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- 10″ x 10″ x 6″
- Stay-cool wire rod handles makes it easy transport from the sink to the table.
- Tripod wire feet keep the colander upright when in use.
- Medium sized holes allow water to flow through the colandar.
- Dishwasher safe.
Product Description
MIU France 6-Quart brushed stainless steel colander, item # 3132. This colandar ideal for draining pasta or steamed vegetables. The medium size holes allow water to flow through the colander. The colander is suported by three standing wire feet, which keeps the colander upright when it use. 2 side handles makes it easy to carry from the sink to the table. Durable enough to use as as steamer insert. Dishwasher safe. Measures: 10″ L x 10″ W x 6″ H
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I could not decide between the Norpro Stainless Steel 9-1/2-Inch Colander, the Norpro Stainless Steel 8-5/8-Inch Colander, and the MIU France MIU-6-Quart-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-Colander . So I ordered all three to compare and to pick my favorite.
PROS
* Large handles are easier and safer to grasp
* Mirror finish superior to the Norpro colanders
* Storage takes virtually no more room than a 4-quart — compact size
* Attractive, rounded handles (to me they look nicer than the two Norpros )
* Easily fits into my standard stainless steel sink
* Beautiful construction
* Holds 6 quarts
CONS
* None
**(unless you count that it will not fit inside my pasta stockpot due to handles, but none of the three did.)
My favorite is the MIU France MIU-6-Quart-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-Colander. The handles are a lovely rounded shape and larger than the Norpro handles, making it easier for my large hands to grasp them. I can hold the handles of this colander and not touch the colander, potentially hot from scalding pasta water for example, so these larger handles could prevent possible kitchen accidents.
MEASUREMENTS
I’m providing measurements here, as many shoppers want to feel like they can reach out and touch the colander. For those not into measurements, skip this section.
The MIU France 6-Quart Brushed Stainless-Steel Colander fits easily into my stainless steel double sink. It is approximately 3/8″ higher than the side of my sink, so it is roughly even with the side of my sink. My house was built in the 1980s and the sink is typical for kitchens of that decade. My sink has a depth of 5 1/2 inches and inside sink width of 14 inches wide by 15 3/4 inches deep.
See attached photos which show this colander and the two Norpro colanders in my sink.
Colander dimensions are: 9 1/4″ inside bowl diameter, just the bowl, not including the handles; 9 5/8″ outside bowl diameter, just the bowl, not including the handles; approximately 12 5/8″ with handles included. The handles are slightly more than 1 3/8″ deep at their deepest point and approximately 3 1/2″ at their widest point inside the handle, not including the handle hardware. The handles are slightly more than 1 5/8″ deep by 4 1/8″ at their widest point outside the handle, including the handle hardware.
Colander height is 6 3/16″ including the feet. Without the feet, just the colander from the center of the inside to the top is approximately 5 1/2″. I had to eyeball this measurement, so I did the best I could. The feet are approximately 1 inch long, but because they jut out of the colander at an angle, they only raise the colander up about 5/8″ from the surface on which the colander is placed.
The handle is set approximately 1 inch from the top of the colander. Due to the upward curve of the handle, which is unique to the MIU colander and lacking in the Norpro colanders, at its center point parallel to the surface, it measures about 3/8″ from the top of the colander. The upward-swept handle is more functional as it is easier to grasp.
Drainage holes on the side of the colander are bigger than those on the bottom of the colander. Drainage holes on the side are just shy of 3/16″ in diameter while those on the bottom are just over 1/8″ in diameter. There are 300 holes along the side and 126 holes on the bottom, plenty for drainage. The bottom is 5 1/4″ in diameter, a full half-inch wider along the bottom than the Norpro 6-quart colander.
DURABILITY
The handle is welded on. Each side of the handle appears to be welded at only two points. These points are barely visible, via a slight indentation, on the inside of the colander.
I wonder if the welded points are strong enough to hold the handles in place over many years. I imagine the welding is quite strong, as my brother has had the similarly welded 4-quart Norpro for several years, and it has served him well.
OVERALL APPEARANCE
The exterior is brushed metal stainless steel, with a band of polished stainless steel approximately one inch wide at the top of the colander. The handles and feet are polished stainless.
MIRROR FINISH
The mirror finish interior is more highly polished than that of the Norpro colanders. This isn’t noticeable unless you are comparing the colanders side-by-side. I can see a clear reflection of myself, which isn’t possible in either of the two Norpros.
MAKING PASTA
In lieu of a pasta insert, I like to place my colander with drained pasta inside my stockpot to keep it warm.
My old colander did not have handles and fit easily inside my pasta pot. Due to the handles, this one will not fit inside my stockpot. However, none of the three did.
CAPACITY
This colander holds six quarts. The Norpro 9-1/2-Inch holds 6 quarts and the Norton 8-5/8-Inch holds 4 quarts.
As a comparison, let us look at two other colanders.
NORPRO 9 1/2-INCH COLANDER
The Norpro Stainless Steel 9-1/2-Inch Colander is a high-quality colander that, like its smaller cousin, the Norpro 8 5/8-Inch Colander, easily fits into my stainless steel double sink. The colander is approximately 1/8″ to slightly less than 1/4″ higher than the side of my sink, so it is roughly even with the side of my sink.
The Norpro Stainless Steel 9-1/2-Inch Colander holds 6 quarts, like the MIU France colander.
For colander dimensions and a comparison, you can read my review here: Norpro Stainless Steel 9-1/2-Inch Colander.
I imagine if you are reading this, you are more interested in a six-quart colander than a four-quart. Nonetheless, if you are unsure of which size is right for you, here is the final colander for comparison:
NORPRO 8-5/8-INCH COLANDER
The Norpro Stainless Steel 8-5/8-Inch Colander:
I gave this exact colander as a gift to my brother several years ago. He loves it. He uses it a lot for items like boiled peanuts, pasta, and black-eyed peas.
If you do not want a 6-quart colander, the Norpro Stainless Steel 8-5/8-Inch Colander would be a fine choice for a colander. There is slightly less room in the handle area for this handle than the MIU France colander. I have somewhat long fingers and prefer the shape and size of the MIU France colander’s handles. Still, my hands do fit inside these handles. Someone with bigger hands will want to consider the MIU France colander’s handles.
If you are looking for a four-quart model, you can read my review about it here: Norpro Stainless Steel 8-5/8-Inch Colander
SUMMARY
In summary, all three colanders fit easily into my sink. All take about the same amount of kitchen cabinet space to store, with no appreciable difference, though the six-quart colanders are slightly taller than the four-quart model. Since they take approximately the same storage space, I would spring for a 6-quart. That way you will be able to drain larger amounts of food should the need arise.
All have similarities in construction: inner polished mirrored finishes, mirrored finish on the feet and handles, and an exterior brushed stainless steel finish with a one-inch wide band of polished stainless steel at the top.
The handles are different; please see the photos I have included of these colanders, which shows that the MIU France’s handles are of a wider curve, yet the Norpro handles are functional as well.
All three colanders have 300 holes around their sides. The bottom hole content varies, but not enough to make a difference in their handling of any drainage of food or liquids. The bottom width varies between the three, with the narrowest bottom on the Norpro 8-5/8-inch colander and the widest bottom on the MIU France 6-quart colander with a width of 5 1/4″.
All are made in China, including the MIU France. This in no way detracts from their beauty or functionality. All are excellent choices in colanders.
PHOTOS
Photos of all three colanders are attached for comparison.
RECOMMENDATION
This is my favorite of the three colanders I purchased. I love the gently curving, larger rounded handles which fit my hands. I love the highly polished mirror finish superior to the Norpro’s finish. I love the size of this colander. I am sending the two Norpro colanders back to Amazon and keeping the MIU-6-Quart-Brushed-Stainless-Steel-Colander!
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this to replace a 20 year old painted colander that had begun to rust. The stainless steel feels thick and substantial and the welds seem sturdy, so I fully expect this one to last a lifetime.
I wanted a larger colander for those big jobs and this one seems to be the perfect size. Even though it’s much bigger, it fits in the drawer where the older standard size colander went. The diameter is only slightly larger than the old one (not sure if that was a 3 qt or 5 qt), but it’s a couple of inches taller.
The colander drains exceptionally well. The holes on the sides are larger than the holes in the bottom, allowing liquids to drain quickly, but not letting any of the foodstuff escape. In fact, my most frequent use of this colander has been to drain six servings of vermicelli (or #3 Barilla thin spaghetti). At most I only lose one or two noodles through the holes and often don’t lose any. (Interestingly, when they do escape, it’s through the smaller holes in the bottom. I haven’t seen one slip out the side yet.)
Cleanup is easy because the interior is polished. Most food rinses right off and what doesn’t washes away easily. Generally, I just wash it by hand instead of sticking it in the dishwasher.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have had this colander for a couple of months now and have used it numerous times. It is well built, steady, and is a perfect size for a pound of pasta. The holes are a good size too, not too big but big enough to drain well, this prevents small items from falling through the holes.
Rating: 5 / 5