Many people get confused between a colander and a strainer. These utensils look similar, and they have similar functions. However, they aren’t the same utensils. Upon hearing this, you may wonder what the most suitable method of using a colander and a strainer is?
Because a colander has much larger holes than a strainer, it is perfect for rinsing vegetables or draining pasta. A strainer, on the contrary, is ideal for straining fluids from grit or pulp. You can also use a strainer to rinse rice, while a colander is more suitable for larger items, like fruit.
We were all beginners in the kitchen once. And the advantage of you reading this article is that you learn something much sooner than I did. This beginner’s guide is ideal for learning about the most suitable uses, pros, and cons of strainers and colanders.If you want to become a master in the kitchen, you can also read my other article
Strainer And Colander Uses In The Kitchen
Although the strainer and colander have a similar appearance, they have different uses in the kitchen. Some scenarios where you can use a colander and a strainer are the same, but these utensils are ideal for individual situations.
The colander, for example, is ideal for rinsing fruit and vegetables like potatoes, lettuce, and berries. The larger holes make it perfect for rinsing these items, as you are sure that the grit is removed. You can also quickly drain pasta with a colander.
Because a colander has a flat bottom, you can easily place it in the sink or on the table while rinsing food. Most colanders are made from steel, which retains heat fairly well, making them helpful in draining pasta without letting it cool down too much.
A strainer, on the other hand, has much finer holes. This makes the strainer ideal for rinsing rice and other grains. After juicing, you can also use a strainer to separate the juice from the pulp. While you could use a strainer to drain pasta, the tiny holes mean it will take longer to drain.
While a colander doesn’t have a flat base to stand on, it has a convenient handle that you can use to hold it while straining food over a bowl. This is what makes the strainer great for straining liquids like juice.
Differences Between A Colander And A Strainer
Some people refer to a colander and a strainer interchangeably. However, these utensils are different, and you cannot use the terms interchangeably.
A colander is a large, metal, bowl-shaped kitchen tool. It has a flat bottom to help it stay upright on a flat surface. A colander is covered with round, fine holes that allow fluids and debris to pass through.
A strainer is typically smaller than a colander. It has a handle with which you can hold it. A strainer is often made from mesh or plastic, and the entire thing is covered in mesh-like material that separates much finer objects from each other.
What Are The Advantages Of A Colander And A Strainer?
The biggest advantage of a colander and a strainer is separating food from water or debris. A colander has the added advantage of having a flat bottom so you can put it down while working. A strainer has the advantage of smaller holes that can easily separate fluids.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Colander And A Strainer?
The disadvantages of a colander and a strainer are that both items get hot to the touch when pouring hot liquids through them (if they are made of metal). A strainer is generally smaller, meaning it takes longer to strain large quantities. A colander’s holes are too big to drain the rice, other grains, or liquids.
Can Pasta Be Used In A Strainer?
Although colanders are better suited for draining large quantities of pasta, you can easily drain pasta with a mesh strainer. I’ve done it many times when I didn’t have a colander.
When draining pasta with a strainer, it is best to scoop the pasta out of the water rather than throw the pasta into the strainer. Because a strainer is usually smaller than a colander, it can handle less pasta at a time.
However, the advantage of using a strainer for pasta is that you can scoop it directly from the water into the sauce. This saves you time transferring the pasta into another bowl before pouring it into the sauce.
While you can use a strainer to drain pasta, I wouldn’t recommend using a plastic one. The plastic may release gasses into the pasta with heat. You might also damage the plastic by pouring hot liquid onto it.
A metal strainer is fine to use with pasta, though, and you won’t cause any harm to yourself or the strainer.
How To Use A Colander
Most Americans primarily use a colander for draining pasta, which is why many people refer to the utensil as a “pasta strainer.” There are two ways of straining pasta with a colander.
This first method is to put the colander in your sink. Then, pour the pasta out of the pot and allow the cooking water to drain before transferring the pasta from the colander into a serving bowl.
The other method involves placing the colander into the pot with the pasta and water once the pasta is cooked. Then, you pour out the water without removing the pasta. These methods have the same result; the first merely involves transferring the pasta more times than the second.
How To Use A Strainer
Because the holes in a strainer are much finer than a colander, you can strain finer things out of liquid. For example, you can use a strainer to scoop herbs (like star anise or rosemary twigs) out of a soup or broth. You can also use a strainer to strain loose leave tea.
To do this, place the strainer over the teacup and pour the tea from the pot. The tea will pass through while the strainer catches the leaves and sediment.
Guide To Selecting The Right Colander
When choosing a colander, you have an endless supply of options. Colanders are made from different materials, such as silicone, metal, iron, plastic, or powdered metal. Some colanders have holes as fine as mesh, while others have bigger holes.
When choosing a colander, you should determine what you want to use it for before selecting one. For example, a colander with larger holes is better suited for draining pasta, while one with finer holes can strain stock or grains.
You can also use a plastic colander. However, I wouldn’t recommend one if you want to use it to drain pasta or other hot liquids because the plastic may melt. In this case, I recommend an iron or metal colander. Ensure the colander has plenty of holes at its base for faster draining.
Conclusion
A colander usually has larger holes than a strainer. Colanders are suitable for draining pasta and rinsing fruit and vegetables, while strainers have finer mesh-like holes designed for straining liquids and rinsing rice and grains.
