When Ina Garten says she likes something, we listen — especially when it comes to cooking tools. (Mike Smith/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)(Mike Smith/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Picture this: You've cooked a big pot of pasta, and now it's time to drain the water out. Do you lift the heavy pot and try to pour the pasta into a colander without burning yourself, or use a slotted spoon to transfer two noodles at a time into the sauce? If you're Ina Garten, the answer is probably neither, since she's a fan of spiders. Wait, not that kind! The ones designed for kitchen use, like this highly rated Chirano Stainless Steel Spider.
As a kitchen product tester, I love using these unassuming tools, too. Not only do they make straining much less stressful than handling a heavy pot filled with boiling water, they can also hold more food than a slotted spoon, while allowing more water to drain out. For just nine bucks at Amazon, it's a no-brainer.
At this price, snag a few so you're able to compare the temps of different parts of your oven.
Deep-frying just got a whole lot less scary, thanks to this long-handled scooper.
Resembling a metal web, the Chirano Stainless Steel Spider is heat-resistant for handling hot foods like a champ. In a Food Network story featuring Ina's favorite kitchen tools, it was noted that she uses a spider for taking "gnocchi, noodles or broccoli out of boiling water." I, too, use it for transferring vegetables and pasta, but it also comes in handy when I make doughnuts or anything deep-fried.
Its many small openings allow water, oil and other liquids to drain off more efficiently than using spoons, and thanks to its 13-inch handle, you won't have to worry about your hand getting too close to anything hot. Seeing as I have very little upper body strength, I find that I have much more control when using this tool as opposed to precariously pouring water out of a large pasta pot — that's a recipe for potential burns or accidentally letting all of your food spill out!
The Chirano Stainless Steel Spider has scored perfect ratings from over 1,700 Amazon reviewers — not too shabby!
"Needed a small strainer that allows me to remove food from either hot water or oil," explained one happy home cook. "As someone who has mobility issues at times, that strainer is easier for me to use than a colander."
"Sturdy metal construction, the rings are sturdy enough to stand up to firm scrubbing, making this one easier to clean than others," shared another satisfied shopper. "The handles stay cool when using it in boiling liquid."
"Gets the job done," wrote a final fan. "Slightly lightweight. If [there's] too much on it, it will bend. Works great for fries and the like."
Another tool Ina keeps in her kitchen? This highly rated oven thermometer.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
