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RSVP International 5 Qt. Colander
A Good Colander Lets Liquid Out and Keeps Food In
It’s easy to imagine. The kitchen is cozy and smells spectacular as a pan of shrimp scampi or perhaps a pot of Sunday gravy is simmering on the stovetop. A timer dings, signaling that your pasta—the last component of a carefully planned meal—is ready to be drained. But then, as you pour the pasta and its cooking water into the colander set in the kitchen sink, the unstable colander tips over while the pasta slips through the oversize holes. Just like that, half your dinner is down the drain.
In the test kitchen, our longtime favorite colander is not only stable, but its bowl is covered with tiny, well-distributed perforations that ensure optimal drainage. Another plus? It’s lightweight and easy to carry.
RSVP International Endurance Precision Pierced 5 Qt. Colander
WINNER - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The bowl of this colander is covered with tiny perforations, so liquids drain from it quickly. Its tall base lifts it high above water draining in a sink. It doesn’t have any bells or whistles, but it doesn’t need them: This simple colander is the best we’ve ever tested. We also like that it’s dishwasher-safe and didn’t dent when we dropped it.
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
PERFORMANCE ★★★
FEET AND HANDLES ★★★
CLEANUP AND DURABILITY ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
Details
Capacity: 5 qt
Style of Base: Metal ring
Material: 18/8 Stainless Steel
Item Number: ATKSCOL
Item Weight: 1 pound
Shipping
How We Tested Colanders
We purchased six colanders, priced from about $15 to roughly $26, with capacities of 4.5 or 5 quarts. Two of the models in our lineup were sold as parts of three-piece sets. In the test kitchen, our longtime favorite colander is not only stable, but its bowl is covered with tiny, well-distributed perforations that ensure optimal drainage. Another plus? It’s lightweight and easy to carry. But since it had been a while since we last tested colanders, we wondered if it was still the best option. Previous reviews of colanders have taught us to avoid models with innovative features or old-fashioned designs (see “Skip These Styles”), so for this testing we focused on simple, no-frills stainless-steel models with lots of tiny perforations.
Winning Traits
- Tiny, evenly distributed perforations that drain quickly
- Walls that are tall enough to contain a full pound of cooked pasta
- Stable and tall base for quick drainage
- Durable, withstanding years in our test kitchen
* OBJECTIVITY FIRST, LAST, AND ALWAYS.
America’s Test Kitchen does not accept advertising and conducts equipment tests without the knowledge of product manufacturers. Exclusive equipment offers are sourced only after the test results have been published in our magazines and on our websites.