A colander drains pasta, rinses vegetables and strains canned goods. Some are bowls with feet, some are fine mesh baskets with long handles, and one style collapses to rest over the sink.
The six strainers below cover plastic, stainless steel, mesh and collapsible styles from 3 to 6 quarts. Capacity, size and material come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these colanders ourselves. Durability claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 3 qt suits sides and fruit; 5 qt or more suits a pound of pasta |
| Hole style | Large holes drain fast, while fine mesh catches rice and small grains |
| Feet and handles | Raised feet keep the base out of drained water |
| Storage | Nesting or collapsible designs save cabinet space |
Specs at a Glance
| Colander | Capacity and size | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Plastic 3 Qt | 3 qt; 11 x 9 x 5.4 in | Plastic | Elongated holes; non-slip handles; contoured feet; dishwasher safe |
| OXO Stainless 5 Qt | 5 qt; 12.6 x 12.6 x 10.9 in | Stainless steel | Nests in mixing bowls; three raised feet; dishwasher safe |
| Bellemain 5 Qt | 5 qt; 11 x 10 x 6 in | Stainless steel | Fine micro-perforations; looped handles; dishwasher safe |
| EXCELSTEEL 5 Qt | 5 qt; 14 x 11.5 x 5.25 in | Stainless steel | 0.5 in mesh openings; mirror polish; self-draining base |
| U.S. Kitchen Supply 6 Qt | 6 qt; 13 x 9 in basket | Stainless steel | Collapsible; handles extend 14 to 21 in; fine mesh |
| Cuisinart 3-Piece Set | 3.1, 5.5 and 7.9 in diameters | Stainless steel mesh | Long handles; nesting; dishwasher safe |
The 6 Best Colanders
1. OXO Good Grips Plastic Strainer, 3 Qt
A 3 quart plastic colander, 11 by 9 inches and about 9.3 ounces, with elongated holes for fast draining, non-slip handles, contoured feet for in-sink stability and dishwasher-safe care.
Suits: sides, fruit and small pasta batches. Strengths: light and stable. Weaknesses: small capacity. Skip it if you drain a full pot of pasta.
View OXO Good Grips Plastic Strainer – 3 Qt Capacity, White on Amazon
2. OXO Good Grips Strainer, 5 Qt Stainless Steel
A 5 quart stainless steel colander with all-over perforations, elevated non-slip handles, three raised feet and a nesting design that fits inside mixing bowls. It is dishwasher safe.
Suits: pasta for a family. Strengths: a nesting shape and feet. Weaknesses: a tall, wide body. Skip it if your sink is small.
View OXO Good Grips Strainer – 5 Qt Capacity, Stainless Steel on Amazon
3. Bellemain Stainless Steel Colander, 5 Qt
A 5 quart stainless steel colander, 11 by 10 by 6 inches, about 1 pound, with fine micro-perforations that the maker says stop rice and spaghetti slipping through, looped handles and dishwasher-safe care.
Suits: rice and small pasta. Strengths: fine holes. Weaknesses: the listing gives little other detail. Skip it if you want a base with feet.
View Bellemain Stainless Steel Colander for Kitchen, 5 Qt Pasta and Rice Strainer on Amazon
4. EXCELSTEEL Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Colander, 5 Qt
A 5 quart stainless steel colander with easy-grip handles, a self-draining base, a mirror-polished finish, 0.5 inch mesh openings and dishwasher-safe care, with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
Suits: general draining. Strengths: a self-draining base. Weaknesses: wide holes let small grains through. Skip it if you strain rice.
5. U.S. Kitchen Supply 6-Quart Collapsible Colander
A rectangular over-the-sink basket, 13 by 9 inches, in fine mesh stainless steel with expandable rubber handles that extend from 14 to 21 inches so it can rest across most sinks. It weighs 1.4 pounds and folds for storage.
Suits: draining straight in the sink. Strengths: adjustable width and fine mesh. Weaknesses: an unusual shape. Skip it if you want a free-standing bowl.
View U.S. Kitchen Supply Stainless Steel Colander Strainer – 6-Quart Collapsible on Amazon
6. Cuisinart 3-Piece Mesh Strainer Set
Three fine mesh strainers of 3.1, 5.5 and 7.9 inches in diameter, with long handles, nesting for storage and dishwasher-safe care. They suit tea, sauces and larger straining jobs, though they are not a deep pasta colander.
Suits: varied straining jobs. Strengths: three sizes that nest. Weaknesses: shallow for pasta. Skip it if you want one big colander.
View Cuisinart 3-Piece Mesh Strainer Set, Colander for Kitchen, CTG-00-3MS on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Rinse right after use so starch does not dry on the holes.
- Use a soft brush on fine mesh.
- Dry before storing to avoid water spots.
- Nest bowls and strainers to save cabinet space.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Draining boiling water without a steady hold on the handles.
- Using wide holes for rice or quinoa.
- Choosing a small colander for a full pot of pasta.
- Leaving food stuck in the mesh.
Colander FAQ
Colander or strainer?
Colanders have larger holes for pasta and vegetables, while mesh strainers are finer and suit rice, sauces and tea.
What size should I pick?
A 3 quart bowl handles sides. For a full pound of pasta, look at 5 quarts or more.
The Short Version
For a light small bowl, the OXO Plastic 3 Qt. For a nesting steel bowl, the OXO 5 Qt. For fine holes, the Bellemain. For a self-draining base, the EXCELSTEEL. For the sink, the U.S. Kitchen Supply. For varied sizes, the Cuisinart set.
