I Tried the DreamFarm ‘Spina’ and This Salad Spinner Made Me Want to Eat More Greens
Updated: Apr. 04, 2023
Is the DreamFarm Spina the salad spinner we've been waiting for? I tested one to find out.
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As someone with 20 years of experience as a chef, cookbook author and recipe developer, I know how useful a salad spinner can be. However, as someone with a tiny kitchen, I don’t have the storage space for a bulky contraption with limited functionality. When I learned about the DreamFarm Spina, a compact colander/salad spinner and winner of a prestigious Good Design Award, I knew I needed to check it out.
Don’t miss our must-have list of multi-purpose kitchen gadgets.
What Is Spina?
The DreamFarm Spina is an award-winning colander that—with a twist, pull and rotation of its handle—transforms into an in-sink salad spinner. Genius! When in salad spinner mode, one side of the handle acts as a non-slip foot that keeps the Spina firmly in place, while the other is a pump mechanism that spins the colander basket like a top.
Once the Spina has been washed and dried (it’s dishwasher safe, FYI) the handle can be pushed inside the colander basket and it can be easily stacked with bowls or pots.
How We Tested Spina
The first thing I did after unboxing my Spina was make a green salad. To put it in colander mode, I pulled the collapsible handle out of the basket, twisted it to lock into place, filled the colander with about 3 ounces of fresh spinach, and gave them a quick rinse under cold running water.
Next, I unlocked the handle and rotated it 90 degrees so that it stood upright, gave it another twist to lock it into salad spinner mode, and began pressing down on the handle to set the basket spinning. In about 10 seconds I had perfectly dry spinach, and not a single leaf flew out of the basket.
After successfully testing greens, I decided to see how the Spina would handle heavier salad ingredients—namely canned beans, which really do need a thorough wash and dry before they’re tossed into a salad.
The Spina’s convertible handle was more than sturdy enough to support the basket when rinsing the beans in colander mode, and remained steady and locked into place when I would vigorously shake the colander to move the beans around. It only took about 20 seconds for the beans to dry in salad spinner mode, and despite their heaviness, the Spina stayed steady and slip-free.
Use our guide to learn how to make salad that’s perfectly balanced.
Spina Product Features
The Spina is made of BPA-free plastic with stainless steel parts, and feels sturdier than the average plastic colander. It’s dishwasher safe, but if you’re using it to wash and dry fruits and vegetables, it doesn’t need much more than a light rinsing between uses.
Even though it’s an innovative product, it’s not a mechanically complicated contraption, so there are no small moving parts that could easily be broken.
Pros
What we liked about the DreamFarm Spina:
- Simple to use
- Sturdy construction and material
- Stores compactly
- Easy to clean
- Set up is a breeze
Cons
What to consider about the DreamFarm Spina:
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Compact size means you’ll likely need to wash and dry produce in batches
Product Comparison
Unlike most other salad spinners, which contain their spinning basket in a large bowl, the Spina has no bowl to collect water and is meant to be used in the sink. This can be inconvenient if you have a sink full of dirty dishes, but if you stand the Spina in a large kitchen bowl or stockpot, it will work just fine.
Final Verdict on Spina
The DreamFarm Spina is one of those products that makes you wonder, why did it take so long for someone to invent this? If you’re a big salad person with a small kitchen, I’d consider the Spina essential.
Where to Buy Spina
The DreamFarm Spina retails for $34.95, and can be purchased from Amazon, Williams Sonoma or directly from the company’s website.
Originally Published: May 17, 2022
