How do you clean your big metal strainer?
By madebyrobyn
@madebyrobyn (616)
Australia
June 4, 2008 1:54am CST
I have always wanted one of those big round metal strainers - for draining pasta or vegies etc. I finally bought one about a week ago but it is painful to clean. I have tried cleaning it with a cloth, a scourer and a brush but there still seems to be little bits of food stuck in one or two of the holes. I am finding it very frustrating and wont use it if it is going to cause germs to breed. I am cross because I saved to buy it and now I can't clean it properly! I have also poured boiling water over it, let it soak and even run around the house with it on my head to entertain the kids!
So tell me, how does one clean one of these big wire strainers effectively and efficiently - I don't want it to take all day!
4 people like this
5 responses
@vicneedscoffee (1259)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I use a plastic one. I have never run around with it on my head to entertain my kid though, I prefer a medium size sauce pan for that. 
The handle bobbing gives it extra effect. Seriously though, I would suggest a wire bristled brush perhaps? The bristles would be stiffer and hopefully push the food out of it so it could be washed better. Good luck to you!
The handle bobbing gives it extra effect. Seriously though, I would suggest a wire bristled brush perhaps? The bristles would be stiffer and hopefully push the food out of it so it could be washed better. Good luck to you!2 people like this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
4 Jun 08
I might have to go back to my plastic one or get a colander with bigger holes. I am glad I am not the only mother who enjoys entertaining her children, I love to make kids laugh!
2 people like this
@vicneedscoffee (1259)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I may have to get older and have to pay the bills, but I refuse to grow up! 
2 people like this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
4 Jun 08
Hrmm but I thought grown-ups were allowed to have fun too?
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Sometimes I have to soak mine. I just set it in a pan with hot soapy water and then use the hose thingy to spray the gunk out. You can also take a brush and force the bristles through the holes. That sometimes works. Dishwasher do a pretty good job on them, too.
Good luck!
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
4 Jun 08
Thank you very much, who knew that a wire strainer could be so challenging! I shall try your methods for getting the particles out, the annoying thing is that we aren't talking about lots, just one or two die-hard pieces!
I shall not let it win, I am the boss in my kitchen, it will obey my cleanliness rules!
1 person likes this
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
4 Jun 08
I had not thought of using expletives yet, I may get to that point soon though, it doesn't understand, it has had three warnings and now I am cross! haha
1 person likes this
@fluffnflowers (1594)
• United States
4 Jun 08
One thing I've found extremely effective in getting things to obey cleanliness laws is elaborate cursing. Variants on 'I OWN you!' work the best. ;)
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
16 Jun 08
oh god..i hate cleaning those.i fill the sink up with blazing hot water,let it soak for awhile,then rinse it with even more hot water to make sure any cooking oil or food is off,then scrub it with soapy water.it seems to be the only way to get it all off.
dishwashers tend to do a pretty good job,but one isn't always available.
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
17 Jun 08
My dishwasher cannot wash as well as I can by hand! The boiling water as well as a good old scrub did the job really well. My strainer is all sparkly and clean now! I am happy to have received these great tips!
@Winter08 (441)
• Canada
16 Jun 08
I've used brushes to clean the tiny, annoying, little things. I've found the most effective type is a fingernail brush, the kind that is probably meant for men to use as it is substantial in size (wide with lots of bristles) with longer, firmer bristles.
@madebyrobyn (616)
• Australia
17 Jun 08
I have bought myself a great dishwashing brush that I have found very effective in removing the food particles from my metal strainer - so I have decided, it is staying, I shall not buy a new plastic one now!
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
24 Jun 08
wire or metal? if its wire i have no idea.. metal i use that sponge wand thing and scrub it with that and that gets it clean.. but i dont really have that prob maybe because we never go anything but pasta.. or maybe my holes are bigger..
