Every kitchen needs at least one colander and strainer as part of the essential kitchen kit. It enables vegetables and fruit to be washed easily, and items like rice and pasta to be thoroughly and easily drained. There are a variety of styles to select from, including one and two-handed versions, and we’ve put together a selection with our top picks.
LiveFresh food strainer set
Three sizes
Be prepared for a variety of kitchen tasks with this colander and strainer set with three different diameter versions. Each has a rubberised grip to avoid slipperiness and protect hands from heat. They have sealed rims to prevent food from becoming trapped and to make clean up easier.
Addis 517522 Pop & Store collapsible food colander
Fits in a drawer
This space-saving colander and strainer collapses down to just 3 centimetres (cm) depth for storage and is an ideal choice if your kitchen’s compact. It’s also perfect for a caravan, or for students who’ll be sharing a kitchen. It has raised feet for good drainage and can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
BasicForm Micro-Perforated colander
Fast draining
Two handles will secure your grip on this colander and strainer when it’s full of food. They can also be used to hang it after use to save cupboard space. The design features holes over the entire surface to make draining efficient. Bear in mind that while it’s suitable for rice, it isn’t designed for fine quinoa.
Joseph Joseph 40092 square colander
Dishwasher safe
If you like to be able to put a colander down in the sink so you can concentrate on holding just the saucepan you’re draining, this design has your name on it. It promises to stay stable when you’ve positioned it, and has large holes for quick drainage. There’s a choice of colours, and if you buy more than one, you can stack them to store.
Premier Housewares enamel retro colander
Leave on show
Complement a rustic kitchen with this vintage-style colander and strainer. It’s sized for cleaning fruit and veggies, as well as rinsing and draining rice, pulses, and pasta, among other things. Two handles make lifting easy, and it has a stable base you can set in the sink.
Chef Aid 10E11463 strainer
Lightweight
Pick this colander and strainer if you’re looking for an all-purpose kitchen workhorse at a great price. A plastic frame means it’s not heavy, but it has a high-quality stainless-steel mesh inside. The handle is designed to be comfortable to hold, and it can be hung on a hook as an alternative to stashing it in a kitchen unit.
Bottom line
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A colander and strainer are a kitchen must-have, and you might find you want to invest in more than one to suit all the tasks you regularly carry out when you’re preparing food. The LiveFresh food strainer set gives you the benefit of getting three different diameter colanders. They’re designed with sealed rims to avoid the annoying issue of food getting trapped.
The Joseph Joseph 40092 square colander is a great option if you like to be able to put a colander into the base of the sink, leaving two hands free for manoeuvring heavy pans. Kitting out a small kitchen? The Addis 517522 Pop & Store collapsible food colander will prove a space-efficient choice.