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Slotted spoon

Utensils & kitchen tools · Spoon

Slotted spoon

A large spoon with holes or slots that lifts food out of liquid or oil and lets it drain.

Useful to have · Manual · 36 recipes

Photo: Mfrisk, via Wikimedia Commons (public-domain)

What it is

A big metal or nylon spoon perforated with slots or holes. It lifts solids out of cooking liquid while leaving the liquid behind. Spider strainers and skimmers have a wide, shallow wire mesh basket on a long handle and do the same job for frying and noodles.

What it’s for: Removing food from water, broth or frying oil without a colander.

How to use it

  1. Slide the spoon under the food in the pot.
  2. Lift gently and hold it over the pot for a moment to drain.
  3. Transfer to a plate, kitchen paper or rack.
  4. Use it to skim foam from stock.

Good to know

Tasks
lifting fried foods from oil, removing poached eggs, lifting dumplings and gnocchi, skimming stock, serving vegetables from liquid
Cooking methods
Deep-fried, Boiled, Poached, Blanched, Simmered
Materials
stainless steel, nylon, silicone
Care and cleaning
Dishwasher-safe in most cases; check the holes are clear.
Limitations
Only lifts small amounts; not for draining a whole pot.

Safety

  • Lower food into hot oil with the spoon rather than dropping it to avoid splashes.

If you don’t have one

Equipment guide

How it works: Holes or slots let liquid or oil drain away while the spoon lifts solids.

MaterialGoodWatch out
Stainless steelDurable, non-reactive, dishwasher-safe, does not hold smells.Can scratch non-stick pans; conducts heat, so all-metal handles get hot.
NylonSafe for non-stick.Melts in hot oil.
Wire mesh (spider skimmer)Drains very fast; lifts fried food from oil.Mesh is harder to clean.
Slotted spoon
Poached eggs, beans, vegetables.
Spider skimmer
Wide wire basket for frying and blanching.
Perforated jhara
Flat perforated Indian ladle for pakoras and making boondi.

Buying guidance

Starting out: A stainless slotted spoon plus a spider skimmer if you deep-fry.

  • Stainless for hot oil
  • Long handle
  • Enough holes to drain quickly

No brands or prices — check current reviews before buying.

Techniques:Shallow-fryingDeep-fryingPoachingBlanchingLayering and sealingSpherification

Related tools

Recipes that use it

24 more