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Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just building up your kitchen utensil collection, you need a wire mesh colander. It’s an invaluable tool for preparing, cooking and serving ingredients, from rinsing produce and sifting flour to draining pasta and decorating cookies. And a sturdy colander doesn’t have to cost a fortune: Amazon’s most popular pick is on sale for $13.
To buy: Cuisinart Fine Mesh Stainless Steel 3-Piece Colander Set, $13 (originally $22) at amazon.com
Made with heavy-duty stainless steel mesh, the set includes a 3 ⅛-inch small colander, a 5 ½-inch medium colander, and a 7 ⅞-inch large colander. Each is designed with a handle and a rest loop, so you can place it over bowls, pots and other containers for hands-free pouring. They are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
If you think three colanders might be overkill, the set’s reviews section will change your mind. Owners say the variety helps them “choose like Goldilocks” and have shared a wide range of uses for each. The large colander is excellent for draining pasta, steaming vegetables and rinsing rice, and the smaller one is useful for making cocktails and straining tea leaves from an infusion. As for the medium option, several users appreciate it for cleaning fruits and vegetables as well as for sifting dry ingredients during cooking.
Even chefs are impressed with these colanders. One wrote that they were their “best picks” due to their “excellent construction”. Others praise the quality of the stainless steel mesh, saying it’s so fine they can rinse out “the tiniest sprouted seeds without losing one.”
Yes, they’re simple, but Cuisinart’s stainless steel colanders are incredible kitchen workhorses. Grab the set for just $13 on Amazon now to see for yourself.
