Eintopf (German One-Pot Stew with Sausage and Beans)
German one-pot stew with smoked sausage, beans and potatoes
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
Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
Crisp air fryer roast potatoes with rosemary and garlic.
Kartoffelknödel (German Potato Dumplings)
German potato dumplings gently simmered until tender
Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
Spaghetti al Tonno (Tuna and Tomato Pasta)
Spaghetti with tuna, tomato, capers and parsley
Minestrone (Italian Vegetable, Bean and Pasta Soup)
Vegetable, bean and pasta soup with pesto
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
Thai Spicy Noodle Salad (Modern)
Rice noodle salad with spicy lime dressing and peanuts
Oi Muchim (Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad)
Spicy cucumber salad with gochugaru, vinegar and sesame oil
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (Haggis with Mashed Swede and Potatoes)
Warmed haggis with mashed swede and potatoes
Moroccan Beetroot Salad with Cumin, Lemon and Olive Oil
Beetroot salad with lemon, cumin and fresh parsley
Sticky Rice (Khao Niao)
Thai sticky rice steamed from soaked glutinous rice
Sekihan (Red Bean Rice for Celebrations)
Glutinous rice cooked with adzuki beans and black sesame
Vegan Pasta al Pomodoro
Spaghetti with a quick tomato, garlic and basil sauce
Pasta all’Amatriciana (Spaghetti with Guanciale and Tomato)
Roman spaghetti with guanciale, chilli tomato sauce and pecorino
Vietnamese Tofu Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Fresh Herbs
Crisp tofu vermicelli bowl with herbs, peanuts and lime dressing
Lanzhou Beef Noodles (Hand-Pulled Noodle Soup)
Lanzhou beef broth with hand-pulled noodles, beef and chilli oil
Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles with Pork)
Japanese stir-fried noodles with pork, cabbage and carrots
Gyudon (Beef Rice Bowl)
Beef and onion gyudon served over steamed rice
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.
Simmer
Zabaglione con Fragole (Marsala Custard with Strawberries)
Warm Marsala custard served over fresh strawberries
Bake
Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken and vegetable pie with shortcrust pastry
Pan fry
Côte de Veau à la Crème (Veal Chops with Mushroom Cream Sauce)
Veal chops with creamy mushroom sauce
No cook
Caprese-Style Tomato and Burrata Salad with Basil
Tomato and burrata salad with basil, olive oil and balsamic
Easy
Vietnamese Satay Chicken Bowl with Rice Noodles
Satay chicken bowl with rice noodles and tangy dressing
Medium
Pollo alla Cacciatora Bianca (White Wine Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon)
White wine chicken thighs simmered with rosemary, garlic and lemon
Medium
Tempura Veggie Bowl with Sushi Rice and Tentsuyu Sauce
Crisp tempura vegetables over sushi rice with tentsuyu
Easy
Vietnamese Ginger Fish Bowl with Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice bowl with ginger fish and lime dressing
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.
