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When baking a cake for Christmas or preparing quinoa for breakfast, you need to clean the ingredients well. And there can’t be a better solution than a strainer for this. You can clean leafy greens, filter flour, wash pasta or cool down noodles, it lets you do everything. You can also use a strainer to filter smoothies or soups. Besides, it protects your hands from the risk of burns, thanks to their handles. Undoubtedly, there are huge options of strainers in the market, but not all can suit your purpose. To eliminate all the confusion and stress of research, we have reviewed the highest-rated strainers for you. They are made of sturdy materials that guarantee to go a long way without any problem. Moreover, they keep your food ingredients hygienic. These strainers are also easy to clean after use.
Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Strainer
Cooking becomes more fun and easy when you have the right kind of strainers in your kitchen. Whether you are a pasta lover or addicted to vegetables, a strainer will help you in all cases. But if you don’t own a suitable sieve, then your food can become a mess. So we have prepared this buying guide that will help you get the perfect strainer from the market
What Are the Types of Kitchen Strainers?
There are three types of kitchen strainers.
Stainless steel mesh strainer
This type of filter is made of stainless steel. It has a rigid frame and handles, while the sieving part is made from mesh. It works best for filtering fine particles like flour, quinoa, and semolina. If you want to separate broth or beverages, these strainers serve the best.
Collapsible colander
Some colanders are collapsible, so you can press them down to lay them flat. They are the best solution for those who have storage issues. They can stand freely on a countertop or sink due to their anti-slip bottom. You can strain fruits, veggies, or other items that are not too fine. Despite their foldable and compact features, they offer enough space to filter food in large quantities.
Extendable strainers
These strainers don’t have a collapsible body but have extendable handles. If you like to put your strainer over the sink without keeping your hands engaged, then they are the best. After using it, you can push the handles back.
How to Buy the Best Strainer?
Keep these factors in mind when you purchase a kitchen strainer.
Purpose
Think of the purpose for which you are buying a strainer. If you want the strainer to strain dry or wet ingredients, or maybe both, then purchase the sieve accordingly. Strainers with double mesh layers are best for sieving dry ingredients like flour and quinoa. They can also filter liquid of thick consistency like soup. Thus, you can use them for straining dry or wet stuff that is extra fine.
If you are straining fruits or veggies, colanders will work best as they have comparatively larger holes that let water flow down quickly. They are not suitable for liquid or dry food with fine particles.
Material
Strainers are either made of stainless steel, plastic, or silicone. Stainless steel is best if you want something rigid as it goes along without any signs of rust. If you want a foldable or collapsible one, then opt for a silicone-made strainer because they contract or expand with slight pressure. Make sure they are free from BPA and also dishwasher safe so that you can trust their durability. This type of strainers are easy to maintain and are hygienic for food as well.
Storage
If you have less space in your kitchen, go for foldable strainers. They can lay flat and fit in any cabinet after use. Furthermore, they are helpful while traveling. Some strainers with rigid frames have holes in their handles to hang them to a hook. Hence, you can consider them if you have wall space.
Ease of use
If the strainer demands to keep your hands engaged while holding them, then you should check if it’s safe. Make sure its handle is thick and has a rubber coating so that your palms stay protected from heat. Also, it should be light in weight so that your wrist is not stressed. You can choose the one with extendable handles to make it stand freely over the sink. In such cases, the weight of the strainer doesn’t matter.
Size
Don’t forget to check the size of the kitchen sieve because it will decide the quantity of the ingredients that you can pour into it. For sieving tea or small quantities of food, the strainer with 3-1/8-inches diameter is good to go. If you cook for yourself or have a small family, then select the sieve with a diameter of 7 … inches. To strain fruits or leafy greens, you want something big like the one with 9 inches diameter. When you are unsure about the size, you can go for the one that comes in two or more numbers because they offer you flexible options in size.
When Should You Use a Strainer?
You can use a strainer for these tasks.
- Washing fruits or veggies before munching them
- Separating pasta, noodles, or quinoa from hot water
- Sieving tea leaves from the drink
- Straining impurities from fine ingredients like oats, rice, or flour
How Much Do You Need To Pay to Get a Strainer?
Strainers are not too expensive and generally come under $20. You can get a collapsible colander at around $9.95. In this product, you get two items with different capacities. Therefore, it costs only $4.88 each. Additionally, you can get a rigid and durable strainer made of stainless steel, or a foldable silicone-made strainer with a six quarts large capacity at $15.90.
The Best Strainer You Can Buy
Cuisinart Strainer
– Top Pick
If you are looking for a versatile option, then this set of three different-sized strainers is just the right fit. It can be used for different purposes like sieving tea, filtering rice, or washing fruits. They work well for dry as well as wet ingredients.
These strainers are made of stainless steel so they are durable enough to withstand prolonged use without rusting or losing their shine over time. Additionally, they are dishwasher safe, which means you can wash them with regular dish cleansers. The edges are also sealed well so that they don’t fall apart when you load them with ingredients.
Pros
- Comes in three different sizes for versatile use
- Stainless steel construction for protection from rust and corrosion
- Dishwasher safe material keeps it easy to maintain
Cons
- Cannot stand freely on the counter or sink
QiMH Strainer
– Best For Short Space
If you’re short on space, this colander is the perfect solution for you as it is collapsible to a size of 1.69 inches. Thus, it can conveniently be stored in any drawer or cabinet without consuming too much space. You can also expand it up to 4.72 inches or make it lay flat with just one push.
Moreover, it is large enough to hold 6 quarts of ingredients. Be it noodles or leafy greens, it can take them all. You can also let it stand freely over a sink or on a table, owing to its anti-skid rectangular bottom. No need to keep your one hand engaged while using it. Additionally, it is made of silicone with BPA-free plastic handles so it doesn’t produce a foul odor or toxic chemicals when you pour hot ingredients into it.
Pros
- Collapsible body for easy storage
- Extensible handles to use it hands-free
- Anti-skid bottom prevents it from slipping on the counter
Cons
- Washing it can be tough owing to its large size
LiveFresh Strainer
– Best for Versatility
When it comes to sieving fine ingredients like quinoa or soup, you need this strainer at your home because it can filter everything from rice to smoothies smoothly. Whether it is dry or wet, this can take on everything. Additionally, it is made of stainless steel and equipped with a sealed rim design so that food is not stuck in between the rim and the mesh.
Besides, the handle is made of stainless steel and coated with rubber. It also has high heat resistance to keep your hands safe from burns. You can hold it for long without losing your grip. On top of everything, the strainer weighs only 0.44 pounds which makes it effortless to use.
Pros
- Fine mesh for straining minute particles like quinoa or soup
- Rubberized handle provides anti-slip grip and keeps hands safe
- The sealed rim design prevents the trapping of food particles
Cons
- Non-collapsible design can cause storage issues
Yummy Kitchenware Strainer
– Another Option
From yogurts to pasta, this colander lets you strain every type of food. It is made from stainless steel to keep it rust-free and the mesh has double woven layers with the tiniest holes. Hence, nothing can pass through it except thin liquid. It has a round edge with sealed rims that prevent the food from getting trapped in it. Therefore, you don’t have to spend hours cleaning it thoroughly. Moreover, its handle is thick and wide, which resists bending due to heavy load.
Pros
- Stainless steel made body stays unaffected by heat or water
- Double layered mesh with tiny holes doesn’t let pass anything except thin liquid
- Strong rivets prevent the sticking of food bits
- Has a hole on the handle edge to hang it up
Cons
- The handle doesn’t have extra protection for hands
People Also Asked
Q: How can I keep my strainer clean?
A: Cleaning the strainer after use is essential to prevent microbial growth and odors. Soak the strainer in hot water and add some dishwashing liquid for a few minutes. The residue will get loose and come out. Now rub the strainer and wash it with pure water. Dry it well before storing.
Q: Can I use silicone strainers for straining hot ingredients?
A: Silicone is not as rigid as stainless steel, so make sure it has high heat resistance. Also, it should be free from BPA so that it doesn’t melt or leach chemicals while pouring hot liquid.
Q: Why does food stick in my strainer?
A: If the food ingredients get stuck in the sieve, the rim is not sealed well. The food enters through it and gets stuck there. It will cause problems while cleaning. Hence, it’s best to replace it with a sealed rim design strainer.
Q: What kind of strainer should I carry for camping?
A: When you are out camping and you want to carry a strainer, you should select the one with a strong body that doesn’t fall apart under a load of luggage. It should also be small and compact. If not, go for the foldable one that can fit inside your luggage nicely.
