6 Best Collapsible Strainers For RV Sinks That Maximize Every Inch

You’ve just finished boiling a big pot of pasta for dinner, but your tiny RV sink is already full of prep dishes. Now you’re playing a precarious game of Jenga, trying to balance a full-sized, rigid colander somewhere it won’t topple over. This single, awkward tool can make a simple meal feel like a logistical nightmare, highlighting a core truth of RV living: every cubic inch matters.

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Why Collapsible Strainers Are an RV Essential

The first thing you learn in a tiny kitchen is that an item’s storage footprint is just as important as its function. Traditional colanders are the perfect example of bad design for small spaces. They are bulky, bowl-shaped, and full of empty air, making them impossible to store efficiently.

A collapsible strainer solves this problem instantly. It performs the exact same job—draining pasta, washing vegetables, rinsing beans—but then flattens down to a mere inch or two thick. This allows it to slide into a shallow drawer, stand on its side next to cutting boards, or tuck into a cabinet without devouring precious real estate.

Beyond just saving space, the right collapsible strainer adds versatility. Some models are designed to fit over the sink, freeing up the basin for other tasks. Others double as steamer baskets. In an RV, a tool that does two jobs while taking up less than half the space of a single-use item isn’t just a convenience; it’s a strategic advantage.

OXO Good Grips Silicone Collapsible Colander

When you need something that just works, reliably, every single time, you look to a brand like OXO. Their Good Grips collapsible colander is a workhorse. It’s built with a sturdy plastic frame and a heat-resistant silicone body that collapses smoothly and holds its shape when expanded. The non-slip handles are a key feature, giving you a secure grip when you’re pouring a heavy pot of boiling water.

This model strikes a great balance between collapsibility and stability. It doesn’t flatten quite as much as some competitors, but its rigid base and handles mean you never worry about it buckling under the weight of a pound of pasta. It feels like a "real" colander, just one that happens to fit in your drawer.

I’ve seen these last for years on the road, withstanding constant use without the silicone tearing or the frame cracking. It’s dishwasher safe, which is a huge bonus when you’re trying to conserve water with efficient cleaning cycles. If you want a no-fuss, durable option from a trusted name, this is your starting point.

QiMH Over-the-Sink Strainer for RV Sinks

The biggest bottleneck in an RV kitchen is often the single, small sink basin. An over-the-sink strainer is a game-changer because it allows you to multitask. You can be rinsing vegetables in the strainer while still having full access to the sink below for washing hands or filling a pot.

The QiMH model is a popular choice because its handles are extendable, allowing it to fit a wide range of RV sink sizes. You just pull them out to rest securely on the edges of your sink. This design is fantastic for washing produce, as the water drains directly into the sink without pooling on your limited counter space.

The main tradeoff here is the storage shape. While it collapses to be relatively flat, it remains long and rectangular. This makes it a perfect fit for storing on its side alongside cutting boards but less ideal for a square cabinet. Before buying, measure your intended storage spot to ensure its length won’t be an issue.

Squish Colander: The Ultimate Space-Saver

If your primary goal is to find a strainer that takes up the absolute minimum amount of space, the Squish brand is where you should look. These colanders are engineered to collapse almost completely flat, often to less than an inch thick. This is the kind of design that makes a real difference when you’re trying to fit all your kitchen essentials into one or two drawers.

The Squish colander achieves this remarkable flatness by using a combination of flexible silicone and a more minimal plastic frame. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to pop open or press closed. The design includes a sturdy base and practical handles, so it doesn’t sacrifice core functionality for its compact form.

The one thing to be aware of is that this design can feel slightly less rigid than something like the OXO. It’s perfectly capable of handling a full load, but you’ll notice more flex in the body. For RVers who prioritize storage efficiency above all else, this is a tiny compromise for a massive gain in space.

Comfify Colander Set for Versatile Draining

Sometimes, one size doesn’t fit all. You don’t need a massive 5-quart colander to rinse a handful of berries, but a tiny one won’t work for family pasta night. A collapsible nesting set, like the one from Comfify, gives you options without the storage penalty.

These sets typically include two or three different-sized colanders that collapse and nest inside one another. This means you can store a full range of strainers in a footprint that’s only slightly larger than the biggest one in the set. It’s a brilliant solution for full-time RVers or anyone who cooks a variety of meals on the road.

Having multiple sizes is more practical than you might think. You can use the small one for rinsing fruit, the medium one for canned beans, and the large one for pasta, sometimes all during the prep for a single meal. It prevents the need to wash and reuse a single colander mid-recipe, which is a small but meaningful efficiency in a tight kitchen.

Tovolo Collapsible Strainer & Steamer Basket

Multi-function tools are the holy grail of RV living. The Tovolo Collapsible Strainer & Steamer Basket is a perfect example. This clever silicone tool acts as a small-to-medium-sized strainer for rinsing quinoa or draining a can of corn, but its real magic is its secondary function.

With a heat-resistant silicone body and sturdy feet, it’s designed to sit inside a pot, turning it into a steamer. You can steam broccoli, asparagus, or dumplings without needing a separate, bulky steamer basket. When you’re done, it collapses flat for easy storage. This one item replaces two, effectively doubling your space savings.

The capacity is smaller than a dedicated large colander, so it’s not the right choice for draining a huge pot of spaghetti for a crowd. But for solo travelers, couples, or as a secondary strainer, its dual-purpose design is incredibly efficient. It’s perfect for anyone looking to equip their galley with tools that work smarter, not harder.

Joseph Joseph Fold-Flat Grate-Style Colander

For a truly innovative approach to flat storage, the Joseph Joseph Fold-Flat colander is in a class of its own. Instead of collapsing like an accordion, this colander is made from a single piece of polypropylene that literally folds flat. When flat, it’s no thicker than a flexible cutting board.

The locking mechanism is simple and secure—it clicks into a stable, usable colander shape and then unlocks to flatten completely. The draining surface is a grate of small, square holes rather than traditional round ones. This works exceptionally well for most foods, though very fine grains like quinoa might require a bit more care.

This is the ultimate solution for anyone with extremely limited drawer depth or those who prefer to store items vertically in a narrow slot. You could slide this into a magazine rack or alongside your plates. It’s a testament to how creative design can fundamentally solve the storage challenges inherent in small-space living.

Choosing Your Strainer: Size and Material Tips

Picking the right collapsible strainer isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for your RV kitchen and cooking style. Focus on three key factors: size, material, and your specific storage space. Don’t just buy the flattest one you can find if it’s too small for your needs.

First, consider capacity. Are you usually cooking for one or a family of four? Check the quart size and match it to the pots you use most often. An oversized colander is just as inefficient as a rigid one if it doesn’t fit in your sink or cabinet. An over-the-sink model might be perfect for a large, single-basin sink but awkward in a small, divided one.

Next, look at the materials. Most collapsible strainers use a combination of silicone and plastic.

• Silicone: This is what allows the strainer to collapse. Look for BPA-free, heat-resistant silicone that can handle boiling water without warping or leaching chemicals. It’s also flexible and durable.
• Plastic: This is typically used for the frame, handles, and base to provide rigidity. A sturdy, non-slip base is crucial for stability when the colander is full and heavy.

Finally, and most importantly, think about where it will live. Before you click "buy," go to your RV and identify the exact drawer, cabinet, or slot where you plan to store it. Measure that space. This will tell you whether you need a round model that collapses into a flat disc or a rectangular one that folds into a long, thin shape. The perfect strainer is the one that disappears when you’re not using it.

Ultimately, the right collapsible strainer does more than just drain pasta; it removes a point of friction from your daily routine, making your tiny kitchen feel more spacious and capable. It’s a small, inexpensive upgrade that delivers an outsized improvement to your life on the road. Choose wisely, and you’ll reclaim valuable space you never knew you had.