OXO Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner, Plastic

Product Information

As the name would suggest, salad spinners work by spinning its contents really fast to remove any excess water and/or dirt. They usually have a removable colander where you can wash your greens before spinning them dry. There are several different mechanisms that a salad spinner might use to spin the greens: 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. You're not limited to spinning with this model. After using the colander to rinse an entire box of tagliatelle, we segued it to the table in the brushed stainless steel bowl for family dinner. We also used it to mix pancake batter and lauded its versatility for more than salad spinning. Our one negative comment was after following the manufacturer’s instructions to wash it in the dishwasher, we found water spots all over the stainless steel bowl that took some vigorous rubbing with a clean, dry hand towel to remove. As such, we recommend not washing the bowl in the dishwasher to preserve its beauty and longevity. 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. We couldn't resist adding this fun and unique twist on a salad greens dryer to our list, even though it's not technically a salad spinner. The Salad Sling is a double-layered piece of bright green terry cloth fabric (made of polyester, nylon, and polyurethane). It's shaped in a large square, with elongated corners.

The OXO Steel Salad Spinner did a few things quite well. The large, rubber bottom of the bowl, coupled with a securely-fit lid and colander, meant spinning was extremely user-friendly. The most notable attribute of the product is its above-average performance in our water removal tests. One of the most positive notes is that this spinner could remove water and dirt at an above-average level. 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. 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. This was by far one of the most effective spinners, leaving very little water clinging to the greens, so we'll forgive this spinner for not coming with a bowl that can be used for serving. It's even dishwasher safe, and the handle retracts inside the colander, so it can nest in a bowl for storage.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. The Oxo Good Grips Salad Spinner is our top choice because of its large capacity, patented brake, and easy-to-use patented plunger. Equally as impressive is the Oxo Good Grips Little Salad & Herb Spinner, which comes in handy for smaller produce items. How We Tested 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. 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.

The SwiftDry Salad spinner uses the same plastic bowl and unusually shaped spin basket as its pull-cord model. But this version has a lid with a lever that pops up. Pushing the lever down will activate the spinning motion through a series of gears that you can actually see through the translucent green plastic housing if you look underneath the lid. Salad spinners will get lettuce almost completely dry–about 90% of the way with a good quality model. Freshly-cleaned lettuce will last longer and experience less wilting if they're rolled up in towels after spinning since the towels will absorb the remaining moisture while keeping the leaves from drying out. 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.

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. 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. 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. Only one model offered the ability to collapse into a smaller footprint. This was the Prepworks Collapsible 3-Quart Spinner. This option presented itself as a potentially great choice for folks with less cabinet space in their kitchens or those who may want to bring this kitchen appliance in their RV or camping setup. Both the bowl and colander on the Prepworks Collapsible 3-Quart Spinner proved to be sturdier than expected. The lever takes some force to push it down, but once the bowl gets spinning the lever is easier and easier to push, and it can be done with one hand. The brake stops the spinning immediately, which the company says will help "fluff" the greens. We did feel like the rapid momentum that the lever motion was able to achieve, coupled with the sudden braking, helped shake every bit of water off the leaves, making this a very effective salad spinner. And the flat design of the lid makes it ideal for storing the greens right in the spinner.

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. A plethora of great features make this all-plastic salad spinner a winner. The lid has a hole and a strainer, so you can fill the whole thing with water, use the spinner to agitate the greens, then pour the water out through the hole, while the strainer keeps everything inside. This is especially helpful for very dirty or sandy greens, such as spinach, and it's the only spinner we tested that had this feature. Manual Spinners: These may be in the form of a hand crank or a knob, but all manual spinners are going to require a little effort on your part. Most spinners on the lower end of the price range tend to be manual. We were very impressed with the dryness of the salad with just a few spins, and everything came out fluffy and undamaged. There is little to dislike about this well-made budget-priced spinner, though we disagree with the claims that it is dishwasher proof; the bowl and colander are, but the lid takes in water around the handle, so we preferred to handwash that part. 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.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. 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.

During our tests, we evaluated several products that are designed to dry and clean veggies. We chose options ranging from small and compact to large and voluminous. In addition to evaluating the functionality of each, we designed objective tests to look at how well each cleans fine particulates and dries. We also look at the capacity and ease of use. After hours of spinning veggies, we gather our data for a well-rounded look at what the best salad spinners on the market have to offer. As far as bowl material goes, for efficient spinning, you need to be able to see your product to know when it's dry. Clear bowls are best for this, but they're not as attractive if you want to also use them as a serving bowl. Stainless steel bowls tend to be more expensive but make attractive serving bowls. 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. Dreamfarm is known for its clever designs and tongue-in-cheek names. So it's no surprise that Spina, the company's two-in-one salad spinner and colander, would be our favorite for design. This gadget is basically a colander with a handle that rotates on a frame. Rinse the greens while the handle is in the side position, then rotate the handle to the top, set the base in the kitchen sink (there's a rubbery foot that holds it steady), and push down the handle, which is on a threaded column like a top. The colander basket starts spinning, and you can watch the water spray out of your greens — satisfying!In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, we put 18 salad spinners to the test. We drenched 26 pounds of lettuce and put them through the wringer, noting the percent of water removed from each batch. Then we repeated it all two more times. These are the best salad spinners you can buy, according to testing; plus, several additions that caught our eye: This spinner uses a rotating knob mechanism and has to be operated with both hands — the other hand holds the lid down or it'll tip. It's a little arduous to crank, but the operation is quiet, and although it's not the most effective spinner in our bunch, the greens are dry enough to use. The bowl can be used for serving, but it's got a fairly basic design and is made of filmy clear plastic that makes it look like the base of a food storage container. This spinner has to be hand washed. 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. 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. 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).