Why Chefs Swear by a Fine Mesh Strainer for Grilling

It's perfect for fire-roasted calamari, toasted pine nuts, and crispy mushrooms.

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When it comes to draining pasta, rinsing produce, and straining solids from stocks and sauces, a fine mesh strainer is likely one of your kitchen MVPs. You can even use this handy kitchen tool to sift powdered sugar atop baked goods and steam vegetables in a pinch. But, did you know that professional chefs also use their wire strainers as an unexpected grilling tool?

While grill baskets and trays are the norm for barbecuing delicate food, chefs like Christina Lecki and Daniel Holzman often reach for a mesh strainer instead. Holzman said it is perfect for grilling small seafood. "I'm a big fan of the mesh strainer for anything that would fall through a traditional grill," he told us. "Whether fire-roasting calamari and shrimp or toasting pine nuts, there is no alternative that allows you to kiss small foods with flame."

Lecki also recommended using a mesh strainer to char tender produce like snap peas, mushrooms, and even strawberries. "I love to use a mesh strainer to roast and smoke mushrooms directly over the coals," she said. "I just toss them in a little oil and salt and they get great flavor and a crispy texture. Just make sure to be patient and cook them in small batches."

Now, using a wire strainer over a hot grill will wear it out faster than everyday cooking use. If you're using fine mesh, you need to cook quickly, lest you burn the wire, Holzman explained. It's best to invest in a fine mesh strainer designated for grilling and reserve another for traditional sifting and straining. Lecki even opts to replace her grilling strainer every year.

Mesh strainers come in all shapes and sizes. When it comes to using one to grill, this Winco Fine Mesh Strainer is a great choice. The wire basket is a single fine mesh (so no small pieces can slip through the grill grates) and has an 8-inch diameter (the perfect size to avoid overcrowding your food). The added convenience of a wooden handle makes it easier to control over hot coals.

To buy: Winco 8-Inch Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, $11 at amazon.com

Thousands of Amazon shoppers also love using this Winco Wire Strainer. "Immediately, you can feel how sturdy this strainer is," one reviewer shared, noting how much support the handle provides to the basket. Another enthusiastic fan commented on how it hangs across the basin of a large sink without any slippage. "The mesh is strong and rigid," a third revealed. "Making it easy to rinse, clean, and store."

Professional chefs love finding innovative ways to grill. When those new techniques involve everyday kitchen tools under $15, they're even more enticing to try out. Grilling with a fine mesh strainer can help you keep it simple and down-right delicious this summer. Grab the Winco for just $11 on Amazon to give it a try yourself.