Prep Tools

Slotted Spoon

Pierced spoon that lifts solids and drains the liquid behind

A spoon perforated so liquid drains away as you lift out poached eggs, blanched vegetables, or dumplings. It leaves the broth or oil behind in the pot. A long handle keeps your hand clear of steam and splatter.

A slotted spoon is perforated so liquid drains away as you lift solids out of a pot — poached eggs, blanched vegetables, dumplings, gnocchi — leaving the broth or oil behind. The slots let you fish food out of hot liquid without pouring everything through a colander. A long handle keeps your hand clear of steam and splatter.

Types & varieties

Slotted spoon

Long cuts in the bowl; drains while keeping fine foods in. The everyday version.

Spider / skimmer

Wide wire mesh basket on a handle — lifts more at once from fryer or boiling water, drains faster.

Silicone slotted spoon

Nonstick-safe and heat-resistant for use in coated pots.

When to reach for it

Use a slotted spoon any time you want the solids and not the liquid — and when pouring through a colander would damage delicate items or you want to keep cooking the liquid. For larger or faster jobs (lots of fries, many dumplings), a spider lifts more at once and drains quicker.

Lifting poached eggs and dumplings without breaking them
Pulling blanched vegetables into an ice bath
Skimming foam and scum off stock
Removing aromatics or solids while keeping the sauce

Common uses

Lifting poached eggs out of the waterRemoving blanched vegetables into an ice bathScooping out dumplings, gnocchi, and ravioliDraining fried foods straight from the oilSkimming foam and impurities from stockFishing out bay leaves, garlic, or aromatics from a sauce

Tips & pitfalls

Rest lifted food against the pot rim for a second to let the last liquid drain back.
A slotted spoon is the gentlest way to move poached eggs without tearing them.
Use it to transfer blanched greens straight into an ice bath to lock in color.
Skim foam off the top of simmering stock or beans for a clearer result.
A wire spider drains far faster than a slotted spoon when you're working in batches.

Good to know

Material: Stainless steel, silicone, nylon, or wood
Why slotted: Drains liquid so you lift solids cleanly out of a pot
Care: Dishwasher-safe (metal/silicone); hand-wash wood
Price range: €6–18
Best for: Poached eggs, blanched veg, dumplings, fried foods, fishing out aromatics

Also called

draining spoon · perforated spoon