Few people know the true purpose of a stainless steel colander! Amazing!

You’re right, the humble stainless steel colander is capable of more than just draining pasta! Here are some of its less-obvious, yet amazing, uses:  

Beyond Draining:

• Steaming Vegetables:
  • Place a colander over a pot of simmering water, and you have an instant steamer. This is perfect for delicate vegetables.
• Rinsing Grains and Beans:
  • The fine mesh of a colander is ideal for rinsing quinoa, rice, or lentils without losing any precious grains down the drain.  
• Sifting Dry Ingredients:
  • For a lump-free and airy texture, use a colander to sift flour, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar.  
• Washing Produce:
  • Colanders are excellent for washing berries, leafy greens, or other delicate produce. The holes allow water to drain while keeping the food contained.  
• Making Ricotta or Other Soft Cheeses:
  • Line a colander with cheesecloth and use it to drain the whey from homemade ricotta or other soft cheeses.
• Cooling Baked Goods:
  • An elevated colander provides excellent airflow for cooling cookies, cakes, or other baked goods.
• Defrosting Frozen Foods:
  • Placing frozen food in a colander allows excess water to drain away as it thaws, preventing sogginess.
• Making Spaetzle:
  • A colander with larger holes can be used to make spaetzle, a type of German noodle.  
• Ricing Potatoes:
  • Pushing cooked potatoes through a colander creates a very smooth mash.
• Creating Juice without pulp:
  • By pushing fruit through the colander, you can seperate the juice from the pulp.

The “True Purpose” Might Be:

• Versatility:
  • Perhaps the “true purpose” isn’t a single function, but its incredible versatility. A well-designed colander is a multi-purpose tool that can simplify many kitchen tasks.  
• Durability:
  • Stainless steel colanders are designed to last, which means they can be used for many years, and many different tasks.  

It’s a testament to good design that a simple tool can be so adaptable!