juice strainer

Most kitchen strainers are stainless steel or plastic (polypropylene). Some plastic models are noted as made from recycled polypropylene.

Sizes vary widely: small handheld strainers list capacities around 12 ounces, medium colanders are about 3–3.7 quarts, and full colanders can go up to about 7 quarts. Some handheld listings also show ounce capacities and head diameters.

Reviewers commonly report a fine mesh that effectively strains small grains (like rice) and prevents fine particles from passing through.

Listings show small to medium handheld head sizes roughly in the 5.5–7.6 inch range (examples include 5.51 in, 7.3 in, and about 7.6 in).

Common options include fine-mesh handheld strainers, classic colanders, expandable over-the-sink colanders, and bartender-style (Hawthorne) cocktail strainers.

Expandable over-the-sink strainers have expandable arms and built-in feet so they can span a sink or stand on the counter for hands-free rinsing and draining. Handheld mesh strainers are smaller, have handles, and use fine mesh to hold over bowls or pots.

Most listings state the strainers are dishwasher-safe; a few also list hand washing as an option.

Helpful features include expandable arms to fit across sinks, removable strainers and soaking trays for washing and separating produce, narrow sizes for smaller sinks, BPA-free plastic options, and dishwasher-safe designs.