Stoofvlees met Friet (Belgian Beef Stew with Chips)
Belgian beef stew with dark beer, served with chips
What to look for in a colander
Start with stability. A wide base or feet help the colander sit securely in the sink, especially when it is heavy with pasta or potatoes. Hole size is the next decision: larger perforations drain quickly but can lose small shapes and grains; finer holes are more versatile but can drain more slowly. Material changes how it behaves. Metal handles heat well but can get hot; plastic stays cooler to touch but can warp if it meets very hot cookware. A colander with comfortable handles is easier to lift and shake dry, which is often what a recipe is really asking you to do.
Top picks in Colander
Bossam (Boiled Pork Wraps)
Boiled pork belly lettuce wraps with rice, kimchi and ssamjang
Salade Niçoise Végétarienne (Vegetarian Niçoise-Style Salad)
Niçoise-style salad with potatoes, eggs, tomatoes and olives
Pasta alla Genovese (Onion-Braised Beef Pasta)
Spaghetti with onion-braised beef sauce and Parmesan
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Crisp air fryer roast potatoes with rosemary and garlic.
Eintopf (German One-Pot Stew with Sausage and Beans)
German one-pot stew with smoked sausage, beans and potatoes
Common draining mistakes (and why they matter)
The biggest mistake is pouring without a plan. Make sure the sink is clear, the colander is positioned securely, and you have a safe grip on the pot before you lift. Another common issue is over-rinsing. Some foods are meant to keep surface starch (for example, pasta when you want sauce to cling), while others benefit from rinsing to cool or to remove excess starch. Finally, leaving food sitting in the colander can trap steam and moisture, leading to sogginess. A quick shake and prompt return to the pot or bowl keeps texture more intentional.
All recipes in Colander
Baccalà alla Livornese (Tuscan Salt Cod Stew)
Tuscan salt cod stew with tomatoes, olives and capers
Scallops with Cauliflower Purée and Crispy Pancetta
Pan-seared scallops with cauliflower purée and crispy pancetta
Vegan Pasta al Pomodoro Fresco (Fresh Tomato Pasta)
Vegan spaghetti with fresh tomato, garlic and basil
Pasta alla Nerano Rossa (Courgette and Tomato Pasta)
Spaghetti with fried courgettes, tomato sauce, basil and Parmesan
Spaghetti alle Cozze (Spaghetti with Mussels)
Spaghetti with mussels, garlic and white wine
Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino (Garlic, Oil and Chilli Pasta)
Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and chilli flakes
Spaghetti alla Nerano (Courgette and Cheese Pasta)
Spaghetti with fried courgettes and melted cheese
Jerk Chicken Bowl
Jerk chicken with rice, black beans and mango salsa
Tahini Noodle Bowl with Chickpeas and Lemon Dressing
Noodles with tahini lemon dressing, chickpeas and crisp vegetables
Mücver (Courgette Fritters)
Crisp courgette fritters with herbs, served with yoghurt
Su Boregi (Layered Pastry with Feta and Parsley)
Layered su boregi with butter, feta and parsley
Moroccan Carrot and Chickpea Salad (Modern)
Carrot and chickpea salad with lemon and toasted almonds
Hot water and steam: keep it controlled
Draining boiling water is one of the moments in cooking where accidents happen quickly. Pour away from your body, keep children and pets out of the kitchen path, and be mindful of steam rising as the water hits the sink. If you are unsure about lifting a heavy pot, consider removing some water with a ladle first, or using a pot insert designed for draining. The goal is steady, controlled movement rather than speed.
Where to look next
Cooking method pairs naturally with a colander because draining and rinsing are often part of the technique, not just a final step. Difficulty can also be useful: some recipes rely on confident handling of hot, heavy cookware, while others keep draining simple and low-risk.
Bake
Skillet Cornbread with Jalapeño and Cheddar
Golden skillet cornbread with jalapeño and cheddar
Bake
Cocadas (Mexican Coconut Macaroons)
Chewy coconut macaroons baked into small golden mounds
Simmer
Vegetarian Paella with Artichokes and Peppers
Vegetarian paella with saffron rice, artichokes, peppers and peas
Sauté
Methi Chicken (Fenugreek Leaf Chicken Curry)
Chicken curry with fresh fenugreek leaves and yoghurt
Easy
Scaloppine al Vino Bianco (Veal in White Wine, Butter and Lemon Sauce)
Pan-fried veal in a white wine, butter and lemon sauce
Easy
Ginger Milk Tea
Hot ginger milk tea brewed with black tea, milk and sugar
Easy
Turkish Red Lentil Soup for Ramadan
Smooth Turkish red lentil soup finished with paprika butter
Medium
Chicken Kabsa (Saudi-Style Spiced Rice with Almonds and Raisins)
Saudi-style chicken kabsa with spiced basmati rice, almonds and raisins
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a colander if I have a sieve?
A sieve can drain small items well, but a colander is designed for volume and speed, especially for pasta and larger vegetables. Many kitchens use both for different scales of draining.
Should I rinse pasta after draining?
It depends on the recipe. Rinsing cools pasta and removes surface starch, which can be useful for pasta salads. For hot pasta with sauce, not rinsing often helps the sauce cling.
Why does my food stay watery after draining?
It may need a shake to shed trapped water, or the holes may be too fine for the volume you are draining. Letting food sit can also trap steam, which condenses back into water.
What is a colander best for besides pasta?
Washing leafy greens, draining blanched vegetables, rinsing beans, and cooling foods under running water are all common uses. The key is letting water move freely while keeping the food contained.
Is metal or plastic better?
Metal is durable and handles heat well, but can become hot to touch. Plastic is lighter and cooler to handle, but can warp with very hot liquids. Choose based on how you drain most often.
How do I stop small grains falling through?
Use a fine-mesh strainer or a colander with smaller perforations. For very small grains, lining a colander with muslin can work, but it slows draining.
Let the recipe guide the choice
If you mostly drain pasta and potatoes, prioritise a stable, fast-draining colander with comfortable handles. If you often rinse grains or small shapes, finer holes or a mesh strainer will make the work cleaner and less frustrating.
