is handy for rinsing fruits and vegetables, draining boiled items ranging from pasta to veggies, and more. Depending on how you plan to use your food strainer, you’ll want to buy a certain kind of strainer equipped with the right features. Additionally, you may want to take your kitchen size and cabinet space into account when purchasing a strainer. Not sure where to start? Take a look at these four different food strainers, available on Amazon.
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Largest Strainer
LiveFresh Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated 5-Quart Colander
Sometimes Bigger is Better
Rinse large quantities of fruits and veggies with one go, and then store dry veggies in one place.
What We Liked
This large, five-quart strainer is a good fit for those who want to wash off large quantities of food at one time. You can fit a whole bag of apples, tons of strawberries, enough lettuce for salads for the entire family — you name it. Plus, if you want to rinse off smaller items, like rice or pasta, the very fine sieve will keep food contained while letting the water run free. The strainer is aesthetically pleasing, too, meaning you can use it to store your dry produce on the countertop once you’re done. Get it here.
Best Professional-Grade Option
IPOW Set of 3 Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer
Durable and Long-Lasting
Go with a professional-grade set of strainers for more uses and a sturdy build.
What We Liked
Sometimes it just pays to go with the professional-grade option. This set of strainers offers three different sizes, with two larger options (7.3-inch diameter and a 4.8-inch diameter) for pasta and produce, and a smaller option (2.8-inch diameter) for sifting things like sugar and flour. The strainers are made from stainless steel and are rust and corrosion-free. Buy them now.
Best Collapsible Option
Glotoch Kitchen Collapsible Colander
Save Space in a Snap
Strain a large quantity of items without sacrificing kitchen space.
What We Liked
This collapsible strainer is a great option for home cooks who need to strain a lot and often, but who don’t have much space. It pops open with a snap and becomes a large, multiple-quart strainer, and then pops back down to lie flat for storage after use. The strainer is made from dishwasher-safe, BPA-free silicone. It’s even heat-resistant up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Buy it here.
Best Name-Brand Option
Cuisinart CTG-00-3MS Set of 3 Fine Mesh Stainless Steel Strainers
A Brand You Already Love
The Cuisinart brand promises a long-lasting and high-quality product that home cooks rave about.
What We Liked
This set of stainless steel Cuisinart strainers features strainers with three-inch, five-inch, and seven-inch diameters. They’re dishwasher safe and durable, and the fine mesh material means that you can strain small items, but then also sift dry ingredients (so there’s no need to purchase a separate sifter for baking). Get them now.