OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 5 qt./ 4.7 L Colander

The Verdict

Some colanders are flimsy afterthoughts — the kind you knock over mid-drain, sending spaghetti sliding into the sink. The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 5 qt./ 4.7 L Colander is not that. This is a serious piece of kit for anyone who cooks pasta, washes produce in bulk, or blanches vegetables regularly. With a 4.8-star average across 240 ratings, it’s clear I’m not alone in that assessment.

What You Actually Get

The colander is built from heavy-gauge stainless steel with a brushed finish that resists fingerprints better than you’d expect. It measures roughly 12.5 inches across at the rim and stands about 5 inches tall. The two handles are the standout design feature — they’re wide, angled upward, and covered with OXO’s signature soft, non-slip grips. Even with wet hands, you get a secure hold.

The base is flat, which matters more than you might think. Round-bottomed colanders tip over the moment you set them down. This one sits level in the sink or on the counter, and the weight distribution keeps it stable even when fully loaded with a pound of rigatoni.

Real-World Performance

I tested this with a full pound of penne, a large head of romaine, and a batch of boiled potatoes. Drainage is quick and even — the holes are distributed densely across the bottom and slightly up the sides, so water escapes fast without food sitting in a puddle. The stainless steel doesn’t absorb odors or stain, and it’s dishwasher safe, though hand washing takes seconds anyway.

One thing I noticed: the holes are small enough to catch most small pasta shapes but not so small that drainage feels sluggish. That said, if you’re rinsing quinoa or farro, expect to wait a bit longer — those tiny grains can clog the perforations if you dump them all at once.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Scrolling through the 240 ratings, a few themes dominate. One verified buyer writes: “Finally a colander that doesn’t wobble. The flat bottom is genius — it sits perfectly in my sink and I can walk away for a second without worrying it’ll tip.” Another notes: “I’ve owned cheap colanders that bent within months. This one feels like it’ll outlast my cookware.”

The handles get frequent shoutouts too. Multiple reviewers mention how comfortable they are, especially when draining heavy loads — no digging into your palms. The capacity is another consistent winner, with several buyers noting they can rinse an entire bag of spinach or kale at once.

Where It Falls Short

Honesty requires acknowledging the tradeoffs. This colander is heavy — around 2 pounds — and that’s a feature for stability but a drawback if you have wrist issues or prefer something you can easily lift with one hand. The price also runs higher than basic mesh or plastic options, though the durability justifies the premium for most.

Some users report that the soft-grip handles can absorb odors over time if left in standing water. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you’re obsessive about kitchen hygiene. And as mentioned, the hole size means very fine grains drain slower than you’d like.

Who Should Buy This

This colander is ideal for home cooks who cook pasta weekly, meal preppers washing large batches of produce, and anyone tired of flimsy colanders that bend, tip, or melt. It’s also a strong gift for someone building out a serious kitchen setup — it has that “buy once, cry once” quality.

Skip it if you’re on a tight budget, need something ultralight for camping or small kitchens, or primarily drain micro-grains and need a fine-mesh strainer instead.

FAQ

Can this colander double as a steamer basket? No. It’s not designed for stovetop steaming — the handles would get hot, and the holes are too small for proper steam circulation. Use a dedicated steamer for that.

Is it really dishwasher safe? Yes, but the stainless steel can develop water spots in hard-water areas. Hand drying or running a rinse cycle helps. The soft grips hold up fine in the dishwasher based on user reports.

Will it fit in a standard sink? The 12.5-inch diameter fits most standard double sinks, but it can be snug in narrower basins. Measure your sink before buying if space is tight.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want a colander that feels like it was engineered rather than stamped out, handles heavy loads without wobbling, and will still look new in five years. Skip it if you need something lightweight, budget-priced, or designed for ultra-fine straining.

Rating: 4.6/5 — this is the last colander most home cooks will ever need to buy.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.