6 Best RV Sink Strainers That Full-Time Nomads Swear By
Protect your RV’s sensitive plumbing with the right sink strainer. We reveal the 6 models full-time nomads trust to prevent costly clogs on the road.
You’ve just finished a fantastic meal at a remote campsite, and now you’re faced with a sink full of dirty dishes. As you rinse that first plate, you watch a stray piece of onion swirl toward the drain and have a moment of panic. In an RV, what goes down the drain doesn’t just disappear; it goes into a sensitive, hard-to-access holding tank where a clog can ruin your entire trip.
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Why a Quality RV Sink Strainer Is Essential
Your RV’s plumbing isn’t like the system in a stationary house. The pipes are smaller, the angles can be awkward, and everything empties into a gray water tank. That tank is a closed environment where food particles can decompose, create foul odors, and clog the sensors that tell you how full it is.
Think of a good sink strainer as the cheapest insurance policy you can buy for your rig. A serious clog in your gray tank or its plumbing can be a nightmare to fix on the road, often requiring specialized tools or a costly visit to an RV technician. A simple $10 strainer can prevent hundreds of dollars in repairs and save you from the headache of a backed-up sink in the middle of nowhere.
The goal is to stop everything from going down that drain except water and soap. We’re talking coffee grounds, rice, pasta, vegetable scraps—anything solid. These items not only risk creating a physical blockage but also form a sludge at the bottom of your gray tank that is notoriously difficult to clean out. A quality strainer is your first and best line of defense.
OXO Good Grips: The Flexible Silicone Choice
The OXO Good Grips strainer is a favorite for a reason: it’s brilliantly simple and effective. It consists of a flexible silicone basket with a sturdy stainless steel rim. This design solves several common problems at once.
The soft silicone won’t scratch your sink, whether it’s stainless steel, acrylic, or composite. To empty it, you just grab the little center post and invert the basket over the trash can—food scraps pop right out. This flexibility makes it far easier to clean than rigid metal strainers, which often require tapping or scraping.
The main tradeoff is long-term durability against staining. Over time, things like tomato sauce or coffee can discolor the silicone. However, its effectiveness and ease of use make it a top contender. It’s a drop-in solution that just works, making it perfect for anyone who wants a no-fuss, highly functional tool.
Fengbao Stainless Steel Strainer: Top Durability
This stainless steel sink strainer efficiently prevents clogs with its micro-perforated design, allowing water to flow freely while trapping food particles. Its durable construction and wide rim ensure a secure fit in most standard kitchen sinks.
If you want something that will last forever and catch nearly everything, a classic stainless steel strainer like the ones from Fengbao is your answer. These are workhorses. Made from a single piece of perforated steel, they are incredibly tough and resistant to rust and corrosion.
The key feature here is the density of the holes. They are small enough to catch fine particles like coffee grounds and grains of rice, offering maximum protection for your gray tank. The wide rim creates a good seal around the drain opening, forcing all water to pass through the basket. This is the strainer for the RVer who is meticulous about keeping their tanks clean.
The downside is directly related to its strength: it can be a pain to clean. The same small holes that catch everything also get clogged easily with grease or fine sediment, requiring frequent and thorough rinsing. Some find the metal edges can be a bit sharp, but for pure, rugged filtering power, it’s hard to beat.
Camco Strainer/Stopper: The RV-Specific Combo
Prevent clogs with the Camco Sink and Shower Drain Strainers. This 3-pack of stainless steel strainers includes multiple sizes to fit various drains, effectively catching food and hair.
You’ll see the Camco plastic strainer/stopper in thousands of RVs, and often they come standard from the factory. Its appeal lies in its dual-function design. With a simple twist, it switches from a strainer to a full-on drain plug.
This combo is incredibly useful for boondockers or anyone trying to conserve water. You can plug the sink to wash dishes using minimal water, then twist it to drain while catching the big stuff. It’s a space-saving, two-in-one gadget that fits the RV ethos perfectly.
However, let’s be honest about its performance as a strainer: it’s mediocre at best. The holes are quite large, allowing smaller food particles to slip right through. It will stop a chunk of carrot, but it won’t stop rice. Many full-timers eventually replace their stock Camco with a more effective aftermarket strainer, but for those who prioritize the stopper function, it remains a popular choice.
A-cool Mesh Strainer for Maximum Debris Capture
Strain food easily with this durable 8-inch stainless steel strainer. Its fine mesh and comfortable wooden handle make it perfect for everyday use.
For the RVer who leaves nothing to chance, a fine mesh strainer is the ultimate gatekeeper. Unlike perforated steel, these strainers use a woven metal mesh, similar to a sieve. This design creates an incredibly fine filter that stops almost any solid particle from entering your plumbing.
This is the strainer you want if you’re worried about things like coffee grounds, tea leaves, or fine grains. It provides an unmatched level of protection for your gray tank. If your primary goal is to keep your holding tanks as pristine as possible, a mesh strainer is the most effective tool for the job.
The tradeoff, of course, is high maintenance. A mesh strainer will clog faster than any other type. You’ll be emptying it constantly, and it requires diligent rinsing to keep water flowing freely. It’s a tool for the disciplined RVer, not for someone who wants to "set it and forget it."
Danco Universal Strainer: A Permanent Upgrade
Most of the options on this list are simple drop-in solutions. The Danco Universal Strainer is different—it’s a full replacement for your sink’s drain assembly. This is an upgrade, not just an accessory. It involves removing your existing drain flange and installing this new one in its place.
The benefit is a seamless, residential-style experience. The deep, sturdy strainer basket drops perfectly into place and has a small handle for easy removal. It looks clean, feels solid, and has a large capacity for catching food scraps. This is the best option for a "like home" feel and is a fantastic upgrade for full-timers renovating their kitchen.
The only real con is that it requires installation. While it’s a basic plumbing task that most handy RVers can tackle in under 30 minutes with some plumber’s putty, it’s more involved than simply buying a strainer at the store. If you’re comfortable with a small project, the result is a significant improvement in both function and form.
Helect 2-Pack Silicone Flower Drain Catchers
While primarily marketed for bathroom showers to catch hair, these flat silicone "flower" or "starfish" drain catchers have found a place in some RV kitchens. Instead of sitting inside the drain, these lie flat over the top, held in place by small suction cups.
Their main advantage is simplicity and price. They are incredibly cheap, easy to clean, and can be moved from the kitchen sink to the shower drain as needed. They do a surprisingly good job of catching larger debris and hair before it gets near the drain.
However, they are not a robust solution for a busy kitchen. They can be easily knocked out of place by a pot or a stream of water, and they don’t have a basket to contain debris. Think of this as a minimalist, low-profile option best suited for a bathroom sink or a kitchen where you’re already very careful about pre-wiping your plates.
How to Choose the Right RV Sink Strainer
There’s no single "best" strainer; there’s only the best one for your habits and your RV. Don’t just buy the first one you see. Instead, think through these key factors to make a smart choice.
- Measure Your Drain: RV sink drains aren’t always a standard residential size. Measure the diameter of your drain opening before you order anything to ensure a proper fit. A strainer that’s too small will let debris sneak around the edges.
- Analyze Your Habits: Are you a coffee drinker? You need a fine mesh or steel strainer. Do you do a lot of vegetable prep? A deep basket like the Danco upgrade is ideal. Do you prioritize water conservation? The Camco stopper/strainer combo might be your best bet despite its flaws.
- Decide on Maintenance Level: Be realistic about how often you’re willing to clean your strainer. If you know you’ll let it go for a day or two, a fine mesh strainer will drive you crazy with constant backups. A silicone or deep basket strainer is more forgiving.
- Choose Your Style: Drop-In vs. Upgrade: Do you want a quick, easy, and cheap solution you can replace anytime? Stick with a drop-in model like the OXO or Fengbao. Are you looking for a more permanent, integrated solution for your full-time home? It’s worth the effort to install a full drain assembly like the Danco.
Ultimately, your strainer choice reflects your overall approach to RV maintenance. A little thought upfront will save you from a major plumbing headache down the road.
A sink strainer is one of the smallest and cheapest items in your RV, but it performs one of the most critical jobs. It’s the silent guardian of your plumbing system, working every day to prevent clogs, smells, and costly repairs. Choose the one that best fits your life on the road, and your gray tank will thank you for it.
