Does This $15 Gadget Actually Replace Your Bulky Colander?

Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on August 21, 2025

Hey everyone, David Miller here.

My apartment kitchen has a… let's call it intimate relationship with its own walls. It's small. So small that every single item has to fight for its right to exist. For years, my biggest enemy was a giant, stainless-steel colander. It was a behemoth. It didn’t fit in any cabinet properly, and it took up a ridiculous amount of space in the dishwasher. Every time I made pasta, I’d have this internal battle, knowing I’d have to wrestle that clumsy metal bowl out of its hiding spot. I kept thinking, "There has to be a better way." That's when I stumbled upon the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N' Strain, and I knew I had to see if this little piece of silicone could finally solve my biggest kitchen-clutter headache.

Does This $15 Gadget Actually Replace Your Bulky Colander?

My honest, hands-on Kitchen Gizmo Snap N' Strain review. I tested this silicone clip-on strainer in my tiny kitchen to see if it's a true space-saver.

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The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

Yes, for about 90% of everyday straining tasks, this thing is a legitimate game-changer. It’s a brilliant, incredibly effective, space-saving tool that has officially earned a permanent, and very small, spot in my utensil drawer.

Our Rating Breakdown

Overall Score: 9.2/10✨✨✨✨✨✨

• Design & Usability: 9/10 – The clip-on mechanism is surprisingly strong and intuitive, fitting nearly every pot I own.
• Performance: 8/10 – Excellent for pasta, potatoes, and vegetables. It does leave a tiny bit of water behind and isn't for fine grains.
• Durability & Materials: 9/10 – High-quality, heat-resistant silicone and sturdy steel clips feel built to last for years.
• Value for Money: 10/10 – For its price, the amount of convenience and saved cabinet space it provides is off the charts.

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Material: BPA-Free, Food-Grade Silicone & Stainless Steel Clips
• Heat Resistance: Up to 440°F (230°C)
• Dishwasher Safe: Yes
• Dimensions: ~ 9 x 3 x 2 inches
• Compatibility: Fits most round pots, pans, and bowls

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Snap N' Strain arrives in a simple, no-frills cardboard box—something I appreciate. No excessive plastic. The moment I picked it up, I was impressed. The silicone is thick and substantial, not flimsy like some cheap kitchen gadgets. The two clips have a serious-looking spring mechanism inside a silicone housing. I gave them a few test-squeezes, and the tension was strong. It immediately felt like a well-designed product, not a cheap gimmick you'd see on a late-night infomercial. There's no assembly; it's ready to go right out of the box.

Putting It to the Test: Real-World Performance

I wasn't going to be gentle. For this gadget to replace my trusty colander, it had to handle the core tasks of my weekly cooking routine.

Test 1: The Classic Pasta Drain. First up, a pound of spaghetti in my go-to stockpot. I clipped the Snap N' Strain onto the rim while the pasta was cooking. It grabbed on securely. The moment of truth: I carried the pot to the sink and tilted. The water streamed out perfectly through the spout, and not a single strand of spaghetti escaped. It was so much easier and safer than trying to pour a heavy pot of boiling water into a separate colander in the sink. The only tiny note is that you can't get every last drop out unless you tilt it almost vertically, but for pasta, this is a non-issue.

Test 2: The Heavy Duty Potato Test. Next, a heavy batch of boiled potatoes for mashing. This was my main durability concern. A pot full of potatoes and water is heavy. I clipped it on, held my breath, and poured. The clips didn't budge. The silicone didn't flex or buckle under the weight. It performed flawlessly.

Test 3: Draining Grease from Ground Beef. This is always an awkward task. I browned a pound of ground beef and clipped on the strainer. It worked beautifully for draining the hot grease into a can, but this is where I found a slight learning curve. You have to hold the beef back with a spoon while you pour, otherwise the smaller crumbles will try to escape with the liquid. Still, it was far superior to the "lid-slightly-ajar" method that always results in a greasy mess. Clean-up was also a breeze; the grease washed right off the silicone in the dishwasher.

What Real Users Love (The Pros)

• Incredible Space-Saver: This is its superpower. It's about a quarter of the size of a traditional colander.
  • Why this matters to you: If you live in an apartment, RV, or just have a cluttered kitchen, this reclaims an entire shelf's worth of cabinet space.
• Universal and Secure Fit: The clips are strong and flexible, allowing them to latch onto a wide variety of pot and pan thicknesses, from thin frying pans to thick Dutch ovens.
  • Why this matters to you: You don’t need to worry if it will fit your existing cookware. It almost certainly will.
• Extremely Easy to Clean: Being dishwasher safe is a huge plus. The non-stick nature of silicone means food and grease rinse right off.
  • Why this matters to you: It eliminates the annoying task of scrubbing food particles out of the little holes in a metal colander.
• Safer One-Handed Pouring: You can keep one hand on the pot's handle and the other supporting the base, making it much more stable than pouring into a separate colander.
  • Why this matters to you: Less risk of dangerous spills and steam burns when dealing with boiling water.

Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)

• Not for Fine Grains: It will not work for rinsing quinoa, rice, or orzo. The holes are too big and they'll fall right through.
  • Why this matters to you: If you frequently cook small grains, you'll still need to keep a fine-mesh sieve on hand.
• Leaves a Little Liquid Behind: As mentioned, it's hard to get the last tablespoon or two of water out of the pot.
  • Why this matters to you: For 99% of dishes, it's irrelevant. But if a recipe calls for "very dry" pasta, you might have to give it an extra shake.
• Struggles with Pots with Large Lips: On one of my pots with a very pronounced, thick pouring lip, it was a bit harder to get a super secure grip. It held, but I was more cautious.
  • Why this matters to you: Check your go-to pot. If it has a very thick, curved-out lip, you may want to double-check the fit.

Is It Built to Last? Durability and Long-Term Value

Absolutely. This is where the Snap N' Strain really shines against cheap, gimmicky alternatives. The silicone is thick, rated for high temperatures, and doesn't hold onto odors or stains. The clips, the most likely point of failure, are robustly built into the silicone body. Unlike a plastic colander that can crack if dropped or a metal one that can dent, this thing is virtually indestructible in a normal kitchen environment. For its low price, you're getting a tool that should easily last a decade, making the long-term value exceptional.

Best Alternatives (The Competition)

If the Snap N' Strain doesn't seem like the perfect fit, here are two solid alternatives:

1. A Classic Stainless Steel Colander (OXO Good Grips): The old faithful. It's unbeatable for washing large amounts of salad greens or rinsing fine grains.
2. An Over-the-Sink Expandable Colander: These are great because they are completely hands-free and sit securely over your sink.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does the Snap N' Strain fit on all pots and pans?
  It fits on the vast majority of round pots, pans, and bowls. It may struggle with pots that have a very thick, pronounced pouring lip or non-round shapes.
• Will it scratch my non-stick or ceramic pans?
  No. The clips are covered in silicone, so only soft silicone ever touches your cookware. It's completely safe for all surfaces.
• Is it really dishwasher safe?
  Yes, 100%. I've run it through my dishwasher over a dozen times on the top rack with no issues at all.
• Can you use it to drain hot grease from meat?
  Absolutely. It's one of its best use cases. Just be sure to use a spoon or spatula to hold back the meat while you pour the grease out.
• Is it difficult to clip on and take off?
  Not at all. The clips are strong but easy to open with a firm pinch. It takes about two seconds to attach or remove.
• Does the silicone get hot to the touch?
  It can get warm from the steam, but it never gets dangerously hot. You can easily touch and remove it right after straining boiling water.

Final Thoughts & Recommendation

Remember that giant metal colander, my kitchen nemesis? It's gone. It’s been officially retired to a storage box in my closet, reserved only for the rare occasion I need to wash a whole head of lettuce. The Kitchen Gizmo Snap N' Strain has taken its place for virtually all of my daily cooking tasks.

It's not just that it works—it's that it works so well while solving one of the most persistent problems for anyone with a small kitchen: clutter. It’s a simple, elegant, and durable solution.

If you have limited cabinet space, or if you simply hate the hassle of juggling a heavy pot and a separate colander, I can't recommend this enough. It is, without a doubt, one of the best fifteen bucks I have ever spent on my kitchen.

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"We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:"

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"Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one."