Whether you're a beginner home cook or a veteran chef, you probably already know that a great fine mesh strainer can make your life easier in the kitchen. The best fine mesh strainers are made from stainless steel and have a sturdy handle that won’t bend.
Fine mesh strainers are a versatile tool that can be used for anything from sifting dry ingredients to making smoother purees, so you’ll want to pick an option that’s easy to clean. Strainers made from stainless steel will resist rusting and are often dishwasher safe, so you can thoroughly clean them without risking corrosion over time. Stainless steel is also stronger than other metals like aluminum, so you can use your strainer for tasks like straining purees or rinsing heavy vegetables.
Size is also an important consideration. It’s not a bad idea to have both a wider strainer in the 7-to-9-inch range for tasks like sifting large amounts of flour, and a smaller 3-inch version for straining cocktails or loose-leaf tea. If your fine mesh strainer is also standing in for a colander, an extra-large over-the-sink design is perfect for holding itself (and your ingredients) in place while freeing up your hands for other tasks.
If you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen, check out these four great fine mesh strainers, all of which are available on Amazon.
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1. The Best Fine Mesh Strainer Set
This strainer set from Cuisinart has a 4.8-star overall rating with more than 12,000 ratings on Amazon, and it comes with three different sized strainers that can tackle a variety of kitchen tasks. The small 3.13-inch strainer is great for giving baked goods a light dusting of powdered sugar or straining loose-leaf tea, and the 5.5-inch and 7.88-inch sizes are perfect for sifting dry ingredients, rinsing fruit and vegetables, or draining pasta. Since these strainers are made entirely from stainless steel, they're also dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Reviewers noted that these strainers are versatile and sturdy enough for everyday use, and the three different sizes are easy to nest and store in a drawer or cabinet.
One reviewer wrote; “These are such good quality mesh strainers, they are everything you would expect from Cuisinart. The different sizes come in extremely handy. The handles are the perfect length to where you can just set them on top of any pot or pan to let them do their thing. I use them for things like straining my homemade pasta using the large strainer to straining my black tea and spices when making my Thai iced tea with the little strainer. These strainers are easily washable. Solid, yet light weight. I’ve had these for couple years now, they are very durable and long lasting. Quite frankly, these have made my life a lot easier in the kitchen. Said goodbye to all of my big bulky heavy handled strainers!”
2. The Best Over-The-Sink Strainer
This over-the-sink mesh strainer is best for larger tasks like draining a pot of pasta or rinsing lots of vegetables. The 14-by-10-by-4.5-inch dimensions are adjustable to fit over your kitchen’s sink, and allow you to rinse or drain ingredients with this strainer hands-free. The nonslip handles will stay in place without scratching your countertops. When the strainer is not in use, the expandable arms can be retracted for storage. Cleaning up with this strainer is also a breeze, as it is made from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.
One reviewer wrote: “We keep this handy in our sink at all times and absolutely love it. Rubber grips keep it secure and don’t scratch the sink, and the mesh is super quality as well. Used for a few months now with no issues. Great for pasta, veggies, you name it.”
3. The Best Fine Mesh Strainer For Drinks
If you’re looking for a single small fine mesh strainer, this 3.33- inch wide option is a great addition to any kitchen. The smaller diameter can fit over individual glasses for straining ingredients like lemon juice to make teas, cocktails, shrubs, and more. The conical shape and curved lip of this dishwasher-safe strainer lets gravity encourage ingredients to filter down through the mesh, and the metal handles help the strainer stay in place on top of a cup or small bowl. If you’re not a fan of silver finishes in your utensils, this strainer also comes in black, gold, and rose gold finishes.
One reviewer wrote: “Solid stainless steel construction. The strainer does the job, but the feature I love the most is the handle. It's easy to grip, but it's not handle-heavy. Meaning you can set it down and rest it on top of a glass and it won't fall out.”
4. The Best Reinforced Fine Mesh Strainer
Some fine mesh strainers can bend or warp under the pressure or weight of heavy ingredients like freshly cooked pasta or dense vegetables, but this heavy-duty mesh strainer is reinforced with a metal frame. The added strength of the frame helps this strainer resist warping over time and can be used to hang it directly over larger pots and bowls. The 9-inch diameter is large enough to wash plenty of fresh produce or sift flour for baking cakes and bread, and reviewers noted that the mesh is super-fine for breaking up clumps or washing ingredients. Cleaning is easy with this strainer, as the stainless steel material is dishwasher safe.
One reviewer wrote: “I got tired of buying strainers that eventually gave out on the edges. Finally bit the bullet and spent a little more money than I normally would but I don't regret it! This is definitely the highest quality strainer I've ever seen. You can feel the quality of it. Cleaning these things is never easy for me but I've learned a new trick that I guess should make cleaning easier: after use, soak it in warm soapy water for a few minutes then scrub with a brush.”
