Best Colander: RSVP International Precision Pierced Five-Quart Colander

Introduction

A good colander is one of those tools you only think about when the bad one lets you down. Drain a pot of pasta into a flimsy basket with poorly placed holes and you get splashback, lost orzo, and drain water creeping back into your food. After testing six colanders priced between $15 and $26, all in the perforated style, one model earned its win again: the RSVP International precision pierced five-quart colander, at about $26.

Why the Right Colander Matters

The perforated style, covered in many small holes rather than large stamped slots, drains most efficiently. It was the clear favorite in earlier testing, but it now has plenty of competition in the same style, so a fresh comparison was worth running.

Six colanders, all four and a half to five quarts, went through the same practical gauntlet: draining cooked orzo, draining cooked angel hair, and letting salted cucumber slices drain. Thanks to solid perforation design, all of them drained effectively. The differences showed up in the details.

Main Strengths

The RSVP International precision pierced five-quart colander won in previous testing and won again. The kitchen staff stocks it for daily use, and it has stood up to years of use and abuse without issue.

Its precision-pierced holes drain pasta and other foods quickly and evenly, and the overall build quality is a step above the rest of the field. In practical terms, there is simply no better option in the colander category.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Two design details separate the winners from the rest, and they are worth checking on any colander you consider.

First, sidewall height. Capacities may look similar on paper, but some models have sides as short as three and a half inches, while taller ones reach about five and a quarter inches. When you pour a pot of pasta in, it rushes through fast, and on short-sided models water can splash back and carry food into the sink. Three quarters of an inch of extra height made a real difference, so aim for sides at least four and a quarter inches tall.

Second, clearance. Every colander tested has feet or a ring base to stabilize it in the sink, and all were stable. But some feet are as short as three eighths of an inch. Pour out a big pot of water and there is not enough space between the bottom of the colander and the sink floor. Water flows back into the colander, and whatever grunge is in the sink can end up touching your pasta. Look for feet at least an inch tall.

Buying Advice

If you want a colander that drains well without draining you, the pick is clear. The RSVP International precision pierced five-quart colander, at about $26, sits at the top of the $15 to $26 range tested, but its drainage, height, and durability justify it.

Check the sidewall height and foot clearance on any alternative you consider. A little extra height and clearance is what keeps the orzo in the colander and the sink water out of your dinner.

Conclusion

Colanders all look alike until you pour a heavy pot of boiling water and pasta into one. The RSVP International precision pierced five-quart colander handles that moment better than anything else tested, which is why it keeps winning and why it earns a spot in a working kitchen.