Prep Tools

Salad Spinner

Spins washed greens bone-dry so dressing clings

A basket inside a bowl that spins washed greens dry through centrifugal force, so dressing clings instead of sliding off watered-down leaves. It doubles for drying herbs and rinsing berries. Dry greens also keep longer in the fridge.

A salad spinner is a basket inside a bowl that flings washed greens dry by centrifugal force, so dressing clings to the leaves instead of sliding off watered-down ones. It doubles for drying herbs and rinsing berries, and dry greens also keep noticeably longer in the fridge. It's bulky to store but does a job nothing else does as well.

Types & varieties

Pump / push-button spinner

Press the top to spin; one-handed and easy, with a brake button to stop fast.

Crank spinner

A hand-turned handle drives the basket; durable and powerful.

Pull-cord spinner

Yank a retracting cord to spin; fewer parts but harder on the wrist over time.

Wash, spin, store

Fill the bowl with cold water, swish the greens to loosen grit (which sinks), lift the basket out, dump the dirty water, and spin. Drier greens take dressing better and last longer — store the washed, spun leaves loosely with a paper towel in the basket or a container and they'll stay crisp for days.

Swish greens in cold water so grit sinks to the bottom
Lift the basket out before pouring off the dirty water
Spin in batches — don't overfill
Store spun greens with a paper towel to stay crisp

Common uses

Drying washed lettuce and salad greensRinsing and drying fresh herbsWashing berries and small produce gentlyPrepping greens to store crisp for the weekDraining blanched and rinsed vegetables

Tips & pitfalls

Wash, then spin in batches — an overstuffed basket won't dry well.
Use the spinner bowl as the washing basin: swish greens, lift the basket, pour off the grit.
Dry greens before dressing — wet leaves dilute and repel the dressing.
Spin delicate herbs gently and store them lightly damp wrapped in a towel.
Spun, towel-lined greens keep crisp in the fridge for several days.