Make Cleaning Easier with the Collapsible Mini Colander

Colanders are indispensable tools. But when all we need to do is rinse a handful of berries, or cherry tomatoes, or grapes, the last thing we want to do is unearth—and later clean—a big colander. So why not invest in a smaller tool that does the same thing?

Gadget name: Progressive International Collapsible Mini Colander

Price: $5.96

It looks like: A sturdy, oval-shaped mini colander with soft silicone sides that collapse to just 1 inch for storage.

How it’s supposed to work: Just like a normal-sized colander, but with a smaller capacity (3½ cups, to be exact). It also goes from 8 inches long and 4 inches high to 1 inch high when collapsed.

How it actually works: It easily pops open and closed, is really sturdy, and even has a funnel to help you pour out the food with no spills.

Good to know: It’s dishwasher-safe—but with no nooks or crannies to catch dirt, it’s just as easy to hand wash. And even after we’ve used it for months, it works fine and looks new.

My favorite part: It’s got a useful twist: a snap-on base that seals the drainage holes. So you can fill the colander with water and really get your grapes or berries clean, then remove the base and let the water drain out in a flash. Or if you want to set the wet colander on the counter, the base collects all the drips, and it won’t make a puddle.

Overall: It’s our new go-to gadget for washing small quantities of fruit and vegetables.