Kitchen & Dining

Colanders

Stainless steel colanders and strainers for washing produce, draining pasta and rinsing grains.

An uncoated steel bowl or mesh basket replaces the plastic surface that holds your food during rinsing and draining.  We favor durable construction without plastic touching the contents.  Fine mesh keeps small grains in place; larger holes suit pasta and produce and are easier to rinse clean.

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Alessi AC04 Stainless Steel Fruit Bowl and Colander Alessi AC04 Stainless Steel Fruit Bowl and Colander STAINLESS STEELALUMINUM Why we recommend it: AC04 combines a perforated stainless-steel bowl for rinsing produce with a raised stand for bringing it to the table.  Food sits in the steel bowl; the aluminum belongs to the stand, a distinction worth making in the materials list.  Made in Italy.  It is a colander and serving piece, not stovetop cookware. Materials: 18/10 stainless-steel bowl · aluminum stand with anthracite finish $500.00 View product
Arnest Ippinmonozukuri Stainless Steel Colander — 24 cm Arnest Ippinmonozukuri Stainless Steel Colander — 24 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Fine stainless steel mesh drains ingredients without a plastic basket touching the food.  This Japanese-made colander has a formed base and no extra support-wire frame to work around when cleaning.  Arnest allows dishwasher use but advises against chlorine cleaners and bleach.  The matching bowl and plate are optional, separately purchased pieces. Materials: stainless steel mesh and rim $26.51 View product
conte Makanai 18/8 Stainless Steel Flat Strainer 220 conte Makanai 18/8 Stainless Steel Flat Strainer 220 STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A shallow, perforated steel tray drains washed vegetables without a plastic basket or woven mesh that can trap food.  Its low profile is useful for small prep jobs and stores more easily than a deep colander.  Made in Japan from 18/8 stainless steel, it pairs with the separately sold Makanai 220 bowl or tray.  It is dishwasher-safe, but it is not a fine filter for tiny particles. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel $48.00 View product
Elkay Circuit Chef Stainless Steel Sink Colander — CS3045SC Elkay Circuit Chef Stainless Steel Sink Colander — CS3045SC STAINLESS STEELUSA PRODUCTION Why we recommend it: This U.S.-made insert gives a compatible Elkay Circuit Chef sink an all-stainless place to rinse vegetables and drain food, without a plastic strainer basket.  Integrated metal lips support the basket over the sink, and the open handles simplify lifting.  Check the 17-by-6⅝-inch footprint against your sink before buying; this is a fitted accessory, not a universal colander. Materials: stainless steel $347.75 View product
Paderno Footed Stainless Steel Vegetable Colander — 24 cm Paderno Footed Stainless Steel Vegetable Colander — 24 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A raised base holds the draining bowl above the surface beneath it, and two metal handles give you a balanced grip when rinsing produce.  The bowl, handles and base are stainless steel rather than plastic, with no coating to peel.  This Italian-made, 3.5-liter colander is suited to vegetables and pasta.  Set it on a clean draining surface and wash it after each use. Materials: stainless steel $160.89 View product
Paderno Perforated Stainless Steel Conical Strainer — 20 cm Paderno Perforated Stainless Steel Conical Strainer — 20 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: This conical strainer channels strained liquid into a bowl or pot, while its perforated steel body holds back larger solids.  It is useful for cooked fruit, vegetables and sauces when you do not need the finer finish of a mesh chinois.  The food-contact bowl and handle are uncoated stainless steel.  Made in Sweden, with a support hook for resting it securely over a compatible vessel. Materials: stainless steel $64.04 View product
Paderno Stainless Steel Long-Handle Colander — 26 cm Paderno Stainless Steel Long-Handle Colander — 26 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The long handle and opposite hook let you rest this colander across a suitable pot or bowl while draining vegetables or pasta.  Food touches a perforated stainless-steel bowl, with no plastic mesh or nonstick lining.  The 4-liter size works for family portions, though its holes are not intended for very fine grains.  Made in Italy; the steel handle can become hot when draining boiling water. Materials: stainless steel $111.56 View product
Riess White Enamel Long-Handle Strainer, 20 cm Riess White Enamel Long-Handle Strainer, 20 cm ENAMEL Why we recommend it: A long handle and an opposite resting hook help this strainer sit over a bowl while you rinse produce or drain cooked vegetables.  Its food-contact surface is fired glass enamel rather than plastic mesh.  Handmade in Austria, it hangs up through the hole in its handle.  The perforations are larger than a fine sieve's, so choose it for produce rather than flour; dry the rim well after washing. Materials: porcelain enamel over iron $84.00 View product
Riess White Enamel Vegetable Colander, 26 cm Riess White Enamel Vegetable Colander, 26 cm ENAMEL Why we recommend it: Rinse produce or drain pasta against a glass-enamel surface instead of a plastic colander.  This Austrian-made model has two side handles and a footed base to keep it steady in the sink.  Its larger holes suit vegetables and pasta rather than tiny grains.  Dry it thoroughly after washing, especially around the exposed rolled edge, and protect the enamel from hard knocks. Materials: porcelain enamel over iron $110.00 View product
Three Snow Pro Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer — 25 cm Three Snow Pro Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer — 25 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A long, flat steel handle gives more reach when draining hot noodles or passing broth into a bowl.  The rounded 16-mesh basket and its pot-rest hooks provide an all-metal alternative to nylon strainers, with no plastic grip near the liquid.  Made in Japan, it is suited to everyday straining; very fine sediment can still pass through its 1.1 mm openings. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel mesh bowl, flat handle, rim and hooks $54.00 View product
Three Snow Self-Standing Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer — 25 cm Three Snow Self-Standing Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer — 25 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The self-standing base lets rinsed vegetables or noodles drain without holding the basket.  Its woven stainless steel mesh replaces a plastic colander, and the feet are formed into the basket rather than attached in extra food-trapping joints.  Pot-rest hooks and a wire handle make this Japanese-made strainer useful over a bowl as well as on the counter. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel mesh, rim, handle and supports $35.00 View product
Three Snow UCHI-TEBO Stainless Steel Noodle Strainer Three Snow UCHI-TEBO Stainless Steel Noodle Strainer STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A shallow noodle basket brings restaurant-style draining to a home pot: lift out a serving of ramen, udon or vegetables while leaving the cooking water behind.  The basket, handle and hooks are all stainless steel, so there is no plastic strainer in the hot water.  Made in Japan, its coarse mesh drains quickly but is not intended for tiny grains. Materials: 304 stainless steel basket, rim, handle and hooks $28.00 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

BPA & BPS Phthalate plasticizers PVC Melamine