The 5 Best Colanders You Can Buy on Amazon, According to Shoppers
When you really think about it, colanders can help home cooks do a whole lot in their kitchens—much more than just drain pasta water (which, by the way, you may want to save). Colanders can help us properly rinse the dirt and bacterial grime off fresh vegetables and fruits; they're great for steaming ingredients when you don't have a steamer basket; and they serve as another catch all to store fresh ingredients when meal prepping.
What Is the Best Colander on Amazon?
There are two basic kinds of colanders: Metal and collapsible. Metal colanders are simple and versatile (one of our editors likes to upend his over a pan whenever he pan-fries, to keep oil from splattering around). But they have a drawback: they take up extra space.
When she was living in a compact kitchen, our digital director, Stacey Rivera says that she hated having to sacrifice precious cabinet space for bulky colanders, so she opted for a collapsible one instead. Collapsible colanders are typically designed with durable BPA-free plastic that can simply be folded away when not in use—Rivera says she is able to store hers inside of an empty pot in her cabinet.
Amazon's choice for the top-rated foldable colander actually comes in two different sizes. It also features a wide plastic lip that serves as a handle when you need it most: many Amazon customers say they're able to place the colander on their sinks, rather than in their sinks, thanks to these handles.
Nearly 1,400 Amazon shoppers left favorable reviews on this set of colanders—sixty seven percent of them gave the product five stars, given how easy to clean these colanders are. Shoppers also praise the strainer's durability, which can withstand the high temperatures of boiling water and not warp, despite their inherent flexibility. The best part? The entire set is just $13.
But is space isn't an issue, you may want to go with another model. We're highlighting the best colanders you can buy online below. These colanders have earned top marks from shoppers and will help you do much more than just strain pasta.
These Are the Best Colanders to Buy Online:
1) Kitchen Gizmo Snap 'N Strain Strainer
Talk about genius! This gadget simply snaps onto any pot you have, and is a quarter the size of a regular colander. More than 1,700 shoppers left stellar reviews for this handy tool, which is best used to drain noodles and other grains.
2) Bellemain Stainless Steel 5-Quart Colander
Maybe you're looking for just a single strainer, and not a whole set? This $20 product is for you—it's large and durable enough to handle anything from a full pot of pasta to an entire bushel of grapes. 2,800 Amazon customers left positive reviews for the product, with one common thread being that this is safe to toss into your dishwasher.
3) RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Strainer
Many home cooks love stainless steel colanders because they don't rust. This one has been recommended by Cook's Illustrated and boasts holes small enough to keep angel hair pasta, or even cooked rice from falling through. Each sells for $26, and the product comes in two different sizes: 3 quarts and 5 quarts.
4) LiveFresh Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated Colander
Another stainless steel option, this model comes fully equipped with a set of stainless steel handles as well. 790 Amazon customers reviewed this product, a majority leaving five stars, commenting on the metal's durability in sinks and dishwashers.
