The Best Colanders to Upgrade Your Kitchen Game

Best Colander Buying Guide

Now you’ve seen our excellent selection of the highest-rated colanders, you may feel inspired to do a little more research into the subject.

We’ve put together the following buying guide to cover everything you need to know about buying the right colander, including key features, how to use your colander, and other useful information.

If you would like to know more, keep on reading.

What Is the Difference Between a Colander and a Sieve?

There are several differences between a colander and a sieve. Colanders have larger drainage holes and are used to drain the liquid from larger food items. Sieves are made using a bowl or cone-shaped mesh. They are used to get rid of lumps in the flour and other fine grains. A sieve usually has one long handle and is a lot smaller than a colander, which has two handles.

Why Do You Need a Colander?

If you are passionate about cooking and pasta, or just want to make life easier in the kitchen, you need a colander in your life. A colander is a perfect solution to all your food-draining needs. Rather than struggle to empty water from a pan (and try not to lose your food in the process), simply use a colander to catch your food and drain the water with minimal effort.

Key Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Colander

There are numerous things to keep in mind before buying a colander. These include:

Holding capacity

Consider the holding capacity of the colander. You should choose a colander that is large enough to handle a meal for your household. If this is not possible, you should consider purchasing two large colanders.

Colander sets

Purchasing colander sets allows you to use multiple colanders during one meal. This not only increases the amount of food you can drain but also prevents cross-contamination. You may also want to use a smaller colander for less food because a smaller colander will be lighter in weight.

Lightweight

Choose a lightweight colander that will be easy to hold when full of food. This is an important feature because you may drop your food and burn yourself if the colander is too heavy.

Drainage hole size

The size of the drainage hole should be small enough to not let any food through but large enough to allow the water to drain quickly. You may prefer to use two different colanders with different-sized drainage holes for use with different-sized foods.

The smallest drainage holes are called micro-perforated holes. Look for a colander that is advertised as suitable for use with the food you want to use it for.

Materials used

Colanders are mostly available in metal or plastic. If choosing a metal colander, ensure it is made from a rust-resistant material like stainless steel. Stainless steel is also very durable. Plastic is both lightweight and durable, but some plastics contain materials that are harmful to your health in large quantities.

Foldable

If you want to save some space in your cabinet and the dishwasher you may want to look for a foldable colander. If this feature is important to you, you will probably need to purchase a plastic colander.

Dishwasher-safe

When purchasing a colander, check it is dishwasher-safe before you make a purchase. If you prefer to wash all your dishes in the dishwasher, you should check if the product is safe to use in the dishwasher before buying it.

Easy-to-clean

Colanders can be difficult to clean. Purchasing a product that is not only dishwasher-safe but also has relatively large drainage holes will make it easier to clean.

Base

The base of a colander should be steady and even. It should also be elevated enough to allow the food to properly drain. If choosing a solid base, look for one with drainage ports. Drainage ports will prevent water from gathering in the base while the product is meant to dry.

Handles

The handles of a colander should be large enough for those with large hands to comfortably hold them. The handles should also be relatively thick so they do not dig into your hands when supporting a larger weight. You may want to opt for handles made from plastic because these will not get too hot when you hold them.

Maximum temperature

If you want to blanche your vegetables or pour boiling water throughout the colander, it is important to consider the maximum temperature the product can take without becoming warped or damaged. When blanching vegetables, it is important to use a colander with plastic handles. Metal handles will transfer the heat to your hands and may cause injury.

Colander with a drainage bowl

You can purchase a colander with a drainage bowl. This is an excellent feature for when you cook and the sink is full.

How To Use a Colander Correctly?

The first thing you need to do is put the base of the colander in your sink (if your colander does not come with a draining bowl), making sure it sits flat and steady. You should remove any dishes from your sink and also make sure it is thoroughly clean. There should be no water in the sink at this point since dirty water-washed pasta does not sound particularly appetizing. Then, pour the contents of your pan into the colander. Lift the colander by the handles and give it a shake. You should notice water draining through the holes at the bottom. Wait until all this water has drained, then transfer your food into a bowl.