The colander was traditionally made of aluminum with a pattern of holes punched throughout the bowl. It featured two opposing wire handles at the lip for lifting. Today, the colander is often made of plastic and does not require handles, but is otherwise unchanged. Colanders often take the form of a large bowl with a built-in stand to allow water to drain out the bottom as well as the sides. A colander also comes in handy for draining canned vegetables before cooking, or for cleaning raw legumes like lentils or pinto beans. Many people use a colander for preparing salads. Upon washing vegetables, simply toss them into a colander where they will continue to drain while the rest of the ingredients are being prepared. Spruce up your kitchen look with a dash of colour! modern day colanders are available in a variety of colours and designs! colander is dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleaning. Expandable handles and a fold flat design make collapsible colanders perfect for preparing pasta dishes or washing fruit over the sink, clearing space in your cabinets by replacing traditional bowl shaped strainers, and saving you time washing dishes during cleanup.