OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner, Plastic

Product Information

We tested each salad spinner using salad greens and herbs with varying water content levels, including romaine lettuce, green leaf lettuce, radicchio, and cilantro. We also used them on bulkier vegetables, strawberries, and blueberries to asses how they perform with delicate and firm produce. To test the strength of the baskets, we used each to drain freshly-cooked pasta. The OXO Steel Salad Spinner, however, underperformed in this category. Despite having a very similar design theme to the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner, which worked fine here, the OXO Steel's brake button consistently failed to "bite." Even after pressing the button with considerable pressure, the colander would still struggle to come to a complete stop. Ease of Cleaning We will usually ask for a signature on delivery and will definitely require a signature if the delivery includes age restricted items, such as knives. Standout features include the patented plunger, which is incredibly easy to operate—even one-handed. During testing, we lauded the minimal strength it took to depress the plunger while still feeling sturdy and comfortable in hand. It only took 10 pumps to completely clean and dry a large head of romaine lettuce, and no berries were bruised after five efficient plunges and fast-action braking. The wide, flat base has a rubber ring that we noted held the spinner completely secure on the counter while processing across all three tests.

Operation is easy with the pump-action plunger and stopper. Across two tests—one featuring lettuce and the other berries—we noted the pump was easy to operate with minimal strength required. We also appreciated the non-slip base, which kept everything stable during spinning. Lettuce came out clean, just glistening with moisture, and berries were unbruised and ready to be eaten. If you host larger family meals, the Farberware Professional Pump will make salad, fruit, and vegetable prep stress-free. Oftentimes salad spinners can double as serving bowls. Much of this comes down to personal preference, but stainless steel bowls are generally considered more attractive for serving, while clear, plastic bowls are more convenient because they allow you to see the greens as they spin. Consider whether or not you want your spinner to double as a stylish serving bowl (that means less dishes!). If you are looking for a spinner with a small footprint, then the Prepworks Collapsible 3-Quart Spinner is a good choice. Though it underperformed in many of our tests, it still functioned adequately in most situations. This spinner was very easy to clean. The silicone walls of the colander may have contributed to inferior scores in the water removal and dirt removal metrics, but they did prove easy to clean. Those same silicone walls are also what allow this product to collapse and nest very efficiently. Spinning should be a fluid process since that's the purpose of these products. However, not all of these models stop well when it comes time to hit the brakes. Some of the salad spinners come with a brake button. Other models with a crank arm spinning mechanism do not include this feature. There are certain advantages and disadvantages to each braking system. Crank arms rely solely on the arm for braking, and we found this style can be challenging to stop when functioning at higher speeds in comparison to the button-style brakes, which were more effective at braking. Westmark's take on the salad spinner uses a rotating crank to spin the colander inside. The crank is easier to turn than some of the other models on our list, but if you don't turn it just right, it tends to skid over the basket.

While searching for the perfect salad spinner, it's important to consider the ease of use and type of spin action required. For example, someone with mobility restrictions in their hands or wrists will likely benefit from a model with a push button or pump rather than a pull cord or knob. Along with overall construction, size, and quality, we tested the bowl's versatility with other tasks—such as mixing pancake batter. Since we love multi-function kitchen tools, we also noticed how the bowls worked as serving vessels (for example, if they retained food temperature). Salad spinners are a game changer when it comes to meal prep. Fill them with greens and water to wash your lettuce, and then spin to drain and remove excess water. You can also use your salad spinner to drain veggies after washing. Salad spinners are essential since clean, dry leaves are better-prepped for dressing on salad (and they stay fresh longer). You can even store your greens in the colander – the vents help with air circulation, which slows down the rate of spoilage. Handle-style spinners: Easier on the hand than the knob variety, a handle-style salad spinner is also difficult to store because of the awkward shape. The extended handle is attached to the gears, and as you manually spin the handle, the basket spins. Two sturdy clamps keep the lid in place for storage and while you're pouring water out. The spinning action is initiated by a knob that you turn, which is comfortable to hold and can be turned in either direction — nice for lefties.

Additionally, some units had a colander that was more difficult to clean for one reason or another. We attempted to take apart, clean, and prepare to dry each unit in under five minutes. All of the contenders were cleaned within this timeframe, but some were easier than others. Five of the models impressed us throughout the cleaning process; these were the Cuisinart CTG-00-SSAS, OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner, OXO Steel, Mueller 5-Liter Vegetable Washer, and Prepworks Collapsible 3-Quart Spinner. For this metric, the first thing to note is that the mechanism to spin the colander varies across models. Five spinners use a crank arm, four use a push button, and one uses a pull handle/arm. These types of mechanisms can work effectively and ergonomically, but there were certain limitations to each type. Models with a crank arm can struggle to stay in place during the spinning action because the force is not applied in a downward fashion. Considering its small size, the Cuisinart CTG-00-SSAS salad spinner was impressive. It's one of the smallest units we tested, yet it stil removed water and dirt quite well. We like the hole in the top of the lid that allows you to add more water during operation; once the lid is secure, you don't need to take it off until the greens are fully cleaned. We also found the crank arm to be ergonomic. The colander securely fit within the bowl, and the non-slip pads on the bottom stabilized the bowl during high-speed spinning. The clip to secure the colander onto the bowl takes an extra second or two, but it fastens easily. All of these factors make fast-spinning easier.Allrecipes product tester Jessica Harlan used each salad spinner to prep Romaine lettuce for Caesar salad, and kale for Mediterranean kale salad. To start, the lettuce was weighed while still dry, then washed, spun, and weighed again to see how much water remained on the lettuce. During testing, Jessica paid special attention to the following factors: This updated version of Zyliss' classic salad spinner has a redesigned spin basket that's designed differently from other spinners. Instead of being perfectly round, it has wide ribs, and is designed to "fluff" the salad when you hit the brakes on the spinner. We're not sure if this design is any more effective than a traditional round bowl, but overall the spinner performed well, yielding greens that were fairly dry. Sometimes, you can find an outer bowl with a flow-through design with holes in the bottom to drain the water as you spin. The advantage is that the lettuce dries faster, but this has to be done over a sink to avoid messy spillage. Many types of salad spinners have an outer bowl that doesn't feature holes in the bottom, though. The upside is that you can do your spinning on the counter, but you must dump your bowl periodically to drain the water. There are some models, like the Westmark, that have pour spouts that allow for a more convenient draining experience. Keeping the spinner secure while operating is a concern. Look for a wide base to ensure stability and features like non-slip coating or feet that make them even more balanced and steady.

Salad spinners can range in capacity from less than three quarts to over six quarts, with most falling somewhere in the middle. Consider the amount of storage space you have to spare relative to the number of people you have to feed. For a family, or the entertainer who is always hosting dinner parties, the larger the option the better. Some spinners even have a collapsible design to help you save on storage space without sacrificing capacity. Anyone who has grown their own vegetables knows that sometimes things can get a little dirty during the harvesting process. Though greens from the store or your local farmers' market would most likely never be this dirty, our lead reviewer saw it necessary to put the spinners through a more extreme test.

Our Salad Spinner eliminates excess moisture from lettuce, spinach, herbs, vegetables and berries. The side handle gives you more power with less effort, while the easy-access brake button allows you to stop the spinner in an instant. The bowl has a non-slip base to ensure it stays securely on your kitchen surface. This great tool also doubles as colander and serving bowl. There are two considerations here: How much storage space you have and the needs based on your family size. The largest basket has a capacity for up to 6 quarts of greens, while the smallest can accommodate about 2.5 quarts. If you're feeding more than a couple of people regularly, the larger model is the way to go, but if it's just you and one other person, the smaller model can get the job done. The humble salad spinner may seem like an unnecessary kitchen tool, but we beg to differ: It's revolutionary when it comes to yielding crispy, fresh greens. The centrifugal force created by spinning pulls out dirt particles hidden in the ribs and crevices of your lettuce, spinach, arugula, and more while drawing out any excess liquid. Warding off that lingering moisture helps keep your salad from getting soggy or moldy, but also maintains the consistency and flavor of your salad dressing. Apart from helping to achieve the perfect salad, these handy gadgets are also useful in washing large batches of herbs, cleaning cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or brussel sprouts, and washing berries. Just like the larger model, this one has an easy pump-action spinner and patented brake to stop with ease. In our test with the radicchio, we found the plunger was comfortable to grip, and it only took 10 pumps to completely clean and dry the greens. We appreciated that the clear bowl made it easy to see when the greens were dry, and the brake was instantly responsive when pushed. We also loved the non-slip base for stability and the sturdy construction of the plastic bowl. P ull-string salad spinners work like they sound; you pull a string to activate the spin. ood momentum, too, but we don't love how the string gets wet during use and eventually discolors.

We'll forever have a soft spot for how OXO designs products that are easy and comfortable to operate. The company's Good Grips salad spinner uses a similar design as its Steel spinner, but the bowl is clear plastic and can double as an attractive serving bowl.The 4.95-quart basket capacity was ample to clean and dry a large head of romaine lettuce in one of our tests. After a soak in cold water for five minutes, it took only 10 easy pumps to completely remove dirt and thoroughly dry chopped romaine. In another test, we cleaned and spun a pint of blueberries but found the steel bowl caused bruising on the berries. We repeated the test with a quart of strawberries and were pleased with the thorough cleaning without any bruising. With that in mind, this model may not be a wise choice for more delicate berries. Afterwards, you can use the dry parts of the towel to pat any excess water drops off the greens. In our testing, the amount of water remaining in the greens was a little more than the most effective salad spinners on this list, but it performed just as well as some of the others. And because big droplets were patted away at the end, the greens seemed dry enough. A salad spinner is not a necessity, but it does make meal prep a lot easier—and not just for greens. You can wash and dry a multitude of lettuces and other greens, like kale or collards, but you can also efficiently wash and dry fresh herbs, berries, and bulky vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, potatoes. You can even wash and dry your hand-wash-only laundry. It's an efficient way to complete the task, but you may want a separate spinner. The Farberware Pro Pump Spinner is a push-powered and brake-equipped option, with an internal basket with a 5.25-quart capacity. With more than adequate functionality, this spinner is a mid-level performer in removing both water and dirt. It isn't the absolute best performer in either metric but, for the most part, left our greens plenty dry and clean. The rubberized bottom keeps the device from wiggling across the counter while in use, and the brake, while not instantaneous, works well enough. We liked the attractive design of this product: The bowl is frosted plastic, and it has a pretty flared shape that makes it a nice serving piece. The colander basket is bright green, matching the cord handle, and the company says it's heat resistant so it can double as a colander for hot foods, like pasta and potatoes.