Best Rice Washing Bowls for Small Households

How the Five Compare on the Numbers

For small households, the published width and depth determine how much counter space a bowl will occupy. The OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander measures 10.4 by 9.74 inches and weighs 0.11 pounds. The Inomata Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl with Strainer, 2 quart, measures 4.0 by 9.5 inches and weighs 0.2 pounds. The V TOWER 1.7L Rice Strainer with Handle measures 6.7 by 9.1 inches and also weighs 0.2 pounds. The Helen’s Asian Kitchen Japanese Rice Washing Bowl measures 9.05 by 9.05 inches and weighs 0.5 pounds. The Inomata 2.5 quart measures 4.5 by 10.0 inches and weighs 0.29 pounds.

Capacity figures are published for three of the five: the Inomata 2 quart holds 2 quarts, the Inomata 2.5 quart holds 2.5 quarts, and the Helen’s Asian Kitchen holds 3 quarts. The OXO and V TOWER do not publish capacity. The Helen’s Asian Kitchen has the largest capacity among the five. The Inomata bowls have the lightest weights among the plastic options, while the OXO is the lightest overall.

The table does not tell you how these bowls perform in use. It also omits any figures the manufacturer does not publish, such as the weight of the Joyce Chen model or the capacity of the OXO and V TOWER. The dimensions are as published, but the manufacturer does not state which measurement corresponds to depth or height for some models.

Weight and Footprint for Tight Kitchens

Lightest Options

The OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander weighs 0.11 pounds, the lightest among the five picks. The Inomata 2 quart and V TOWER each weigh 0.2 pounds. The Inomata 2.5 quart weighs 0.29 pounds, and the Helen’s Asian Kitchen weighs 0.5 pounds. For small households, a lighter bowl is easier to lift from a cabinet or sink.

Weight also affects how the bowl feels when filled with rice and water. The OXO is the lightest, but the Inomata bowls are close behind. The Helen’s Asian Kitchen is the heaviest at 0.5 pounds, which may be noticeable when full. The manufacturer does not publish the weight of the Joyce Chen model.

Counter Space

The V TOWER measures 6.7 by 9.1 inches, the smallest width and depth among the five. The Inomata 2 quart measures 4.0 by 9.5 inches, with a narrower width but slightly greater depth. The Helen’s Asian Kitchen measures 9.05 by 9.05 inches, and the Inomata 2.5 quart measures 4.5 by 10.0 inches. The OXO measures 10.4 by 9.74 inches, the largest width among the five.

For a small counter, the V TOWER and Inomata 2 quart take up less space. The OXO, while light, has a larger footprint. The manufacturer does not state which measurement is the depth or height for some models, so the figures are given as published.

Capacity and Material Choices

How Much Rice at Once

The Helen’s Asian Kitchen holds 3 quarts, the largest capacity among the five. The Inomata 2.5 quart holds 2.5 quarts, and the Inomata 2 quart holds 2 quarts. The OXO and V TOWER do not publish capacity. For a small household, a 2 quart bowl may be sufficient for one or two servings of rice, while a 3 quart bowl allows for larger batches.

Capacity also affects storage. A larger bowl takes up more space when not in use. The Inomata bowls have a narrower width, which may help in tight cabinets. The manufacturer does not publish capacity for the OXO or V TOWER, so those cannot be compared on this measure.

Stainless Steel vs Plastic

The Helen’s Asian Kitchen is made from stainless steel, as is the DOPMEP. The Inomata bowls are made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic, and the V TOWER is made from ABS plastic. Stainless steel is generally more durable, but plastic is lighter. The OXO material is not published.

For small households, plastic may be easier to handle and less likely to dent. Stainless steel may resist odors and stains. The manufacturer does not publish the material for the OXO, so that remains unknown.

Which One Fits Your Kitchen

If you want the lightest bowl: The OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander weighs 0.11 pounds, the lightest among the five. Its 10.4 by 9.74 inch footprint is larger than some, but the low weight makes it easy to handle.

If you have very little counter space: The V TOWER 1.7L Rice Strainer with Handle measures 6.7 by 9.1 inches, the smallest width and depth among the five. It also weighs 0.2 pounds and has a comfortable handle.

If you need a specific capacity: The Helen’s Asian Kitchen holds 3 quarts, the largest capacity. The Inomata 2.5 quart holds 2.5 quarts, and the Inomata 2 quart holds 2 quarts. The OXO and V TOWER do not publish capacity.

If you prefer stainless steel: The Helen’s Asian Kitchen is made from stainless steel and weighs 0.5 pounds. It measures 9.05 by 9.05 inches and holds 3 quarts. The DOPMEP is also stainless steel but is not among the five picks.

If you want a narrow plastic bowl: The Inomata 2 quart measures 4.0 by 9.5 inches and weighs 0.2 pounds. It has side and bottom drains and is made from BPA-free plastic. The Inomata 2.5 quart is similar but slightly larger.

What We Could Not Verify

The following facts were not published by the manufacturers and could not be sourced.

• The weight of the Joyce Chen Stainless Steel Rice Strainer Bowl.
• The capacity of the OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander.
• The capacity of the V TOWER 1.7L Rice Strainer with Handle.
• The depth of the Inomata Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl with Strainer, 2 quart.
• The depth of the Helen’s Asian Kitchen Japanese Rice Washing Bowl.
• The material of the OXO Good Grips Rice & Small Grains Washing Colander.