10 uses for a colander - 10 ideas for using yours more often in the kitchen. Don't buy new tools! Repurpose the ones you already have!
Everyone uses their colander, right? I've never heard anyone complain about having to keep one around and never using it.
What do you use it for?
To drain pasta?
Anything else?
If you're restricting yours to pasta duty, you are definitely not using it to its full potential.
I have metal colanders in a couple of different sizes. They stand up to heat better than plastic ones, making some of the following suggestions possible. If yours is plastic, you will definitely want to keep it away from the heat of the stove and consider getting a metal one. They're very handy.
Whether yours is metal or plastic, please please please set it in the sink when you pour something hot through it. Don't try to hold the colander and pour hot stuff through it at the same time. You'll burn yourself and end up with a big mess.
10 Uses for a Colander
- Wash stuff. Fruit, vegetables, silverware, whatever. You can throw it in and rinse with water.
- Drain canned foods. We don't use canned veggies, but we do use canned beans and canned fruit now and then. Regardless of the contents of the can, if you need the food but not the broth or juice, pour it into a small colander, give it a shake or two, and rinse (if desired). If you need the juice - think canned fruit - set a small strainer in a slightly larger bowl and pour the can in. Again, shake it gently to move the food around and drain any extra juice. Use the broth and food separately, as desired.
- Keep fragile produce fresh. Berries, grapes, mushrooms, and other fragile, moisture-sensitive produce can be stored in a colander in the fridge. The moisture will dry more quickly, so they won't get moldy and will last longer.
- Prevent grease splatters. When you fry an egg or a burger that splatters a lot, invert a metal colander over the pan to prevent a mess on the stove top. It will allow the water vapor and heat to escape, but it will contain most of the fat spray (because those particles are so much bigger than water molecules).
- Steam vegetables. In a pinch, a metal colander can substitute for a steamer basket. Simply set it in a slightly larger pan with water in the bottom. Fill it a little more than halfway with fresh veggies and steam normally. Be careful that the pan doesn't cook dry; check the water level and add water as necessary.
- Keep bugs away. No matter what you're serving, keep the flies and other nuisances out by topping it with an appropriately sized colander. All you have to do is turn it over and set it on top. (This is more important in warm weather, when eating outside, but it could be an issue now, too. Especially if you have fruit flies and can't get rid of them.)
- Strain yogurt or soft cheese. Line the colander with cheesecloth, set it over a bowl, and fill it with yogurt or soft cheese. You can easily drain (or even prepare) fresh ricotta this way or drain yogurt to thicken it.
- Grow sprouts. I think this is incredibly clever! You could get a cheap plastic colander, and use it to grow sprouts. You'd always have fresh ones to add to stir fry or salads. Full instructions at The Nourishing Gourmet.
- Hold bath accessories. Whether you're storing bath toys, rubber ducks, sponges, or something else, a colander will allow them to drain without sitting in water. A cheap plastic one would be great for this. I bet you could even find one at the dollar store.
- Make a lamp. File this in the "I would never, ever have thought of that" column. I have seen these light fixtures all over Pinterest, and thought they're really cool. (I was totally out of food uses, so I added this one for the wow factor.)
This post is one of many on getting more use out of kitchen tools you already have. Have you seen the rest of the series?
I've also compiled dozens of similar lists into a beautiful ebook called Coffee Filters to Cheese Graters: Creative Ways to Use Just About Everything. Take a look at that while you're here!
UndertheBigOakTree says
You forgot to add HELMET to your list of Uses for a Colander! LOL! My nephew would run around the house with a beat up metal colander on his head when he was little! 🙂
I would love to get a vintage enamel colander and use it as a fruit bowl on my kitchen counter!
ohamanda {impress your kids} says
OK, seriously? Those ideas are GENIUS. Seriously--steamer, fresh keeper in the fridge and fly-keeper-away-er? Why didn't I think of that? But today? I'm going to the dollar store to buy a plastic colander to keep bath toys in.
a
Heather says
Wow, wow, wow! What a great list, Tara! I use mine for the initial straining of homemade stock, then use a fine mesh strainer to strain the finer particles. The colander works great because then the bones & veggies from the stock can cool off quickly before you dispose of them.
Heather says
Wow, wow, wow! What a great list, Tara! I use mine for the initial straining of homemade stock, then use a fine mesh strainer to strain the finer particles. The colander works great because then the bones & veggies from the stock can cool off quickly before you dispose of them.
Melanie:::adorkable says
wow, that's ridiculously awesome!
so glad i stopped by from Oh, Amanda!
blessings,
Melanie
http://adorkable-me.blogspot.com/
Jennifer says
Great list! I like the idea of using it as a cover to keep grease from splattering. I'm visiting from Oh Amanda's today!
Tiffany @ NOH says
I've clearly not been thinking outside the box when it comes to using our colander...and need more of them! I love the idea about putting fruit in one to keep it fresh longer. We definitely have that problem with strawberries around here! And the ideas about using it to prevent oil splatters and keep flies at bay -- genius!
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Did you click through to it? The finished ones are SO CUTE! I could totally see them out on somebody's patio.
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Did you click through to it? The finished ones are SO CUTE! I could totally see them out on somebody's patio.
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Isn't it? If you didn't click through, make sure you do! The lamps are awesome. I could see them on my friend's patio for late night summer chats. So cool!
Diane says
These are good ideas! I like the idea of using the colander as a steamer, and I plan to try that out.
Amy says
LOL, I love the helmet comment. I remember those days! Fun list. I have a huge colander and was considering getting a smaller one. This is just the excuse I need to have a second one!
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
I have a couple in different sizes, and I definitely think that's the way to go!
Jennifer says
My in-laws are Laotian and make many different types of soup, like pho. They use a colander in the sink when they dump uneaten soup down the drain. The colander catches all the chunks and only the broth goes down the drain. Great idea, if you don't have a garbage disposal. Thought I would share 🙂
jennifer haroon says
my brother loves to use a colander! his name is stephanie and he 78 years old. My weird cousins call it a sieve but its okay ! COLANDERS 4 LYFE
albertina mackingtosh says
I recently bought a colander! Silly little me thought it was coriander I spent 5 dollars on it My cousin fiona mackingtosh recommended this site and I love it I made a lamp ! SO FREAKING CAYOOT. THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE