A food strainer is one of the handiest tools to have in the kitchen.  Having them in different sizes will only increase the uses that you have for them.  Not only do they do much more than separate your pasta and its water, they become an integral part in your sauce and dessert making.

If you’re confused about the difference between a colander and a food strainer, don’t worry many people are.  A colander is what you use to drain pasta in the sink or rinse vegetables.  A food strainer can be used for those things, but will also separate fat from gravy, berry juice from the skin and flesh, strain sauces, and catch lemon juice seeds before they go into your food.  They’re closer related to a cheesecloth than a colander, but does many of the jobs that both do.

The most important element in food strainers are the materials that they’re constructed from.  Having a plastic food strainer might seem like a good idea for saving money, but most people will end up melting it and needing a new one!  Metal is the best choice, and stainless steel is the best of all of the metals.  Painted or ceramic metals are going to rust over time and cause more problems then they’re worth.  Stainless steel might not fit the decor of your kitchen, but it will last as long as your kitchen does so it’s smart to buy it once and never worry about it again.

Most food strainers will have a mesh inside that allows liquid to pass through but catches most of the solids.  Mesh food strainers work great because they’re a bit flexible which allows you to press out liquid more effectively.  Conical food strainers work well for separating veggies scraps from veggie broth and other large applications like that, but are more limited in their uses when compared to the mesh strainers.

When looking for a strainer that will be multifunctional in your kitchen, look for an 8-9 inch stainless strainer with a metal mesh inside.  These will last forever and help you complete your meals in a faster and more elegant fashion!  Each type has its own benefits, but for all around use and quality these are the way to go.