Colander

Not to be confused with Calendar, Calender, or Coriander.

For other uses, see Colander (disambiguation).

A colander (or cullender) is a kitchen utensil perforated with holes used to strain foods such as pasta or to rinse vegetables.^[1] The perforations of the colander allow liquid to drain through while retaining the solids inside. It is sometimes called a pasta strainer. A sieve, with much finer mesh, is also used for straining.

An enamelled colander

Description and history

Traditionally, colanders are made of a light metal, such as aluminium or thinly rolled stainless steel. Colanders are also made of plastic, silicone, ceramic, and enamelware.^[2]

The word colander comes from the Latin colum, meaning sieve.^[1]

Types

A mated colander pot showing the colander fully inserted into the bottom pot, and slightly lifted out of it

• Bowl- or cone-shaped – the usual colander
• Mated colander pot – a colander inside a cooking pot, allowing the food to drain as it is lifted out^[3]

See also

• Chinois
• Zaru