I Put 10 Fine-Mesh Strainers to the Test to Find the Best (and Finest) Ones

A fine-mesh strainer is one of those indispensable kitchen items that no other tool can fully replace; if you ever plan on making homemade broth or smooth custards, you’re going to need one. A strainer is good for plenty of other tasks, too, like sifting dry ingredients and rinsing off fruit and vegetables. But perhaps the greatest benefit of a strainer comes when you least expect it—when you find yourself with a lumpy sauce or an overcooked curd, a great strainer can make it smooth again. In essence, having a good strainer is like taking out an insurance policy on your cooking. 

A tightly woven mesh is key, but other elements make the difference between a bad strainer and a great one. I put 10 popular models to the test—sifting bran from whole wheat flour, straining seeds from strawberry sauce, and sieving lumps from thick, pudding-like pastry cream—to find the strainers that are worth your hard-earned dollars. The best ones had more than just super-fine mesh.  

The Winners, at a Glance

With an extra-deep basket and sturdy construction, this strainer lets nothing but the finest of flour granules and smoothest of sauces pass through its super-fine mesh. It produced smooth sauces and sifted out a full half-teaspoon of bran during the whole wheat flour test. It also features a rounded, ergonomic handle and super sturdy construction, and it was super easy to clean. 

This strainer produced a super smooth, seedless strawberry sauce and a lump-free pastry cream. I loved the lightweight but sturdy feel of this model, and the grippy handle was my favorite of all the strainers I tried. While this strainer sifted out slightly less bran than the Rösle, its performance still earned it a spot in the top two.  

Unlike other winning models, the body of this strainer is made from plastic, while the basket is made from a flexible, almost fabric-like stainless steel mesh. While the construction felt a bit less sturdy, this strainer still performed among the best of the group, preventing seeds and larger flakes of bran from passing through. This strainer is ideal for smaller kitchens or those with less storage space, as the flexible mesh can be pressed up inside the rim of the basket for a slimmer profile. 

From sieving small batches of sauce to straining a large pot of stock, this three-piece set offers a strainer for every occasion. Each one features super-duper fine mesh that worked especially well to sift bran out of whole wheat flour. The handles are slightly less ergonomic than other models, and the price is a bit steep,but considering it comes with three strainers, this set is a decent value for money. 

The Tests

• Whole Wheat Flour Test: I used each strainer to sift five ounces of Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat flour, measuring how much coarse bran was left behind. I measured the bran in grams and teaspoons to find out how fine each strainer’s mesh truly was. 
• Strawberry Sauce Test: I used each strainer to sieve the seeds out of a puréed strawberry sauce. I observed how smooth the sauce was after straining, noting how many seeds were left behind in the strainer, or if any slipped through the mesh into the sauce. 
• Durability Test: I firmly whacked each strainer against the rim of a plastic trash can to mimic the action of releasing debris from the basket before washing. I noted any dings, dents, or scratches, then washed each strainer at least twice, running dishwasher-safe models through the dishwasher. After washing, I noted any visible signs of wear.
• Pastry Cream Test (Winners Only): I made an overcooked, slightly curdled pastry cream and used the winning strainers to strain out the lumps of cooked egg. I observed if the pastry cream was smooth after sieving and noted if there were any bits of egg stuck behind in the strainer. 

What We Learned

A Very Fine Mesh Is Best (Up to a Point)

It’s no surprise that a finer mesh is best when it comes to a fine-mesh strainer (it’s in the name, after all). A strainer’s job is to remove all the bits– seeds, lumps, and clumps– from whatever it is that needs sieving, and a finer mesh will always do a better job. The whole wheat flour test proved to be the best method for determining how fine each strainer’s mesh actually was. All of my favorites sifted out at least an eighth of a teaspoon of bran from five ounces of flour. The winning Rösle model sifted out a solid half teaspoon of bran, while the All-Clad (another favorite) sifted out even more, nearly a teaspoon—meaning it had the finest mesh of all the winners. 

During the strawberry sauce test, all of my favorite strainers performed equally well, sieving out the seeds and leaving behind a smooth sauce. This showed me that while a fine mesh is important, after a certain point, ultra-fineness doesn’t make a huge difference for most straining applications—that is, unless you’re regularly sifting bran from whole wheat flour (most people aren’t). That said, I also tried several stainers with mesh that were simply not fine enough. Both the Farberware and the OXO Good Grips strainer sets had mesh with such large holes that even whole seeds could pass straight through. When it came time for washing, I even found seeds stuck inside the mesh. 

A Deeper, Generously-Sized Basket Makes a Difference

A strainer that’s too small simply isn’t practical for many everyday tasks, such as straining an entire batch of pastry cream or sifting a large amount of flour. Most of the strainers I tried had a diameter of between six and seven inches. The winning Rösle model was right in that range but stood out for its impressively deep basket. The depth translated to extra surface area for straining as well as increased volume, meaning you could strain more material faster. Another winner, the All-Clad strainer, was a bit shallower, but I appreciated its larger diameter (eight inches), which also made for quick, easy straining. 

A Comfortable Handle Is Key to Fuss-Free Straining

While most products benefit from a comfortable handle, it’s a particularly important feature for a fine-mesh strainer. While one hand presses material through the sieve—usually with a flexible spatula— the other hand must support the weight of the strainer. A poorly designed handle can make this task uncomfortable at best and downright painful at worst. I strongly preferred rounded handles, like those of the Rösle and OXO Good Grips models. The Farberware, on the other hand, had a handle made from a simple loop of metal; it felt unsteady in my hand and tricky to grip when full and heavy. It’s worth mentioning that the OXO strainer had my favorite handle of the bunch—not only was it rounded, but it was also made from a grippy plastic that was extra comfortable to hold. 

A Generous Bowl Hook Provides Stability

When a strainer is particularly full and/or heavy, it’s nice to be able to rest it on the edge of a mixing bowl for extra support. All the strainers I tested featured a bowl hook to make this easier, but some designs proved more effective than others. The KitchenAid and Rösle models feature large, curved bowl hooks, which allow the strainers to rest easily on the edge of the bowl without sliding around. The All-Clad strainers have a large bowl hook too, except it was flat rather than curved and didn’t feel quite as stable. The Farberware strainer set had my least favorite bowl hook design: a small, flat triangle that allowed the strainer to shift and slide during use. 

A Couple of High-Performing Strainers Didn’t Make the Winning List 

A few of the models I tried had super fine mesh, but didn’t make the winners list because of other deal-breaking issues. The Norpro strainer aced the whole wheat flour test with flying colors, sifting a whopping two teaspoons of bran from the flour. This affordable strainer featured a double layer of mesh that worked incredibly well at preventing bits from coming through. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to clean, as debris got stuck between the layers of mesh. The Williams Sonoma stainless steel strainer also impressed me, coming in second place for the whole wheat flour test, sifting out a full teaspoon of bran and producing a smooth and silky strawberry sauce—plus it had a deep, sturdy basket and a comfy handle. But after just one cycle in the dishwasher, a small patch of rust developed on the mesh, which was especially disappointing given the hefty price tag (and the fact that it’s marketed as dishwasher-safe). 

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Fine-Mesh Strainer

The best fine-mesh strainers have generously sized baskets with a fine weave. My top picks were able to catch at least an eighth of a teaspoon of bran from the whole wheat flour and didn’t let a single seed pass through while straining strawberry sauce. A comfortable handle and a wide, steady bowl hook were also key to easy, fuss-free straining. 

Our Favorite Fine-Mesh Strainers

What we liked: This strainer has it all: a sturdy, super-fine mesh; a comfy, rounded handle; and a large bowl hook for added stability. It was also one of the deepest strainers I tried, which provided extra capacity and surface area for quicker straining. During the whole wheat flour test, this strainer sifted out half a teaspoon of bran. It also produced perfectly smooth strawberry sauce and pastry cream. It’s super durable, with no visible wear, dents, or scratches even after being whacked against the edge of a trash can. This strainer stayed shiny even after several cycles in the dishwasher, and the mesh retained its round form. 

What we didn’t like: This strainer is one of the priciest of all the models I tested, but considering it has been a favorite among Serious Eats editors for years, I think it’s a worthy investment. It also didn’t sift out quite as much bran as the All-Clad strainer (another favorite), but thanks to its sturdy construction and superior handle design, the Rösle still came out on top.  

Key Specs

• Basket diameter (not including rim): 6.5 inches
• Basket depth: 3.5 inches
• Handle length: 8 inches
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

What we liked: With a grippy handle, sturdy mesh basket, and wallet-friendly price tag, this strainer was among the best I tried. It sifted out a very respectable quarter teaspoon of bran and produced a smooth, seed-free strawberry sauce. The basket isn’t quite as deep as the Rösle’s, but it is about a half-inch wider in diameter, so it has a similarly roomy capacity. I loved the lightweight but sturdy feel of this model, and I loved the price even more. 

What we didn’t like: The mesh is slightly less fine than the Rösle and All-Clad models, but unless you’re actually looking to separate the bran from whole wheat flour, this strainer should be more than sufficient for all your straining needs.

Key Specs

• Basket diameter (not including rim): 7 inches
• Basket depth: 3 inches
• Handle length: 7 inches
• Dishwasher-safe” Yes

What we liked: Out of all the strainers I tried, this model surprised me the most. With its plastic body and soft, flexible mesh, I expected this strainer to feel flimsy—but I simply can’t argue with the results. This strainer performed among the best of them, sifting out a small but measurable portion of bran and catching every last seed from the strawberry sauce. The rounded plastic handle was easy to hold, and the curved metal bowl hook provided extra stability while straining. And while the mesh wasn’t as sturdy as that of other models, it actually stored more compactly than others; the basket can be pressed in on itself to create a slimmer profile. 

What we didn’t like: This strainer sifted out the least bran of any of my winners—just an eighth of a teaspoon—though it still performed flawlessly at straining both the strawberry sauce and pastry cream. The plastic body of the strainer also didn’t hold up as well in the dishwasher as the other winners, which were all made of mostly stainless steel. After just one cycle, the plastic lost some of its shine. 

Key Specs

• Basket diameter (not including rim): 6 inches
• Basket depth: 2.5 inches
• Handle length: 6.5 inches
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

What we liked: The mesh on these strainers is the finest of all the winners. In testing, I used the largest sifter, which was able to sift out an impressive three-quarters teaspoon of bran from the whole wheat flour. With an eight-inch diameter basket, this strainer was also the largest one I tried, and I appreciated the extra surface area, especially when straining extra-thick pastry cream. Plus, with three sizes to choose from, this set offers a strainer for any occasion, whether you’re straining a big batch of curd or sifting powdered sugar over a stack of French toast. 

What we didn’t like: While the handles of these strainers were undeniably sturdy, they weren’t round and smooth like those featured on other winning models. In short, these strainers were just not as comfortable to hold, especially when full. The set is also on the expensive side. That said, considering the set includes three very sturdy, super-fine mesh strainers, these may be the only strainers you ever need to buy. 

Key Specs

• Basket diameter (not including rim): 8 inches
• Basket depth: 3 inches
• Handle length: 8.25 inches
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

The Competition

• Williams Sonoma Stainless-Steel Strainer: This strainer nearly made the winner’s list, sifting out a full teaspoon of bran from the whole wheat flour and producing a velvety smooth strawberry sauce. It even had a super comfy handle. Sadly, after just one cycle in the dishwasher, a very small patch of rust developed in the mesh. While this may have been a fluke, I would expect more durability for the nearly $65 price tag. 
• Norpro, 8" KRONA Stainless Steel Double Mesh Strainer: If I picked my winners based on the fineness of the mesh alone, this strainer would easily have taken first place. It features a double layer of mesh that sifted two entire teaspoons of bran from the whole wheat flour. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to clean, as debris got stuck between the layers of mesh. Plus, this was the only strainer I tried that wasn’t dishwasher-safe. 
• Kuchenprofi Heavy Duty Fine Mesh Classic Strainer - 8-Inch: This strainer caught a bit less than an eighth of a teaspoon of bran and did well at straining the seeds from the strawberry sauce. That said, the strainer let some small bits of fruit pulp through its mesh, making for a strawberry sauce that wasn’t perfectly smooth. I also didn’t love the looped handle, which felt unsteady in my hand. 
• Williams Sonoma Prep Tools Strainers: While they had comfy handles and nice, deep baskets, the mesh on these nesting strainers wasn’t all that fine. I focused my testing on the largest strainer, which didn’t catch any bran at all and produced a strawberry sauce that contained both seeds and small lumps of fruit. 
• OXO Good Grips 3 Piece Strainer Set: This set of three strainers also had comfy handles and deep baskets, but again, the holes of the mesh were just too big. When I tested the largest strainer in this set, nearly all the bran passed through freely, as well as a good number of seeds from the strawberry sauce.
• Farberware Professional Set of 3 Strainers: I tested the largest strainer in this set and found the looped handle was a bit flimsy and uncomfortable to hold. The flat, triangular bowl hook didn’t provide much stability at all, and the strainer had a tendency to slide around during the straining. The mesh itself was also not fine enough—it caught only the very largest flakes of bran and allowed many strawberry seeds to pass through. 
• Winco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh: This model featured two hooks that allowed it to sit securely on top of a bowl during straining, but the mesh wasn’t fine enough to catch nearly any bran. We also wouldn’t recommend running this strainer through the dishwasher because of its wooden handle (though the manufacturer does say that it’s dishwasher safe). 
• Cuisinart Set of 3 Fine Mesh Strainers: Overall, this set felt a bit flimsy with mesh that dented easily and looped handles that weren’t very comfortable to hold (similar to the Farberware set). I focused my testing on the largest strainer, which caught very little bran and produced a lumpy, seedy strawberry sauce. I also found that the small, triangular bowl hook allowed the strainer to shift around during use.

FAQs

What is a fine-mesh strainer used for?

Fine-mesh strainers are mainly used to strain liquids, including broths, sauces, custards, and curds. They also work great for sifting dry ingredients, rinsing fresh produce in place of a colander, or straining a small amount of pasta. 

What is the best handle for a fine mesh strainer?

The best handle for a fine-mesh strainer is a comfortable one. I had a strong preference for handles that were rounded and smooth, which were easier to hold. This was especially important when handling a strainer that was full of sauce or other material (like flour) and therefore significantly heavier. 

What is the difference between a fine-mesh strainer, sieve, and colander?

A fine-mesh strainer is made for straining liquids or sifting dry ingredients, but they’re also sometimes used for rinsing small amounts of fresh produce. They generally come with a long handle attached to one side and a bowl hook on the other. Fine-mesh strainers are often referred to as sieves, and the term is fairly interchangeable. There are other types of sieves, though, like sifters, drum sieves (also made specifically for sifting dry ingredients), and chinoises, which are conical sieves with a very, very fine mesh, meant for producing flawlessly smooth results. A colander, on the other hand, has much larger holes and is made expressly for draining—think pasta water or blanched vegetables—and is also commonly used for rinsing fresh produce. Colanders tend to have a raised base, allowing them to stand freely during use, as well as small handles on either side. 

Is there such a thing as too fine a strainer?

This is a tricky question. In short, the answer is no. While a very fine mesh can slow down the sifting or straining process, finer is generally better when it comes to strainers. That said, my winners featured a spectrum of fine mesh—some a bit finer than others—and they all produced nearly identical results during the strawberry sauce and pastry cream tests. So, unless you’re regularly sifting bran from whole wheat flour, any of the winning models is a great choice. If you’re ever in need of a super, duper, extra smooth sauce or curd, try a chinois, a conical strainer featuring an extremely fine mesh. 

What can I use instead of a fine-mesh strainer?

This depends on the type of task. If you’re looking to strain a liquid, such as a broth or stock, your best bet would be to line a colander with a thin layer of cheesecloth. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for thicker sauces, custards, or curds; for those, a fine-mesh strainer really is necessary. If you’re looking to sift dry ingredients like flour, powdered sugar, or cocoa powder, try a designated sifter. For rinsing and/or draining tasks, a colander works even better than a strainer. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Zola Gregory is a writer and recipe developer for Serious Eats.
• Zola has been cooking professionally since 2016. Before beginning her career in food media, she worked as a pastry chef, baker, and cooking instructor. 
• For this review, Zola tested 10 popular fine-mesh strainers, using each one to sift the bran from whole wheat flour and strain the seeds from a fresh strawberry sauce. She also tested the strainers for durability by whacking each one against the rim of a plastic trash can 10 times and running dishwasher-safe models through the dishwasher at least twice. Finally, she used the winning models to strain a thick, lumpy pastry cream and noted each strainer’s ability to catch tiny pieces of overcooked egg. 
• We first reviewed fine-mesh strainers in 2021, and our winner then, from Rösle, has remained our top choice after our most recent tests.
• We kept the competition from our previous tests in this review.