Certain units performed poorly in this category, specifically the Brieftons BR-SS-02, which only removed 67% of the dirt water, and the Mueller 5-Liter Vegetable Washer, which only removed 70% of the dirt water. Ease of Spinning

Coming in a close second, this Farberware pump spinner is another great option. Its capacity is ever-so-slightly larger than the Oxo model (6.6 quarts) and its spinning mechanism takes up a bit less space inside the basin when the lid is on, which creates more room for greens. It’s got a comfortable, easy-to-use-with-one-hand pump, and a rubber ring around the base that keeps it stable as it spins. And for what it’s worth, you get more spin for your pump than with the Oxo — a single pump keeps the device going almost twice as long. And most importantly, the greens come out dry. What we didn’t like about the Farberware Pump-Activated Salad Spinner

What we didn’t like about the Farberware Pump-Activated Salad Spinner

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. 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.

Perforated salad spinner basket – sits inside the prep bowl, holds all your prepped fruit and veg and acts as a salad spinner and colander for easy rinsing and draining. Washing and drying lettuce is one of the most tedious, time-consuming and inconvenient processes we can possibly think of. Each leaf needs to be thoroughly rinsed, spread out on paper towels or a clean cloth, and then patted dry with even more towels. And no matter how long you stand there dabbing away at each leaf and crevice, it never seems to dry well enough. So, to bypass all this trouble of making yourself a fresh salad, you end up opting for an easier meal that isn’t necessarily as healthy. At 6.2 quarts, the Brieftons BR-SS-02 had the most capacity for greens. This is extremely handy when entertaining for a larger dinner party. Our tester found you could fit 6-8 large servings of salad in this spinner. The braking button worked exceptionally well, despite having the largest capacity. This is where this model shined, but on other functions and features, it failed to impress our reviewer.

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There are three types of salad spinners to choose from. The one you select will depend on individual preferences. Pump salad spinners: All you need to do to trigger the spin is continuously push down on a large button. A salad spinner is a kitchen gadget used to wash and dry salad greens and other ingredients. It typically consists of a plastic basket that holds the greens, a lid with a crank handle, and a base that serves as a bowl to catch any water that is spun off. 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.

This clever set features four interchangeable colour-coded discs with stainless steel blades, each of which does a different task, so you can slice, grate, spiralize and spin your salad without having to use about five separate bits of kit. Just insert the disc you want into the lid of the bowl and you’re ready to go. Innovative and practical, the design team at Joseph Joseph are renowned for their skills in adding a little sophistication and fun to the most mundane household helpers. And, no matter what they turn their minds to redesigning, we always wonder ‘why didn’t we think of that?’.

How do you pick a salad spinner?

The basic idea behind a salad spinner is to wash the greens thoroughly, remove any excess water, and dry them as much as possible so that they don't become wilted or slimy. To use a salad spinner, you simply place the greens in the basket, add water and gently agitate the basket to remove any dirt or debris. Then you spin the greens by turning the handle on the lid, which forces the water out of the greens and into the base below. After spinning, you can either dump the water and dry the greens by hand with a clean kitchen towel, or continue to spin the greens until they are dry. 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. One reviewer wrote: “A good sturdy product. Pour fresh water into the hole, spin and drain out of the same hole, a real good worker. I make lots of different salads and prep works takes a lot time so this is a real time saving gem in the kitchen.” The OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner is one of the best push-button style models in our fleet. The push button fits nicely into the palm of our hand, and the downward force made the spinning operation very simple. Cleaning is quite simple, simply requiring you to pull apart the lid — unlike other units that require you to remove a screw. The included brake button worked well and did not need excessive force to stop. In our water and dirt removal tests, this unit performed above average. The colander did not have sharp edges, making it easier to clean. 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.

Salad prep’s one of those fiddly jobs that takes longer than it should, because you’re faffing around finding your grater, and your mandolin, and your salad spinner and... it should be easier than this! And now, thanks to Joseph Joseph’s clever Multi-Prep Salad Bowl, it can be. 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. Functions: Most salad spinners will simply dry leaves but there are ones with other functions like graters or choppers. Additionally, the outer bowl can be used for serving so look for one that also looks aesthetically pleasing. 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. A salad spinner is a must-have for anyone who enjoys fresh salad greens. Our culinary experts researched more than 75 of the most popular options before purchasing 9 of the best salad spinners available on the market. We tested these spinners side-by-side, using them in our own kitchens for more than 20 hours of comparative analysis. We carefully assessed drying efficiency by measuring the amount of water removed from various produce, and purposefully dirtied clean lettuce to examine how well each spinner removes dirt and debris. Our test team carefully considers each model for relative capacity, ease of spinning, braking, and ease of cleaning. Our in-depth review offers expert recommendations for the best overall salad spinner, as well as a few that excel for niche purposes.

Best pull-string salad spinner

Another advantage of using a salad spinner is that it can help to preserve the crispness and freshness of the greens for longer. When greens are washed and dried thoroughly, they are less likely to become wilted or slimy, which can help to extend their shelf life and prevent spoilage. Guarantee yourself a crisp, dry salad every time with our round up of the best salad spinners that will also save you time and energy spent in the kitchen.