The New $4.99 ALDI Kitchen Tool I Only Wish I Bought Sooner

When I was a little girl, I never imagined that I’d grow up to have a job where I get to write about my favorite kitchen tools. But here I am, living my absolute dream life, gushing about life-changing ice makers, cute mugs, and colanders. Yes, colanders!

You’ve already heard about my desert island pick, but now there is serious competition. As a fan of space-saving and multipurpose gadgets, ALDI’s $4.99 expandable colander has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen.

Since buying it, I’ve used it every day—and I only anticipate using it more and more! It’s space-saving, multifunctional, and less than a third of the price of a virtually identical colander on Amazon. I’m a fan!

Why I’m So Smitten with ALDI’s Expanding Colander

One thing that really gives me the ick is the bottom of a colander touching the kitchen sink. Despite cleaning my kitchen sink every day, there are times when I pour pasta or a can of beans into the sink, and the water or bean liquid fills up above the base of the colander, allowing the liquid to go both ways.

Even though the pressure from the outflow probably prevents this (Do any experts out there want to weigh in?), I still find it gross.

With this colander, I don’t have to worry about that at all. It fits across my sink, far above the base, allowing the liquid to flow without fear of cross-contamination. Beyond this very important point (in my book), I love it for several other practical reasons:

• It saves on space. Its collapsible design compresses down to fit into smaller spaces, making it easy to store in drawers or cabinets, especially in small kitchens with limited storage space like mine.
• It fits over most sinks. This feature allows for hands-free straining, which is particularly useful when handling hot liquids. The colander stays stable, allowing me to pour with both hands. This feels particularly important when carrying a large, heavy pot of just-cooked pasta across the kitchen. 
• It’s multifunctional. Of course, we mostly think of colanders as a way to strain foods. But I use mine to rinse fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, and to thaw foods like shrimp. I place a tray underneath to catch the melted liquid and pop it into the fridge.
• It’s well-built. The material is durable, flexible, and lightweight, making it easy to handle and great for long-term use. I’ve only had it a short time, but it also feels like the quality of the material will be resistant to staining and odors.
• It’s portable and travel-friendly. I rarely pack a colander, but when we rent a cottage or stay in a hotel room, it’s great to have on hand for quickly rinsing veggies and fruit for healthy snacks. Because this one collapses, it’ll be a lot easier to put into a bag or suitcase.
• It’s easy to clean. Sometimes, it feels like all I do is clean. So, anything that can go into the dishwasher is a winner for me. 
• It’s affordable. I’ve already mentioned the price of a comparable colander from Amazon. But, because of its multifunctionality, it could also effectively replace several other kitchen tools, saving money and space in the long run.
• It looks good. I’m an admitted sucker for things that also look good in my space. This colander’s modern, sleek design looks good even when sitting on a counter or in the dishrack. Important? No. Nice to have? Absolutely!

In this consumer-forward culture, there are a lot of unnecessarily complicated and overpriced kitchen gadgets. But ALDI’s affordable, expandable colander offers a solution. It’s simple, effective, and most importantly—it just works.