Skip to content

Bellemain Stainless Steel 18/8 High Quality Metal Colander

By Bellemain · Kitchen Utensils · Kitchen & Cooking

  • Set of 2 (5 Qt + 3 Qt)
  • 18/8 stainless steel
  • Micro-perforated holes
  • Riveted handles
  • Dishwasher safe

Price not listed

Stores are listed in a fixed order, never by price or commission. Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A pair of micro-perforated 18/8 stainless steel strainers, 5 Qt and 3 Qt, with riveted handles and a solid ring base. Check the holes if you cook small grains: rice can still slip through, and only the 5 Qt has been independently tested.

Strengths

  • ATK found it drained fast and its tall base lifted it clear of sink water.
  • Survived ATK’s three drop tests and ten wash cycles without denting.
  • Micro-perforations hold rice and other small grains.
  • Owners describe the riveted handles as secure.
  • Dishwasher safe, so cleanup is easy.

Weaknesses

  • Very small grains can still slip through the perforations.
  • The holes need occasional rinsing to clear stuck particles.
  • Only the 5 Qt was tested; the 3-Qt performance is unconfirmed.
  • Riveted rather than welded handles, the one difference ATK noted from its recommended model.
  • No warranty, parts or repair program is published.

Verified specifications

Settwo colanders, 5 Qt and 3 Qt.
Material18/8 stainless steel (18% chromium, 8% nickel), named on the product.
Perforationsmicro-perforated holes, described as small enough for rice, quinoa and orzo.
Handlesriveted.
Basesolid ring, not feet.
Dimensions5-Qt base height 1 1/8 in; bowl height 4 1/4 in (America’s Test Kitchen measurement).
Dishwasher safeyes.
Not publishedthe 3-Qt dimensions and the weight of either size.
Full research notes and sources

Independent testing

It survived three drops from counter height and ten wash cycles, five by hand and five in a dishwasher. ATK rated it “Recommended with Reservations”, one tier below its recommended model, and called the riveted handles the only noticeable difference from that model.

Good Housekeeping and Wirecutter tested colanders and did not name Bellemain, and Wirecutter’s pick is the Tramontina Gourmet set. No instrumented test covers the 3-Qt size.

Draining, grains and daily upkeep

The design leans on many tiny, evenly spread holes; ATK noted they drained quickly and the tall base kept the bowl above standing water. The recurring owner complaint is the flip side of that: grains as small as rice can still pass through, and the perforations collect bits that need a rinse. ATK suggests handwashing in hot soapy water with a sponge to clean the holes and stretch the life of the bowl, even though the set is dishwasher safe. There are no moving parts and nothing to repair; if a bowl is lost or dented, it is replaced, and Bellemain publishes no parts or warranty coverage.

Is it worth it?

Bellemain’s own site lists the 3 & 5 Qt set at $47.99 and the 5-Qt single at $38.99 (Bellemain, 2026). ATK’s test write-up listed the 5-Qt at a $39 list price in October 2025. Above $60 the case weakens, and the tested alternatives are the RSVP International that ATK recommends and the Tramontina set that Wirecutter recommends.

Which model this is

This page covers the Bellemain Stainless Steel 18/8 High Quality Metal Colander set of two, 5 Qt and 3 Qt. The US listing is ASIN B0BYFZGZ56.

Do not confuse it with the earlier 5-Qt-only Bellemain colander, whose listing is ASIN B00O97D0DO, or with other Bellemain colander bundles that use different size combinations.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Related products