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Salad spinner

Utensils & kitchen tools · Spinner

Salad spinner

A bowl with an inner basket that spins to fling water off washed salad leaves and herbs.

Useful to have · Manual · 4 recipes

Photo: Lymantria, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)

What it is

An outer bowl, a perforated inner basket and a lid with a crank, pump or pull-cord. Spinning drives water out of the basket by centrifugal force. The basket also works as a colander, and the bowl as a serving bowl.

What it’s for: Drying washed leaves so dressings cling and leaves stay crisp.

How to use it

  1. Wash leaves in the basket set inside the bowl filled with cold water; lift out and pour off the water.
  2. Return the basket, fit the lid and spin.
  3. Pour off the water and spin again if needed.
  4. Store leaves in the spinner in the fridge if wanted.

Good to know

Tasks
drying lettuce and leafy greens, washing herbs, rinsing berries, drying cut potatoes before frying
Cooking methods
Raw, No-cook
Materials
plastic, stainless steel bowl
Care and cleaning
Wash all parts and dry fully; check the lid mechanism is free of debris.
Limitations
Bulky; overfilling bruises leaves and spins poorly.

If you don’t have one

  • Clean tea towel — Roll leaves loosely in a towel and pat or swing it dry.

Equipment guide

How it works: A basket spins inside a bowl, and centrifugal force flings water off the leaves through the slots. Dry leaves hold dressing and stay crisp.

MaterialGoodWatch out
Food-grade plastic (polypropylene, nylon)Light, cheap, gentle on non-stick surfaces.Melts or warps on contact with hot pans; scratches harbour residue; can stain and hold smells.
Stainless steelDurable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
Pump-action spinner
Press to spin.
Crank or pull-cord spinner
Turn or pull to spin.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A 4–5 litre spinner with a brake.

  • Capacity
  • Non-slip base
  • Brake
  • Bowl doubles as serving bowl

No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.

Techniques:Mise en place

Related tools

Recipes that use it