Colanders & Strainers

Best Colanders & Strainers in the UK: Top Picks, Buying Tips and Where to Shop

Why a Great Colander or Strainer Changes Your Cooking Game

Think about the last time you drained pasta and half the noodles stuck in the sink or you strained stock and tiny bits slipped through the holes. A good colander or strainer is one of those unsung kitchen heroes that quietly saves dinners and sanity. From rinsing berries to steaming vegetables and draining boiled potatoes, the right tool makes those moments feel smooth and efficient—like a well-oiled clock rather than a frantic scramble. In the UK market you'll find everything from fine mesh strainers for silky sauces to sturdy stainless-steel colanders for heavy-duty tasks; choosing the correct style and size matters more than you might expect.

Top Retailers to Know in the UK

If you’re shopping in the UK, start with specialist sites and well-known retailers. Nordic Nest is an excellent source for designer and Scandinavian pieces, stocking brands such as Fiskars and Koziol. Kitchen Knives and similar specialist kitchen retailers offer premium options from brands like Zwilling, Sabatier and Rösle. For broader selection and fast delivery, consider John Lewis, Lakeland, Wayfair UK and Amazon UK—these outlets often carry everything from budget plastic colanders to premium stainless-steel strainers. Each retailer has pros and cons: specialists excel in curation, department stores offer service guarantees, and large marketplaces win on variety and price competition.

Nordic Nest Picks: Smart Design Meets Function

Nordic Nest leans into clean Scandinavian design and practicality. Highlights include the Fiskars Functional Form Colander in black—sleek, dishwasher-safe, and easy to store—and the Koziol Palsby Colander L in a natural desert sand tone with about a 1.1-gallon capacity, great for washing large batches of greens. Nordic Nest also lists delicate presentation strainers like the Nicolas Vahé silver-finish strainer, perfect for finishing sauces or dusting icing sugar. These pieces bridge form and function: attractive enough to leave on the counter, strong enough for everyday use.

Fiskars Functional Form Colander — Sleek and Practical

Fiskars is known for smart ergonomics. The Functional Form colander features a thoughtful shape that fits sinks and bowls, a sturdy handle, and non-slip feet. If you like tools that are comfortable to use and look elegant when stored, this line is a safe bet.

Koziol Palsby Colander L — Big Capacity, Bold Colour

Want something lightweight and cheerful? The Koziol Palsby in desert sand offers about a 1.1-gallon capacity and a large bowl that’s great for salads, produce, and pasta batches. It’s plastic rather than metal, so it’s ideal for quick rinses and for homes where you want to avoid dents and rust.

Kitchen Knives’ Selection: Professional Tools for Home Cooks

Kitchen Knives often stocks pro-quality strainers and colanders from brands chefs trust. Look out for Zwilling’s table colanders in sizes like the 9.4-inch and 6.3-inch variants—solid, well-balanced and built to last. Sabatier’s professional conical strainers and stainless-steel colanders come in several sizes—roughly 7.9-inch, 8.7-inch and 10.2-inch models—so you can pick the exact dimension for your prep style. These are the kinds of pieces that handle heavy drenching, hot stock and large volumes without wobbling or warping.

Zwilling Table Colanders — Built Like Kitchen Workhorses

Zwilling’s colanders are sturdy and utilitarian. Their 9.4-inch model is great for medium-sized tasks like draining potatoes, while the 6.3-inch option is handy as a small sieve or for rinsing berries. If you want cookware that lasts, Zwilling is trusted by many domestic cooks and pros alike.

Sabatier Professional Strainers — Fine Work for Sauces and Stocks

Sabatier’s conical strainers are ideal if you make delicate sauces, custards, or stocks that require fine filtration. Their 7.9-inch and 8.7-inch conical strainers are versatile sizes—large enough for stewed vegetables, small enough to handle precise tasks. Pair a conical sieve with a wooden pestle or spoon to press through solids for silky results.

Material Matters: Stainless Steel, Plastic, Silicone and Mesh

Materials determine durability, heat resistance and how easy a tool is to clean. Stainless steel is the all-rounder—resists heat, won’t absorb odors, and holds shape under heavy loads. Brands like WMF and Rösle excel in stainless builds. Plastic colanders (like Koziol) are lighter and often come in fun colours but can deform near open flames and aren’t ideal for very hot liquids. Silicone can be collapsible and saves storage space. Fine mesh strainers—typically stainless steel with a woven mesh—are essential for sauces and stocks; they trap tiny particles and give a professional finish.

When to Choose Stainless Steel

Choose stainless steel for everyday durability, hot liquids and heavy batches. If you boil pasta weekly or prepare stock often, a 7.9-inch to 10.2-inch stainless colander will pay for itself by lasting years without rusting or losing shape.

When Plastic or Silicone Makes Sense

Plastic and silicone are perfect for lightweight rinsing and for homes where dropping items is a risk. A plastic 1.1-gallon colander is easier for kids or older cooks to handle, and silicone collapsible strainers free up cupboard space. Just avoid exposing them to direct heat.

Size Guide: Picking the Right Diameter for Your Needs

Size choices are practical: small sieves (about 3.5-inch to 3.1-inch) on the list are great for dusting or small tasks, mid-size strainers (around 6.3-inch to 7.9-inch) handle most home uses, and larger colanders (9.4-inch to 10.2-inch) are best for big families or batch cooking. The Koziol 1.1-gallon model is excellent for those who make large salads or wash big quantities of fruit. Think about the types of meals you cook and whether storage space or counter presence matters to you.

Small Strainers — 3 to 4 Inches

These tiny sieves—like the Plate-it decoration sieve at about 3.1 inches or Sabatier’s mini 3.5-inch sieve—are perfect for dusting sugar, sifting flour into small quantities, or straining sauces. They’re a pastry baker’s secret weapon.

Medium and Large Colanders — 6 to 10 Inches and Above

Medium colanders around 6–8 inches are the most versatile for everyday tasks. Larger ones approaching 10 inches suit heavy-duty boiling and batch cooking. If you often cook for 4 or more people, consider the 9.4-inch or 10.2-inch options for ease of draining and room to toss salads.

Special Features to Watch For

Beyond material and size, special features can make a tool stand out. Look for fine mesh for smooth sauces, open handles for easy hanging, steam-cooking functions if you want multi-use equipment, and non-slip feet for safety. The Rösle sieve with an open handle and fine mesh is a great choice for tasks requiring precision. The Kockums Jernverk colander that includes a steam cooking function shows how a single tool can double up as a steamer insert—clever for small kitchens.

Fine Mesh vs. Perforated Holes

Fine mesh strainers trap small particles and are ideal for stocks, sauces, and juices. Colanders with perforated holes are better for rapid drainage of pasta and veg. It’s handy to own one of each type so you can pick the right tool for the job.

Steam-Ready and Multi-Functional Designs

Some colanders double as steaming baskets or have handles designed to sit over pots. If you’re short on storage or love multi-use gadgets, seek out steam-capable colanders. They let you transition from boiling to steaming in one simple move.

Care and Maintenance: Keep Your Strainers Working for Years

Cleaning mesh strainers can be fiddly—hence a trick: rinse immediately after use under running water and use a small brush to dislodge trapped bits. Stainless steel pieces often go straight to the dishwasher, but always follow the maker’s guidance for preserving handles and finishes. Avoid harsh scouring on polished finishes. For plastic and silicone, keep them away from open flames and don’t use abrasive cleaners that could scratch the surface.

Where to Buy: Best UK Shops and What to Expect

For designer and Nordic-inspired pieces, Nordic Nest is a top pick. For professional-grade tools, Kitchen Knives and specialist kitchen stores stock Zwilling, Sabatier and Rösle. Department stores like John Lewis offer hands-on shopping and solid warranties, while Lakeland specializes in kitchen tools and gadgets. Wayfair UK and Amazon UK are excellent if you want a wide range and fast delivery—just check reviews and seller ratings. If you prefer brick-and-mortar, Robert Dyas and big supermarkets often have practical, budget-friendly colanders in their houseware sections.

Buying Checklist: How to Choose the Right Colander or Strainer

Before you click “buy,” run through a quick checklist: what size do you need, is it heat-resistant, does it nest or hang for storage, is the mesh fine enough for sauces, and does the weight suit you? Consider ergonomic features like comfortable handles and stable feet. If you plan to use it with hot liquids frequently, prioritise stainless steel. If storage is tight, consider a collapsible silicone model.

Think About Frequency and Type of Use

If you cook daily and handle hot liquids, invest in a high-quality stainless-steel colander from Zwilling or WMF. For occasional use or lighter tasks, a plastic Koziol or a compact Sabatier mini sieve will be more than adequate.

Match the Tool to the Task

Don’t force one tool to do everything. Use fine mesh sieves for silky finishes, perforated colanders for rapid draining, and a large plastic or stainless colander for big salad prep. Having two or three well-chosen pieces beats owning five ill-fitting utensils.

Final Thoughts Before You Buy

Choosing the right colander or strainer is a small investment that pays for itself every time you cook. Whether you lean towards the sleek minimalism of Nordic Nest selections, the pro-grade reliability of Kitchen Knives brands like Zwilling and Sabatier, or the playful practicality of Koziol, focus on usability, size and material first. The right tool will save time, reduce mess, and make simple tasks—draining, rinsing, straining—feel almost effortless. Think of it as giving your kitchen a trustworthy sidekick that never demands much attention but always comes through when needed.

Conclusion: Investing a little time in choosing the right colander or strainer will elevate everyday cooking. Pick the style and size that match your routine, favour durable materials if you cook often, and don’t be afraid to mix fine mesh strainers with solid colanders for maximum flexibility. Happy draining, rinsing and straining—your future self will thank you.