Many tools and appliances are used in our kitchens to separate solids from liquids, such as strainers, colanders, and sieves. This article focuses on the differences between colanders and strainers.
Key Takeaways
- Strainer is a generic term, while colander is a specific type of strainer.
- Colanders have larger holes and are typically used for washing vegetables and meats, while strainers have a finer mesh for separating smaller particles like seeds from juice.
- Colanders usually have handles on the sides or no handle, while strainers mostly have a single handle.
A colander is a deep bowl, often made of steel, with holes throughout its body. It is also known as a kitchen sieve. Colanders are used to wash vegetables, fruits, and meats, allowing water to drain out while removing dirt and impurities. They are available in different materials, such as plastic, aluminum, and ceramic.
Strainers are used to drain liquids from solids and usually have a handle. They come with a wide range of mesh sizes, from fine to coarse, depending on the desired application. Strainers are used for tasks such as separating seeds from lemon juice or draining excess water from cooked pasta.
In summary, a colander is a specific type of strainer with larger holes, typically used for washing vegetables and meats. A strainer is a more general term that refers to tools with a wire mesh, often used for separating smaller particles or draining liquids from solids.
