A compact silicone strainer that lets you drain canned food right in the can
This is one of those small kitchen tools that solves a very specific annoyance surprisingly well: draining beans, corn, tuna, or fruit without balancing a loose lid over the can or hauling out a full-size colander. The SIFTR Silicone Can Strainer stretches over standard cans, grips the rim securely, and turns the can itself into a mini colander.
The Standout Appeal & Why It Caught Our Attention
The clever part here is not just that it strains liquid out of a can, but that it does it with a flexible, rim-hugging silicone form that stores flat-ish and nests with other sizes. Traditional colanders are oversized for a single can of beans or corn, and using a partly opened metal lid is awkward, messy, and easy to slip. This design shrinks the tool down to the exact job.
- Direct-to-can draining means fewer dishes and less countertop mess.
- Nesting 3-pack sizing gives better fit across common 15 oz. and 20 oz. cans.
- Soft silicone construction is more forgiving than rigid plastic and easier to stash in a drawer.
Key Features & How It Works
The strainer is made from food-grade, BPA-free silicone and shaped like a small dome with a perforated top. In the images, the teardrop-shaped holes are distributed across the curved surface so liquid can escape quickly while solid contents stay behind. The lower band stretches over or into the can rim to create a snug hold during pouring.
- Flexible fit: expands to accommodate can diameters roughly from 73mm to 85mm, covering many standard canned goods.
- Perforated dome design: the rounded shape helps maintain volume inside the can while providing drainage channels across the top surface.
- Nesting storage: commonly sold in a set of 3 sizes that stack together to save drawer space.
- Heat and stain resistance: silicone construction is suitable for kitchen use and less prone to cracking than brittle plastics.
- Easy cleanup: fully dishwasher safe, which matters for foods like tuna or beans that can leave residue.
Mechanically, the workflow is simple: open the can, press the strainer onto the top, invert over the sink, and let gravity drain the liquid while the strainer keeps the food in place.
Practical Everyday Uses
This is most useful for people who cook with canned ingredients often and want a faster, less annoying prep step.
- Weeknight cooking: drain black beans for tacos, corn for salad, or chickpeas for sheet-pan dinners without dirtying a full colander.
- Small-kitchen living: great for apartments, dorm-style kitchenettes, RVs, or anyone trying to reduce bulky tools.
- Quick rinsing jobs: after draining, you can run water through the can for beans or vegetables while the strainer remains attached.
It also has some secondary uses often mentioned by sellers, including acting as a seed-catching citrus press cover, cocktail shaker filter, loose-leaf tea strainer, or even a temporary sink drain mesh.
Things To Consider Before Buying
This is a smart niche tool, but it works best when its size range matches the cans you actually use.
- Check can compatibility: it is designed for common can diameters, not every oversized or unusually narrow tin.
- Mind sharp lids: if you leave the metal lid attached after opening, be careful around exposed edges when pressing the strainer on.
- Not a full colander replacement: ideal for canned foods, but not meant for draining large pasta portions or bigger prep tasks.
- Hole size matters: excellent for beans, corn, tuna, and fruit, but very fine ingredients may need a tighter mesh solution.
For anyone who regularly opens canned goods and thinks, “there should be a tidier way to do this,” this is exactly the kind of tiny, specialized kitchen upgrade that earns its drawer space.