A rigid colander is the awkward shape in every cupboard: too tall to stack, too wide for a drawer. A collapsible silicone colander solves that by folding flat when you are done. This guide covers how they work, which size to choose and what to look for.
How a collapsible colander works
The bowl is made of food-grade silicone pleated like a concertina, with a rigid plastic rim and base so it stands up when open. Push down on the rim and the pleats fold into each other. Our Collapsible Silicone Colander presses to under 5 cm, which is drawer height in most kitchens.
Which size do you need?
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 25 × 19 cm | Berries, grapes, a portion of pasta, rinsing rice, one or two people |
| Medium | 30 × 24 cm | Vegetables, salad leaves, family-size pasta, draining potatoes |
| Set of 2 | Small + Medium | Most households: one for fruit, one for the main meal |
If you only buy one, the Medium is the more useful size; the Small earns its place for fruit and for sinks with limited room.
What to check before you buy
- Food-grade silicone: it should be odourless and not stain. Avoid colanders that smell of plastic out of the box.
- A rigid rim and handles: a floppy rim makes draining hot pasta awkward. Two side handles let you shake the water off safely.
- Heat resistance: boiling water should not deform it.
- Dishwasher-safe: silicone goes on the top rack without any fuss.
- Drainage holes: large enough to drain fast, small enough to keep rice and quinoa in.
Caring for a silicone colander
Rinse straight after use so starch does not dry in the pleats, or put it in the dishwasher. Store it folded in a drawer or hanging from a hook. Silicone can pick up a slight tackiness over time; a wash in hot water with a splash of white vinegar removes it.
Colours
Ours comes in orange, red, green and blue, so you can keep one colour for fruit and another for everything else if you prefer. Find it alongside the chef knives and the double-sided cutting board in Prep Tools.