3 Easy Steps on How to Use Salad Spinner

Have you ever experienced biting into a sandwich with soggy lettuce? Well, if you did, you'll definitely want to experience the incredible difference a salad spinner can make! This handy kitchen tool uses centrifugal force to spin water away from your salad greens, leaving them crisp and ready to eat. A basket that holds the greens and a bowl to catch the excess water are essential to keep your salads fresh and delicious without needing paper towels!

So, if you're always in a rush, a salad spinner is perfect for getting rid of any excess water in your lettuce greens quickly and efficiently. Whether preparing a quick meal or planning your free day of serious eats, mastering a salad spinner will ensure your leafy greens are perfectly dry and ready for a refreshing salad. So, here's how to use salad spinners and how you can maximize using them!

What is a Salad Spinner?

A salad spinner, or a salad tosser, is a handy tool for removing any excess liquid or water from your salad greens, lettuce leaves, or other leafy vegetables. It is a clever kitchen tool created for someone, like most of us, who dislikes washing greens by hand.

Typically, it consists of an outer bowl and an interior detachable colander or strainer basket. A cover around the outer bowl includes a spinning mechanism that, when activated, forces the inside strainer to whirl quickly. The water is then propelled through the holes in the basket to the outer bowl.

Why Should I Use a Salad Spinner? 

You might think salad spinners are a silly purchase at first. But trust me, your lettuce salad will never taste the same once you use one! Investing in a salad dryer is an excellent way to encourage more frequent consumption of leafy greens in your diet. Using a salad spinner, you can quickly remove excess water after rinsing your salad greens in cold water, leaving them perfectly dry and ready to be dressed. Plus, it's far more efficient than using a paper towel to pat down each leaf. 

Also, salad spinners might be a lifesaver when you frequently cook for big gatherings. With its large strainer basket and good grips, you can easily prepare enough salad greens to fill a serving bowl without taking up too much storage space in your kitchen. It's truly a must-have kitchen tool for any salad lover! 

Even your food will taste better after using a salad spinner. The absence of extra water makes it easier for dressings and sauces to cover the salad uniformly and efficiently, enhancing the flavor profile. No more watered-down vinaigrettes—now, you can enjoy the best salad every time, thanks to your trusty salad spinner!

How to Use Salad Spinner in 3 Easy Steps?

Step 1: Prep and Place Greens

If you aren't going to eat all of the greens right away, chop them into bite-sized pieces anyway. Saving time and making meal prep easier is possible when you clean a larger batch at once. Toss the chopped greens into the salad spinner's basket. Work in batches to avoid the basket becoming too crowded if you must.

Step 2: Submerge and Soak

Simply submerge the greens in cold water by filling the salad spinner bowl to the brim. Throw in a few ice cubes to the water for an added crunch. This way, the greens retain their freshness and crunchiness. Soak the greens for approximately five minutes. The trash and grime will sink to the bottom of the bowl during this soaking time, facilitating a complete rinsing.

Step 3: Spin and Store

Once the soaking is complete, carefully take the basket out of the basin and pour off the used water. Once the bowl is clean and empty, set the basket back into it. To drain the greens, put the spinner cover on and onto the most exciting part- spin the greens rapidly!

You have two options for what to do with the dried greens: throw them in a salad right now or put them in the fridge for later. If done right, dried greens can retain their freshness for two or three days, giving you plenty of time to whip together easy weeknight dinners. This highly recommended Leak Proof Salad Container can store your salad for up to a week.

Our Expert Tips: Spin Your Way to Salad Perfection

What Salad Spinner to Buy?

You should really get a salad now that you know how to use it.

With that, I recommend Zulay Kitchen's Salad Spinner, which has a 5L Capacity and is very easy to use. A few turns of the crank-style handle on this big salad spinner will set it spinning at full speed. This tool serves multiple purposes in the kitchen. You can use the see-through plastic bowl for mixing or as a big serving dish.

And since it disassembles so easily, this lettuce spinner is a breeze to clean and put away. Just pour in some hot, soapy water, give it a good spin in both directions, pour out the water, give it a quick rinse, and pat it dry with a dish towel. To top it all off, it can be cleaned thoroughly in the top rack of the dishwasher.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Salad Spinner

Price

A salad spinner's cost is an important consideration. You can find more affordable models, but if you're looking for a spinner with extra features or better durability, you should spend a little more. Determine if the extra features are worth the higher price by considering how frequently you'll use them.

Ease of Use

Keep things simple. Choose a salad spinner with a simple design and an easy-to-follow spinning mechanism. You can find models with a crank or a handle; choose the one that you find most natural and comfortable to use. You probably don't want to fight it whenever you want some fresh lettuce!

Quality

Choose a salad spinner crafted from durable materials such as stainless steel or high-quality plastic. If you want a spinner to drain excess water, invest in a sturdy construction for optimal performance and longevity. Before buying, read some reviews and look at the product rating to ensure it's dependable.

Cleanup Process

How easy it is to clean is crucial. For easy cleanup, find a salad spinner with dishwasher-safe removable parts. It will be much easier to clean and maintain a spinner that has a straightforward design with few notches.

The Salad Spinner: More Than Just a Greens Spinner

Washing lettuce isn't the only use for a salad spinner. This multipurpose kitchen gadget has many clever uses:

• Drying herbs: Use the salad spinner to wring out any excess moisture from freshly washed herbs, such as parsley or basil, before drying them. With its spinning mechanism, you guarantee your herbs stay fresh for longer, making them great for cooking or as a garnish.

• Draining pasta: Make sure the pasta is completely drained before adding sauce by spinning it to remove any excess water. In addition to saving time, this method helps you spin dry your pasta, ensuring it doesn't become soggy.

• Cleaning small vegetables: You can also clean some vegetables like radishes or cherry tomatoes in the salad spinner bowl. This approach efficiently rinses and dries small vegetables, saving you time and effort during prep. It's a great way to ensure clean greens and dry salad ingredients.

• Washing berries: You can gently wash berries like blueberries or strawberries in the spinner bowl, then spin dry them off using the spinning mechanism. This clean salad method is a simple and fast way to prepare fruit for eating or use in recipes, and it ensures your favorite salad toppings are clean and dry.

Zulay's Final Thoughts: Let's get Spinning!

Having perfectly crisp and delicious greens every time is as easy as following these 3 easy steps to use a salad spinner. Gone are the days of slaving over a sink full of dirty greens or the days of limp salads.

And the best part is that when you wash a lot of greens at once, it's not much more work than washing just enough greens for a small salad. This means you can make a salad quickly by taking the cleaned greens out of the fridge a day or two later. If you clean your greens this way, you'll be more likely to eat healthier salads and greens.

In short, you'll realize that you'll have more time, you're eating better salads, and you're actually living a healthier lifestyle!

FAQs About Using Salad Spinner

What size salad spinner should I get?

A large salad spinner is your best bet if you often make salads for a crowd or enjoy large salads. It has the capacity to handle bigger portions, making washing lettuce and drying lettuce easy and fast. The spinner basket and bottom bowl are spacious enough to fit a lot of greens, so you won't have to spin multiple batches.

How do I use the pull cord?

The pull cord is one feature that makes the best salad spinners stand out. With a simple pull, the greens spinner gets to work, removing excess water swiftly. This swift dry action helps clean dry your lettuce in no time. It's designed for easy use, so even if you're new to salad spinners, this spinner will become your go-to kitchen gadget in no time.

Can I use a salad spinner for more than just salad greens?

Absolutely! You can use a large salad spinner for more than just drying lettuce. It's perfect for rinsing, spinning herbs, small veggies, and even draining pasta. It helps remove water from various foods, ensuring they're clean, dry, and ready to serve. The whole thing makes prep time easier and more efficient.