An essential yet often overlooked kitchen prep tool, the colander serves the vital purpose of draining water from cooked foods like pasta and potatoes. Standard varieties feature bowl-shaped designs with perforations dotting the bottom and sides for fluid drainage. More specialized colanders like over-the-sink styles optimize draining convenience while folding models save storage space. Beyond basic draining, versatile colanders multitask for rinsing produce, air-drying dishes, and even steaming shellfish or vegetables. Similarly, food strainers fit over bowls and allow cooks to separate liquids from solids when making stocks, smooth purees, juices and baby food. Hard-working Colanders & Food Strainers prove invaluable for draining cans, separating homemade broths from ingredients, blanching produce for freezing, and eliminating excess water from recipes to concentrate flavors. Their utilitarian looks are the versatility and daily usefulness of colanders & food strainers in facilitating preparation techniques.
Tips for choosing the right colanders & food strainers
1. Colanders
- Choose a colander made from stainless steel or heat-resistant plastic if you will be draining hot foods. Avoid aluminum which can react with acidic foods.
- Make sure the holes are appropriately sized – small holes for straining rice or couscous, larger holes for pasta or fruits and vegetables. Holes shouldn’t be so big that the food falls through.
- Look for a colander with feet or rings on the bottom so it can sit solidly in the sink and keep food above water level. Handles make lifting and moving easier.
- For batches of food larger than a typical household meal, a large plastic bowl with holes punched in can work just as well as a metal colander.
2. Food Strainers/Sieves
- Strainers come in different mesh sizes – choose finer meshes for straining stocks, broths, purees, or nut milk, and larger holes for straining chunkier foods.
- Metal strainers made from stainless steel are the most durable option. Plastic mesh can warp over time with hot liquids.
- Look for strainers that sit solidly and have comfortable, safely constructed handles suitable for grasping hot items.
- Having a few different sizes (fine mesh, medium, large) allows you to tackle multiple straining jobs. Or try an adjustable, reversible model with different meshes on each side.
Best Colanders & Food Strainers
1. 5.51″ Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer Silver
This 5.51-inch stainless steel mesh strainer from FigmintTM makes preparing pasta, beans, and other foods easier with its durable construction and handy mesh head that allows for effortless draining and rinsing. The dishwasher-safe strainer is convenient for straining a variety of ingredients and cleans up nicely after each use.
2. 5qt Stainless Steel Colander
This stainless steel colander from FigmintTM makes straining, rinsing, and draining food easy with its durable two-handle design and generously spaced holes that allow for effective drainage while keeping food off countertop surfaces. As a dishwasher-safe kitchen essential, this colander cleans up nicely after simplifying food preparation tasks.
3. OXO 5 Qt Stainless Steel Colander
With its durable stainless steel construction, non-slip feet, and comfortable soft-grip handles, this five-quart colander from OXO offers efficient food draining and preparation. The sleek design matches any cookware while providing stability for draining up to five quarts of hot or cold foods, from pasta to produce and beyond.
4. Cuisinart Set of 3 Mesh Strainers
This nested set of 3 dishwasher-safe mesh strainers from Cuisinart spans a range of sizes – 3 1/8”, 5 1⁄2”, and 7” – suitable for efficiently rinsing produce, sifting dry goods, or straining sauces and stocks. Their space-saving design allows them to store neatly within one another while providing versatility across a variety of draining, straining, and sifting tasks.
5. Plastic Colander Mint Green
With its handy integrated handles and hole-punctured base, this deep plastic colander from Room Essentials makes straining and rinsing ingredients effortless while adding a pop of minty color to your kitchen décor. The open top and basin-style design easily accommodate produce, pasta, rice, or canned goods, simplifying post-cooking straining and draining chores.
6. KitchenAid Expandable Colander-Black
This adjustable stainless steel colander/strainer from KitchenAid features expandable, rubber-gripped handles that extend to fit securely across nearly any sink, allowing you to efficiently drain a variety of ingredients from produce to cooked pasta without slippage or scratching. Its plastic-trimmed construction withholds up to 12 inches collapsed or 22 inches fully expanded, while its dishwasher-safe body simplifies cleanup.
7. 7qt Stainless Steel Expandable Over the Sink Mesh Colander Silver – Figmint
With its extendable arm design that custom fits over almost any sink width, this 7-quart adjustable stainless steel colander from FigmintTM makes it simple to drain food straight into the sink. When needed, the built-in feet give countertop stability. The dishwasher-safe structure makes cleanup easier, and the widely spaced perforations drain effectively.
Conclusion
Whether you’re an avid home cook or just cooking occasional meals, having the right colanders & food strainers makes food preparation much easier. As seen in Target’s wide selection, Colanders & Food Strainers come in a variety of materials, sizes, styles and prices to suit every drainage, rinsing, and straining need. Key aspects to consider are durability, hole size, footed stability, and handles for safe manoeuvring. Well-designed Colanders & Food Strainers feel balanced and let water drain freely without losing food particles. With options spanning simple plastic models to higher-end stainless steel sets, Target enables you to outfit your kitchen with straining gear for efficient cooking that fits both your space and budget. Equipping your prep area with the right Colanders & Food Strainers helps eliminate messy spills and keeps your sinks and counters cleaner as you take food from pot to plate.
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