When you have to wash and pat each veggie leaf for your salad, you get kind of tired and wish you had a device that would make everything easier for you.
So you come to the conclusion that you really could use a salad spinner that will help you not only have a clean and dry salad, but also lets you enjoy the texture and taste of salad greens just the way they’re meant to be: crispy and crunchy.
But are salad spinners the same? Which one fits you the best? Which one is easier to use? Which one really fits in your very small kitchen?
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How to choose the right salad spinner for you
If you’re the type that spends sometime in the kitchen for cooking dinner on regular basics, then it’s rather easy for you to choose and use a salad spinner.
But, if you’re new and still don’t figure out your way in the kitchen, using the right salad spinner might be a little fuss. On one hand you know that a salad needs very few time for preparation and that’s one of the main reasons you decided to have a salad for lunch in the first place. But, on the other hand, having dry leafy veggies in order to get a nice, juicy salad seems more challenging than you anticipated.
So you need a salad spinner that not only dries the leafy greens, but also doesn’t damage them from a speed of dizzying proportions.
You may get, for instance, a salad spinner with a stainless bowl with a six-quart capacity for spinning salad greens and quite user-friendly. Go for a dishwasher-safe model, easy to assemble and to take apart when cleaning.
As hygiene is also very important when getting a salad spinner, it’s wise to get a spinner that is not only easy to use, but also easy to clean. The centrifugal force is common for all salad spinners, no matter the model/size/shape so easy of use and cleaning should also be considered when buying it.
The construction of the salad spinner is also important so get one that has a strong built and a fitted lid that can securely and tightly hold the bowl in place when spinning. Look for a solid base on your spinner that doesn’t allow tipping over when spinning the greens.
So think also at the capacity of the spinner so that you may spin as many veggies as you want to serve.
How to use the salad spinner
If you have decided, you need to buy a salad spinner it means you already know that leafy vegetables are nutritional power horses as they are a great source of chlorophyll and fiber. This is important to alkalinize blood and keep your colon healthy and you should have at least half a cup of greens every day. You want to avoid the serious health problems and the salad spinner might help you with this.
First of all, you should chop/slice/tear the leafy veggies before you place them in the salad spinner. Place your green inside the spinner’s strainer basket and never over-pack the basket.
Run some clean water over the greens inside the strainer basket and be sure they all have been washed very well. Put back the strainer basket in the spinner and always sure to have the lid put on.
A complete removal of excess water and moisture from your greens should take around 25-20 seconds. Put the green into a salad bowl and continue with the preparation of your salad.
You may store the washed salad greens in the strainer or you may also put it in your refrigerator, or also keep it for no more than 36 hours.
Some useful tips
Even though the salad spinner might seem like a big investment for some, think ahead and see the long run.
A good salad spinner saves you time and gives you the best ingredients for a crunchy, crisp salad- something you wouldn’t be able to get with regular paper towels and extra minutes.
Top 5 Salad Spinner Reviews
When you want an easy to use salad spinner, a great option is the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner. It isn’t just the easy use that gets us, but also the one-handed operation and several other good things. Here are our pros:
- The spinner is easy to operate with one hand
- The OXO Good Grip features a patented pump mechanism and brake button
- The spinner has soft, non-slip knob locks down for storage
- The non-slip ring and wide base keep bowl steady
- The bowl is clear and elegant and great to serve
- You may use the basket as a colander also
- The lid is clear and flat and not only you can see inside the spinner, but it’s also easy to store the lid when not in use
- The lid gets easily dissembled for easier cleaning
- The lid and all parts are dish washable safe (top-rack)
- All parts are BPA free so they are safe to use by the entire family
- The spinner has a versatile design
- The brake mechanism is efficient
- Some use the salad spinner also for mushrooms
- The spinner is made of stainless steel
- The clear plastic of the bowl makes it easy to see when water is removed from produce
- The push button is large and easy to use
- The OXO Good Grip is small enough for an easy storage
- The Oxo Good Grip is lightweight and quiet
When it comes to the cons, there are some to mention:
- The base is made of solid plastic that doesn’t give a long lasting feeling
- The spinner has no texture on it so it’s difficult to hold it in place when you have wet hands
All in all, the OXO Good Grip comes with many good things and there’s has to be something to it if it’s one of the most popular spinners out there.
For those of you who are looking for an efficient salad spinner for two, the Progressive International Mini Ratchet Salad Spinner stands out with its efficiency and versatility. Here are the pros as we see them:
- The Mini Ratchet salad spinner comes also with a separate bowl and basket
- You only need to pull the ratchet for a quick and easy drying of your greens
- The braking mechanism stops the spinning motion right the way
- The Mini Ratchet is easy to use and to clean
- You may easily clean the spinner in your dishwasher
- The spinner is well designed
- The Mini Ratchet has a solid construction
- It spins very well
- The colander is also a nice addition
- The see-through design is not only nice, but also efficient
- The inner piece detaches easily for more thoroughly cleaning
- The lever on the lid is a nice feature
On the other hand, there are some small issues related to the spinner so here’s the list of cons:
- Some say you need to hold it in place when using it
- The durability of the spinner is a bit questionable
In the end, we are pretty pleased with the efficiency of the Mini Ratchet Salad Spinner and still see it as a good choice for the smaller parties.
When we need to talk about the next salad spinner, we want to restrain ourselves and not praise it too much, even though it’s challenging. The Zyliss Easy Spin Salad Spinner is not only easy to use and reliable, but it also gives you dry and nice leafy greens for quite some time. Here are our pros:
- The salad spinner has a retractable, easy to pull cord
- There is the innovative glide wheel motion on the spinner
- The stop/brake button has quick braking action
- The salad spinner helps you have fresher greens for longer time
- The lid is clear so it’s easy to see when greens are done
- The bowl is also clear and you may use it for serving
- The spinner has a non-slip base for stability when using
- The top is pretty flat so it’s not only easy to store, but also useful for placing other items on it in the refrigerator
- The spinner runs smoothly and is rather quiet
- The basket is smooth on the inside so it doesn’t ruin your vegetables
- The spinner has a solid build
- The cord pulls itself back
- The handle sits on its own pocket for an easier cleaning
- The spinner is well designed
Even though the cons are not deal breakers, we still mention them for a clearer image on the spinner:
- The pull mechanism is not long lasting
- The top of the spinner has a bulky feeling, even though is sturdy and efficient
- Some find it a bit awkward to hold the spinner when using it
But, as it is reliable and efficient for your greens, the Zyliss Salad Spinner makes a good choice any time.
If you’re not only looking for a good large capacity salad spinner, the Chef-Master Commercial 2-1/2-Gallon Salad Dryer is a good option to consider. Here are the pros to consider:
- The salad spinner is a commercial 2 ½ gallon salad dryer
- The salad spinner has a brake for safer use
- The Chef Master salad dryer is easy to use and it’s ready to take the heavy use
- The salad dryer has ETS certification, meaning it has been tested and accomplishes the quality standards for use
- The built-in drain hose so you may easily direct the water to the nearest drainage is efficient and well placed
- The spinning is good
- The salad dryer comes with brake to stop spinning
- The salad dryer is long lasting
- You may dry up to 3 heads of lettuce at a time
- You may use the Chef-Master dryer for commercial use, in case you’re short on space
As for the cons, there are few to mention:
- The salad dryer is a bit narrow
- There isn’t the best stability for the dryer
But, despite the cons, the Chef-Master Salad Dryer is a great buy for the commercial use.
If you are really into sleek looking kitchen accessories, then the Rösle Salad Spinner is the right choice for you as a salad spinner. Here are our pros:
- The Rösle salad spinner consists of genuine Rösle bowl with a lid, a basket insert and a turn table
- The crank mechanism has a transfer rate of 4:1 that guarantees the best results every time
- The high gear ration spins the inner bowl with maximum efficiency
- The brake function stops the inner bowl for easy retrieval
- The crank mechanism sits off to the side inside the lid so that you may easily hold the bowl with one hand
- You may operate both easily, without any big force
- The bowl is made of stainless steel which means durability and ability for the heavy use
- You may also use the bowl as a mixing bowl or for serving salads
- The lid is made of unbreakable glass
- The basket is made of BPA-free polycarbonate
- The Rösle Salad Spinner has a nice, sleek and elegant design
- The spinner has a good, strong build
- It’s easy to disassemble the bowl for cleaning
- The parts are dishwasher safe
- The spinner is very practical and functional
- The spinner is lightweight
- You get a 5-year warranty for the spinner
Along with the pros, come the cons. They aren’t many but we still need to mention them:
- You need to protect the basket and only hand wash it
- Some complain about the spinner being too small for their needs
- Some consider the salad spinner to be a bit pricey
But, for the elegant look and the high performances, the Rösle Salad Spinner is a good investment of your money.
Best Big/Extra Large Salad Spinner
The Brieftons Salad Spinner is not only giving you a 7.3 Quart capacity, but it’s also efficient and has some great features. Here are our pros:
- The easy pump mechanism works great
- The pump-style design makes the spinner easy to use by everybody
- There’s no need for hand strength or fine motor skills to operate the spinner
- The pump handle has an ergonomic design
- The spinner runs smooth, fast and quiet
- The spinner has a low center of gravity which gives it stability when in use
- The rubber feet also help with the stability
- The spinner is easy to store
- There is a heavy duty build on the spinner
- The spinner is made of food-safe, BPA-free, ABS plastic for safer and durable use
- The handle may be locked down for an easier storage
- The lid may be also turned upside down so the spinner doesn’t take much space for storing
- The spinner comes with a useful user manual
- You may also use the bowl for serving
- You don’t need to assemble the salad spinner when it gets to you
- The removable components are easy to hand wash
- You also get a Briefton Spiral Slicer Recipe eBook and the Brieftons Guide to Summer Salad Recipes eBook
As for the parts we like less, here they are:
- Some consider the spinner not to have a long lasting feel
- Some wished the spinner worked faster than it is at the moment
But, for your big parties with family and friends, the Briefton Salad Spinner sure makes a good choice any given day.
Best Durable Salad Spinner
If it’s one thing we know for sure from The Smithy Stainless Steel Salad Spinner is that it’s supposed to last forever and to take the heavy use in your kitchen. Aside from the durability, the Smithy Stainless Steel Salad spinner comes with more good things so here are our pros:
- The bowl is made of highest grade, Deluxe stainless steel which means durability more than anything
- The Silicone non-skid base gives a durability feeling
- You may use the stainless bowl as a serving dish just as well
- The spinner comes with a sealed storage lid to store the freshly dries greens
- The internal drying basket may be used as a removable colander
- The pull mechanism drying system gives a very fast spin
- The pull cord is efficient
- The salad spinner has a solid built
- The design on the spinner is very well thought out
- The Smithy spinner looks elegant and nice
- The plastic components are BPA free plastic
- The spinner is easy to use and easy to clean
- The spinner has over 5 Quartz capacity
- The parts are top-rack dishwasher safe
- The spinner comes with instructions
- The Smithy spinner comes with 100% Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
There are some minor issues that count as cons so here they are:
- The string doesn’t rewind all the time
- The medal cover for the spinning and plastic cover are useful for storing, but you need to store them separately
But, when you only want to invest once for a salad spinner, the Smithy Stainless Steel salad spinner is a good option.
Best Electric Salad Spinner
For the easiest dry of your greens, you can get some help from an electric salad spinner. The Bella 1995 One Touch Battery Operated Salad Spinner is not only efficient, but also a great choice for those suffering from arthritis. Here are the pros:
- The spinner is easy to use
- The Bella 1995 easily removes excess water from your greens
- The spinner is battery operated so you don’t have to pull, push or tug, you simply press a button
- There is only one button to start and stop the spinning
- The batteries are easy to replace
- The spinner uses 4AA batteries
- The spinner has a 4Quart capacity
- You may use the bowl as a serving bowl also
- The spinner may be used also for berries, fruits or pasta
- The bowl and basket are top rack dishwasher safe
- The Bella 1995 is a great choice for people with limited arm strength
- The spinner is very well made and it’s reliable
When it comes to the cons, we can only think of two:
- Some consider the spinner not to give greens entirely dried up
- You do need to buy batteries from time to time
But, for the money you pay and the effort you save, the Bella 1995 is a great electric salad spinner.
Best BPA Free Salad Spinner
What’s great about the next salad spinner is not only that it takes good care of your health as it’s BPA free, but it also comes with a pretty big bowl, which makes it great for the big parties. The Salad Spinner with Large 5.0 Quart Bowl from Indy Chef comes with many things so here are the pros:
- The salad spinner is easy to use and easy to clean
- The salad spinner is made of high quality BPA-free plastics
- The spinner not only washes your greens, but it also helps remove the pesticide, insecticides and herbicides from lettuce or vegetables
- The salad spinner has a 5.0-quart capacity
- The non-slip strip on the bottom doesn’t let the spinner move around while in use
- The manual brake button instantly stops the spin cycle when the greens are thoroughly drained
- The spinner comes with a storage lid and a lettuce knife
- The knife cuts well your lettuce
- The bowl is see-through which makes it useful for serving also
- The salad spinner gets to you nicely, colored packaged
- The salad spinner is lightweight
- The spin is just right
- The base is sturdy
- The design on the salad spinner is smart
- You get a 12-month warranty
- The salad spinner, storage lid and lettuce knife are top rack dishwasher safe
As for the cons, there are few to mention:
- Even though it’s supposed to be dishwasher safe, some advises hand washing the spinner
- The bottom of the lid is kind of wobbly
But, despite all of this, the salad spinner by Indy Chef is still a great kitchen tool, BPA-free, anytime
Best Small/Mini Salad Spinner
For the small parties of two, the Oxo Mini Salad Spinner stands out not only because its small capacity, but also because of its efficiency. Here are the pros on it:
- The salad spinner has 10 cup capacity
- The Oxo Mini is the small version of the popular Oxo Good Grips Salad Spinner
- The spinner is easy to operate with just one hand
- The patented pump mechanism is efficient for drying your greens
- The brake button is useful
- The soft, non-slip knob locks down for an easier storage
- The non-slip ring keeps the bowl steady on the countertop
- You may use the basket and bowl for any other kitchen duties
- The spinner is top-rack dishwasher safe
- The spinner is easy to use and to clean by hand also
- The spinner has a small foot print so it doesn’t take much space on the countertop
- The Oxo Mini is well constructed
- There is a compact design on the spinner
Even though they are not deal breakers, the cons are still worth to mention:
- Some mention the lid doesn’t remain tight
- Some say the Oxo Mini is…too small
But, if you are looking for salad spinner for a one-person salad or two, the Oxo Mini makes the cut.
Best Oxo Salad Spinner
If you try to pick the best Oxo salad spinner, it’s a bit challenging as most of the models are quite popular, efficient and reliable. We settle this time with the OXO SoftWorks Salad Spinner that is both efficient and popular at the same time. Still, there are other good things related to it so here our pros:
- The salad spinner is easy to operate with only one hand
- It’s rather easy to control the spinner
- The knob is easy to manipulate also
- The know locks down for easier storage
- The salad spinner has a small foot print so it doesn’t take much space on your counter
- The Oxo Soft work is not that large so it’s also easy to store
- It’s easy to use and to clean the spinner
- The non-slip ring on bottom is useful
- You may use the bowl for serving
- You may also use the strainer basket for something else
- The spinner is dishwasher safe
- The spinner is efficient and dries your green just enough to get the crunchy, tasty greens
- The salad spinner is pretty long lasting
- The spinner has a rigid plastic construction
- The flat top makes the spinner easier to store
Along with the good parts, come the not so good ones so here are cons:
- Some expected a larger spinner as the Oxo Softworks is best for 2
- Some consider the spinner to be a bit overpriced for the materials used on it
All in all, the Oxo Softworks is still one of the best Oxo models for salad spinner.
Best Salad Spinner For The Money (Best Value)
When it comes to getting a good salad spinner for the money, it’s not that impossible to find one that, along with the low price, brings also good things. It’s the case of Culina Space Saving Salad Spinner, 5-Quart that is able to give you fresh, crispy and crunchy greens after each use. Here are our pros:
- The Culina Space salad spinner has a robust build and it’s made of god quality materials
- There are 3 parts in the salad spinner: a clear bowl, slotted basket/colander and tight fitted lid
- The spinner features an efficient brake button
- The salad spinner is quite big, double as large fruit bowl
- The bowl may be use also for serving
- It may get to you wrapped as a gift also
- The salad spinner has an ergonomic design
- It spins pretty fast
- The salad spinner is easy to use and to clean
- The Culina salad spinner has a non-slip grip
- The salad spinner is BPA free
As for the parts we like less, here are the cons:
- The handle doesn’t have the best design and it’s difficult to put the lid on because of the lid when storing
- The salad spinner takes some space to store as it’s quite big
All in all, for the little money you pay, you get an efficient and pretty durable salad spinner that does its job: dries your greens just enough to have a great salad.
Best Industrial Salad Spinner
Giving you a capacity of 5 Gallons, the Dynamic International SD92 Manual 5 Gallon Salad Spinner is a great acquisition for any professional kitchen. Along with the big capacity, there are other things to consider when considering the Dynamic SD92 as your big salad spinner. Here are the pros:
- Gears are made of durable plastic
- The Dynamic SD92 gives you 5 gallons (20 liters) for you to use
- You may dry up to 8 heads of lettuce with the spinner
- There is easy gear replacement for the spinner
- The spinner is easy to use and to clean
- The salad spinner is versatile and may be used not only for your greens
- The Dynamic SD92 has a durable build
- The salad spinner has a well made
- The design is well thought-out
- The spinner is ready to take the heavy duty use
- The Dynamic SD92 is reliable
- The handle is solid
- The spinner comes with 1-year warranty
There are some minor issues on the spinner, so here are the cons:
- The spinner has no brake to stop the spinning
- Some consider the spinner to be a bit pricey
All in all, the Dynamic SD92 is a great investment for any professional kitchen or big families just as well. You may also want to have a look at the 5-galon Dynamic spinner that can take up to 8 lettuce heads at a time.
