Which Colander is the Best? | America’s Test Kitchen
A colander is the go-to tool to use when draining pasta, but a good one can do so much more than that. Which model is best?
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I read all of the comments (99 at the time) and no one mentioned this method of straining. The colander I have is just like the one to the left of the "winning" colander. I saw a tip about a year ago that I have done ever since. Instead of pouring my pasta (noodles, macaroni, spaghetti, or whatever) into the colander, I place the colander on top of my cooking post and drain the pasta by holding the colander in place as I tip the pot up to drain the water. This allows the pasta to stay in the hot (warm) pot and not loose any of its temperature. Then I will mix my sauce, or other ingredients, directly in the warm pot. This helps to keep everything nice and warm, or hot as the case may be.
i feel like the ikea colander would be quite competitive
Often, when I drain pasta, I do so quickly and throw the pasta back into the pot in order to save some of the pasta water. This one looks like it might drain it too quickly, but it looks perfect for draining beef, vegetables and chicken when making stocks.
I consider the sink unclean and don't like draining in a colander. Use a spider or strainer scoop, and also have a clip on the pot for small.
Noodles you can use a pasta tool.
I've made this point before. I have the perpetual winner, but I have an issue with it. The curled bottom edge of the base catches water, water than ends up on the counter (or worse) when I pour from the colander into a bowl or pot. That a device intended to drain water retains water simply is not optimal.
Pasta fork or slotted spoon. Rarely use the colander because we like to keep the water for sauce.
I really prefer mine with feet so the water is not blocked. Took years for me to find one with tall feet.
none of these worked, i still keep losing my will to live
I bought ATK’s top choice years ago, and it’s sturdy and reliable. I’m not sure it’s helped my will to live, but that’s a lot to ask of a colander. I can appreciate the colanders with low sides — they’re probably much easier to fit in the dishwasher.
When there's nothing else left to test in the kitchen
I like one that I can also use as a steamer.
Your Amazon link goes to a different model of colander that has next to no base height clearance.
Bridget's going through it
Any colander will work. Don't need a #1 choice. I have a plastic one and works just fine 🙂
One of the only times I got food poisoning from my own cooking is when some spaghetti fell in the sink and though just washing it off would be good. It was not. Ever since then I have been paranoid about backsplash and setting a colander in the sink to drain.
My only complaint with the winner, and probably other perforated colanders, is it takes FOREVER to dry. I find I have to shake it vigorously to get the water out of the tiny holes.
The link to the winner doesn't work, all of my browsers also say it's a link to a scam site.
I rarely use a colander anymore. It's often easier to cook in a steamer basket and use that as the colander. Plus my is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to clean than any colendar I've ever owned (save the Tuppwerware one).
Somewhere, Uncle Roger is screaming, "Noooooo!"
Why does no one make colanders with legs anymore??? Those stupid rings keep all the water that goes out the sides from going down the drain.
You guys always know what reviews I'm looking for
I have had the winner for quite a few years, but I've never loved it. I find it hard to clean and it's so darn big it takes up a lot of space (hanging from the wall is probably your best option). I've used a collapsible silicone model that I like better on both counts (though it isn't perfect either).
I’m so uncool, I’m still using my green Tupperware strainer I bought from my neighbors yard sale. I just pour hot liquids out slowly,and throw it in the dish washer when I’m done.
Your link says $31 on Amazon
They featured the Kitchen Aid Colander that has the rubber edges which I like because there are no little metal feet to scratch my counter and sink, and I can lift hot pasta and veg w/o burning my hands from the hot water that heated up the handles of the other colanders that I have had which were similar to the other ones shown 👍
Honestly I think colanders are a waste of space. A 10 inch french chinois is a better multitasker, and fits into containers easier.
I can't find a good colander, they all have holes in them. (I apologize. I'm allowed one moan-worthy dad joke a day, and this is it.)
Added in edit: hmm, the price at Amazon is $31.98 for the RSVP five-quart colander.
Not having a great deal of cabinet space, I prefer an almost flat, stainless steel pot strainer. Easy to use and store.
Nope! That flat ring seals on the bottom of the sink and doesn't allow water to drain through the bottom and allows sink crud to touch your food. It's gotta be feet, but I agree, it should be tall feet.
I, like another viewer, am using one I bought at a thrift store for $1.75 and there's never any backwash and the perforations are the right size. I can't justify spending CA$45+ on a colander.
What about rice
Life at 30
I’ve used that colander on ATC recommendation for years. I Iike it. When I clean it and set it in the drying rack the base hold a little puddle of rinse water. I wish there was one with the wire legs but with the height of the one with the band base.
My concern with these is the lip, which can harbour food and bacteria when it gets trapped. I wish they would have mentioned this possible issue.
Their 2nd best was the KitchenAid 5 Quart Colander wth black rim. It's $18
I have a will to sieve.
An over-the-sink screen colander beats a free standing model for draining pasta. Still using one I bought nearly 30 years ago.
Is it Pastafarian approved?
Colanders are one of those tools I honestly figured were completely interchangeable, until I used a bad one
Goes back to rewatch the previous episode of the One Pot Bolognese
Once the base of your winning model fills up, you’ve got backwash!
For the $31 that Amazon now charges, I’ll stick with what I have. Works fine for me.
The company is USA.
I prefer an over the sink strainer basket style. Does dual duty. (1) drain after washing carrots, celery and other vegetables. (2) straining pasta, boiled potatoes and etc. And a plus: Since it's suspended above the bottom of the sink, no worries of drained water backing up into the food, as sometimes happens, with a regular colander. Nor does it stop up the sink, if set directly over the drain.
Nope I’ll stick to my yellow Tupperware.
This is so helpful to think about the useful design features to look for! I've definitely purchased a colander that didn't have enough drain holes and didn't have the feet on the bottom and it truly did make me lose some will to live because my sink is truly disgusting 😂
I don't drain pasta; I use tongs or a spider to take it out of the pasta water and put it directly into the sauce, that way I ensure I have all the pasta water I need to finish the sauce.
I believe to price is more like $32. The $26 one, is a 3qt.
Maybe I missed it. Have you done a comparison for smokers on the market? I don’t see one.
Was having a conversation with friends about smokers for making BBQ at home. I had assumed you’d have a video on the topic but I don’t see one!