Customer Reviews

RSVP Endurance® Precision Pierced Baskets (set of 3)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I gave this item a 4 star rating because other people seem to be happy with it. However, I wanted to make sure that everyone who relies on reviews as heavily as I do have the benefit of knowing upfront that these BASKETS are not COLANDERS, though they may be used as such, if one so desires.

I just contacted RSVP directly at (800) 275-7787 in order to compare the set to the 3 Qt & 5 Qt Versions. I was told that the RSVP Endurance® Precision Pierced Baskets (set of 3) is NOT what was reviewed in Cook's Illustrated! Rather, it was the RSVP Endurance® Precision Pierced Colander that was reviewed. The construction of each item is totally different. Take a look at the feet of each different item. The feet for the Pierced Baskets are lower, among some other differences. The baskets may be great products, but if you want want what was rated in Cook's Illustrated as the best colanders, go with the Precision Pierced Stainless Steel Colander 3 Qt or 5 Qt sizes.

RSVP Precision Pierced Stainless-Steel 5-Quart Colander and Precision Pierced Stainless Steel Colander 3 Qt

I hope that no one takes offense that I posted a review and comment on an item that I actually do not possess.

These colanders were rated best by Cook's Illustrated and they are right!
Well made, strong, and drain quickly and easily...no tipping back and forth forever. Plus, they have a solid base to sit without falling over.
Great to have all 3 sizes, I use the smaller ones for fruit on the counter that needs to ripen or to keep onions, shallots, potatoes and the like fresh in the cub board. Quick service and good price!

With regard to the review pointing out that these are Endurance pierced baskets, not the Endurance colander reviewed by Cook's Illustrated: That's true and useful (one should be wary of imitations) but it's inconsequential in this case. Whatever you call them, these are the best colanders I've ever used, and I cook a lot. I have had many colanders over the years including both the 3 qt. Endurance colander and this 3-piece basket set. The perforated stainless steel material which does the job that you buy a colander to do is identical in both. The holes are just right; lots of them and large enough to drain fast but small enough so capellini pasta and the like doesn't slip through. There are some minor differences. There is a larger flat area in the bottom of the baskets. The foot on the colander is slightly taller and flared outward. The handles on the colander are riveted to the perforated body while the handles on the baskets are part of a continuous stainless rod running completely around the rim. (This actually seems sturdier to me.) I'd recommend buying the set of baskets. They do the job as well as the Endurance colander, they seem to be equally sturdy, you save quite a bit of money over buying both the 3 and 5 qt colanders, and as a bonus, you have a very handy small third one.

I also ordered these based on Cook's Illustrated's review and I'm thrilled with them. They're sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and drain quickly, and the 3 sizes are great for a variety of uses.

First learned about this product on America's Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated. It's terrific; drains beautifully; small items don't go down the drain; and, more important, they're easier to clean than the wire baskets I'd been using. I was delighted to find a set of 3 for about the same price as one in the catalogs.

LOVE these!! They are an excellent value compared to the RSVP perforated metal colander. In fact, I find that the metal and metal work in these seems superior. And, as noted by another reviewer:

1) They are similar except that you get 3 colander baskets of varied sizes in this set

2) The handles are not welded on but rather they are part of the metal casing that forms the top border which seems more secure (since I personally have had welds crack), and

3) These have a much smaller (shorter/lower) base that places them closer to the counter/sink surface than the RSVP colander. I don't have a problem with this feature at all in these baskets. The shorter base makes them very compact for storage; they nest very nicely and all three can therefore stack compactly in a cupboard or even hang together on a wall hook (as I do with them.)

Something else I really like about these is that you basically get nearly 100% colander/draining action. What I mean (and something I don't get at all....)is that many colanders have alot of solid, no-holes/non-draining area on them and even amongst perforated metal colanders some have alot of solid metal around where the base is mounted: what's the point of THAT?? That is exactly the area you want everything to drain out of and that design feature inhibits draining (start looking closely and you will see what I mean...alot of times it means you have to tilt the colander to get everything to drain well). These have maximum draining area with virturally no solid areas...all holes. Also, perforated metal WAY WAY WAY beats woven mesh/screen which can be an atrocious gross disgusting food trap that requires really annoying cleaning...like, for instance, try cleaning a whole bunch of raw squid in a steel mesh colander, with lots of slimy squid parts...some of that gunk will get in the mesh crevices and is really something to clean (personal experience here folks!)or alot of cooked fresh tomatoes can do the same thing in screen mesh...seeds and more get trapped in the mesh. Perforated metal like these is smooth..no significant food traps. Also, because the holes are small you can use these to wash rice and many, except for the smallest, grains and such...not possible on larger-hole colanders.

America's Test Kitchen rated that RSVP 5 QT colander as their #1 pick. With this set you get all the benefits of that colander but for a small amount more $$ than the approx. $33 that the 5qt colander costs you get the 3 and it is really amazing how versatile and useful they are. I like these better than OXO's 3 or 5qt perforated metal colanders: the metal quality on these is very comparable to that but OXO's, while they have lovely little rubber feet and handles, they do not have any hole in the handle so cannot be hung up (nuisance factor!).

Weirdly, there seems to be only one vendor anywhere on the internet that is selling this set...I know: I dug deep looking for them..not even on eBay. Not sure what the status of this product is with the manufacturer RSVP but I suggest if you THINK you want them, buy them while they are available!! And FYI, I did have an excellent experience with this vendor.

the colander set is an outstanding product with excellent dollar value. Every kitchen that prepares fresh vegetables needs a set.

This is the best strainer set! Very durable and easy to clean. Variety of sizes fit any need. OXO products are always great.