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The America’s Test Kitchen Colander Reviews, Tips and Buying Guide
When it comes to selecting a colander, there are many factors one should consider. Some people want the best colander america’s test kitchen for their kitchen while others may be looking for something more affordable or multi-purpose. With so many options available on the market today, how do you know which type is right for you?
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide detailing everything from materials and features to price range and top picks in order to help make your decision easier.
Read on below if you’re thinking about investing in new colander america’s test kitchen! What’s The best strainer america’s test kitchen for you?
What is a colander?
A colander is a bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes in it used for draining food such as pasta or rice. The perforated nature of the colander allows liquid to drain through while retaining the solids inside. A common design consists of a metal or plastic base connected to a handle which also acts as a footrest for keeping the colander steady over the sink.
Colanders are usually made from aluminum, glass, stainless steel, or plastic (nylon). Plastic colanders can be flexible enough to use by squeezing the sides together like an accordion. Some strainers have special features that make them easier to use.
List of Top 10 Best Colander America’s Test Kitchen on Amazon
Most Common Types of Colander
Two Handle Colander:
Very similar to the standard colander, this one is differentiated by its two handles that allow for easier grip and control over the colander.
Two-handled colanders are also designed with small feet at their base to act as a stand for when they are not supported by hands. They usually come in plastic, aluminum or stainless steel. The large size of the holes allows them to be sturdy enough to handle even relatively large pasta like spaghetti which tend to slip through smaller holes. Since most cooking involves using quite a lot of water, it can be best used with pot containing hot water; but since many kitchens contain only cold water taps, it is often advisable to first heat up some water before using it.
The handle at the top acts as a hook and can be used to hang up the colander.
Colanders come in different shapes and colors, designed for specific purposes such as draining pasta or rice. They are usually made from aluminum, glass, stainless steel or plastic. The most common types of colanders include:
Long Handle Colander:
These typically have two handles on either side of the base so they can easily balance when resting on a sink. This type of colander is perfect for draining all kinds of pasta and an increase grip will allow it to do its job perfectly. Besides this benefit, using one includes another perk: it can also be useful in separating egg whites from whole eggs by simply pouring them through the mesh holes into another bowl. When separating eggs, not only can it be used to separate yolk from an egg white, but also it can be used to sort the parts of an eggshell after cracking open a whole egg.
Mesh Kitchen Sieve:
Its distinguishing feature is the mesh which makes it ideal for straining liquids, draining pasta or rinsing vegetables. It comes in different sizes so you should choose one that fits your requirements The common types are made from aluminum or stainless steel with fine meshes that prevent solid particles like rice grains and large pieces of fruit pits (for example) slipping into your drinking water or jug when pouring water through its mesh holes. This type of colander usually has 4-6 feet on the base which keeps it steady when placed over a sink.
Foldable Colander:
This is an ideal kitchen accessory not only because it is foldable but also due to its ability of being flat enough to be stored in a drawer under the kitchen sink when not in use. It comes with a bowl-shaped plastic base, stainless steel wire mesh and a metal handle that makes it easy for the user to carry and store away after use.
The feet on its base make it possible for the colander to stand steady on any surface whether solid or otherwise. Even if you place hot food inside before washing, there is no chance of melting since this utensil can withstand all kinds of heat. When folded away, it still maintains the shape of a bowl which means it won’t take up any space in your kitchen cabinets.
Wine Funnel With Strainer:
This utensil is an important accessory for pouring and straining wine and other liquids, such as olive oil and vinegar. It has a spout at one end that can be used to exit the liquid while it drains into another container. The funnel also comes with a disc-shaped metal strainer which fastens tightly onto its base to prevent solid particles from getting into the bottle.
However, this type of colander should only be used when draining materials like wine; otherwise it will pose a health risk due to its metallic content. This type usually comes in stainless steel or plastic and has two feet on the base which makes it stand steadily on the edge of any surface.
Pot Strainer:
Sometimes called a colander strainer and you want to find the america’s test kitchen strainer, this utensil is made from stainless steel with small holes which allow liquids to drain out but not solid particles. It comes with two or more feet on its base so it can stand steadily on the edge of your sink when in use.
Coarse Kitchen Sieve:
This accessory has fine mesh holes that are meant for sifting flour and other dry ingredients by simply placing them inside then shaking gently until they come out through the mesh holes into another container below. Most importantly, this utensil prevents your food coming into contact with metals during transportation which means there are less chances of your food getting contaminated with metals while being stored away after use.
Mess Sifter:
It has a wire mesh and a wooden handle which makes it easy for the user to carry and store away after use without taking up too much space in your kitchen cabinets. The common materials used to make this type of colander are aluminum or plastic, both of which can be recycled as per usual recycling guidelines. The main purpose of this utensil is to drain water from flour and other fine powders such as ground spices. This is usually done by simply shaking the excess liquid out over the sink while holding on to one end of its handle with your spare hand.
Pot Strainer:
This utensil’s base is round so it sits perfectly on top of any allowing liquids inside to get drained. It also has feet on its base which makes it stand steadily on any surface whether solid or otherwise. For greater convenience, this utensil can be used with a matching colander to drain both liquids and solids at the same time. This type usually comes in stainless steel with fine mesh holes to prevent solid particles from slipping through while liquids are drained away.
Conical Strainer:
This utensil is an essential accessory for straining noodles and other foods that need pressing or draining remotely without getting your hands dirty. It comes with a round wire mesh that allows water to drain but not solids like rice grains for example. Solid materials are automatically trapped by the mesh inside the cone’s base making them easy to dispose off later without dirtying your hands. This type usually comes in stainless steel with a flat base making it stand steadily on any surface whether solid or otherwise.
Factors to Consider before buying The best colander america’s test kitchen
Colander type.
When choosing the best colander america’s test kitchen for your needs, consider first what its main use will be. At times you might need a colander that can take on both dry and wet materials so it’s best to go for one with multiple uses such as a mess strainer or wire strainer which can take on both dry and wet ingredients.
Price.
From time to time, prices may change depending on whether or not retailers are having sales promotions at any given time. It’s therefore good to compare prices among stores before making any purchase especially if you’re looking for second-hand items instead of brand new ones just to save yourself some money in the process.
Material
A stainless steel colander is easy to maintain, but at the same time it is also more expensive than plastic colanders. Plastic colanders are easy to find, durable and can be used for both hot and cold foods; however they become brittle over time which makes them prone to cracks.
Hole Size/ Shape
A colander with large holes is ideal for washing rice or vegetables like green beans because solid particles will easily slip through the holes while liquid drains away keeping your hands clean in the process. Conversely, a colander with small holes is ideal for straining citrus fruits like lemons since juice doesn’t spurt out of the fruit too fast at first before gradually coming out slowly as you strain further into it until all of its juice has been drained.
Plastic materials are non-toxic and easy to clean. The downside is that they can easily melt if left in a dishwasher whose temperature sometimes exceeds the standard 100°C for too long. Aluminum or stainless steel colanders which can usually withstand higher temperatures are more durable but they’re also more expensive.
Stainless steel batches which have flimsy coatings might be corrosive to your hands, especially when washing them after handling acidic fruits like lemons. In such cases, its best to stick with aluminum since it conducts heat faster which means no cold spots.
When shopping for a colander, it is important to consider the amount of food you will be draining at any given time. This will help determine how large or small your colander should be as well as what material type it should come in.
Most importantly, this utensil needs to come with holes which are not too big and not too small; otherwise, solid particles might end up slipping through while liquids drain away which defeats the purpose of using such an accessory. For greater convenience, make sure that whatever colander you choose comes with all its accessories like feet and handles (if necessary) so everything stays intact and organized when stored away after use.
The Pros and Cons of a Colander
The pros
- Easier to use.
The best colander america’s test kitchen with side feet and a handle is easy to use when draining, holding foods in place while straining liquids away. Since they are usually clear, you can see how much liquid has passed through the mesh so you know when to stop pouring. This allows for efficient drainage which means less spills especially when dealing with hot foods like pasta
- Prevents burns.
The metal mesh lets steam pass through safely so your hands don’t get burned when draining really hot food like boiling water. Some colanders come with plastic handles that allow you to grip it firmly even if its full of hot soup or pasta without getting burnt at all
- Easy clean up
Colanders are easier to clean than sieves and strainers because they drain liquid away quickly making it easy to wash up. They can also be placed in a dishwasher for an even more thorough clean
The Cons
Food might get stuck/ clogged in its holes especially if food particles are too small or if you’re draining something like juice which is really sticky and viscous. If this happens, simply use a scrubber (soft one) and gently push the food down towards the base of the colander where excess liquid should have flowed; it will then come out easily when you pour out the contents afterwards
Smaller sizes aren’t as stable as larger ones which means it needs extra support like rubber feet or sturdy side handles. This helps keep it in place so you don’t need to hold it while tipping it over for draining
May not handle more solid foods well. Large colanders are ideal for bulky vegetables like potatoes while smaller ones can handle small pieces of food like rice or beans easily. It is more difficult to use such a utensil on large cut up pieces of fruit (like watermelon) since the hole sizes may be too small and the fruit itself is slippery
The material used to make colanders range from stainless steel, aluminum, silicone and plastic which often come with their pros and cons depending on your needs. Stainless steel and aluminum models are more durable and better conduct heat but they also tend to be pricier than their plastic counterparts; they might also be too large for some applications like draining smaller cut up pieces of fruit which is easier to do with plastic colanders.
Hole sizes and shapes also vary widely; most colanders have holes that are circular or teardrop shaped but some models come with rectangles, squares and even star shapes (for faster draining) while others have fine-meshed grids or slits so solid particles don’t slip through. It’s best to opt for a hole size that allows your food to drain easily without leaving too much behind while keeping the america’s test kitchen strainer durable enough to resist rusting over time.
Colander FAQs
Q: How long is a colander’s life span?
A: This largely depends on the material used in its construction. A good stainless steel or aluminum type can last for years if not decades while plastic ones tend to wear out faster especially when made from cheap materials; they’re also more difficult to clean and need thorough hand washing instead of being dishwasher safe.
Q: What kind of food is best suited for a colander?
A: All types of food that need draining work well with a strainer but most models are designed for certain types over others so read reviews to see what people say about each product before you make your purchase. For example, fruits and vegetables require better hole shapes/sizes while pastas and grains do well with a fine mesh design.
Q: How can I make sure my colander is durable?
A: Read its material specs to make sure it’s sturdy enough for your needs, check if the model folds down or comes with a carrying handle so you can bring it with you when you’re travelling, choose one that’s dishwasher safe and always empty it of excess liquid by leaning it at an angle against the sink rim before letting it dry completely after washing. This should help prevent rusting and other types of damage that may be caused by regular use.
Q: Can I use metal strainers in place of plastic ones during cooking?
A: Yes most metal strainers are heat resistant and can be used for cooking purposes but since they often conduct heat more easily, you run the risk of burning yourself by touching the handles while cooking.
Conclusion on best colander america’s test kitchen
The best colander america’s test kitchen is an essential tool for people who cook. There are many different types of colanders, so it can be difficult to know which one will work best in your kitchen. We’ve compiled this list of the top 5 colanders available on Amazon to help you make a decision. Each type has its own pros and cons, but we’ll give our recommendation at the end!
We hope our list of the best colanders available in America’s Test Kitchen has helped you make an informed decision about which one to choose. Which one would you like for your kitchen?
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