
A colander is an important item in any kitchen and allows you to complete a number of culinary tasks. It’s an essential utensil when it comes to making pasta or rice and is also super handy if you’re washing fruits and veggies and need the excess water to drain once you’re done rinsing them. Colanders also have a number of other uses and can also be the perfect utensil to grow spouts in, strain soft cheeses, or store fruits and veggies in. Colanders are mostly made of light metals like aluminium and stainless steel; however, some models are made from plastic or enamel. They are an affordable and handy kitchen utensil and having one in your kitchen is a serious must. As always, our top-pick list combines an array of models and styles and has a colander for all budgetary needs.
The Best Colander
1
Bellemain Micro Perforated Colander
Our first pick is a fantastic model by Bellemain. When it comes to quality and style this brand is in the know, and what’s even better is that their products are also super affordable. This colander has undergone a number of improvements and does not include the typical gaping holes that are seen in many colanders. This means that foods like spaghetti and rice won’t fall through the holes and cause extra mess in the kitchen. Added to this great design is the fact that this colander is dishwasher friendly. You don’t have to spend time scrubbing it in the sink and can simply pop it in your dishwasher when you’re finished with cooking. This model has been made with heavy duty steel and is thus super durable, and also rust-proof. Users have commended this product on its amazingly quick draining ability and durability. This truly is a top-pick and one that won’t disappoint.
Smaller holes so food won’t slip out
Dishwasher safe
Rust proof
Made from heavy duty durable steel
- BrandBellemain
- Model2724634223335
- Weight8.8 ounces
2
Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘N Strain Colander
Up next is a quirky and effective pick by Kitchen Gizmo. This silicone colander, named the Snap N’ Strain, is able to fit onto all pots and bowls thanks to its universal design and thus it works perfectly with the kitchen items you already own. It simply snaps onto your pots with 2 clips and is easy to use. Since it’s small and compact it is also super easy to store and won’t take up any excess space in your kitchen. It’s thus a perfect pick for those living in apartments or places with minimal kitchen and counter space. Since it is BPA free and heat-resistant, this model boasts optimum safety. It has also been approved by the FDA and is dishwasher safe. Cleaning it is therefore a zero-hassle affair. This funky colander combines a unique and effective design with an awesome price and is definitely worth having in your kitchen. The funky model comes in green and red and will certainly delight anyone who uses it.
Heat resistant silicone
BPA free
Clips onto all bowls and pots
Great value
Dishwasher safe
- BrandKitchen Gizmo
- Weight5.4 ounces
3
Glotoch Express Silicone Collapsible Colander Set
Number three on the list is a totally awesome colander pick by Glotoch. This specialized set includes 4 silicone collapsible colanders and is the perfect pick for all culinary needs. Since they collapse they are able to fit compactly into smaller kitchen spaces and won’t take up too much room. In fact, when they collapse, they are less than 8-inches high! This gorgeous blue and grey set will be a highlight for anyone who loves cooking and is a fantastic choice whether you’re straining pasta, rice, or potatoes, or washing your fruits and veggies. This model also comes with extendable handles to make all your colander needs even easier, and when it comes to safety, they put your needs at the fore. Made with BPA free plastic, this model is free from harmful toxins and the set has been made with durable, high-grade silicone that is safe to use around food. This brand combines top-quality, with affordability and is a great colander for any foodie.
Collapsible silicone colanders
Blue and grey color theme
BPA free plastic
Durable
Compact and folds to below 8-inches
- BrandGlotoch Express
- Weight2.02 pounds
4
LiveFresh Micro Perforated 5-Quart Colander
This pick by LiveFresh is perfect for your pasta and grains and offers a sleek and sophisticated design for those who care about style. Made with stainless steel, this pick is super durable and will truly stand the test of time without rusting. The heavy-duty handles mean that this colander is built to last and specialized micro-perforated holes mean that this model can drain far quicker than many models and you won’t have to tilt the colander in all sorts of directions to get all the water out. This brand seriously believes in the value of their product so much that they offer buyers a life-time guarantee. If you aren’t 100 percent happy with the quality of your buy, they will happily refund you. This brand amalgamates wonderful quality, with practicality, and it truly is a great colander choice for anyone who loves cooking.
Stainless steel material to ensure zero rust
Specialized micro-perforated holes for quick drainage
Heavy duty handles
Lifetime guarantee
- BrandLiveFresh
- ModelLF2015CO
- Weight1.05 pounds
5
Excel Steel Stainless Steel Colanders
Number 5 on our list is an awesome model by Excel Steel and offers buyers a set of 3 colanders in varying sizes. This model comes in two designs, classic for those who like a conventional colander, and a pineapple design for those who want to add some quirkiness to their kitchen. This is perfect for varying jobs, from draining pasta and grains, to rinsing fruits and veggies, or even growing sprouts. The three sizes fit neatly into each other and thus they won’t take up excess room in your kitchen. Created with stainless steel, this model is lightweight and durable. The sturdy bases mean that they can stand freely on countertops and won’t topple over when in use. This brand combines practicality, with amazing quality and is a great pick for any foodie who enjoys spending time in the kitchen and making delicious meals. It also makes for a fantastic housewarming present.
Set of 3 colanders
Stainless steel and lightweight
Sturdy bases
Classic style or pineapple design
- BrandExcelSteel
- Model731
- Weight1.7 pounds
6
U.S. Kitchen Supply Premium Quality Colander
Up next is a fantastic model by U.S Kitchen supply. This premium quality oval colander is the perfect addition to any kitchen and is the perfect utensil for straining, draining, washing, or rinsing. Thanks to its extendable handles, this awesome stainless steel pick can rest over the sink as you prepare your meal and is perfect for washing your fruits and veggies. The 13 inches by 9 inch basket is perfect for those bigger tasks and offers users a 6 quart capacity. When not as use as a colander, you might even opt to use this gorgeous model as a fruit basket. It can simply sit on any countertop securely with its resting legs. Whether you’re sifting sugar, flour, or rice, or using this model to strain, it won’t disappoint. Uses have commended this product for its study design, gorgeous style, and the fact that it fits almost a any sink. It’s truly a great pick when it comes to kitchen colanders and won’t let you down.
Oval shape
Stainless steel and durable
Perfect for washing, rinsing, straining, and draining
Extendable handles
Resting legs for countertop use
- BrandU.S Kitchen Supply
- ModelSS-B175
- Weight1.4 pounds
7
Qimh Collapsible Colander Set
This amazing set by Qimh is a fantastic pick for anyone who likes to bring in some funky designs into their kitchen. The collapsible colander set offers users a choice of 3 round or square brightly colored strainers that simply collapse into each other when not in use. In fact, they can collapse from 4 inches, to 1.4 inches in a matter of moments. Thus, they are compact and won’t take up lots of room which is perfect for apartment dwelling. Made from durable plastic and rubber, these colanders are built to last are also super safe since they are BPA free. They also won’t release any toxic smells when heated. Users have commended this strainer set for its durability, easy storage, and gorgeous design. This is truly a brand that care about customer satisfaction, and if you aren’t totally happy, they offer a money back guarantee.
Red, blue, and green
Collapsible in either round or square shape
Durable
Made from BPA free plastic and rubber
- BrandQimh
- Weight13.6 ounces
8
RSVP International Endurance Stainless Steel Colander
This gorgeous pick from RSVP International is a perfect kitchen item for any foodie and it able to hold up to 5 quarts. Made from super durable stainless steel, this model is built to last and will be able to withstand a number of kitchen tasks. This specialized model, known as the Precision colander, is perfectly designed to ensure that not even the smallest pieces of pasta or rice escape. The small, precision pierced holes allow water to drain quickly without your food escaping and thus offers a quick and effective way to drain and strain food. Buyers of the Precision colander have noted its user-ease and effectiveness. It’s also really easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. This model combines style and functionality and won’t disappoint.
Stainless steel
Holds 5 quarts
11 inches by 5.25 inches
Precision pierced holes
Dishwasher safe
- BrandRSVP International
- ModelPUNCH-5
- Weight14.4 ounces
9
HÖLM 3-Piece Micro-Perforated Colander Set
Up next is a three-set piece by Holm. This amazing brand combines top-quality with gorgeous style and as usual, this product won’t disappoint. The three stainless steel colanders come in varying sizes to suit all culinary needs: Namely, 1 Quart, 2.5 Quart, and 4.5 Quart. Thus, you can choose the size of your colander depending on the job at hand. The completely perforated mesh strainer allows for amazing drainage, and the added foot design means that water can escape quickly without causing a backlog. Whether you need to drain pasta, grains, fruit, canned foods, or cooked meats, these colanders have you covered and certainly won’t let you down. Thanks to their durable material, they are also completely dishwasher safe and won’t rust.
3-piece set
Stainless steel with perforated mesh
3 sizes: Small, medium, and large
Added handles for user-ease
Dishwasher safe
- BrandHÖLM
- ModelHLM-Colander-3
- Weight1.7 pounds
10
ExcelSteel 5-Quart Stainless Steel Colander
This awesome pick has been created with high quality stainless steel and if you’re looking for a model that is built to last, then this is a great kitchen colander pick. The large handles make carrying food super easy and mean that you can transport fruits, veggies, and other foods in the bowl, without worrying about any spills. The mirror-polish finish adds extra style and shine to this pick, which is bound to look stylish in any kitchen space. It’s dishwasher safe, so cleaning this product is super easy and the light-weight material makes using it an absolute breeze. What’s more is that this model is selling for an absolute steel (excuse the pun!) so it won’t break the bank.
Easy grip handles
Durable stainless steel
Dishwasher friendly and easy to clean
Mirror polish finish for a shiny exterior
Lightweight and easy to handle
- BrandExcelSteel
- Modelsst-13051
- Weight11.2 ounces
11
Comfify Colander Set
This collapsible colander set by Comfify is the perfect addition to any kitchen and works perfectly for draining food or rinsing salad leaves. These funky colanders come in a choice of blue, red, orange, purple, or yellow and are made of rubberized material that is heat resistant up to 230 degrees. When the strainers collapse, they are less than 2 inches high and thus perfect for smaller kitchens since they are so compact and easy to pack away. The two colanders differ slightly in size so that you can use them with multiple pots. The smaller of the two is 8 inches in diameter and the bigger one is 9.5. Users have commended this product for its compact nature and amazing value, and the company are so confident in their product that they offer a money-back guarantee too any customer who isn’t 100 percent happy. Now that’s some real customer service!
Set of 2 collapsible colanders
Blue, red, orange, purple or blue color choice
1 x 8 inch diameter, 1 x 9.5 inch diameter
Collapse to less than 2 inches
Great value
- BrandComfify
- Weight11.2 ounces
12
Homwe Collapsible Kitchen Colander
This set of three collapsible colanders is a great choice for any foodie and the set offers users a 4-quart model, a 2.5 quart model, and a 1 quart model. Whether you need to drain pasta, or clean veggies, there is the perfect size colander for your cooking needs. The blue and grey design adds some serious style to your kitchen ware and will be easy to spot in any cupboard or draw. Since they can collapse to just 2 inches in height, these colanders are compact and easy to store in even the smallest of spaces or draws. If you live in an apartment or have minimal kitchen space, they might be the perfect pick for you. This model is also FDA approved and has been created with BPA free materials. They are also dishwasher friendly and therefore cleaning will be an absolute breeze. This brand combines practicality with amazing value and is a great colander choice for all.
3 collapsible colanders
4 quart, 2.5 quart, and 2 quart
Blue and grey design
Compact (folds to 2 inches high)
FDA approved BPA free material
- BrandHOMWE
- ModelPSOM-MIYL-CCS3
- Weight14.4 ounces
13
Priority Chef Stainless Steel Colander
Some say that the number 13 is unlucky, but when it comes to this colander, we seriously think luck is on your side. This stylish and sleek design combines amazing value with top-quality and is the perfect pick for any home. This 3 quart mesh strainer is able to quickly and effectively strain food and wash your rice or veggies in no time. This model boasts durability and the stainless-steel design means that your model will never rust. The handles making rinsing and straining even easier and mean that you can utilize the hands-free draining system when the colander is placed over you sink or on top of a large pot. This model is also dishwasher safe and users have commended its user-ease, durability, and effective straining capabilities.
Made from stainless steel
3-quart mesh colander
Hands free draining system when placing handles over pot or sink
Great value
Dish washer safe
- BrandPriority Chef
- ModelPC-COL1
- Weight8.5 ounces
14
Kukpo Easy Grip Stainless Steel Colander
The Kukpo colander offers durability, epic style, and great straining abilities and it is a perfect pick for any connoisseur in the kitchen. The heat resistant handles are an added bonus and allow you to handle the hottest of foods without having to worry about burning your hands. The stainless steel construction is super sturdy and durable and means your colander won’t rust or break with excess use. The large 5-quart capacity means that it can handle a lot of food and also serve as a great storage unit for fruits and veggies when not in use. It can also easily nest in mixing bowls if you’re needing a sieve and is ultimately an all-rounder model that will perfectly suit all your culinary needs.
Stainless steel construction for extra durability
Large 5-quart capacity
Serves as a great storage unit, colander, or even sieve
Nests easily in mixing bowls
Durable
- BrandKUKPO
- ModelKC123
- Weight1.76 ounces
15
OXO Good Grips 5-Quart Colander
Last on our top list of best colander buys is a wonderful model by OXO. This 5-quart or 3-quart stainless steel colander utilizes a perforated design for quick drainage and is an effective model for fast and thorough straining. The non-slip handles offer users a comfortable, yet firm grip and make using this model an absolute breeze. It also comes with 5 feet for added stability and can be used as a sink colander or placed on any countertop. This brand amalgamates amazing quality, with gorgeous design and have created a top-notch product that won’t disappoint.
5- or 3-quart stainless steel model
Perforated design
Non-slip handles
5 feet for added stability
- BrandOxo
- Model1134700
- Weight15.2 ounces
Best Colander Buying Guide & FAQ
What to Consider When Buying a Colander
When you’re buying a colander, you need to think about what it’s main functions will be. Will you solely be using it to strain pasta or rice? Or do you also want to steam your veggies in it? Will you be using it to store fruit in? Or will it need to store veggies in your fridge? Thinking about what you will need your colander for will enable you to choose the right material (stainless steel, aluminium, enamel, or BPA plastic) and the correct size. When it comes to plastic colanders, always opt for BPA free models that are free from harmful toxins. These can contaminate your food and cause health issues.
Why You Should Use Colanders
While people typically think of colanders as being a one-trick utensil that is perfect for draining the water from pasta, they can in fact be utilized for a number of kitchen tasks. Some of the top uses for colanders:
- They make for a perfect bowl to wash fruits and veggies in. Simply pop your colander in the sink and your produce in the colander and wash away.
- They are the perfect pick if you want to drain canned foods like chickpeas, lentils, or olives. Simply pour the contents of the can into your colander (over the ink of course) and you will be able to get rid of the brine, while retaining the solid food.
- You can also steam veggies in a colander, and this makes a great steamer basket for those who don’t want to invest in a proper steamer. Place a larger pot on your cooking plates or hob and bring it to the boil. Place your colander inside the larger pan and place your veggies inside. Steam to your desired consistency and voila, perfectly steamed veggies without needing to buy a steaming device.
- You can also use a colander to ward off those sticky grease splatters that occur when you’re cooking burgers or a fry-up. Simply pop your colander over your pan and it will keep most of the grease splatters from getting on your walls and kitchen surfaces, all the while letting in enough air.
Colander vs Strainer - What's the Difference
Strainers are usually a lot finer than colanders and are typically made with very fine mesh as opposed to stainless steel or more hardy materials. While both are bowl shaped, strainers are usually shallower and perfect for sifting flour or sprinkling icing sugar over baked treats, thanks to their very small holes. You can also opt to use a sieve for washing smaller fruits and veggies like cherry tomatoes or blueberries. Colanders are more robust and better suited for bigger jobs, such as steaming veggies, draining pasta and rice, or washing larger foods.
Best Colander FAQ:
Q: How do I clean a colander?
A: Once you’ve finished using your colander you should soak it in warm soapy water. This will get rid of any food residue and make washing up an easy feat. Use a gentle sponge rather than an abrasive cleaner that might scratch your colander and always ensure that you dry it properly after washing it.
Q: Can I steam with a plastic colander?
A: It’s best to steam your vegetables in a metal steamer, since some plastic, such as Teflon releases chemicals when heated. Certain hard plastics contain the hormone disrupting chemical known as BPA. These chemicals can mimic the body’s hormones and disrupt the body’s hormone balance. While some plastics will be labelled as microwave safe and thus safe when heated, it’s best to use a metal colander for steaming and heating.
Q: Can I use a colander to sift flour?
A: The best tool for sifting flour is a sieve as this will enable you to get the finest particles through. However, if you don’t have a sieve, you can use a colander. The flour won’t be as light as with a sieve, but this will get some of the lumps out. Another handy trick if you don’t have a sieve is to whisk the flour with a mesh whisk or a fork.
Our Top Pick
After much consideration, we have opted for this fantastic stainless-steel colander by Bellemain as our top pick. When it comes to superiority and stylishness this brand work wonders. This colander boasts amazing value and has undergone a number of improvements so as not to include typical gaping holes that are seen in many colanders. Foods like spaghetti and rice won’t fall through the holes and cause extra mess in your home. Added to awesome value and user ease, is the fact that this model is dishwasher safe. This kitchen colander has been made with heavy duty steel and is thus super hard-wearing, and also rust-proof. Users have celebrated this product on its amazingly quick draining ability and sturdiness. This truly is a top-pick and one that we love!
Sources:
- When To Use A Colander, Strainer Or Chinois - FineDiningLovers
- 10 Uses for a Colander - Feels Like Home Blog