I used to think a salad spinner was a one-trick gadget that took up more counter space than it saved. Then I started cooking weeknight dinners for three in a kitchen with about two feet of free counter, and the OXO Good Grips 6.22 Qt Salad Spinner changed my mind. It's not the flashiest tool in my cabinet, but it earns its spot every time I make a salad, wash berries, or dry herbs.
I'm Marcus Bell, a former line cook who now runs a warehouse and cooks dinner at home most nights in Hammond, Louisiana. My wife Denise and our teenage son eat with me most weeknights, and Sundays I cook for a bigger crowd. With limited counter space, I'm picky about what stays on the counter. The OXO spinner is one of the few gadgets that earns a permanent place. I've tried other spinners over the years, and most of them ended up in a drawer after a few uses. This one is different because it actually does the job without fuss.
The OXO 6.22 Qt Salad Spinner
Check today's price on Amazon and see why it's the one gadget I won't give up.
Amazon Check Today's Price on Amazon →Cuts salad prep from 10 minutes to 3
I used to rinse lettuce leaf by leaf under the tap, then pat it dry with towels that got soaked. With the OXO, I fill the basket, run cold water, spin, and the salad is dry in about 30 seconds. On a Tuesday when I'm getting dinner on the table after work, that's a real difference. I timed it once: three minutes from fridge to finished salad, including washing and spinning. That's the difference between a salad that happens and a salad that doesn't. I've tried the paper towel method and it leaves bits of paper on the leaves. The spinner is cleaner.
Dries herbs without turning them to mush
The basket is gentle enough for cilantro and parsley. I spin basil leaves and they come out dry and whole, not bruised. That matters when I'm making a big batch of chimichurri for Sunday dinner. I tried using a towel before I got the OXO, and the herbs always came out limp. Now I just spin and they're ready. The perforations in the basket are small enough that even finely chopped herbs stay put. I used to buy dried herbs because fresh went bad so fast. Now I can wash and dry a bunch of cilantro and it stays fresh for days.
Washes berries without crushing them
Strawberries and blueberries go in the basket, I give them a quick rinse, then a short spin. The brake stops the basket fast so the berries don't slam against the sides. My wife Denise used to wash berries in a colander and they'd sometimes split. With the OXO, they stay whole and last longer in the fridge because they're actually dry. Last week I washed a whole carton of strawberries and every single one came out intact. I also use it for grapes and cherry tomatoes. They come out dry and ready to eat.
Doubles as a colander for pasta and veggies
The basket is the same size as a medium colander, so I use it to drain pasta, rinse canned beans, or wash cherry tomatoes. That saves me from pulling out a second piece of gear. One night I used it to rinse a pound of green beans for a quick side dish, and it worked perfectly. It's become the colander I reach for first. Even for spaghetti, the basket holds a full pound without overflowing. I even use it to drain canned tuna for tuna salad. It gets the water out better than pressing with a lid.
One-hand operation is easier than it sounds
The knob on top turns the basket with one hand. I can hold the bowl with my other hand and spin at the same time. That's handy when I'm juggling a cutting board and a hot pan. My teenage son can use it too, which means he actually helps with salad now. The mechanism is smooth and doesn't slip. I've used other spinners that needed two hands, but this one is genuinely one-handed. My son is 15 and he can operate it without help. That's a win.
Cleans up in under a minute
The whole thing comes apart: the bowl, the basket, and the lid. I rinse them in the sink and they're dry by the next use. No crevices that trap lettuce bits. I've had it for over two years and I've never had to scrub anything off it. It's dishwasher safe, but I usually just hand wash it because it's that quick. The parts snap apart without any tricky releases. It's also nice that the lid has a locking latch so it doesn't fly open when you spin.
Stores flat, so it's not a counter hog
The bowl is 6.22 quarts, but the lid and basket stack into the bowl and it stands about the height of a cereal box. I keep it in the cabinet next to the mixing bowls, and it takes up less room than my large skillet. That was the big worry for me, and it turned out to be a non-issue. It fits in the same slot as my big pot lid. I measured once: about nine inches tall with everything nested. It's not as tall as a stockpot, so it fits on the shelf with my other bowls.
The brake actually works
The push-button brake stops the basket fast. That's not a gimmick. When I spin and then hit the brake, the lettuce stays put instead of flying. I tested it with a full load of wet spinach and it stopped dead. The knob and brake are solid and haven't loosened after years of use. It's the small details that make this one feel well built. The brake engages with a firm click, not a mushy one. I've had spinners where the brake wore out in a month. This one is still solid.
Use it for more than salad
I've used the OXO to rinse quinoa, soak dried beans, and even strain canned tuna. The basket is fine enough to hold small grains. Last month I made a big batch of black beans from scratch and used the spinner to rinse and drain them. It handled the job without a single bean escaping. That kind of versatility is why it's not a single-use gadget. I've even used it to dry a bunch of kale for homemade kale chips. I even used it to rinse a bag of frozen peas before adding them to a casserole.
It lasts, which makes it a better value
I've had this spinner for over two years of near-daily use, and it still works like new. The plastic hasn't cracked, the knob hasn't stripped, and the brake still engages firmly. I've replaced cheap spinners before because the gears wore out after a few months. This one shows no signs of slowing down. At the current price, it's a better value than replacing cheap ones twice a year. I expect to have this one for another five years at least. I've dropped the bowl a few times and it hasn't cracked. The plastic is tough.
What I'd Skip
If you never eat salad and rarely wash herbs or berries, you might not need a spinner. But if you do any of those things even twice a week, it pays for itself in time saved. I'd skip it only if you have truly no cabinet space and you're willing to use towels and accept wet greens. But even then, the spinner stores flat, so it might still fit. For everyone else, it's worth the few inches of shelf space.
Three minutes from fridge to finished salad, including washing and spinning, with the OXO.
The OXO 6.22 Qt Salad Spinner
The OXO 6.22 Qt Salad Spinner has been in my kitchen for two years and it still works like new. Check today's price on Amazon and see if it's the right fit for yours.
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