Colanders & Strainers

Shop Stainless Steel and Plastic Food Colanders & Strainers

A colander is a kitchen essential designed to drain liquids from food items while keeping solids intact. It boasts numerous perforations or small holes that allow liquids to pass through, making it an indispensable tool for various cooking and food preparation tasks. Whether you are washing your vegetables, draining pasta or sifting your baking ingredients, colanders are super useful in the kitchen and for everyday tasks.

What are colanders used for?

1. Draining Liquids: Efficiently drain liquids from various food items, including pasta, vegetables, and fruits, thanks to the perforated design.
2. Rinsing and Cleaning: Perfect for thorough cleaning and rinsing of fruits, vegetables, and ingredients.
3. Cooking Efficiency: Facilitate quick transfers of ingredients during blanching or parboiling to preserve colours and textures.
4. Straining: Excel at straining liquids from solids, ideal for separating broth from cooked pasta or straining canned goods.
5. Salad Preparation: Essential for washing and draining greens, ensuring crispness in salad ingredients.
6. Food Storage: Collapsible colanders offer easy storage, making them convenient for small spaces like cabinets or drawers.
7. Preventing Overcooking: Swiftly remove ingredients from hot water to prevent overcooking, particularly useful for pasta.
8. Marinating and Drying: Drain excess marinade to prevent sogginess during marinating, and aid in air-drying washed dishes.
9. Sifting Dry Ingredients: Some colanders with smaller perforations can be used as sifters for achieving smoother textures in baking.
10. Dual-Purpose Usage: Colanders with handles serve not only for draining but also as convenient vessels for transporting or serving food.

Colanders FAQs

What types of colanders are the best?

• Stainless Steel Colanders: When it comes to durability and longevity, stainless steel colanders, like those from Avanti, lead the pack. These robust colanders resist rust and corrosion, making them ideal for regular use. Harris Scarfe offers a range of stainless steel colanders in different sizes to accommodate varying quantities of food.
• Plastic Colanders: If you're looking for a lightweight and budget-friendly option, our collection of plastic colanders may be the perfect fit. These colanders are easy to handle and come in vibrant colours to add a touch of fun to your kitchen.
• Collapsible Colanders: For those with limited kitchen space, our collapsible colanders offer a clever solution. These space-saving wonders can be collapsed when not in use, making storage a breeze. Ideal for small kitchens or those who prefer a minimalist approach, collapsible colanders from Harris Scarfe are both practical and efficient.
• Metal Colanders: Harris Scarfe's metal colanders cater to those who appreciate the classic charm of traditional kitchenware. Crafted with precision, these colanders combine functionality with timeless design, providing a sophisticated touch to your kitchen.
• Mini Colanders: Perfect for rinsing smaller quantities of fruits, vegetables, or pasta, our mini colanders are both adorable and functional. These compact colanders are designed with the same precision as their larger counterparts, ensuring no compromise on quality.

How to Use a Colander Properly

Using a colander might seem straightforward, but a few tips can enhance your culinary experience. Ensure the colander sits securely in the sink, allowing water to drain efficiently. Tilt the colander slightly to encourage water to flow freely, and give it a gentle shake to remove excess liquid.

Colanders vs. Strainers

Colanders and strainers are both kitchen utensils designed for draining liquids from food items, but they differ in their perforation and size. Colanders typically have larger holes and are ideal for draining larger quantities of pasta or vegetables, while strainers, like the ones available from Cuisena feature finer mesh for separating smaller particles like seeds or grains from liquids.

Discover More Food Prep Tools & Kitchenware at Harris Scarfe

At Harris Scarfe, our commitment to enhancing your culinary journey goes beyond colanders. Explore our extensive range of kitchen essentials, including graters, mixing bowls, salad spinners, and more. For a comprehensive guide to building your arsenal of food prep tools, we invite you to browse our food prep tools buying guide, where you'll discover expert insights to improve your kitchenware collection.